Harnett County Court Records

North Carolina court records are any item, such as documents, data, or information, collected, received, and maintained by any court regardless of physical form or storage medium used. In Harnett County, the Clerk of the Superior Court is the custodian of all court records. They make records available online and in person to requesters. A typical court record carries the following information:

• Case summary (case caption and number, location, filing date, and microfilm number)
• Case information (offense, statute, degree, offense date, filing date, and case type and status)
• Assignment information (case number, court, and date assigned)
• Party information (defendant’s name, address, sex, skin color, state, and complainant’s name and address)
• Case events (date, time, and event)
• Disposition (date, time, and plea, disposition, sentencing, and probation details)
• Financial information (receipt number, total financial assessment, total payments and credits, transaction assessment, and courthouse payment.

Agencies use court records during background checks for employment, housing, and other purposes to verify a person’s legal history and character. Individuals can use court records to assert their legal rights and seek remedies, such as appeals, motions for reconsideration, and other legal actions. Court records are also used to enforce judgments and orders, providing the legal basis for actions like garnishments, property liens, and other enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, court records contribute to the body of case law, establishing legal precedents. Lawyers and judges rely on past decisions documented in court records to guide current and future cases.

Are Court Records Public in Harnett County?

Yes. The North Carolina Public Records Law strongly favors public access to court records. This grants members of the public the right to inspect, examine, and copy records maintained by any court in Harnett County. Examples of public court records are criminal summons, indictments, nontestimonial identification orders, and arrest and search warrants that law enforcement agencies have returned. North Carolina law exempts some courts from public disclosure due to their name. Examples of confidential court records are:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Medical records
• Attorney-client communications
• Search warrants that law enforcement agencies have not returned

Harnett County Court Records Search

Court records are available at the Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s office, and they are open to the public. Here are several ways of conducting a court record search in Harnett County:

• Online through the eCourt portal
• Online through third-party websites
• In-person using the public self-service terminal
• In person at the record room

Harnett County Court Records Search by Name

Harnett County residents can easily conduct court records by name in the comfort of their homes. Here is how to do it:

• Go to the Harnett County Clerk of Court official website
• Click the eCourts menu at the top bar
• Click the Portal menu at the top bar
• Scroll down and click the Portal Search Link
• Click the Smart Search icon
• Click the Advanced Filtering Options link beneath the search area
• Scroll down to Filter by Search Type and select the appropriate name search criteria from the dropdown. Users can search by attorney, business, nickname, or party name.

Applicants can also visit the Clerk of Court’s office in person to conduct a name-based court records search. They can use the public self-service terminal or request the record from the record staff. The Clerk does not charge for viewing court records, but copies of records attract a small fee. Typically, requesters should expect to pay $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies.

Harnett County Courts

The Harnett County court system comprises superior and district courts. The courthouse is located at:

Harnett County Courthouse
301 W. Cornelius Harnett Blvd
Suite 100
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone: (910) 814-4400

Harnett County Superior Court Case Search

Harnett County is part of the 12th Superior Court District. The Harnett County Superior Court handles criminal (like felony, misdemeanor, and infraction appeals from the district court) and civil cases over $25,000. Record seekers can conduct Superior Court case searches online or in person at the courthouse. Online requests can be made via the eCourts portal using a name or record number. In-person requests can be made using the public self-service terminal at the courthouse. A name or case number must be entered into the computer to view the appropriate record. Applicants who want copies of Superior Court records must speak to the court staff. The Court charges $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies.

Harnett County District Court Records

Harnett County is part of the 12th District Court. The Harnett County District Court hears civil (divorce, child custody and support, and cases that do not exceed $25,000), criminal (misdemeanors and non-jury infractions), juvenile, and magistrate cases. The courthouse has a public self-service terminal where requesters can view District Courts for free. A name or case number must be provided to conduct the search. Individuals can obtain copies of District Court records in person at the Harrnet clerk of the court’s office. The first page of the court record costs $2, and each additional copies cost $0.25. Certified copies cost $3. Harnett County District Court records can also be viewed online through the eCourts portal. The search criteria are by name or record number.

Harnett County Criminal Records

The Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court disseminates criminal records in person and by mail. In-person requesters can freely check criminal records by name at the public terminal in the courthouse. When a search is conducted, information on everyone charged with a criminal offense bearing the searched name will appear on the screen. The applicant must distinguish between the various individuals by checking addresses, dates of birth, or physical characteristics such as gender and race.

Certified copies of criminal records can be obtained in person at the Clerk’s Office Cashier’s Division. The requester must provide the record holder’s name and a fee of $25. Alternatively, individuals can mail a written request for a certified copy of criminal records. The reason for the request, the record holder's date of birth, first and last name, middle name or initial, and address must be included in the request. The mail package must contain a certified check or money order of $25 and a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

Individuals can decide to start their criminal records search by requesting a Harnett County arrest record. The Sheriff’s Office disseminates arrest records online and in person to record seekers. Online requesters should review the Felony Arrest Reports published on the Sheriff’s Office website. In-person requesters should visit the office during business hours at:

Harnett County Sheriff’s Office
175 Bain Street
P.O. Box 399 (mail)
Lillington, NC 27546
Phone: (910) 893-9111
Fax: (910) 893-6450

Harnett County Criminal Court Case Lookup

The Clerk of the Superior Court’s Criminal Court maintains all criminal records in Harnett County. Information about criminal court cases can be accessed by visiting the public, self-service terminal located at a clerk of court’s office. The terminal can be used to search for cases by case number, defendant name, or victim/witness name. Individuals can access paper files for criminal court cases by speaking to the record staff. Copies of criminal court records cost $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies. Record seekers may search the eCourts portal for criminal case information. The search criteria are by name (attorney name, business name, nickname, or party name) or record number (attorney bar number, case cross-reference number, case number, or citation number). Users can streamline their searches by clicking the Advanced Filtering Options. Then select “Harnett County” from the “Filter by Location” dropdown and “Criminal and Infraction” from the Filter by Case Type dropdown.

