Macon County Court Records

Macon County court records are documents containing information about events in case proceedings in Macon County. These documents include case transcripts, motions, affidavits, briefs, audio/video recordings, etc., submitted to the county court clerk during a trial. The information contained in court records can describe the circumstances that led to the case, the persons involved, what happened during the proceeding, and the case outcome.

Are Court Records Public in Macon County?

Yes. Generally, Macon County court records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Law (G.S. 132-1.). However, restrictions exist on files containing information classified as protected public records. Examples include adoption files, expunged records, juvenile cases, and confidential orders. Restrictions may also exist in some court files to preserve privacy and the court may redact sensitive details from public court records. These restrictions are placed to strike a balance between personal privacy, security concerns, and public transparency.

Macon County Court Records Search

There are various ways to search court records in Macon County.

• Visiting the courthouse where the case was filed
• Going to the Macon County Clerk’s Office
• Using the North Carolina Judiciary Online Search Portal
• Submitting a public record request on the Judiciary website.
• Looking up records on third-party websites.

Macon County Courts

Macon County, North Carolina has two trial court types which are the superior and district courts. The court addresses are given below.

Macon County Superior Court
5 West Main Street
P.O. Box 288
Franklin, NC 28744
Phone: (828) 349-7200
Fax: (828) 349-7201

Macon County District Court
5 West Main Street
P.O. Box 288
Franklin, NC 28744
Phone: (828) 349-7200
Fax: (828) 349-7201

Macon County Criminal and Civil Records

In Macon County, the Clerk of the Superior Court is the custodian of criminal and civil court records. To access criminal court records, visit the Clerk’s Office during business hours and use the public access computers in the office building. Alternatively, lookup criminal court records online using the North Carolina eCourt system. This online portal system allows individuals to search criminal court records and case information by name, case number, and attorney.

Civil court records including wills, testaments, small claims, and divorce records are also accessible through the public self-service terminal or by submitting a request at the Clerk's office. The personnel at the Clerk's office can make copies of the documents available upon request for a fee. Civil court records are also available online via the eCourt system.

Macon County Clerk of Court
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: (828) 349-7200

Macon County Marriage Records.

In Macon County, marriage records are available at the Register of Deeds office. As the custodian of these records, the Register of Deed is in charge of preserving the records and making them accessible to the public upon request.

To access this document, fill out and submit a record request form at the Register of Deeds Office. A processing charge of $10.00 in cash, check, or money order applies for certified copies, and non-certified copies cost $0.25 per page. Alternatively, requesters can request marriage records online via the Register of Deeds' office website.

Macon County Register of Deeds
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: (828) 349-2097

Macon County Divorce Records

The Macon County Clerk of Court's office maintains divorce records. In most cases, the divorced parties and their lawyers can access these documents; third parties usually need a court order to obtain them. For eligible requestors, the clerk's office would need information such as the names of the parties and the approximate date of the divorce to facilitate a search. There might also be expenses associated with obtaining certified copies of the records.

Macon County Clerk of Court
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734
Phone: (828) 349-7200

Alternatively, requestors may also request divorce records from the North Carolina Vital Records Office via mail or online. A non-refundable fee of $24.00 applies. Each additional copy of the record requested at the same time costs $15.00.

NC Office of Vital Records
Cooper Memorial Health Building
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Phone: (919) 733-3000

Macon County Birth Records

The North Carolina Vital Records Office or the Register of Deeds Office are the places to look for birth records in Macon County, North Carolina. These records, which list a person's full name, birth date, and place of birth, are essential for official, private, and legal reasons. Birth records are often used to get government-issued documents such as driver's licenses or passports, prove identification and citizenship, and enroll in school. They also come in quite handy when it comes to genealogical research and settling legal issues like inheritance or family disputes.

North Carolina General Statute Section 130A-93 governs access, restricting who can access these documents to preserve personal privacy. Naturally, they are only accessible by the individual listed on the document, their immediate family (spouses, parents, or children), or approved legal representatives. Third parties typically need to obtain a court order.

