Gaston County Court Records

Gaston County court records are the official documentation of court proceedings, rulings, and judgments. These files are essential logs in the legal system, offering a comprehensive view of the county's judicial history and proceedings. They also provide detailed insights into various legal cases, including civil disputes, criminal charges, and family law matters.

In Gaston County, North Carolina, court records feature details of cases including the names of parties involved, court dates, filings, motions, and outcomes. Additionally, these files contain transcripts of hearings, presented evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments.

Are Court Records Public in Gaston County?

Yes. Gaston County court records are generally accessible to the public per the North Carolina. Gen. Stat. § 132. The statute grants individuals the right to access a wide range of government records, including court records, unless specifically exempted by law. Per N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132, the following records are restricted from unauthorized access:

• Trade secrets owned by private individuals.
• Information related to public contracts, bids, or compliance with laws.
• Personal and financial data like electronic payment account numbers.
• Documents maintained by the Secretary of State or related to military closures.
• Details about drug manufacturing or lottery winners exceeding 50 million dollars.
• Proprietary design work in proposals submitted to the Department of Transportation.
• Records of criminal investigations, intelligence by law enforcement, or the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission.

Gaston County Court Records Search

Individuals can use several options to search for court records in Gaston County. The most common method is to visit the Gaston County Courthouse and request records from the Clerk of Court's office. Alternatively, interested persons may use third-party online services offering access to court records. Some records may also be available through public libraries or legal service organizations.

Gaston County Court Records Search by Name

Information about cases can be obtained using the public self-service terminals at the Clerk of Court’s Office. These terminals allow users to search for cases using criteria such as defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name. To access paper files related to court cases in Gaston County, individuals may visit the clerk of court's office in the county where the case is located. The fees associated with processing a search for court records can vary depending on the record type.

Alternatively, the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) provides access to data from criminal and civil cases in Gaston County through written submissions. Parties can electronically submit requests by completing the Public Records Request Form on the NCAOC website or print the form and send it to the provided address:

Public Records Request
P.O. Box 2448
Raleigh, NC 27602.

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) aims to respond promptly, although the timeframe may vary depending on the request's complexity. This remote option offers convenience for individuals unable to visit the clerk of the court's office in person.

Per North Carolina G.S. 132-6.2, there is a nominal charge of $0.25 per page for copies of public records. However, for exceptional requests, the NCAOC may apply a higher fee if it involves extensive use of resources or personnel assistance, as allowed by G.S. 132-6.2(b). Before commencing any production efforts, the NCAOC will inform individuals of the estimated costs for the requests.

Gaston County Courts

Gaston County, North Carolina, uses a trial court system that comprises a Superior Court and a District Court. The Superior Court handles major civil and criminal cases, including felonies. In contrast, the District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, and civil cases with limited monetary value. Below are the court locations:

Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Gaston County District Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Gaston County Superior Court Case Search

The Superior Court of Gaston County is responsible for hearing civil and criminal matters. Specifically, the court handles felony criminal cases involving serious offenses like murder, robbery, and drug trafficking. In civil proceedings, the Superior Court adjudicates cases with monetary amounts exceeding $25,000, encompassing disputes related to contracts, property, personal injury claims, family law matters like divorce and child custody, and appeals from lower courts and cases involving constitutional issues or special proceedings.

Since Gaston County’s court system has yet to be enrolled in the eCourt services online portal, obtaining Superior Court records requires direct contact with the Clerk's Office. This can be done in person or by phone.

Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

The court is open 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Gaston County District Court Records

The Gaston County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases like DUIs, domestic violence, and minor drug offenses. It also adjudicates civil cases involving disputes under $25,000, such as landlord-tenant issues and small claims. Additionally, the District Court deals with family law matters like child custody, support, and domestic relations cases. Probate and juvenile cases, including adoptions, guardianships, and juvenile delinquency matters, fall under its jurisdiction.

As Gaston County District Court records are not accessible via the eCourt judicial online portal, individuals seeking these records should directly contact the clerk's office.

Gaston County District Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Gaston County Criminal Records

North Carolina General Statutes § 132 classifies criminal history records, including Gaston County Arrest Records, as public records and ensures the public’s accessibility upon request. Interested persons may perform a name-based criminal background check by searching the database maintained by the North Carolina Judicial Branch. The fee for this service is $25 per subject.

Gaston County Criminal Court Case Lookup

To look up criminal court case information in Gaston County:

• Identify the Court: Determine which court handled the criminal case. In Gaston County, this could be The Superior Court for felony cases or the Gaston County District Court for misdemeanor cases.
• Contact the respective court by phone or visit the court physically: Gaston County courts do not have online databases, so contacting the court clerk's office is often necessary.

