Lee County Court Records

Lee County court records are documents created or received by the court within the county in the course of conducting official business, irrespective of their format or nature. These documents provide insight into legal processes, such as civil lawsuits, criminal hearings, family issues, etc.

Motions, decisions, orders, transcripts, and audio/video recordings are examples of court records. These files contain information like case numbers, the parties' names, court dates, types of actions, complaints, replies, penalties, fines, or sentences.

North Carolina court records are generally resourceful for researchers, legal professionals, and the general public who need to access case information, validate legal documents, or perform legal research. These documents are crucial for promoting transparency, accountability, and due process in the legal system.

Are Court Records Public in Lee County?

Yes. Court records in Lee County, North Carolina, are accessible to the public per the North Carolina Public Records Law (North Carolina Gen. Stat. § 132-1). For instance, North Carolina General Statute § 7A-109 specifically outlines the record-keeping procedure for court clerks. This procedure states that most records, such as those related to estates, special proceedings, and criminal, civil, and juvenile matters, are open records accessible upon request.

Nevertheless, there are specific exclusions and restrictions. Some court documents might be confidential or have limited access due to the sensitivity of the information they contain. For example, information about minors or cases with a protective order might not be available to third parties. Also, certain documents might be sealed to protect people’s privacy or to ensure that the justice system's integrity is not compromised.

Lee County Court Records Search

Interested and eligible individuals may search for Lee County court records using the following options:

• Visit the Clerk of Superior Court
• Search the North Carolina Judicial Branch Search Portal
• Contact the Lee County Register of Deeds
• Visit the Lee County Record Record Request Portal
• Search repositories maintained by independent service providers.

Lee County Courts

The Lee County Court system consists of the Superior Court and the District Court. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including felony cases and civil cases over $25,000. The District Court also has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases and civil cases valued at less than $25,000. The contact information of Lee County courts are listed below.

Lee County Superior Court
1400 South Horner Boulevard
P.O. Box 4209
Sanford, NC 27331
Phone: (919) 718-6300
Fax: (919) 718-6301

Lee County District Court
1400 South Horner Boulevard
P.O. Box 4209
Sanford, NC 27331
Phone: (919) 718-6300
Fax: (919) 718-6301

Lee County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Lee County are typically available according to the guidelines stated in the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) Right to Review process. These guidelines outline the steps a person can take to acquire a copy of their personal criminal history record.

To access criminal records, complete the Right to Review Request Criminal History form and visit the Lee County Sheriff's Office or the City of Sanford PD to be fingerprinted. Next, they need to send the fingerprint card, the completed "Right to Review Request Criminal History" form, and a $14.00 certified cheque or money order to the SBI.

NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attn: Applicant Unit — Right to Review
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610.

For non-certified criminal record checks on any individual, visit the Clerk’s Office during business hours or use the North Carolina judiciary ePortal for participating counties.

Get Lee County Civil Court Records

The civil court records in Lee County are commonly seen as public documents, allowing the general public to view them. Nevertheless, there could be limitations or restrictions based on the specific record type and the status of the case. Civil court records consist of various legal proceedings, such as:

• Small Claims
• Civil Equity
• Complex Commercial
• Foreclosures and Liens
• Real Estate Title and Boundary
• Landlord / Tenant
• Ordinance Violations
• Protection, No Contact, and Restraining Orders
• Administrative Agency Appeals

Requesters seeking access to civil court documents in Lee County should get in touch with the Clerk of Superior Court's Office, which serves as the primary custodian for the majority of the county's civil court records. Requesters can access civil court records using self-service terminals provided by the County Clerk's Office. For a price, copies of the document in civil court files may also be obtained from the office staff. Requesters may visit their office during working hours at:

County Clerk
1400 S Horner Blvd
P.O. Box 4209
Sanford, NC 2733(0-1)
(919) 718-6300
Lee.Civil@nccourts.org

The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers the eCourts Portal, which allows the general public and registered users to access court information online, including civil court. The Smart Search option available on the portal provides information about civil court records and civil case information.

