Union County Court Records

Citizens and residents of Union County, North Carolina, often engage with the local court system when they sue or are sued by others or they become defendants in criminal proceedings. When any legal case is filed within the judicial system, the presiding court creates a corresponding record to chronicle the ensuing case activities and events. These "court records" subsequently serve as a historical depository of legal actions or proceedings and can be reviewed for various reasons.

For example, a person may obtain a Union court record in preparation for an appeal or expungement petition. Court records can also be used to find legal precedents, explore the evolution of the law, and follow high-profile cases.

Being part of the North Carolina court records family, Union County court records may encompass motions, pleadings, complaints, decrees, orders, audio/video recordings, and exhibits.

Are Court Records Public in Union County?

Yes. According to the North Carolina Public Records Law (codified in Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes), Union court records are part of the Union County public records. The law defines a "public record" as all documentary materials, despite their physical form or characteristics, maintained by a public body in connection with its official duties. This definition encompasses records or files maintained by the judicial branch in relation to a case. Consequently, anyone can inspect or copy a court record in Union County.

Notwithstanding, certain court records or information are deemed confidential. Access to these record categories is withheld from the general public and typically granted only to entities authorized by law or court order. Such confidential records include juvenile court files, adoption documents, sealed or expunged records, and involuntary hospitalization records.

Union County Court Records Search

The following methods can be used to find Union County court records:

• Visit the local courthouse to use a public access terminal.
• Send a written request to the Superior Court Clerk's office.
• Search available case lookup portals on the North Carolina Judiciary's website.
• Access a third-party database.

Union County Court Records Search by Name

When researching court records in Union County, an individual needs to have specific case details to locate a record. Typically, this is a case party's first and last name or a case number.

Individuals performing a court records search by name can stop by the local courthouse (see address below) to access a public, self-service terminal. These terminals can be searched with a litigant's name, an attorney's name, and sometimes, a victim or witness's name. No fee is charged to view records at the terminal. However, anyone requiring a court record copy will have to pay the associated reproduction fees.

Union County Courts

The County of Union in North Carolina consists of a superior and district court, which hold proceedings at the following location:

Union County Judicial Center
400 North Main Street
Monroe, NC 28112
Phone: (704) 698-3100

Union County Superior Court Case Search

The Union County Superior Court hears civil claims worth $25,000 or more, felony crimes, and misdemeanor and infraction appeals from the district courts. Individuals seeking a case file from the court can stop by the Union Superior Court Clerk's office at the Judicial Center in Monroe during normal business hours. They may also call the office at (704) 698-3100 for record retrieval procedures, or they may send a written demand to the mailing address below:

Union County Judicial Center
P.O. Box 5038
Monroe, NC 28112

To retrieve information in a case file, the requester will need to provide a name or case number. A nominal fee may also be charged to photocopy or certify a court case record.

Members of the public can also look up basic case details from the superior court via the District and Superior Court Search portal provided on the North Carolina Judicial Branch's website.

Union County District Court Records

The Union County District Court hears civil, criminal, juvenile, and magistrate matters. However, the court's civil jurisdiction is restricted to cases below $25,000, and its criminal jurisdiction covers only misdemeanor and infraction offenses that require no jury trial. Detailed information about the district court's jurisdiction is available on the state judicial branch's website.

To review case files from the Union County District Court, one may visit the Union Superior Court Clerk's office in Monroe or call (704) 698-3100. Additionally, an inquirer can mail a written request (bearing a name or case number) to the Clerk's office or access the state judiciary's District and Superior Court Search website.

Union County Criminal Records

Anyone looking up Union County criminal records preserved by law enforcement agencies has the following options:

• Access the Union County Sheriff's Event Search. This portal can be searched by incident date range, name, street address, or case number. Regarding information availability, the system only provides the arrest date/time, arrestee's name, charge, and location.

Members of the public can also search the Sheriff's Inmate Inquiry portal for arrest and booking details of those confined in the county jail facility.

