Caswell County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Caswell County in 2026
CaswellRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Caswell County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking divorce records may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, final decrees, and related court documents through official channels. Available record categories include dissolution of marriage filings, final judgments, property settlement agreements, child custody orders, and post-judgment modifications. Access and completeness of records may vary depending on the age of the case and applicable confidentiality provisions.
Records may be searched through official resources including the Caswell County Clerk of Court, the North Carolina Courts online portal, and the NC Vital Records office. The following methods are available to members of the public at present.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The North Carolina Courts eCourts Portal provides online access to case information for counties that have transitioned to the eCourts system. Members of the public may search by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for certified copies or document downloads.
2. State Court System Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide portal through which members of the public may search court records across jurisdictions. The portal consolidates case data and allows searches by name, case number, and county.
3. State Vital Records
North Carolina registers divorce certificates through the NC Vital Records office, which is part of the NC Department of Health and Human Services. Divorce certificates are available for divorces granted in North Carolina. These certificates contain limited information compared to full court case files and are subject to applicable fees.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Caswell County:
Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court
139 Court Square
Yanceyville, NC 27379
Phone: (336) 694-4191
NC Judicial Branch — Caswell County
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View filed documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating records
Records Department:
The Clerk of Court's office maintains both active and archived divorce case files. Historical records predating electronic filing may be stored in paper format and may require additional retrieval time. Certified copy requests for archived cases are accepted at the same office location.
By Mail
Written Request:
- Mail to: Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court, 139 Court Square, Yanceyville, NC 27379
- Include the following with each request:
- Full legal names of both parties
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or year filed
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and mailing address
- Purpose of request, if required
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents
- Processing time: Requests are processed within approximately one to two weeks, subject to volume and record availability.
By Phone
Limited Information Available:
- Clerk of Court: (336) 694-4191
- Staff may confirm:
- Whether a case exists in the system
- Case number and filing date
- Current case status
- Staff cannot provide:
- Detailed document contents by phone
- Copies of filed documents
- Confidential or restricted information
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in North Carolina may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may require a showing of legitimate need. The North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service assists members of the public in locating qualified legal counsel for family law matters.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses at the time of filing
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or year the case was filed
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Previous addresses in North Carolina
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
- Names of minor children, if applicable
Search in Correct County
Divorce proceedings in North Carolina are filed in the county where either spouse resided at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be searched in the county where the marriage occurred unless one spouse also resided there at the time of filing.
Residency Requirement:
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have been a resident of North Carolina for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce action. The action is filed in the county of that spouse's residence.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces:
- Newly finalized cases may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing
- Allow several business days to weeks for processing and indexing
- Contact the Clerk's office directly to confirm availability
Older Divorces:
- Cases predating electronic filing may be stored in paper archives
- Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
- Some older records may not be digitized; in-person or mail requests are recommended
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common Issues:
- Incorrect county of filing
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- Case still pending and not yet finalized
- Very old records held in off-site storage
- Case sealed by court order
Next Steps:
- Contact the Clerk's office at (336) 694-4191 to request a manual search
- Attempt alternate name spellings for both parties
- Search under both spouses' names
- Check the NC Vital Records divorce certificate database
- Consult a licensed North Carolina attorney for complex searches
What Are Caswell County Divorce Records?
Caswell County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in the Caswell County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the public court file maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and document the legal dissolution of a marriage under North Carolina law.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the full set of documents filed throughout the proceeding:
- Complaint for absolute divorce or divorce from bed and board
- Summons and proof of service
- Answer and counterclaim, if filed
- Financial affidavits and disclosure statements
- Separation agreements incorporated into the judgment
- Motions, responses, and court orders
- Hearing transcripts, if prepared
- Final judgment of absolute divorce
Final Decree:
The final judgment of absolute divorce is the official court order terminating the marriage. It constitutes legal proof of divorce and may establish the date of dissolution, property division terms, spousal support provisions, child custody and support arrangements, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court.
