Pender County Court Records

Pender County courts maintain three different kinds of records:

• Records of court proceedings: These records include motions, pleadings, affidavits, notices, evidence admitted into court, and orders.
• Court administration records: These are documents vital to the operation of the court and not related to case adjudication. These documents include juror lists, timesheets, court calendars, receipts, proposed and completed budgets, and telephone logs.
• Court official's personnel records: These refer to documents generated by court officials during judicial activities and are maintained for personal use. They are usually not part of the case file. These records include email exchanges between judges and lawyers, law clerks or judicial assistants, judges' and law clerks' notes, court clerks' rough notes, and drafts of orders and opinions.

Some of the court records mentioned above are available to the public, while others are confidential. Public access to Pender County court records helps verify that justice is being served and promotes confidence in the judicial system's fairness and objectivity.

Are Court Records Public in Pender County?

Yes. The North Carolina Public Records Law strongly favors public access to court records. Therefore, anyone can inspect or copy court records maintained by Pender County courts. However, the North Carolina Supreme Court authorizes lower courts to limit access to court records when necessary to ensure the fair administration of justice. Examples of court records with limited access are:

• Grand jury proceedings
• Adoption proceedings (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 48-9-102)
• Juvenile court records (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-2901)
• Trial preparation material
• Arrest and search warrants before a law enforcement officer returns them to the issuing court.
• Settlement documents in cases relating to medical malpractice actions against public hospital facilities.

Pender County Court Records Search

The most effective way to search for Pender County court records is by visiting the courthouse in person. Requesters can use public access terminals or seek assistance from the records staff. Alternatively, inquirers can find court records online from third-party websites. A name or case number is required for such searches.

Pender County Courts

Pender County has a Superior Court and a District Court. These courts are located in the same courthouse at the following address:

Pender County Courthouse
100 S Wright St
P.O. Box 310
Burgaw, NC 28425
Phone: (910) 663-3900

Pender County Criminal Records

Individuals can request Pender County criminal record checks on themselves or others at the Superior Court Clerk's Office. To obtain certified copies, they have to complete and print Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it by mail or in person at the clerk's office. This service costs $25, and mail requesters have to pay in the form of a money order or certified check, while in-person requesters can pay in cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. Non-certified copies of criminal records can be obtained through the public access computers available in the courthouse. There is no fee to view records on these computers, but printing charges apply.

Businesses can access Pender County criminal records through the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts' (NCAOC) Remote Public Access program (RPA). They can choose the Online access (real-time) or Extracts (bulk data) option.

The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) also offers Peder County criminal records to the public and authorized agencies. The subject of records should complete the Request for Access to Criminal History Record Information - Right to Review form. They also have to obtain a set of their fingerprints on an FD-258 Applicant Fingerprint Card from the Pender County Sheriff's Office. Fingerprinting services are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Sheriff's Office charges $10, payable by cash, credit cards, or debit cards. The applicant must bring a driver's license or valid form of I.D. to the office. The applicant should mail the completed application form, the fingerprint card, and a $14 fee in the form of a certified check or money order to the following address:

CIIS - Customer Service Unit
NC State Bureau of Investigation
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Phone: (919) 582-8660
Fax: (919) 661-5977

The Sheriff's Office also makes Pender County arrest records available online and in person to residents. Those who want to view arrest information online should use the Inmate Lookup tool. A search can be conducted by name, race, sex, custody date, or arresting agency. In-person customers should visit the office from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office is located at:

Pender County Sheriff's Office
605 E Fremont Street
P.O. Box 1449
Burgaw, NC 28425
Phone: (910) 259-1212
Fax: (910) 971-1070
Email: info@pendersheriff.com

Get Pender County Civil Court Records

The Pender County Superior Court hears civil cases over $25,000. In contrast, the District Court hears civil cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, and cases where the amount in controversy is less than $25,000. The common way to obtain copies of civil records maintained by these courts is in person during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). They have public access terminals that requesters can use to view or print civil court records. The Clerks of these courts do not charge a fee for viewing records. However, a small fee is required to print documents from the computer. Record seekers can also obtain copies of civil court records over the counter. They have to provide a name or case number to help locate the record. The record will be released when the appropriate search or copy fee has been paid.