• Write to, contact, or visit the police department responsible for an arrest. Police departments have records units that handle queries for copies of Union County arrest records and incident reports. Typically, the requester must have an involved party's name, the report number, or the incident date/location. It should be noted that the complete arrest report may not be public.
• Seek a statewide criminal background check from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). This fingerprint-based check includes Union criminal records and other criminal history information from North Carolina counties. However, it is only available to subjects of records and some authorized agencies for $14. People who do not have the legal authority to access an NCSBI record may access other public databases that may provide criminal history information on a person, including those maintained by the courts (as explained subsequently).

Union County Criminal Court Case Lookup

To conduct a criminal court case lookup in Union County, individuals can visit the county courthouse to access public, self-service terminals. These computers can be searched with a defendant's name, witness/victim's name, or case number. Typically, a visitor will not need to pay to view a criminal court case at a terminal, although such searches are not certified. However, a fee may apply to print a case document.

Besides an in-person inquiry at the courthouse, members of the public can complete and print Form AOC-CR-314, which allows them to obtain certified Union criminal court records relevant to a particular individual. Each request costs $25, and the form can be submitted by mail or in person at the Union County Superior Court Clerk's office (see relevant addresses).

Note: Businesses seeking access to Union County criminal court data may explore the Remonte Public Access Program for real-time access or bulk data extracts.

Get Union County Civil Court Records

Union County civil court records originate from legal proceedings held before a local court to resolve a civil (noncriminal) controversy or claim. The superior or district court in Union County may adjudicate a civil matter. However, the Superior Court Clerk's office is the designated custodian of civil case records from either court.

One can access a Union County civil court record at the courthouse during regular business hours. Public access terminals are available to look up cases, and staff from the Clerk's office can assist with obtaining paper copies if needed.

Individuals who wish to search for a civil court date or calendar can access search tools on the North Carolina Judiciary's Court Dates page. To get started, one must select the county where a case was filed (in this instance, "Union"). If unsure about the county, a statewide search can be performed on the database.

Union County Family Court Records

Per G.S. § 7A-244, the district court handles domestic relations cases in Union County, including annulment, divorce, child support, child custody, alimony, and equitable distribution of property. The superior court also maintains jurisdiction over some cases typically heard in a family court, such as adoption.

To obtain family court records from a Union County court, one should visit the Superior Court Clerk's office or call (704) 698-3224 (the family court line). However, certain family court records are not releasable to the general public to protect the privacy of the parties involved.

Union Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Union County include all documentation (complaints, motions, summonses, judgments, etc.) generated in legal proceedings initiated to end a marital relationship (also referred to as a "divorce"). These records can be retrieved from the Superior Court Clerk's office in Union County, provided the divorce was granted in the county. Generally, a name or case number will be needed to find a record. Parties can expect to pay fees if they require copies of a divorce document.

Union County Marriage and Divorce Records

As previously stated, individuals seeking a divorce record in Union County can query the Superior Court Clerk's office during regular business hours. Alternatively, a formal request can be made to the North Carolina Vital Records for a copy of a divorce certificate.

NC Vital Records has copies of divorce certificates from 1958 to the present. These records may be requested online, in person, by phone, or by mail. A nonrefundable $24 search fee applies to each order (which includes a copy of the certificate), with additional fees applicable depending on the order method or volume. The office's Order a Certificate web page provides detailed instructions for ordering divorce records.

On the other hand, Union County marriage records can be retrieved from the Union Register of Deeds office. Under G.S § 130A-93, a certified copy of a Union County marriage certificate is only provided to the following parties:

• The spouses
• Child or step-child
• Brother or sister
• Parent or step-parent
• Grandparent or grandchild
• Authorized agent, legal representative, or attorney (with supporting documentation)

Any party not listed above can only obtain an uncertified copy of a Union County marriage certificate.

Requests for Union County marriage records can be submitted to the Register in person, by mail, or online. A certified copy costs $10, and an uncertified copy costs $1. Payment can be made with cash, money order, or credit card. A service charge applies for credit card transactions.