Lee County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Lee County are generally considered public records, meaning they are accessible to the public. However, certified copies of these records are only accessible to the subject of the record, their relatives or legal representatives at a fee of $10. The primary source of these records is the Lee County Register of Deeds, which maintains marriage records from 1962 to the present.

To access these records, requesters can utilize the Online Marriage Certificate Request portal of the County Register of Deeds. They can also visit the Register of Deeds Office to submit a written request using their contact details given below:

1408 South Horner Blvd.
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4585

Lee County Divorce Records

Lee County Divorce Records like all other vital records are generally considered public records and may be accessible to the public. However, certified copies of these records are only accessible to the subject of the record, their relatives or legal representatives at a fee. The primary source of these records is the Clerk of Superior Court's Office, which maintains case records in Lee County District Court, including divorce records.

Requesters can access divorce case records using self-service terminals provided by the County Clerk's Office. For a price, copies of the document in divorce case records may also be obtained from the office staff. The certified copies of these records are also available but only accessible to authorized persons. Requesters may visit their office during working hours at:

County Clerk
1400 S Horner Blvd
P.O. Box 4209
Sanford, NC 2733(0-1)
(919) 718-6300

The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers the eCourts Portal may also be used to access divorce case records.

Lee Birth and Death Records

Like every other vital record, the general public has access to the birth and death records kept in Lee County, as they are generally regarded as public records. However, certified copies of these records are only accessible to the subjects of the records, their relatives or legal representatives. Birth and death certificates are valuable for genealogy, legal matters, medical research, statistics, and history. These documents offer crucial details about people, families, and societies, leading to an improved comprehension of family history, lineage, and past occurrences.

The Lee County Register of Deeds and North Carolina Vital Records handle birth and death records in Lee County. To access birth records in Lee County, requesters are to visit both records keepers for records dating back to 1913. Similarly, for death records, they are to visit the Lee County Register of Deeds for records dating back to 1913 or contact the North Carolina Vital Records Office for records before 1930. The Record Keepers's contact addresses are as given below:

Lee County County Register Of Deeds
1300 South Horner Blvd.
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4585

North Carolina Vital Records
Cooper Memorial Health Building
225 N. McDowell St.
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900 (27603-1382)

Lee County Probate Court Records

The primary custodian of Lee County probate court records is the Clerk of Superior Court. These cases, handled by the Superior Court and District Court, include:

• Probate of wills
• Estate administration
• Name Changes
• Trust
• Guardianships and conservatorships

To access these records, requesters can utilize the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s eCourts Portal. They may also visit the County Clerk’s Office:

County Clerk
1400 S Horner Blvd
P.O. Box 4209
Sanford, NC 2733(0-1)
(919) 718-6300

Lee County Property Records

Property records in Lee County, North Carolina, can be obtained by contacting the Tax Administration Department. This department is in charge of listing, appraising, and assessing all real estate, personal property, and Registered Motor Vehicles within Lee County. These documents offer crucial details regarding the property's ownership, worth, tax situation, and any liens or encumbrances. These records provide substantial value to real estate companies, lawyers, and researchers focusing on real estate transactions and property valuations.

Requesters may fill out the Open Records Request online form with the necessary information, including the type of document sought, pertinent dates, and the department holding the documents to obtain property records in Lee County. They may be charged up to $5 or more to retrieve these records.

Lee County Court Records Online

There are advantages to getting public court records in Lee County through third-party websites like northcarolinacourtrecords.us. Users can easily navigate these platforms' interfaces and search for specific cases by entering details like case numbers, party names, or dates. Instead of making a time-consuming trip to the courts in person, users can utilize these websites to check up on records from the comfort of their own homes and even view and download papers from the platform.

However, requesters must be mindful of the possible limitations when relying on third-party sources for court documents, as their resources might not always include the most recent or correct information.