Court records in Cabarrus County, North Carolina can be searched through several channels. CabarrusCourt.us can help you find publicly available information about court cases in the county. You can also access records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's Cabarrus County page, the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the courthouse, and public access terminals located inside the courthouse lobby.
Cabarrus Court System & Jurisdictions
Cabarrus County is part of North Carolina's Judicial District 19A. Several court divisions operate within the county, each handling specific case types.
- Superior Court — Felony criminal cases, civil cases with amounts over $25,000, appeals from District Court, and cases involving injunctions or constitutional questions.
- District Court — Misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions, civil cases up to $25,000, juvenile matters, and all family law cases including divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence protective orders.
- Magistrate Court — Small claims cases (up to $10,000), initial appearances for criminal defendants, arrest and search warrants, and magistrate orders such as emergency commitments.
Probate and estate matters in Cabarrus County are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court, who serves as the judge of probate. This includes wills, estate administration, guardianship, and incompetency proceedings. Historical estate records are also preserved through the NC State Archives' Cabarrus County estates collection.
Traffic cases — including citations, DWI charges, and license revocations — are generally heard in District Court. Knowing which division handles your case type is essential before searching for docket information.
Cabarrus Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide court date search tool. To find today's, tomorrow's, or this week's court calendar for Cabarrus County:
- Visit the Court Dates search page on the NC Judicial Branch website.
- Enter the party's name, citation number, or case number.
- Select "Cabarrus" from the county dropdown.
- Narrow results by date range if needed.
Search results display the hearing date, time, courtroom, case number, and case type. This tool covers criminal, civil, traffic, and domestic calendars.
If you cannot find your court date online, contact the Clerk of Superior Court's office directly:
Courtroom calendars may also be posted at the Cabarrus County Courthouse. Criminal session calendars are typically set by the District Attorney's office, while civil and family calendars are managed by the Trial Court Administrator.
How to Get a Copy of a Cabarrus Court Document
You can obtain court documents in Cabarrus County through three main channels:
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Cabarrus County Courthouse. Public access terminals in the courthouse let you search cases by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name. Once you locate a case, ask the clerk for copies of specific documents from the paper file.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court with the case number, document type, and whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees.
Online
The NC Judicial Branch offers an online Court Records search portal for basic case information. Full document copies generally still require an in-person or mail request.
Certified vs. uncertified copies: A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and signature, confirming it is a true copy of the court record. These are typically needed for legal proceedings, background checks, or official filings. Uncertified copies work for personal reference. Under N.C. General Statutes Chapter 132, most court records are public, but certain records — including juvenile cases, adoptions, mental health commitments, and expunged files — are restricted.
Cabarrus Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court record services in North Carolina are set by statute (primarily N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and § 7A-311). The following table reflects standard fees that apply at the Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court's office:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of a court document | $3.00 for the first page, $0.25 each additional page |
| Uncertified copy | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of a document (seal and signature only) | $3.00 |
| Civil case search (clerk-assisted) | No statutory fee for in-person inspection; copy fees apply |
| Exemplification (triple-sealed copy for out-of-state use) | $10.00 |
Payment methods: The Clerk's office generally accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Availability of credit or debit card payment varies — confirm with the clerk before your visit.
For statewide criminal background checks, the NC State Bureau of Investigation charges a separate fee. The NC Department of Adult Correction's offender search is free for basic public lookups of state prisoners, probationers, and parolees.
If you need a divorce certificate, contact NC Vital Records or the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed. Vital records fees are separate from court document fees.