Supporting Documents may include property settlement agreements, parenting plans, child support worksheets, qualified domestic relations orders (QDROs) for retirement account division, and post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
- Legal proof of marital status for remarriage
- Name change documentation
- Property transfer and title purposes
- Estate planning and beneficiary designations
- Immigration and naturalization proceedings
- Social Security and federal benefits applications
- Genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of divorce case files in Caswell County. The NC Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates separately from court case files; these certificates are registered with the state and contain summary information about the dissolution.
Legal Framework:
Divorce proceedings in North Carolina are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6, which establishes absolute divorce on the ground of one year's separation. Public access to court records is governed by the North Carolina Public Records Law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 et seq., which establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection.
Are Caswell County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Caswell County Superior Court are public court records subject to the North Carolina Public Records Law. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or interest. Certain categories of information within divorce files are restricted or redacted pursuant to court rules and state law.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of parties (petitioner and respondent)
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and docket entries
- Final judgment of absolute divorce
- Property division orders
- General case status and disposition
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all public filings pursuant to North Carolina court rules
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be filed under seal or with restricted access
- Certain financial disclosure statements may have limited public access
Children's Information:
- Names and addresses of minor children may be partially redacted
- Schools attended by minor children
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders
- Medical records submitted as exhibits
Sealed Records:
A court may seal specific documents or an entire case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under North Carolina law and are not part of the public record.
Who Can Access Records:
- General public: May access public portions of the case file, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of non-restricted documents upon payment of applicable fees
- Parties to the case: Have full access to their own case file, including documents subject to restricted public access
- Attorneys of record: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed materials upon a proper showing
- Researchers and media: May access public portions of case files; access to sealed records requires a court order
Prohibited Uses:
Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use such records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a court-issued protective order. Commercial use of personal information obtained from court records may be subject to additional restrictions under applicable state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Caswell County?
The Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court charges fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records in accordance with the North Carolina fee schedule established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.
Current Fee Structure:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Plain copy (per page) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copy of court document | $3.00 per document |
| Certification fee (seal and signature) | Included in certified copy fee |
| Search fee | No separate search fee |
- Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge
- Electronic copies, where available through the eCourts portal, may be subject to separate fees established by the portal
- Divorce certificates ordered through NC Vital Records are subject to a separate fee schedule; vital records are not free public records
Accepted Payment Methods:
- Cash
- Check or money order payable to Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court
- Credit and debit card acceptance may vary; members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the Clerk's office prior to visiting
Fee Waivers:
Fee waivers for court record copies are not broadly available to the general public. Parties who are proceeding in forma pauperis in an active case may petition the court for waiver of certain fees pursuant to applicable court rules. Requests for fee waivers are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
What Is Available at No Cost:
- In-person inspection of public case files at the courthouse
- Review of docket entries and case status through the NC Courts online portal
- Verbal confirmation of case existence and basic case information by phone
What's Included in Divorce Records in Caswell County
A complete divorce case file maintained by the Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court contains documents generated from the initial filing through final judgment and any post-judgment proceedings. The scope of documents varies depending on whether the divorce was uncontested or contested and whether children or significant assets were involved.
Basic Case Information:
- Case caption including case number, court name, and division
- Names of petitioner and respondent
- Judge assigned to the case
- Attorneys of record and their contact information
- Filing date and case type designation
Initial Pleadings:
The complaint for absolute divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and place of marriage, the date of separation, the ground for divorce (one year's continuous separation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6), information regarding minor children, and the relief requested. The answer, if filed, contains the respondent's admissions, denials, and any counterclaims.
