Access Craven County Family Court Records

Craven County family court records are kept at the Clerk of Superior Court in New Bern, North Carolina. The county has about 101,000 residents and is located in the eastern coastal plain of the state. The clerk office maintains records for divorce cases, child custody hearings, child support orders, alimony disputes, equitable distribution claims, and domestic violence filings. You can search Craven County family court records using the state online system or by going to the courthouse in New Bern to review case files directly.

Craven County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court in Craven County handles all family court records. The office is at 302 Broad St in New Bern. Staff process new filings and store case documents. They also provide copies to the public on request.

Craven County is part of Judicial District 3B. The Craven County courthouse in New Bern serves the entire county for family law matters. The clerk office manages divorce complaints, custody petitions, support orders, alimony claims, and domestic violence filings. With a population over 100,000, the court sees a steady number of family cases each year. Staff can search records by name or case number and help you find what you need.

The Craven County clerk also handles requests for certified copies of family court records, which are often needed for legal purposes.

The Craven County eCourts page provides online access to basic case information for family court records filed in the county.

Searching Craven County Court Records Online

The North Carolina eCourts portal is the main online tool for finding family court records in Craven County. You enter a name or case number and the system shows matching results. It displays the case type, filing date, party names, and upcoming hearings.

The portal does not show the actual text of court orders or judgments. To get copies of those documents from a Craven County family court case, you need to contact the clerk office. You can visit in person at 302 Broad St in New Bern, call at (252) 514-4700, or mail a request. More details on the process are at the eCourts information page.

Note: The online portal works best for cases filed in recent years; older Craven County records may need an in-person search.

Craven County Divorce Records

Divorce is a common type of family court case in Craven County. North Carolina law under N.C.G.S. 50-6 requires one year of living apart before filing. One spouse must have been a state resident for at least six months per N.C.G.S. 50-8. Craven County residents file at the courthouse in New Bern.

The divorce record in Craven County will contain the complaint, proof of service, motions, and the final judgment. Separation agreements may be included. The divorce judgment is the most commonly requested document from these files. People need it for name changes, remarriage, and other legal purposes. The Craven County clerk provides certified copies for a fee.

Craven County divorce records are public. Anyone can request them under the North Carolina Public Records Act. You do not need to be a party in the case to view the file.

Family Court Records for Custody Cases

Custody cases are a major part of the family court system in Craven County. These records include petitions, temporary custody orders, mediation reports, and final orders. Parents who need to change a custody order file a modification request. Each step adds to the case record at the Craven County clerk office.

Child support records in Craven County are tied to custody and divorce cases. The court sets support amounts based on North Carolina guidelines. The NC Child Support Services agency enforces payments and handles collections when a parent falls behind. For the actual court order, the Craven County clerk has it on file. For payment history, contact the state office.

Alimony and equitable distribution are also part of family court in Craven County. These claims must be filed before the divorce is finalized under N.C.G.S. 50-20. Once filed, they become part of the permanent court record.

Domestic Violence Records in Craven County

Domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B are filed at the Craven County courthouse. These are part of the family court system. A person can ask the court for protection from a family or household member. The order may require the other party to stay away and can include custody and support terms.

Craven County keeps these records on file at the clerk office. The NC Courts family law page explains the process for getting a protective order. If you need legal help, Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free services to people who qualify. They can help with filing protective orders and other family court matters in Craven County.

Note: Protective order records in Craven County are public, but the court may restrict certain details to protect the safety of the parties involved.

Getting Craven County Family Court Records

You can get copies of family court records from Craven County in several ways. Visit the clerk at 302 Broad St in New Bern during business hours. You can also call or mail a written request. Fees apply for all copies.

The NC Courts help page walks you through how to get records from any county courthouse. Certified copies are needed for most legal uses. Plain copies work for personal reference. The Craven County clerk can tell you current copy fees.

The state eCourts system continues to expand, making it easier to find Craven County family court records from your computer or phone.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Craven County. Confirm your address is in Craven County before filing a family court case. Filing in the wrong county can cause delays or dismissal.