To obtain a birth record, contact the North Carolina Vital Records Office. Note that in-person service is only available by appointment, and scheduling an appointment costs $39.00. Requests can also be submitted via mail, online, or phone with fees starting at $24.00 per record. Processing times vary.

NC Office of Vital Records
Cooper Memorial Health Building
225 N. McDowell Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-1382
Phone: (919) 733-3000

Alternatively, requesters can get birth records from Macon County's Register of Deeds. There is a $1 transaction fee and a $10.00 charge for each order. Requesters can anticipate receiving a response by the end of the next business day. Requesters are expected to provide the necessary payment and a legitimate photo ID.

Macon County Register of Deeds Office
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734.
Phone: (828) 349-2097

Macon County Death Records

The Macon County Register of Deeds is responsible for maintaining the county's death records, which date back to 1913. Requesters can come in person to view these records. A death record request form can also be filled out and mailed to the office, together with the necessary payment, to request records. The Register of Deeds website also allows users to purchase records online for $10.00 plus a $1 processing fee.

Macon County Register of Deeds Office
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734.
Phone: (828) 349-2097

Additionally, records are available at the Vital Records Office. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility, the deceased's full name, the date and place of death, and other information to request a death record. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person, and the first certified copy costs $24.00.

The public can access death records under the North Carolina General Statute Section 130A-93. However, to preserve the privacy of those concerned, access to records may be limited. Generally, a death record can only be obtained by authorized legal representatives, members of the deceased's close family, or those with a valid legal necessity. To access these documents, third parties might need the appropriate paperwork or a court order.

Death records are important for legal documentation, genealogical research, healthcare, and educational purposes. They serve as proof of death for settling estates and legal matters, provide valuable information for tracing family history and lineage and reviewing medical history or family health information.

Macon County Probate Court Records

In Macon County, probate court records include information on cases bordering on guardianships, estates, wills, and the distribution of a deceased's assets. The Macon County Register of Deeds is the custodian of these documents. The probate court hears cases of the execution and validity of wills, estate administration, guardianship, trust administration, and disputes. To obtain probate court records, contact the Register’s Office at:

Macon County Register of Deeds Office
5 West Main Street
Franklin, NC 28734.
Phone: (828) 349-2097

The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for anyone who wishes to receive probate court documents. Public terminals are provided for record searches and copy requests with legitimate picture IDs. Certified copies of papers cost $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each extra page. The price per page for non-certified copies is $0.25. A request form can also be filled out and mailed to the Register of Deeds' office along with the necessary payment.

Macon County Property Record

In Macon County, property records are crucial for organizing and recording data on ownership, land use, and real estate transactions. Legal transactions, proving ownership, and settling property disputes all depend on these documents.

The Register of Deeds and the Tax Administrator's Office are the two main offices responsible for maintaining these records. Real estate documents, including mortgages, land agreements, and property deeds, are accessible through the Register of Deeds.

Documents recorded after 1987 can be viewed online at the Macon County Register of Deeds website. Non-certified copies of deeds cost $0.25 per page, whereas certified copies cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each successive page.

Property tax records, including assessment values, tax payment histories, and property descriptions, are managed by the Tax Administrator's Office. The Macon County Land Record Search Portal and the Macon County Tax Portal provide online access to these records.

Macon County Court Records Online

Interested parties can search court records by party name, case number, and location using third-party web services such as NorthCarolinaCourtrecords.us. Access to court records online is handy, time-saving, and accessible from anywhere at any time. However, there are a few restrictions to consider.

Despite the speed and convenience of online access, privacy laws may mean that records retrieved from these sources are not always comprehensive. Furthermore, some websites charge for detailed information. Most crucially, government entities are not affiliated with third-party online sources. As a result, the trustworthiness, correctness, and completeness of the records vary.