New Hanover County Criminal Court Records

New Hanover County criminal court records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court in Wilmington. This coastal county is one of the most populated in southeastern North Carolina. The courthouse processes a high volume of criminal cases each year. You can search for records at the courthouse or through state online tools. New Hanover County has eCourts kiosks on site for public use. The clerk office handles all felony and misdemeanor case files for the county.

New Hanover County Criminal Court Records Clerk

The Clerk of Superior Court stores and manages all criminal records in New Hanover County. The office is at the courthouse in downtown Wilmington. This is where you go for case files, certified copies, and record searches.

New Hanover County is one of the busiest court systems in the region. Wilmington and the surrounding beach towns generate a steady flow of criminal cases. The clerk handles everything from traffic matters to serious felonies. The New Hanover County NC Courts page has the full contact directory. The main courthouse number is (910) 772-6600. The criminal magistrate office is at (910) 772-6619. The District Attorney for New Hanover County can be reached at (910) 772-6610.

New Hanover County has eCourts kiosks at the courthouse. These let you search, print, and pay for records on the spot. They include scanners and printers for public use. The kiosks are part of a statewide rollout. New Hanover County was one of the first counties to get them. They make it faster to access criminal court records without waiting for clerk staff.

Search Criminal Court Records in New Hanover County

There are several ways to search criminal records in New Hanover County. The best method depends on what you need and how you plan to use the results.

The NC eCourts portal gives free access to case data from every county. You can search by name, case number, citation, or attorney. The portal shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes for New Hanover County. You do not need an account for basic searches. The system is live around the clock.

For a certified criminal record search in New Hanover County, use Form AOC-CR-314. This is the official form for background checks through the court. The form is on the NC Courts site. Fill it out and bring it to the clerk with $25. The clerk will run the search and give you a certified result. You can also mail the form with payment.

At the courthouse, you can use the eCourts kiosks or the public self-service terminals. These let you search and print records. The kiosk also accepts credit card payments for fees. This is a fast option when you are at the New Hanover County courthouse in person.

Note: Kiosks accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover but not mobile pay apps.

New Hanover County Criminal Court Cases

New Hanover County sees a wide range of criminal cases due to its population and tourism. Wilmington is the largest city. Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach are also in the county. Cases from all of these areas go through the New Hanover County courthouse.

District Court handles misdemeanors and infractions. This includes DWI, simple assault, petty theft, and drug possession. Superior Court takes felony cases like armed robbery, drug trafficking, murder, and sex offenses. A 12-person jury hears felony trials when the defendant pleads not guilty. All case records from both courts are kept by the clerk in New Hanover County.

The New Hanover County Sheriff Office also keeps records tied to criminal activity. The main office number is 910-798-4200. The detective division is at 910-798-4260. For court-related records, the clerk office is the right place to go. The sheriff handles arrest records and jail data in New Hanover County.

New Hanover County Record Fees

Fees apply when you get copies of criminal records in New Hanover County. The state sets fee rates for all clerk offices.

A certified criminal record search costs $25 per name in New Hanover County. Uncertified copies are $2 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. Certified copies of documents are $3 each. The eCourts portal is free for basic case lookups. At the kiosks, you can pay with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay are not accepted. Call (910) 772-6600 to confirm payment options at the clerk office before you visit New Hanover County.

Criminal Court Records Public Access

Criminal court records in New Hanover County are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can request to view them. You do not have to be a party in the case.

Some records are restricted. Unreturned warrants are not available to the public in New Hanover County. Juvenile cases are sealed under state law. Expunged records are removed from public view. Protective orders and involuntary commitment cases need special access through the court. Everything else in the criminal case file is generally open for viewing in New Hanover County. The clerk can tell you if a record has any restrictions when you ask.

The NC Courts guide to obtaining records gives a full overview of what is available and how to request it. This page covers the process for all counties, including New Hanover County.

You can also submit a formal public records request through the NC Courts public records request form. This is another way to get documents from the New Hanover County clerk office. The form can be filed online and sent to the appropriate office.

Cities in New Hanover County

New Hanover County includes Wilmington and several beach communities. All criminal cases from these areas are filed at the New Hanover County courthouse in Wilmington.

Other communities in New Hanover County include Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Castle Hayne. All criminal matters for these towns go through the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court.

Nearby Counties

These counties are near New Hanover County. Check where the offense happened to find the right county for your record search.