In-person requesters can stop by the Union County Government Center at 500 North Main Street, Suite 258, Monroe, NC. A valid ID (military ID, passport, driver's license, state ID) is required. Conversely, mail requesters can complete the Marriage Certificate form, including payment, and send it to P.O. Box 248, Monroe, NC 28111. Finally, those who wish to make an online request should visit the Register's ordering website and follow the prompts to place their order.

Union marriage records can also be ordered from NC Vital Records. The office maintains marriage certificates from 1962 to date. Each marriage certificate costs a nonrefundable $24, encompassing a three-year search and one copy of the certificate if found. Additional processing and shipping fees may apply. Parties can review the NC Vital Records Marriage Certificates page for ordering guidelines.

Union Birth and Death Records

Along with marriage records, birth and death records comprise the Union County vital records. Birth and death records provide crucial demographic data for population studies, including understanding population trends and dynamics. Beyond this, these records also have diverse legal applications. For instance, birth records are important for establishing identities, enrolling in schools, and acquiring driver's licenses or passports. Meanwhile, death records assist in determining eligibility for pensions and benefits. Moreover, these records are useful for genealogical research.

Similar to marriage records, access to birth and death records in Union County is restricted under G.S § 130A-93. Accordingly, only authorized parties (subject, legal representative, parent) can order a certified copy of a Union County birth or death certificate. All other members of the public must request uncertified copies.

Individuals seeking a Union County birth certificate can complete the local Register of Deeds Birth Certificate form. Meanwhile, those requiring a death record can complete the Death Certificate form. Upon completing the applicable form, the inquirer can send it to the Register's mailing address. Those who do not prefer a mail order can submit a request in person at the Union County Government Center, or they may complete an order through the Register's ordering website. It costs $10 for each certified copy and $1 for each uncertified copy.

Alternatively, parties can order Union County birth records or death certificates from the NC Vital Records Office for $24 (additional fees may apply). Note that the state vital records office only has birth records from 1913 and death records from 1930 to the present. For death records before 1930, one should contact the NC State Archives. Meanwhile, for birth records before 1913, the Register of Deeds office should be queried.

Union County Probate Court Records

The Union County Superior Court maintains exclusive jurisdiction over matters of probate arising in Union County, including wills, administration of decedent's estates, and guardianships (G.S. §§ 7A-241, 7A-246). Thus, anyone looking for a Union County probate court record can contact the Superior Court Clerk's office at (704) 698-3100 or stop by the courthouse during normal office hours. Requesters must usually possess at least a case party's name or case number to facilitate a search, and a fee may apply for document reproduction.

Union County Property Records

An individual can contact the local Register of Deeds office to locate Union County property records. The Register keeps permanent, public records of real property ownership and transfers in Union County, including deeds, deeds of trust, surveys, plats, cancellations, mortgages, and powers of attorney. The office provides online and in-person retrieval channels.

The Register's online Land Records database is available to all who wish to research property records in Union. Records on the platform date back to 1842; however, only deeds and plats are disseminated. A physical visit is necessary to access other real estate records. The Register's fee schedule should be reviewed for applicable document retrieval costs.

It is worth noting that property records preserved by the Union County Register of Deeds are not searchable by address. To search for a property by address or find consolidated property information, one can access the Union County Tax Office's Property Search portal or call the office at (704) 283-3746.

Anyone seeking information about outstanding liens, judgments, foreclosures, or other records of court proceedings affecting real estate should contact the Superior Court Clerk's office.

Union County Court Records Online

In addition to official government repositories, members of the public can access Union court records through third-party websites like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us.

Unlike official databases, third-party sites offer researchers access to a broad range of Union County public records, going beyond the court documents to include Union arrest records, real estate information, incarceration data, and more. Furthermore, these websites allow for nationwide searches of public records, making them indispensable resources for people uncertain about where to begin their search.

Nonetheless, users should be aware of the inherent limitations of a third-party site, particularly regarding data completeness and accuracy. For this reason, verifying information sourced from third-party sites against official databases is considered good practice. Users should also note the fee requirements that are often applicable. An individual can search for Union court records on a third-party database at no charge, provided they have at least a first and last name or case number. However, a fee or subscription may be necessary to download or print a full report.