Lincoln County Court Records

Lincoln County Court records refer to documents and information contained therein that are submitted to, filed with, a court or filed with, created, or maintained by a court clerk in relation to any court proceeding in Lincoln County. These records are often documented in several forms, including paper files and electronic recordings. They include motions, pleadings, exhibits, affidavits, complaints, orders, and judgments.

These corresponding documents chronicle case activities and outcomes and are termed "court records”. People can review a Lincoln County court record from various archives and databases maintained by the county and third-party platforms to track court proceedings and research precedents.

As part of the North Carolina court records family, the judiciary depends on these adjudicative records to foster transparency and public confidence that justice is fairly served.

Are Court Records Public in Lincoln County?

Yes. Accessibility to court records in Lincoln County is governed by Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes. Per this code, public records created and curated by court entities and officials are the people’s property regardless of physical form or characteristics.

Anyone can access these records as papers, maps, letters, photographs, films, magnetic tapes, artifacts, or other documentary material generated or filed in connection with the transaction of court business.

However, certain court documents are restricted by federal law, as well as state or local ordinances. This includes the following:

• Trade secrets.
• Juvenile court records.
• Sensitive documents of a criminal investigation conducted and compiled by public law enforcement agencies.
• Trial preparation files.
• Social security numbers.
• Adoption Records
• Expunged or sealed records.
• Involuntary hospitalization cases.

To review such records, one must receive a court order from a judge of reputable standing where the case was handled. Regardless of any other provision of this general statute, all constraints on access to public records shall expire 100 years after the record is generated.

Lincoln County Court Records Search

A Lincoln County court records search can be performed at the following locations:

• The local courthouse
• The public, self-service terminal provided by the clerk of court’s office
• Send a written request to the Superior Court Clerk's office.
• Online Case Search Portal provided by the North Carolina Judiciary.
• Remote Public Access Program
• Access a third-party database.

Lincoln County Courts

Lincoln County is North Carolina’s 20th district. Civil, criminal, and domestic cases are adjudicated at the superior and district court locations. Below are the locations:

Lincoln County Criminal Records

Local law enforcement agencies are the central repository for criminal records, including Lincoln County arrest records and warrant information. Interested persons can find criminal history information at the following venue:

The Lincoln County Sheriff's

The Records Division of the county sheriff’s office is responsible for preserving paper documents and computerized records filed by attorneys, deputies, and public members. Individuals seeking Lincoln County criminal records can reach the records division at (910) 671-3100 or visit them in person at the following address:

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
120 Legend Road
Lumberton NC 28358

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI)

The SBI provides criminal background check services to the public and authorized agencies. Interested persons can conduct a personal background check or run a criminal record check on others.

A fingerprint-based criminal history check, also known as “Right to Review”. is best suited for people requesting these records for personal review and accuracy. The Right to Review Process provides requesters with a copy of their North Carolina criminal history record at a charge of $14. Possible results include previous arrests and associated dispositions for which the SBI received the applicant’s fingerprint card.

To begin, the applicant may submit a written request to the following address:

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Applicant Unit-Right to Review
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610

Written requests are typically accompanied by proof of identity, a legible set of fingerprint impressions, a money order, or a certified check in the specified amount above payable to the NC State Bureau of Investigation.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety

Members of the public can find information on anyone who has served, is currently serving a sentence in North Carolina state prisons, or is on parole through the Public Offender Search.

Additionally, non-subjects of record and authorized entities may access public databases provided by the NC courts and third-party vendors to obtain NCSBI criminal history information. Most private companies perform name-based background checks which are not as accurate as fingerprint-based checks.

Lincoln County Civil Court Records

Lincoln County Superior and District Courts share concurrent jurisdiction over civil court cases filed against persons and corporate bodies. Anyone who seeks to access a Lincoln County civil court record can visit the Superior Court Clerk's office. This office is the official keeper of court records, including civil case information.

Walk-in services are only allowed at reasonable times during official working hours. Likewise, the public, self-service computers at the clerk’s office are ideal for anyone capable of viewing and printing case documents without the assistance of the staff.

Finally, parties of interest can view upcoming court dates, times, and locations of court appearances via the Lincoln County Civil Court Calendar page. Civil court calendars typically appear on the page for five working days after the court date shown in the calendar.

Lincoln County Family Court Records

The Lincoln District Court is statutorily delegated to adjudicate domestic relations filed by residents and citizens of Lincoln County. Such domestic cases include divorce, child support, child custody, equitable distribution of property, enforcement of separation or property settlement agreement between couples, recovery for the breach, and dissolution of marriage.

Aside from the district court, the Lincoln County Superior Court sits in judgment over specific family court affairs. Individuals wishing to get family court records from the court can visit the Superior Court Clerk's office at the office address mentioned in previous sections or contact (910) 272-5105.

Lincoln County Marriage Records

People can order Lincoln County marriage records from the Register of Deeds in person, by phone, via mail, or online. A certified copy of the marriage certificate costs $10, plus a processing fee of $1 for each certified copy. Conversely, a certified copy of a marriage license fee costs $70. Payment can be made with a credit/debit card, cash, or money order.

