Burke County Court Records

Burke County court records are official files on court-related activities, including case proceedings and judicial actions. Such records are significant in legal matters since they contain accurate data on court events. Interested parties may use the records as evidence or reference in court cases.

The county's court officials create and store court records in formats like handwritten or typed documents, audio or video recordings, or photographs. Despite the different formats, most court records typically contain the following data:

• Case number
• Case party's name
• Filing date.

Note: As part of North Carolina court record collection, the county's court records ensure the courts follow standard legal processes during case proceedings.

Are Court Records Public in Burke County?

In Burke County, most court records are accessible to the general public. The North Carolina Public Records Act empowers the public to find and get court documents from specific government entities. In turn, the agencies must provide access to court records in their custody.

However, custodian agencies may withhold or redact access to certain court records in Burke County. For instance, court officials will not disclose pending search or arrest warrants. Other exempt court records include the following:

• Court documents under the custody of a probation officer.
• Court documents on settlements pertaining to medical malpractices (G.S. 132-1.3(a))
• Pending arrest and search warrants
• Certain aspects of criminal court case records are restricted by the court judge.
• Information on grand jury proceedings (G.S. 15A-623(e), (f) and (g))
• Court documents sealed by court orders and state or federal statutes.
• Court judge's drafts or work notes.

Burke County Court Records Search

Record seekers may search court records using resources provided by the designated record custodians. Burke County’s district and superior courts are record custodians of cases heard at the respective courts. Thus, record seekers may request court records using self-service terminals at the courthouses. The court clerks also allow in-person requests for court records. To conduct searches, record seekers may fulfill the search or eligibility criteria. For instance, requesters using the self-service terminals must provide search information, such as the case party’s name or case number.

Burke County Courts

Burke County courts consist of a superior and a district court. The courts are located at:

Burke County Superior Court
201 South Green Street, P.O. Box 796, Morganton, NC 28680
Phone: (828) 433-3200

Burke County District Court
201 South Green Street
P.O. Box 796
Morganton, NC 28680
Phone: (828) 433-3200
Phone: (828) 433-3215 (Family Court)
Fax: (828) 433-3291 (Family Court)

Burke County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Burke County contain information on criminal convictions and court-related data. Inquirers will find such records under the purview of local and state-level entities.

The county superior court clerk allows criminal background checks through mail-in or in-person requests. To get the records, inquirers must use these steps:

1. Fill out and print out the Form AOC-CR-314
2. Enclose a $25 search fee alongside the request. Use a check or money order for mail-based requests.
3. Mail or submit the form in person to:

Mail address
Burke County Courthouse
P.O. Box 796
Morganton, NC 28655

Physical address
201 South Green Street
Morganton, NC 28655

In contrast, North Carolina’s Bureau of Investigation maintains state-level access to criminal records generated within the state. To get Burke County criminal records, inquirers must send a mail request to the agency at:

NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attn: Civilian Services Unit—Right to Review
P.O. Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500.

The mail request must include the following:

• A request letter for criminal records that contains the record subject's names or aliases, race, social security number, birth date, and gender.
• A completed fingerprint card. Local law enforcement agencies provide fingerprint services.
• Valid photo ID
• A $14 money order or check payable to the NC State Bureau of Investigations.

Burke County arrest records also contain crime-related data. Inquirers may find such records by contacting the county sheriff's records division at:

150 Government Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
Phone: (828) 764-9513

Burke County Marriage

Burke County's Register of Deeds maintains records of marriage events that occurred in the county. The agency provides access to marriage records via an online search site. To find records on the search site, interested parties must input the required search information.

In contrast, inquirers may use the agency's online request form to obtain marriage records. The agency will process the request and send the requested document to the inquirer's mail address.

The North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH), via the Office of Vital Records, is also a custodian of marriage records. Inquirers may access the records by visiting the agency at:

The Cooper Memorial Health Building
North McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

Burke County Divorce Records

In Burke County, record seekers may obtain divorce records through the county clerk of court's office. The county clerk attends to in-person requests during open hours at:

201 South Green Street
Morgantown, NC 28655
Phone: (828) 433-3200

Conversely, inquirers may obtain Burke County divorce records from the NCDPH. To get the records, inquirers must make an in-person request by visiting the agency at:

The Cooper Memorial Health Building
225 North McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

Burke Birth and Death Record

Interested parties will find Burke County birth records at the Register of Deeds’ office. The agency maintains online or offline options for accessing such records. To access records online, record seekers may use the agency's search site or fill out an online request form. Note that the agency will charge fees for producing physical copies of requested documents.

The state's Office of Vital Records is another option for finding Burke County birth or death certificates. Persons or entities seeking to obtain the records must submit requests in person by visiting the agency at:

The Cooper Memorial Health Building
225 North McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382

Burke County vital records serve as evidence of life events and protect the rights of concerned parties. For instance, Burke County birth certificates enable record subjects to prove their identity.

Burke County Probate Court Records

In Burke County, probate court records contain court decisions regarding the distribution of a deceased person's assets and the care of dependents. Such records may include information on trustees, administration of wills, name changes, and conservatorships.

The superior court clerk's office documents all probate cases. Interested parties may access the records by using self-service terminals installed at the clerk's office. The court clerk also attends to in-person requests during open hours.

Burke County Property Records

Inquirers will find Burke County property records at the Register of Deeds’ office. The register of deeds maintains property-related documents, such as deeds of trusts and plats. To obtain the record, inquirers must ask for the record in person at the location below:

201 South Green Street
Morgantown, NC 28655.

Burke County Court Records Online

Members of the public typically search for court records online using resources provided by the designated record custodians. However, record seekers may also be able to get some Burke court records through third-party search sites like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us. Such sites are generally easy to use and do not restrict users based on location. Nevertheless, third-party search sites are mostly unregulated and may not feature complete court records. Accuracy cannot be guaranteed.