Pender County Marriage Records

The Pender County Register of Deeds Office records all marriage licenses issued since 1868. Uncertified copies of marriage records are available to the public for $1 each, but North Carolina law deems certified copies confidential, and they cost $10 each. These records are available through the following means:

• Online: Individuals can obtain copies of Pender County marriage certificates online through a third-party vendor. However, this comes with extra charges.
• Mail: Customers can submit a written request by mail that includes the couple's full name, marriage date, and the requester's relationship with the record holder. The mail package should include a valid government-issued picture ID, the standard fee in the form of money orders and personal checks, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
• In-person: Applicants can visit the Register of Deeds office in person to obtain copies of Pender County marriage records Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. They should come with a valid ID to:

Pender County Register of Deeds
300 E Fremont Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
Phone: (910) 259-1225
Fax: (910) 259-1299

Pender County Divorce Records

Information about the divorce that occurred in Pender County can be retrieved from the District Court Clerk's Office. Inquirers can visit the office from Monday to Friday to obtain copies of divorce records. The public access terminals in the courthouse can be used to view and download such records. Individuals can also obtain copies from the record staff on the courthouse's first floor. Generally, the name of the case parties, case number, or divorce date will be required to search.

Pender County Birth and Death Records

All information in the Register of Deeds Office is considered Pender County public record except birth and death records. According to North Carolina law, access to certified copies of Pender County vital records is restricted to the following individuals:

• Spouse, sibling, parents, children, step-children, grandchildren, and grandparents
• Individuals seeking information for legal purposes
• Attorney, authorized agent, or legal representative of the subject of record

The Pender County Register of Deeds Office provides access to birth and death records online, by mail, and in person. Certified copies of these records cost $10 each, and uncertified copies cost $1 each. Customers submitting mail and in-person requests must provide a valid government-issued picture ID. A third-party vendor processes online orders and accepts all major credit and debit cards to pay fees. Online orders attract an extra convenience fee of $3.35 per transaction and applicable credit fees.

Customers who want to visit the office to submit their requests should do so during regular business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.). Those who cannot visit the office can mail a written request to the office. The written request should contain the subject of the record's full name, date of birth or death, and the customer's relationship to the record holder. Those requesting a Pender County birth certificate should include the father's full name and the mother's full maiden name in the written request. The requester should mail the written request, the statutory fee in the form of a money order and personal check, a valid ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Pender County Register of Deeds
Post Office Box 43
Burgaw, NC 28425

The Pender County Register of Deeds has an Online Search Portal where individuals can view vital records for free. To access the portal, click on the Vital Index tab, go to the "Choose A Vital Record Type" section, select "Births or Deaths," and conduct a search by last name, last name, or date range.

Pender County Probate Court Records

Record seekers can access probate information on the public, self-service terminals in the Pender County Clerk of Court's office. They have to enter a name or number on the computer to view the record. Those who want to print out the record should be ready to pay a fee. Copies of probate court records are also obtainable from the record staff. This may include a search fee as well as a copy fee. Payments can be made by money order, certified check, cash, or credit/debit card.

Pender County Property Records

Residents can go to the Pender County Register of Deeds Office to obtain copies of property records. The staff handles all property record requests from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. They need the property owner's name, address, or parcel ID to locate the desired record. After locating the record, the customer will have to pay for copies. Certified copies of property records cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page, uncertified copies cost $0.25 per page, and maps cost $5 per page. Individuals who cannot visit the office can view property records online using the Online Search Portal. The search criteria are the grantor or grantee's name or date range. Record seekers can also use other online portals to find property information for free. For example, they can use the General Parcel Search tool by providing an owner's name, parcel number, address, or book/page. The Real Property Search is also a good tool for those who want access to property tax information. A search can be conducted by parcel ID, owner's name, address, sale date range, sale price range, or year-built range.

Pender County Court Records Online

Members of the public can find court records on third-party sites like northcarolinacourtrecords.us. These platforms often provide a user-friendly interface and one-stop solutions for gathering court records from various locations in one search. The search will return basic information based on the search criteria. Most sites will allow users to download and access full court reports for a fee. However, verifying the accuracy of such information is crucial, as third-party platforms may not always have the most up-to-date or comprehensive data.