Online requests are typically delivered to the Register of Deeds office at 550 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton, NC 28358. The office typically requires forms of identification such as a passport, government-issued driver's license, state ID card, or valid military ID card before issuing copies of marriage certificates.

Finally, one can access the NC State Archives to retrieve divorce records dated 1778 to 1966, and marriage licenses from 1851 to 1966.

Lincoln County Divorce Records

Individuals involved in an annulment of a marital union can query the Superior Court Clerk for a copy of the divorce judgment during regular work hours for a fee. However, if they cannot find sufficient information from the clerk, they can contact the North Carolina Vital Records. This office is the keeper of divorce and marriage records, including copies of marriage certificates from 1962 to the present and divorce certificates from 1958 to the present.

Interested persons can make oral and written requests for divorce decrees and marriage certificates to this department by phone or mail at a nonrefundable $24 search fee per three-year period. Nevertheless, multiple volumes of requests may attract extra charges payable in certified and personal checks, cash, credit cards, and money orders.

To begin, applicants can visit the NC Vital Records: Order a Certificate page. The preliminary ordering questions are helpful for locating the appropriate services before placing a certificate order. Notably, in-person visits are based on appointments only.

Lincoln Birth and Death Records

Birth and death records constitute a part of Lincoln County's vital records used for legal and official events. For example, birth certificates are commonly requested for proof of identity, school enrollment, applying for insurance, and getting a passport or driver’s license.

On the other hand, death certificates are essential for claiming life insurance or pension, settling a decedent’s will and estate, and including financial claims upon a decedent’s death. Meanwhile, one can trace their ancestral lineage and relationship through these vital records.

Like marriage certificates, these records are accessible via the Lincoln County Register of Deeds office, as well as the NC vital records. However, only subjects of record, and parties of interest who share a direct relationship with the subject, such as the parent, spouse, children, or legal representative or spouse.

Anyone querying the registrar for a copy of Lincoln County birth and death certificate can follow the following outlined steps:

• On a browser, visit ncvitals.com
• Select a county of interest
• Select the type of certificate (Birth or death certificate)
• Click next and accept the disclaimer
• Enter the applicant’s first, middle, and last name
• Enter shipping information
• Upload preferred forms of identification (For example, passport, government-issued Driver's license, government-issued state identity card, military ID card, or consular card).
• Enter the personal information of the certificate owner, and parents
• Choose a preferred payment method
• Review the entered details and submit the form

It is worth mentioning that applicants can mail or fax their proof of identification to the address below:

500 North Elm Street
Room 102
Lumberton, NC 28358
Fax: (910) 671-3041

Each certified copy of a birth or death certificate attracts a charge of $10 and a $1 processing fee. That said, applicants can make an oral or written request to the NC Vital Records Office in person, via phone, by mail, or online through the Order a Certificate webpage. A certified copy of each certificate costs $24. However, one may only retrieve birth records dated 1913 until date and death records dated 1930 to the present.

Finally, the NC State Archives maintains death certificates dated 1906 to 1981. To retrieve records from the state archives, applicants can print out and submit a copy of the request form by mail it or fax to:

State Archives of North Carolina
4614 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4614

Residents can also email record requests to archives@dncr.nc.gov with their name, mailing address, and additional necessary information to locate the record.

Lincoln County Probate Court Records

According to § 7A-241, the Lincoln Superior Court division maintains original jurisdiction over probate court records, such as probate of wills, the administration of decedents' estates, and guardianship.

Hence, anyone requesting these Lincoln County Probate Court records can visit the superior court clerk during office hours or reach them at (910) 272-5900 to make inquiries regarding record retrieval procedures.

Basic probate court record searches typically require the case party's name or case number to aid retrieval. Record search may attract a nominal processing fee at the discretion of the clerk’s office.

Lincoln County Property Records

To retrieve Lincoln County property records, inquirers should contact the Register of Deeds office at (910) 671-3040 or visit the office during work hours at 550 North Chestnut Street, Lumberton NC 28358. The public archives of the register contain property information, land deeds, plats, mortgages, and powers of attorney. Such property information and land records can be accessed online.

Further, the Lincoln County Register of Deeds provides an online Land Records database so that requesters can easily access Lincoln County Property records remotely. To perform a search, one can choose the type of search, which is usually party type (Grantor or grantee) or entity type (company or business).

The database generally provides index and document information on real estate within the county. Apparent search parameters for record retrieval include property owner name, book or page number, property details, and instrument number.

In addition, the Lincoln Superior Court Clerk’s office maintains records of legal proceedings involving real estate, like liens on real property, foreclosures, evictions, partitions, and judgments.

Lincoln County Court Records Online

Government sources are typically the ideal place for anyone looking to obtain Lincoln County Court records online. However, they demand specific requirements and information that the inquirer may not be disposed to provide immediately. Hence, the need to explore other resource options, such as third-party websites, may arise. Like official resources, third-party alternatives like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us are suited for people seeking to expedite their court record search. These privately owned aggregate websites collate and collect data from public government websites, including courts and law enforcement agencies.