Gastonia Family Court Records
Gastonia family court records are filed and stored at the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court. With about 80,000 residents, Gastonia is the county seat of Gaston County in the western Charlotte metro area. The clerk office handles all divorce cases, child custody filings, support orders, alimony records, and domestic violence protective orders for the city. You can search Gastonia family court records through the state online portal or by visiting the courthouse. All records are open to the public unless sealed by a judge.
Gastonia Quick Facts
Where Gastonia Cases Are Filed
All family court cases for Gastonia are filed at the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court. The courthouse is on North Marietta Street in downtown Gastonia. Since Gastonia is the county seat, the court is right in the city. You can file new cases, check on existing ones, and get copies of family court records here.
| Court | Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 325 N. Marietta St Gastonia, NC 28052 |
| Phone | (704) 852-3100 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/gaston-county |
Visitors must pass through security at the front entrance. Bring a valid photo ID. Parking is available in lots near the courthouse. The clerk office is open during regular business hours for all family court record requests in Gastonia.
Search Gastonia Family Court Records Online
The fastest way to search family court records in Gastonia is through the NC eCourts portal. This free tool lets you look up cases by name or case number. You can view filing dates, party names, and case status for any family court case in Gaston County. The portal covers divorce, custody, support, and other family matters.
The online portal does not show full documents. You can see case details but not the actual orders or filings. To get copies of court documents, contact the clerk at (704) 852-3100 or visit the courthouse. The NC Courts guide on obtaining records explains the full process for getting copies of family court records.
Gastonia residents also use the eCourts system to track cases they are part of. If you filed a divorce or custody case, you can check the status online any time. This saves trips to the courthouse and helps you stay up to date on your family court case in Gastonia.
Gastonia Family Case Types
The Gaston County court handles several types of family court cases for Gastonia residents. Each creates its own file of records at the clerk office.
Divorce cases are the most common. North Carolina requires a full year of separation before filing under N.C.G.S. § 50-6. The residency rule under N.C.G.S. § 50-8 means at least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months. A Gastonia divorce file holds the complaint, answer, motions, and the final judgment. If property was split, the equitable distribution order is in the file too.
Child custody cases set out where the child lives and when each parent has time. Support cases fix the amount one parent pays. Alimony cases deal with spousal support after separation. Domestic violence cases under Chapter 50B can result in protective orders. All these records are part of the family court system in Gastonia.
Family court records in Gastonia are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can request copies. Some records in juvenile cases are sealed. Financial affidavits may also have restricted access. But the main orders and judgments are open.
Filing Fees for Gastonia Records
The cost to file a new family court case in Gastonia follows the state fee schedule. A divorce complaint costs $225. Other filings have their own fees. Call the clerk at (704) 852-3100 to confirm current rates before you file.
Key fees for family court cases in Gastonia include:
- Divorce complaint filing: $225
- Motion filing fee: $30
- Sheriff service fee: varies by county
- Certified copy of court order: varies
- Plain copy of documents: varies
Low-income residents in Gastonia can ask for a fee waiver. File a Petition to Proceed as an Indigent with the court. You must show that you cannot afford the fees. The judge reviews the petition and decides. If approved, the court waives the filing fee for your family court case in Gastonia.
Gastonia Family Court Resources
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal help to qualifying residents in Gastonia. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases. Call (866) 219-5262 to find out if you are eligible.
The NC Courts family law page has all the forms you need for family court cases. You can download them free. The divorce help topic page has step-by-step instructions for people filing on their own in Gastonia. The NC State Bar referral line at 1-800-662-7660 can help you find a local family law attorney.
For child support questions, the NC Child Support Services office handles enforcement and payment tracking statewide. Gastonia residents can call 1-800-992-9457 for help with support matters that go beyond the court file.
Note: Claims for property division and alimony must be filed before the divorce judgment is entered, or they are waived permanently under North Carolina law.
Gaston County Family Court Records
Gastonia is the county seat of Gaston County. All family court filings for the city go through the Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court. For more details on the county court system, full fee schedules, and additional resources, visit the Gaston County page.