How to search North Carolina court records
North Carolina runs a single statewide case-lookup system, so one search — with the name spelled correctly — reaches courts across the entire state. There's no charge and no account required — results are visible to anyone who searches.
statewide free criminal data
Open the official North Carolina portal →
What's actually there
The eCourts portal now covers most counties following statewide Odyssey rollout.
Other official lookups for North Carolina
Federal cases filed in North Carolina
State portals don't cover federal court. If the case you're looking for might be a federal criminal prosecution, civil suit, or bankruptcy, use CourtRecordsFree's live federal search — it queries CourtListener/RECAP directly and isn't limited to any one state.
Search tips
- Try both "Last, First" and "First Last" — courts index names inconsistently.
- Middle initials and suffixes (Jr., III) often matter for common names.
- A date of birth or case number is the only reliable way to confirm you found the right person.
- An arrest or charge shown in a docket is not a conviction — read the disposition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to search North Carolina court records online?
Yes. North Carolina's statewide search is free to use, with no account or subscription required.
Does this include criminal records?
Yes. North Carolina's portal includes criminal case records alongside civil cases, subject to the sealing and expungement rules described below.
Does one search cover the whole state?
North Carolina runs one statewide system, so a single search covers the whole state.
Links move. If the North Carolina portal link above is dead, tell us on the corrections page.