Wilkes County Court Records

Wilkes County court records refer to documents, papers, letters, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material relating to legal proceedings within Wilkes County courts.

North Carolina court records typically include docket entries, case information, financial information, evidence, pleadings and motions, court orders and judgments, transcripts, and appellate information. The significance of court records cannot be over-emphasized because they serve as evidence of the due process for arriving at fair judgments. Also, court records are tools for enforcing judicial decisions to protect the rights of people living in Wilkes County.

Are Court Records Public in Wilkes County?

Yes, court records are public in Wilkes County. Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statute (§ 132-6) permits public inspection of government records under reasonable supervision at reasonable times upon payment of any lawful fee. Despite the above, the North Carolina General Statute exempts public access to:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Mental health records
• Records of sensitive law enforcement investigation
• Attorney-client privilege records
• Records of personal information
• Sealed and Expunged Records
• Records exempted under North Carolina or federal statutes.

Wilkes County Court Records Search

Several options exist for performing a general search for Wilkes County court records. These records are available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch and third-party websites. Persons interested in Wilkes County court records can also contact the Wilkes County Clerk of Court or visit the Wilkes Courthouse.

Wilkes County Court Records Search by Name

A name-based records search for Wilkes County court records involves using a name as the search criteria. To use a name as a criterion, log in to the records online repository and enter the name of the records when prompted for a search criteria. Also, if the search request is by email, mail, or in-person visits, a requester must include the name of the records owner to ease the search process.

Note: Irrespective of the method of obtaining Wilkes County court records, requesters may be subject to fee payments.

Wilkes County Courts

North Carolina (and its counties) practice the Unified Court System. The Wilkes County trial system comprises a Superior Court and a District Court. The Wilkes County Superior Court handles civil and criminal cases beyond the jurisdiction of the Wilkes County District Court. The District Court in Wilkes County has limited jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. To contact any of Wilkes County court, use the contact information below:

Wilkes County Superior Court
500 Courthouse Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (336) 651-4400
Fax: (336) 651-4401

Wilkes County District Court
500 Courthouse Drive
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (336) 651-4400
Fax: (336) 651-4401

Wilkes County District Court Records

Wilkes County district court records are official documents with information relating to cases presided by the district court in Wilkes County, North Carolina. Wilkes County district court records include documents on:

• Misdemeanor criminal cases
• Civil cases where the amount in controversy is not above $10,000
• Small Claims Disputes
• Traffic Violations
• Criminal magistrate matters such as arrest warrants, bail, and minor misdemeanors.

To access Wilkes County district court records:

Request for access through phone calls, mail, or in-person visits to the Wilkes County Clerk of Court at:

500 Courthouse Dr. Ste 1115
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (336) 651-4400

Visit the Wilkes County courthouse.

Note: As of April 2024, Wilkes County is not part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourt search system.

Wilkes County Criminal Records

Wilkes County criminal records are official documents on criminal offenders within Wilkes County. Criminal records are public in North Carolina. However, there are restrictions on certain criminal records and information. For instance, the following criminal records are exempt from public disclosure:

• Juvenile criminal records
• Expunged criminal records
• Records of an ongoing criminal investigation
• Sensitive personal information such as Social Security Numbers and home addresses.

In Wilkes County, the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Superior Court, and the District Court Clerk's Office are responsible for criminal records. To view Wilkes County arrest records and other criminal records in the possession of the law enforcement:

• Send a criminal records access request to the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office at:
  381 Executive Drive,
  Wilkesboro, NC 28697
  Phone: (336) 903-7600

To carry out a background criminal records check or view Wilkes County sex offender status, visit:

• The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's (NCSBI) website, log in to the NC Offender Search page or 
• The North Carolina Department Of Adult Correction Offender Public Information page and search for criminal records.

Wilkes County Criminal Court Case Lookup

To look up Wilkes County post-trial criminal records:

• Call or visit the Wilkes County Clerk of Court Office
• Log in to the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections Offender Public Information webpage and access information on past and present inmates.

Also, Wilkes County criminal records are available through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation website. Log in to the NCSBI website and look up information on Wilkes County sex offenders' records or perform a background check for criminal records.

Note: To request criminal records in North Carolina, requesters may need to fill out an AOC-CR-314 form. In addition, there may be fee payments to obtain Wilkes County criminal records (payments are by mail or in person).

Get Wilkes County Civil Court Records

Wilkes County civil court records are official documents on civil case proceedings within Wilkes County courts. Wilkes County civil court records encompass documents generated during the legal prosecution of cases relating to but are not limited to:

• Contract Disputes
• Child Custody
• Divorce
• Landlord-tenant Disputes
• Personal Injury Cases
• Small Claims
• Property Disputes
• Business Disputes
• Estate and Probate Cases.

To access Wilkes County civil court records, visit the Wilkes County courthouse in person or call the Clerk of Court office at (336) 651-4400.

Note: Due to the confidential nature of some civil court cases, access to Wilkes County civil court records may require identification, as well as filling out a request form and making fee payments.

Wilkes County Family Court Records

Wilkes County family law records are official documents relating to family-related cases within Wilkes County courts. In Wilkes County, the Superior Court has jurisdiction over family law matters. Wilkes County family law records include documents on:

• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Divorce
• Paternity
• Alimony
• Child Abuse
• Domestic Violence
• Adoption.

