Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Divorce Records

Mecklenburg County divorce records are official files regarding divorce events within the county. These records are vital for numerous legal and financial reasons. For example, persons or entities may use the record when filing for name changes or mortgage refinancing after a divorce.

Generally, interested parties may contact custodian agencies for information on how to find divorce records in Mecklenburg County. Custodian agencies maintain the right to release or refuse requests for such documents. For example, they may deny sensitive or confidential information requests in divorce records.

Note: In 2022, North Carolina's divorce rate was 8.2 per 1,000 female residents above 15 years old. Meanwhile, 19.8% of Mecklenburg County residents were divorced as of 2023.

Are Divorce Records Public in Mecklenburg County?

Most divorce records in Mecklenburg County are publicly accessible under the North Carolina Public Records Laws. Chapter 132 of the NC state statutes allows public inspection and access to records generated by public entities. To access public documents, persons or entities are generally required to use resources or options provided by these entities.

However, some public entities may redact or withhold specific divorce information from the general public. For example, the entities may redact personal identities of minors affected by a divorce event.

How to Find Divorce Records in Mecklenburg County

Interested persons can look up Mecklenburg County divorce records via resources provided by government entities. At the local level, the county clerk of the superior court allows in-person access to divorce decrees in their custody. In contrast, you can obtain divorce certificates from the North Carolina Office of Vital Records.

How to obtain divorce decrees from the Mecklenburg County Superior Court Clerk

The Mecklenburg County Superior Court Clerk's Office offers in-person access to divorce documents via self-service public terminals. Inquirers may find the terminals in the lobby of the clerk's office at this address:

However, you can obtain copies of divorce decrees by making inquiries at the customer service point in the clerk's office. The court clerk may demand the case party's name or document number to locate the requested files.

How to get Mecklenburg County divorce certificates from the NC Office of Vital Records

The NC Office of Vital Records allows mail-in and in-person inquiries for divorce certificates. To access divorce certificates in person, you must first book an appointment and visit the agency at this location:

Note: In-person requesters must visit the agency before 2:30 p.m. The agency charges a non-refundable $24 for the first copy of a divorce record created within three years.

For mail-in orders, inquirers must follow these steps:

• Fill out, print, and sign the application form in English or Spanish.
• Include a $24 fee for the first copy and $15 for each additional certificate. Money orders or checks must be payable.
• Mail the request form and fees to:

The North Carolina Judicial Branch website also maintains an online searchable database for divorce case records. Inquirers may search Mecklenburg County divorce records by providing the case party names or document number.

Overview of the Mecklenburg County Court System

The Mecklenburg County District Court handles all divorce filings and case proceedings. Interested parties may locate the courthouse at this address:

The Mecklenburg County Clerk of the Superior Court is the designated record custodian of divorce case proceedings and certificates. Inquirers may access records by using the agency's self-service terminals or customer service points.

Online Access to Mecklenburg County Divorce Records

You may find Mecklenburg County divorce records online via the NC Judicial Branch's online search portal. The portal allows name- and ID-based searches for divorce records. To use the portal, visit the online search portal and provide the required search data. An alternative option is to use the self-service terminals located in the lobby of the superior court clerk's office.

Third-party search websites are also repositories for free online access to Mecklenburg County divorce records. Inquirers may find records on these platforms by providing relevant data like the case party name or court location. Some websites offer online access to court records in different places. Despite the perks of using third-party websites, they are not verifiable sources for court information.

What's Typically Included in a Mecklenburg County Divorce Record

Mecklenburg County divorce records typically provide information on the following:

• Case parties' names.
• Divorce date and court location.
• Case number.
• Marriage date and duration.
• Court case information, such as filing date, petitioner's name, and attorney's name.

Note that some divorce information is exempt from public records. For instance, the court may redact revealing information about minors and abuse victims in the dissolved union. Case parties may also petition the court to redact specific information from publicly owned domains.

How to Get Certified Copies of Mecklenburg County Divorce Records

In Mecklenburg County, you can obtain certified copies of divorce decrees and certificates from the NC Office of Vital Records and the county superior court clerk's office. The superior court clerk allows in-person access to certified divorce records at:

In contrast, you can obtain a certified divorce record by attaching a valid ID and your mail or in-person request to the NC Office of Vital Records.

Certified divorce certificates are quite different from informational copies. They contain a statement attesting that it is a true copy and include a raised Vital Records Seal and the State Registrar's Signature.

Furthermore, the records serve different purposes. For instance, you may use certified divorce certificates for legal processes like remarriage and name changes. To obtain an official divorce record copy, inquirers must provide a proof of relationship document.

Why People Request Mecklenburg County Divorce Records

There are different reasons to request divorce records in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Persons or entities may request divorce records for these reasons:

• To change their name.
• To refinance mortgages.
• To remarry.
• To conduct genealogy or family research.
• To verify a job applicant's background.

Mecklenburg County Divorce Records Summary