Below is the contact information for both the Superior Court and the District Court:

Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Gaston County District Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

How to Get Gaston County Civil Court Records

Civil court records typically include cases related to disputes between individuals or entities, such as landlord-tenant issues, small claims, contract disputes, and civil lawsuits. The custodians of civil court records are usually the Clerk of Court for the county's District Court or, depending on the scope or nature of the case, the Clerk of the Superior Court.

To look up civil court case information in Gaston County, first determine whether the case falls under the jurisdiction of the Gaston County Superior Court for civil cases exceeding $25,000 or the Gaston County District Court for civil cases under $25,000.

Civil case records within Gaston County are available through public self-service terminals at the Clerk of Court’s office at the court premises. Since Gaston County courts do not provide online databases for civil cases, inquirers are required to contact the clerks office.

Gaston County Family Court Records

The District Court typically handles Gaston County family law cases. These cases cover a vast range of legal matters related to families, such as divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, domestic violence protection orders, and paternity disputes.

To obtain family court records in Gaston County, individuals must request access by visiting the Clerk of Court's Office in person or by contacting the office by phone.

Applicants must provide identification to verify eligibility for accessing the records. The eligibility requirements for accessing family court records may vary depending on the nature of the case and applicable laws. In general, parties involved in the case, such as the litigants, attorneys, legal guardians, or authorized representatives, can access these records.

Gaston Dissolution of Marriage Records

To access records related to the dissolution of marriage in Gaston County, individuals must go to the Clerk of Court's office in person or contact the office via phone.

325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Applicants may need to provide identification to verify their eligibility for accessing these records. Eligibility typically is for parties involved in the divorce case, such as the spouses, attorneys involved, legal guardians, or authorized representatives. Once eligibility is confirmed, the Clerk of Court will assist in retrieving the dissolution of marriage records. It's essential to inquire about any associated fees.

Gaston County Marriage and Divorce Records

Gaston County Marriage records and divorce records are generally available to the public per North Carolina General Statutes § 130A. Interested individuals can request access to these records by contacting the Gaston County Register of Deeds office. The office may require requesters to fill out a form and provide identification to verify eligibility before providing vital records.

Gaston County Birth and Death Records

The Gaston County Register of Deeds office provides birth and death records for the Gaston County citizens born or deceased in the county from 1913 onwards. During this time frame, people born in the county can acquire Gaston County birth records unless in adoption cases.

Only close relatives, such as parents, siblings, grandparents, or spouses, can request someone else's birth or death certificate with proper identification (North Carolina G.S. 130A-93(c)). Certified Gaston County birth certificates and death certificates cost $10 each when obtained in person at the office.

To request Gaston County vital records, individuals have three options: online through the Vital Records Portal (with a service fee of $3.50), in person at the office (payable by cash or card), or by mail (payable by check or money order). The office also offers a service for statewide births from 1971 onwards, available in person only for $24, excluding adoptions. All relevant information is on the office's dedicated webpage.

Gaston County Probate Court Records

Probate matters in Gaston County are handled by the Gaston County Superior Court. This includes managing estate administration, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. Individuals should contact the Clerk of Superior Court's office to access probate-related records in Gaston County.

Gaston County Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr. Way,
Suite 1004
Gastonia, NC 28052
Phone: (704) 852-3100

Requesters may be required to provide specific case information or identification to confirm record access eligibility.

Gaston County Property Records

Property-related information in Gaston County property records includes ownership details, property assessments, transaction history, tax records, and legal descriptions.

Interested parties can access property records in Gaston County through two online portals provided by the Gaston County Register of Deeds office. These portals allow access to online real estate and property-related records, where unofficial copies of these documents can be obtained. Contact the County Register of Deeds office directly for official copies without watermarks or certified copies.

These services are available to residents to help reduce mortgage and lien fraud. Entities can sign up by providing name(s), phone number, and email address. This allows tracking recordings on property or name and receiving notifications of changes. These services enhance security and provide peace of mind regarding property records.

For more information and to access these online property search portals, visit the Gaston County Register of Deeds website.

Gaston County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us offer convenient access to court records in Gaston County, providing advantages like 24/7 availability, remote access, and quick information retrieval. These platforms often have user-friendly interfaces and advanced search functionalities, making it easier to find certain records. However, limitations may include subscription costs, potential inaccuracies in data, and limited access to certain sensitive or sealed records. Users should be cautious and verify information from official sources when using third-party platforms to access court records.