Wilkes County family law records are not entirely open to public access. Some family law records are sealed by law, and access may be through court orders (for instance, adoption records). Also, there may be restrictions on family law documents for privacy and security reasons, and requesters must prove eligibility to access them.

To access Wilkes County family law records, visit the courthouse to request access to records or contact the Wilkes County Clerk of Court by phone to inquire about the process of obtaining them.

Wilkes Dissolution of Marriage Records

Wilkes County's dissolution of marriage records are official documents relating to the separation of married couples in Wilkes County. Dissolution of marriage records documents include:

• Petition for marriage dissolution
• Summons
• Financial Affidavit
• Property Division
• Parenting Plans (if applicable)
• Child Support Orders (if it applies)
• Marital Settlement Agreement.

To access Wilkes County marriage dissolution records, visit the Wilkes County Clerk of Court Office at the Wilkes County courthouse or call the Clerk's Office and request assistance in obtaining Wilkes County marriage dissolution records.

Wilkes County Marriage and Divorce Records

Wilkes County marriage and divorce records are official documents relating to the legal union of individuals as couples and the termination of marriages in Wilkes County.

Wilkes County marriage records and divorce decrees are public. However, certain information, particularly divorce records, may be restricted. For instance, financial accounts, Social Security Numbers, domestic violence, and information about minor children are exempt from public scrutiny.

To obtain Wilkes County marriage certificate and divorce records before 1962 and 1958:

• Call, fax, or visit the Wilkes County Register of Deeds Office at:
  500 Courthouse Drive
  Suite 1000
  Wilkesboro, NC 28697
  Phone: (336) 651-7351
  Fax: (336) 990-0041

There is a $10.00 per page copy for certified copies of a Wilkes marriage certificate through the Wilkes County Register of Deeds Office.

For access to Wilkes marriage certificates from 1962 to the present and divorce records from 1958 to the present:

• Visit the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Vital Records Order a Certificate page and navigate to the designated third-party website.

To request for Wilkes County marriage or divorce records through mail:

• Download a North Carolina Marriage or divorce Records Application Form from Vital Records Order a Certificate Page
• Fill out the forms and include a check/money order to cover the access fees ($24.00 non-refundable fee irrespective of the search outcome and an extra $15.00 for each additional certificate)
• Mail the request to:
  NC Department of Health and Human Services
  2001 Mail Service Center
  Raleigh, NC 27699-2001.

Wilkes County divorce records are available through the Wilkes County Clerk of Court Office. Caveat: Additional charges may apply for using third-party websites to source for Wilkes County Vital Records.

Wilkes County Birth and Death Records

Wilkes County birth and death records are official documents relating to the birth and death of individuals within Wilkes County. Birth and death records are private and accessible only to the person whose names are on the records (for birth records), their immediate family members, legal representatives, and authorized government agencies. Regardless, per North Carolina Laws, Wilkes County birth records become public after 100, and death records are public after 50 years.

To access Wilkes County birth and death records, visit the NC DHHS Vital Records Order a Certificate page and request a birth or death certificate through the available options. Wilkes County birth and death certificates are available online through a designated third-party website, or requesters can call the NC DHHS toll-free at (800) 669-8310 or 1(615) 372-6800 (for persons living outside the United States).

Wilkes County birth and death records are legal proof of individuals' age and identity. They also provide data for demographic analysis, health policy formulation, and genealogical research.

Wilkes County Probate Court Records

Wilkes County probate court records are legal documents relating to the administration of a deceased person's estate. Wilkes County probate court records include documents, files, and files on:

• Wills
• Guardianship
• Conservatorship
• Assets Inventory
• Trusts
• Administration of estate.

In Wilkes County, the Clerk of the Superior Court Office is the repository for probate court records. To obtain probate court records, visit the office in person and request access. Requesters can also call the Wilkes County Clerk of Court Office.

Wilkes County Property Records

Wilkes County property records are official documents on real estate within Wilkes County. Property records encompass information on:

• Property Ownership
• Property Assessment
• Parcel Number
• Zoning Information
• Property Deed
• Liens and Encumbrances
• Property sales History
• Property Tax History
• Plat Maps
• Property Description.

The Wilkes County Office of the Register of Deed is the custodian for the county's property records. To access Wilkes County property records:

• Log in to the Wilkes County Register of Deeds website
• Click the drop menu and select Government
• Click Departments
• From the resulting menu, scroll down and click Register of Deeds
• On the Register of Deeds page, scroll down and click Documents Online
• On the new page, acknowledge the disclaimer to access the Wilkes County Register Of Deeds Remote Access Site
• Click Full System to access the Indexing and Imaging Combined Retrieval page.

Wilkes County Court Records Online

Third-party online resources like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us provide an alternative option for sourcing Wilkes County court records. Operating independently of any government agency, they provide easy-to-use interfaces to access court records from repositories in one platform. In addition, third-party online resources make it possible to access records from repositories in distant locations from different locations at any convenient time. However, using third-party online resources to source records has potential risks. Some third-party online resources may expose users' information to data breaches. Also, some information on third-party sites may be outdated or incorrect.