Cumberland County Court Records

Cumberland County court records refer to official documents produced from legal proceedings and preserved within the Cumberland County judicial system. They include motions, pleadings, affidavits, evidence, notices, and judgments. The Superior Court Clerk's office maintains these records.

County court records are an essential part of judicial proceedings and are maintained to promote transparency and accountability in the judicial process. In addition, court records establish legal precedents, inform researchers, and provide a better perspective on cases.

Are Court Records Public in Cumberland County?

Yes. Under North Carolina's Public Records Law (N.C.G.S 132 et seq), court records in Cumberland County are publicly accessible. Hence, upon request, any person may inspect or copy these records without providing identification or a reason for the request.

However, certain records are confidential by law or court rules. For example, sealed court records, unexecuted warrants, juvenile records, confidential communications, adoption records, grand jury proceedings, and a judge's personal notes are exempt from public access.

It should be noted that courts can exclude confidential information from a record if feasible and furnish the rest of the document to the public.

Cumberland County Court Records Search

Someone who wants to search for a Cumberland County court case record can explore any of the following options:

• The Superior Court Clerk's office
• Public access portals on the North Carolina judiciary's website
• Third-party websites

Cumberland County Court Records Search by Name

A Cumberland County court records search by name is a common way of locating a case record. It utilizes a case party's name (e.g., a respondent's name) to retrieve corresponding case files. Name-based searches are particularly useful for finding case information when the case or file number is unknown. Some methods of conducting name-based court record searches in Cumberland County include:

• Using public access terminals provided at the local courthouse
• Querying the Superior Court Clerk's office in person or by mail
• Access the District and Superior Court Search tool (only to search criminal cases by name)

Cumberland County Courts

The Cumberland County court system comprises superior and district courts. These courts are housed within the same courthouse building.

Cumberland County's Superior Court
117 Dick Street
P.O. Box 363
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 475-3000

Cumberland County District Court
117 Dick Street
P.O. Box 363
Fayetteville, NC 28302
Phone: (910) 475-3000
Phone: (910) 475-3015 (Family Court)
Fax: (910) 475-3036 (Family Court)

Interested persons may view the contact directory of Cumberland County courts for other court division contacts.

Cumberland County Superior Court Case Search

Per N.C.G.S. § 7A-271, the Cumberland County Superior Court handles felony matters and civil cases involving over $25,000 in damages. It also hears appeals from the district court.

To view Cumberland County's superior court case records, one can send a written request to the Superior Court Clerk's office for copies or utilize any self-service terminal at the county courthouse. One can also access tools on the North Carolina judiciary's Legacy Services page to find case information.

Other alternatives include the North Carolina District and Superior Case Lookup and the NC judiciary's Remote Public Access portal, which allow interested parties to look up criminal and civil court case information upon fulfilling all registration requirements and paying the applicable fees.

Cumberland County District Court Records

The Cumberland District Court handles civil cases less than $10,000, domestic relations cases, juvenile proceedings, misdemeanors, and mental health cases. District court case records in Cumberland County can be accessed by contacting the Superior Court Clerk's office or using the "District and Superior Case Lookup" tool.

Cumberland County Criminal Records

People interested in obtaining Cumberland County criminal records may begin their search by contacting their municipal law enforcement or the Cumberland County Sheriff's office. Per N.C.G.S. 132-1.4, the Sheriff's Office provides a publicly accessible Active Inmate Lookup tool, searchable by an inmate's surname and first name (optional) at no cost. The sheriff's office also provides information on sex offenders and Cumberland County Arrest Records.

Another way to find Cumberland criminal records is to request a Cumberland County Sheriff's Office background check or statewide SBI fingerprint check for North Carolina. These services cost $8 and $14, respectively, and are only provided to the subject of the record.

Cumberland County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Cumberland County criminal court case records can be obtained from the public, self-service terminal at the Superior Court Clerk's office using a defendant's name, case number, or victim or witness name.

Individuals can fill out and submit the Criminal Record Search (AOC-CR-314) Form to the Cumberland Superior Court Clerk's office in person or by mail. The service costs $25, payable by money order or check (for mail requests) or via credit card, cash, certified check, or money order (for in-person orders). Mail and in-person requests can be forwarded to:

Cumberland County Courthouse
117 Dick Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 475-3000
Fax: (910) 475-3032
Email: Cumberland.CustomerService@nccourts.org

Another avenue to look up Cumberland criminal court cases is the NC District and Superior Court Search, where one may find upcoming criminal and infraction cases by defendant name, court type, and county.

Get Cumberland County Civil Court Records

Civil actions are court cases that do not involve criminal charges. They include contract disputes, property damage, landlord/tenant disputes, and others. Records from Cumberland civil court proceedings are accessible through the Superior Court Clerk's office or at the courthouse terminals.

