Divorce records in Beaufort County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. BeaufortNCCourt.us can help find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the decree, the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court, or the North Carolina Vital Records office. Whether you need a certified divorce certificate or a copy of a full divorce decree with settlement terms, the right office depends on the type of document you're looking for.
Beaufort County Divorce Records Search
In Beaufort County, divorce records are maintained by two separate entities, each holding different types of documents:
- Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court — maintains the complete court file for each divorce case, including the divorce decree (judgment), settlement agreements, custody orders, motions, and all related filings.
- North Carolina Vital Records — maintains divorce certificates, which are shorter documents confirming that a divorce occurred, the names of the parties, the date, and the county where it was granted.
The Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Beaufort County Courthouse is the primary local source for divorce case records. Court records are generally public in North Carolina, though certain sealed filings or records involving minors may have restricted access.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Beaufort County
In North Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the District Court Division of the General Court of Justice. In Beaufort County, divorce complaints are filed with and processed through the Beaufort County District Court. Once a judge signs the divorce judgment, the decree becomes part of the permanent court file maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Separately, the court reports each divorce to the North Carolina Vital Records office, which then creates a divorce certificate. These are two distinct records:
- Court record (divorce decree and full case file) — contact the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court.
- Vital record (divorce certificate) — contact NC Vital Records or the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Which Office to Contact
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, custody orders, or other case filings | Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court |
| Divorce certificate (verification that divorce occurred) | NC Vital Records or Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court |
| Historical divorce records (pre-1968) | NC State Archives — Beaufort County |
Office Locations
You can also request a public court record through the North Carolina Judicial Branch or search for case information using the court system's online resources.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Beaufort County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce certificate (NC Vital Records) | $24.00 | 5–12 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of same certificate (same order, NC Vital Records) | $15.00 each | Included with original order |
| Court record copy (Clerk of Superior Court, per page) | $0.25 per page | While you wait (in person) or 1–2 weeks by mail |
| Certified court document copy (Clerk of Superior Court) | $3.00 certification fee plus copy costs | While you wait (in person) or 1–2 weeks by mail |