Greene County Court Records

Court records in Greene County are the official documents originating from legal proceedings filed within the county. The courts in Greene County oversee the maintenance and dissemination of these records in accordance with existing regulations. Court records, which include motions, judgments, orders, and evidence, provide crucial information for establishing legal precedents, supporting appeals, and monitoring high-profile cases, among other uses.

Of important note is that the Greene County court records differ from the Greene County arrest records. The former are judicial in nature, while the latter are police records held by law enforcement bodies. Nevertheless, both document types are commonly sourced when reviewing a person's criminal background.

Are Court Records Public in Greene County?

Yes. The North Carolina Public Records Law designates court records as "public records", meaning that any member of the public can request access to them, whether for inspection or copying.

Public access, however, does not mean unrestricted access—certain records are considered nonpublic or confidential by law, court order, or court rule. Confidentiality may be imposed to ensure the integrity of judicial processes, protect vulnerable individuals, or safeguard personal privacy.

Examples of confidential court records in Greene County include adoption files, guardianship proceedings, presentence reports, juvenile delinquency records, and attorney-client correspondence.

Greene County Court Records Search

To conduct a Greene County court records search, it is often necessary to liaise with the official records custodian: the Greene County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Alternatively, interested individuals can access online case management portals (i.e., eCourts and the Remote Public Access Program) provided by the North Carolina judiciary or utilize public records databases featured on reputable third-party websites.

Greene County Courts

The Greene County court system includes a Superior Court and a District Court. These courts oversee diverse criminal and civil cases filed in the county and are situated at the following address:

Greene County Courthouse
301 North Greene Street
Snow Hill, NC 28580
Phone: (252) 747-6200
Family Court: (919) 722-6260

Greene County Criminal and Civil Records

Court records in Greene County are categorized based on general case classifications: specifically, civil court records for civil cases and criminal court records for criminal cases. Collectively, these documents from civil and criminal cases are referred to as the Greene County court records.

A criminal case may be initiated by the State (through a prosecutor) to enforce penal law and pursue penalties, such as fines or imprisonment. Conversely, a civil case may be filed by an individual or organization to obtain civil remedies, such as an injunctive or declaratory relief or financial compensation.

Further reflecting the distinction between civil and criminal cases in Greene County, the contents of the corresponding case files or records also differ. For instance, criminal court records may contain documents like charging papers, Greene County arrest records, warrants, victim impact statements, verdicts, and sentencing orders. On the other hand, civil court records may contain complaints/petitions, summonses, answers, discovery materials, expert reports, and final judgments.

Greene County Marriage Records

Greene County marriage records are government documents that prove two people are joined in matrimony. The local Register of Deeds Office manages these records and provides public access in accordance with G.S. § 130A-93.

According to the law, only eligible parties, such as the spouses, their siblings, children, and parents, are entitled to obtain certified copies. These parties can get the office's application form and complete the required sections. This form can be submitted in person or by mail, and the request fee is $10 per certified copy. Those opting for the in-person service can pay the fee in cash, while those applying by mail will need to pay via money order made out to the Greene County Register of Deeds.

Requesters must also provide a valid form of identification (state-issued picture ID or driver's license) and a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope to Greene County Register of Deeds, P.O. Box 86, Snow Hill, NC 28580 (if it is a mail-in application).

Greene County Divorce Records

The Greene County Superior Court Clerk's Office is the primary custodian of divorce records, which are judicial documents generated from divorce proceedings. These records encompass divorce decrees, separation agreements, orders, motions, and other related materials. Under North Carolina's Public Records Law, divorce records are generally open to the public; however, access to the complete case file may be restricted to safeguard sensitive or confidential information.

Divorce records in Greene County can be acquired by visiting or contacting the local superior court clerk's office. The North Carolina judiciary also offers an eCourts platform for accessing information on divorce cases. The case number or the name of a case party is required to find case records.

Greene Birth Records

Birth records officially document a person's birth in a particular jurisdiction. For every citizen, these records are often the most important documents, serving as primary evidence of age, citizenship, or identity. Under G.S. § 130A-93, certified copies of birth records are restricted records in North Carolina. Only authorized parties, such as the registrant, are permitted to request access.

To obtain a certified copy of a Greene County birth certificate, one can apply to the Greene County Register of Deeds (the application form is available on the Register's website). The relevant sections of the form must be completed, and it can be submitted either in person or by mail. A fee of $10 is required for each certificate.

Greene Death Records

Death records are official government papers that verify a person's death. In Greene County, these records are maintained by the Greene County Register of Deeds. However, pursuant to G.S. § 130A-93, only specific parties, such as the deceased's immediate family members, are eligible to obtain certified copies.

To obtain a Greene County death certificate, individuals can visit the Greene County Register of Deeds Office during regular business hours or complete the related sections of the office's application form (available on its official website) and submit it by mail. Each death certificate costs $10, and a valid government-issued ID is mandatory for each application.

Greene County Probate Court Records

Probate cases are legal proceedings initiated to distribute a person's estate after their demise. The Greene County Superior Court Clerk presides over these types of cases and keeps the records of the probate court. Therefore, to access probate court records, individuals can visit or contact the superior court clerk's office. They can also access the North Carolina judiciary's eCourts portal to look up probate cases filed in Greene County.

When searching for court records, it is necessary to have at least the case number or the name of a case party to find responsive documents. Requesters will also need to pay any fees assessed by the clerk's office for their request.

Greene County Property Records

Property records in Greene County contain crucial information about a piece of real estate. These records are accessible through the Register of Deeds Office. The Register maintains real estate-related instruments filed as part of the county's official records, including deeds, mortgages, leases, assignments, and liens. For records access, the Register can be contacted at the address below.

Greene County Register of Deeds
301 North Greene Street
P.O. Box 86
Snow Hill, NC 28580
Phone: (252) 747-3620

Alternatively, parties can access the Register's Online Index Search to peruse property records filed with the office. The search criteria include a name, book/page number, file number, or date range. Real estate records in this database date back to 1993; however, earlier indexes may be available.

Greene County Court Records Online

Online access is a significant advantage that researchers have when searching for court records in North Carolina. To review Greene County court records online, individuals can access official judicial databases. However, remote access is also available through reputable vendors (third-party aggregator websites)—for example, Northcarolinacourtrecords.us.

Such platforms often provide far-reaching access to court records, covering not only Greene County but also other regions of the United States. Another key benefit for users is the immediate availability of records: searches are usually completed within minutes, with the results sent directly to the requester's email. However, a fee typically applies for the service, and users are cautioned against using information for legal or official purposes without prior verification with the official custodians.