Cumberland County Family Court Records

Cumberland County does not have a family court. Instead, the District Court hears all Cumberland County family-related cases. Like other District Court records, family court records are publicly available. However, certain family court documents, such as records containing information about juveniles, are withheld from public disclosure unless by court order.

Persons who want to access family court records may query the Superior Court Clerk's office or visit the local courthouse to make inquiries.

Cumberland Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage or divorce records from Cumberland County are publicly accessible upon request. These requests may be made at the local courthouse or through the Superior Court Clerk's office. Another way to acquire marriage dissolution records is to petition the North Carolina Vital Records office. This service costs $24 per document.

Cumberland County Marriage and Divorce Records

Individuals can obtain Cumberland County divorce records from the Superior Court Clerk's office during business hours or by mailing a written request containing relevant case details (spouse names, divorce date) to the office. The Clerk can be reached at (910) 475-3000 for record and fee inquiries.

On the other hand, certified copies of Cumberland marriage records can be requested from the County Register of Deeds online for $14.50 (first copy) and $10 per additional copy in a single request. Individuals can also order in person or via mail at the respective addresses:

Street Address:
Cumberland County Courthouse
117 Dick Street
Room 114
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: (910) 678-7775
Fax: (910) 678-7768

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 2039
Fayetteville, NC 28302

In-person and mail requests for certified copies cost $10, while uncertified copies cost 25 cents per copy. (Note that only eligible parties like the spouse or their immediate family can obtain certified copies.)

Besides ordering copies, individuals can look up marriage license indexes from 1968 to date on the Register of Deeds Remote Access Site.

Alternatively, one can also petition the North Carolina Vital Records for marriage and divorce certificates. Because these are vital records, only close relatives or legally authorized persons may access them. A record request may be submitted as follows:

• Online or Via Phone: Phone and online requests cost $37.95 or $57.95, and the requester must provide certain marriage information to the vendor to place an order. Delivery time is four to five months.
• In-Person: In-person requests require the searcher to book an appointment prior. Applicable costs are provided on the agency's website. Note that a $15 expedited processing fee applies for all in-person orders in addition to the standard copy fees.
• Mail Request: Mail orders should be sent to:

North Carolina Vital Records
ATTN: VC Certificate Orders
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900

Each applicant should use the standard marriage certificate ordering form. It costs $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional certificate; additional costs may apply. Fees can be paid via credit card, personal check, or money order.

Cumberland County Birth and Death Records

Certificates of deaths (including fetal deaths) and births that occurred in Cumberland County can be requested from the Cumberland County Register of Deeds in person or via mail for $10 (certified copy) or 25 cents (uncertified copy). Interested persons may call (910) 678-7775 to schedule an appointment for in-person inquiries.

Additionally, a person may request Cumberland County birth and death records from the state's Vital Record Office.

Birth records are essential identity verification documents and are used to acquire licenses, passports, and certain social benefits. Death records, on the other hand, may be used to settle a decedent's estate and claim life insurance.

Cumberland County Probate Court Records

Probate cases heard in Cumberland County involve legal issues relating to the distribution of a person's estate after their death. In North Carolina, the Clerk of the Superior Court is the probate court clerk. Hence, researchers may mail or visit the office during regular business hours with their request. A name or case number will be required for the case search.

Cumberland County Property Records

The Cumberland Register of Deeds office files and preserves real estate records. These records include conveyances, deeds of trust, plat maps, mortgages, powers of attorney, assumed names, separation agreements, and tax assessment records.

Persons who want to inspect these records may use the Register's Remote Access Site to look up real estate documents recorded by the Register. Still, a person may contact the Register of Deeds and present sufficient information (a name, instrument number, book/page number, etc.) Obtaining copies of property records costs a fee.

They can also search the County Tax Assessment Search portal with a property owner's name, Real Estate Identification Number (REID), Parcel Identification Number (PIN), or property address to find comprehensive property data.

Cumberland County Court Records Online

Third-party or commercial websites like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us are online tools private entities provide for researchers to find online court and other public records. These websites often purchase or aggregate information from government agencies and resell it to users for a fee. While government sources remain the most reliable way to get current and accurate court case data, third-party websites offer extra convenience and ease in accessing the records. For instance, they are not limited by jurisdiction and can be accessed from an internet-connected device anywhere in the world. Moreover, they use simple search queries to retrieve case information.

On the downside, third-party sites face several limitations, such as depending on government sources to update their database. This may sometimes lead to out-of-date or inaccurate information. Hence, it is advisable that, where possible, users cross-check their information with official data available from the courts.