Dec32025
Family Law Q&A Series

With only a case number, what’s the best way to find all divorce records for that case online? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, a case number usually allows access to the public index for a divorce case through the state’s online court systems, but it does not always provide every document filed in that case. The statewide eCourts Portal and, in non-eCourts counties, local Clerk of Superior Court websites or terminals can show the case summary, parties, and key events. Many underlying documents, such as detailed financial filings or records containing protected information, are available only at the clerk’s office or by request, and some records are confidential or partially redacted.

Understanding the Problem

The narrow question is how someone in North Carolina can use only a civil case number to locate all available divorce records online for that specific case. This issue comes up when a party, former party, or third person wants to see what was filed in a divorce, including the divorce judgment and any related orders. The focus is on what can be accessed through official online systems versus what still requires a visit or request to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.

Apply the Law

North Carolina law treats divorce as a civil action filed in the district court division, and most case information is public unless a statute or court order makes a document confidential or limits access. Public access rules control what appears in online systems and what must be viewed in person. Court rules and local practice determine how much detail an online index shows, how parties are identified, and whether full documents can be downloaded.

Key Requirements

  • Identify the correct county and court: A North Carolina divorce is filed in the district court division of the county with proper venue, so the case number must be matched to the right county’s records or eCourts system.
  • Use the authorized online portal or index: Public access to case information runs through the statewide eCourts Portal for participating counties, or through the older public terminals and online index links maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in non-eCourts counties.
  • Understand public vs. restricted records: Case numbers, party names, basic filings, and final divorce judgments are generally public, while documents with sensitive information (for example, Social Security numbers or certain child-related materials) may be redacted or accessible only at the clerk’s office or by court order.

What the Statutes Say

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Without extra facts, assume only a North Carolina civil case number is available. That number must first be matched to the correct county, then entered into either the statewide eCourts Portal (for eCourts counties) or the local clerk’s public index for non-eCourts counties. The case summary and docket entries generally appear online, but full copies of all pleadings, motions, and orders may still require in-person review or a records request to the Clerk of Superior Court, particularly for older files or documents that contain protected personal data.

Process & Timing

  1. Who files: Any person seeking copies, often a party or their attorney. Where: For eCourts counties, the North Carolina eCourts Portal; for non-eCourts counties, the Clerk of Superior Court’s public terminals or any posted online index link from the county’s official courts site. What: Use the case number to run a case search and view the case summary and docket. When: Access is generally available at any time online, but document copy requests at the clerk’s office follow courthouse hours and clerk processing times.
  2. After locating the case in the online system, review the list of filings and orders to see what is viewable or downloadable directly. Some eCourts cases allow direct PDF viewing of certain documents, while older or non-eCourts cases show only docket descriptions, requiring follow-up with the clerk.
  3. If specific documents (for example, the absolute divorce judgment or a custody order) are not accessible online, contact or visit the Clerk of Superior Court in the filing county and request copies by case number. The clerk will provide copies of public records and explain any restrictions or fees; certified copies usually take additional processing time.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

  • Some counties are not yet on eCourts, so statewide online access may show limited or no document images, even when the case number is correct.
  • Older divorce cases may exist only in paper form or on microfilm; the online index might show the case but not the underlying filings, requiring an in-person search or a mailed request.
  • Records that include Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or certain child-related information may be redacted in online versions or restricted by statute or local rule, so only partial information appears online.
  • Entering an incomplete or mis-typed case number often returns no results; confirming the full format (year, case type code, sequence) from prior paperwork or from the clerk can avoid wasted searches.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, a divorce case number is the key to locating that case in either the statewide eCourts Portal or the local Clerk of Superior Court’s public index, and it usually reveals the case summary, parties, and docket entries. However, not every underlying filing is available online, especially in non-eCourts or older cases, and some documents are restricted or redacted. The practical next step is to use the case number to search the appropriate online system, then request any missing documents directly from the Clerk of Superior Court in the filing county.

Talk to a Family Law Attorney

If someone is trying to understand what happened in a North Carolina divorce case and needs to track down all related court records, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help explain the options and timelines. Call us today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for any specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If there is a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.

Category: Family Law Q&A Series

Author: jpierce

Attorney Jared Pierce is the founder of Pierce Law Group in Raleigh, North Carolina, a firm he established with a dedicated focus on probate administration and estate planning across North Carolina. Born and raised in the Republic of South Africa, Jared moved to Durham with his family in 2001, bringing with him a rich cultural background and a distinctive accent that often serves as a conversation starter.