Get Harnett County Civil Court Records

Individuals can access civil court records in person at the Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s Civil Court. There is a public self-service terminal at the courthouse where people can view civil court records for free. Copies of civil court records can be retrieved from the record staff for a fee. Copies of civil court records cost $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies. Alternatively, record seekers can view civil court records online via the eCourts portal. A search can be conducted by name (last, first, or middle) or record number. To streamline the search, click the Advanced Filtering Options link, select “Harnett County” from the “Filter by Location” dropdown, and “Civil Actions, Civil Misc. Judgment, or Civil/Family/Probate” from the Filter by Case Type dropdown.

Harnett County Family Court Records

The Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s Civil Court handles family cases such as divorce, child support, and child custody. However, not all family court records are available for public perusal. Public family court records can be accessed online through the eCourts portal or by visiting the courthouse to use the public self-service terminal. A name or record number is required to use the portal. To narrow the search, click the Advanced Filtering Options link, select “Harnett County” from the “Filter by Location” dropdown, and “Civil/Family/Probate or Family” from the Filter by Case Type dropdown. Applicants who want copies of family court records must visit the Clerk’s Office during normal office hours. The Office opens Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closes daily for lunch from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.). The required fees and a valid ID will be required to obtain copies of documents. The Court charges $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies.

Harnett Dissolution of Marriage Records

Similarly to divorce records, dissolution of marriage records can be obtained online and in person at the Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s Civil Court. Online requests can be made through the eCourts portal. The search parameters are by name or record number. Individuals who visit the courthouse to conduct dissolution of marriage records searches can use the public self-service terminal or request copies from the record staff. A name or case number will be required to process the request. Copies of record cost $2 for the first page of a record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies.

Harnett County Marriage and Divorce Records

In Harnett County, different record custodians issue marriage and divorce certificates. Record seekers must contact the appropriate custodian to obtain copies of these records. Harnett County Marriage records are available at the Register of Deeds’ Office. Requesters can visit the Office anytime with a valid photo ID between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to obtain marriage records. Copies of Harnett Court marriage certificates obtained in person cost $60. Orders for marriage records can also be made online or by mail. A valid photo ID must accompany the mail request.

Interested individuals can obtain divorce records at the Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s Civil Court. The Clerk issues divorce records online through the eCourts portal and in person at the courthouse. The eCourts portal requires a name or record number to gain access. In-person requesters can use the public self-service terminal to conduct their searches. They can also request copies of divorce records from the record staff.

Harnett Birth and Death Records

The Health Department Vital Records processes and maintains birth and death events in Harnett County. However, individuals can obtain copies of birth and death records from the Harnett County Register of Deeds. Requests for Harnett County vital records of birth and death can be made online, by mail, or in person. Online requests will be returned by mail the next business day. Through the Vital Index, individuals can view birth or death records online for free. A search can be conducted by date range or name.

A valid ID must accompany mail requests. In-person requesters must come to the office during business hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). They must come to the office with a valid photo ID. Uncertified copies of birth or death records cost $0.10, but certified copies cost $10, payable by cash, money order, or debit/credit card. The office is located at:

Harnett County Register of Deeds
305 W Cornelius Harnett Blvd.,
Suite 200,
Lillington, NC 27546

Harnett County Probate Court Records

The Harnett County Clerk of the Superior Court’s Estates and Wills Office assists individuals in obtaining probate court records. For a fee, copies of probate court records can be retrieved in person at the office. Individuals must provide $2 for the first page of the record, $0.25 for each additional page, and $3 for certified copies. Alternatively, in-person requesters can use the public self-service terminal at the courthouse to search probate court records for free. The eCourts portal can also be used to view probate court records for free. The search parameters are by name or record number. Users should click the Advanced Filtering Options link, select “Harnett County” from the “Filter by Location” dropdown, and choose “All Civil, Family, and Probate Public Case Types, Civil/Family/Probate, Estates, or Wills Deposited for Safekeeping” from the Filter by Case Type dropdown.

Harnett County Property Records

Harnett County has several custodians that issue property records to the public. Examples of such custodians are:

• Register of Deeds office: All information, including property records maintained in the Register of Deeds office, is part of the Harnett County public record. Individuals can obtain a copy of a property document in person, by mail, or online at Online Record Search. The search criteria for a standard search are by name or date range, but an advanced search provides more options to help streamline the search. Record seekers who want to search property records by address can use the Harnett County GIS/Mapping.
• Clerk of Court: The Office has records of court proceedings relating to real estate, such as evictions, foreclosures, partitions, estates, condemnations, judgments, and liens on real property. Requests can be made online using the eCourts portal or in person at the courthouse.
• Tax Department: The Department has a Real Estate Division that disseminates property tax records online and in person. Online requests can be made usinng the Basic Search or Tax Bill Search. The search methods available on the Basic Search portal are property owner name, parcel number, property address, and map number. In contrast, an owner’s last name, owner’s first name, account number, parcel ID, tax year, bill year, or property address is required to access the Tax Bill Search portal.

Harnett County Court Records Online

Several third-party vendors, like northcarolinacourtrecords.us, provide court records online through their databases to members of the public. What differentiates these sites from official government portals is their ability to provide court records across multiple jurisdictions. Most third-party vendors issue basic court information for free, but a full report costs a small fee.