Financial Documents:
- Financial affidavits disclosing income, expenses, assets, and liabilities
- Tax returns and pay stubs submitted as exhibits
- Bank and investment account statements
- Retirement account statements
- Property appraisals and business valuations
- Debt inventories including mortgages, loans, and credit obligations
Property-Related Documents:
- Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
- Equitable distribution affidavits
- Real property deeds and transfer documents
- Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for retirement account division
- Settlement agreements addressing property division
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
- Parenting plan or custody agreement
- Child support calculation worksheets
- Income information for both parties
- Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
- Child support order specifying amount, payment schedule, and method
- Custody evaluation reports (which may be sealed)
- Guardian ad litem reports (subject to restricted access)
Support Documents:
- Alimony or post-separation support orders specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
- Calculation worksheets reflecting income, standard of living, and need
Settlement Documents:
- Separation agreement or marital settlement agreement, if incorporated into the judgment
- Mediation agreement, if applicable (note: mediation communications themselves are confidential)
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
- Temporary orders for custody, support, or use of property
- Final judgment of absolute divorce including findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and child support provisions, and name restoration if requested
- Judge's signature and court seal
Post-Judgment Documents (if applicable):
- Petitions to modify custody or support
- Court orders on modification requests
- Income deduction orders for support enforcement
- Contempt motions and orders
- Liens filed in connection with support or property obligations
What Is Typically Confidential or Redacted:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account and financial account numbers
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence-related evidence (may be sealed)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications
- Trade secrets in business valuation documents
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Caswell County
Proof of divorce in Caswell County may be obtained through two primary channels: a certified copy of the final judgment from the Clerk of Superior Court, or a divorce certificate from the NC Vital Records office.
Certified Copy of Final Judgment (Clerk of Court):
A certified copy of the final judgment of absolute divorce is the most comprehensive form of proof and is accepted for legal, immigration, and government benefit purposes.
- Submit a request in person, by mail, or through the eCourts portal to the Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court
- Provide the full names of both parties and the approximate year of divorce
- Pay the applicable certification fee
- Certified copies bear the court seal and the Clerk's signature
Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court
139 Court Square
Yanceyville, NC 27379
Phone: (336) 694-4191
NC Judicial Branch — Caswell County
Divorce Certificate (NC Vital Records):
A divorce certificate issued by the NC Vital Records office provides official state-level documentation of the dissolution. Divorce certificates are available for divorces granted in North Carolina and contain summary information including the names of the parties, the county of filing, and the date of divorce. These certificates are appropriate for many administrative purposes and may be ordered online, by mail, or in person.
NC Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1903
Phone: (919) 733-3526
NC Vital Records — Order a Certificate
Members of the public who require proof of divorce for immigration proceedings, Social Security applications, or remarriage in another jurisdiction are advised to confirm which form of documentation is accepted by the receiving agency prior to ordering.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Caswell County?
A divorce proceeding in Caswell County may be made partially or fully confidential under limited circumstances established by North Carolina law and court rules. The default presumption under the North Carolina Public Records Law is that court records are open to public inspection; confidentiality requires an affirmative court order or a specific statutory basis.
Circumstances under which divorce records or portions thereof may be confidential include:
- Domestic violence cases: Addresses and identifying information of protected parties may be withheld from public filings pursuant to North Carolina court rules designed to protect victims of domestic violence
- Sealed documents: A party may file a motion to seal specific documents upon a showing of good cause; the court balances the public interest in access against the privacy interest asserted
- Children's information: Names, addresses, schools, and medical information pertaining to minor children may be redacted from public portions of the file
- Mental health and medical records: Records submitted as exhibits that contain protected health information may be filed under seal
- Mediation communications: All communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential and are not filed with the court or made part of the public record
- Confidential settlement terms: Parties may agree to keep specific settlement terms confidential, though the final judgment itself remains a public record
Members of the public seeking access to sealed or confidential portions of a divorce file must file a motion with the Caswell County Superior Court and demonstrate a legitimate legal basis for access. The court evaluates such requests on a case-by-case basis.
How Long Does Caswell County Keep Divorce Records?
Caswell County divorce records are retained in accordance with the records retention schedules established by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources for Superior Court civil case files.
Retention periods for divorce records in North Carolina are as follows:
- Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently; these documents are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely through the Clerk of Court
- Complete case files (active and closed): Superior Court civil case files, including divorce cases, are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case before any disposition review
- Cases involving minor children: Files in which child custody or support orders were entered are subject to extended retention to ensure availability for future modification proceedings
- Post-judgment modification orders: Retained as part of the original case file for the duration of the retention period applicable to that file
- Archived paper records: Older paper case files may be transferred to off-site storage or the North Carolina State Archives; retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time
- Electronic records: Cases filed through the eCourts system are maintained in the electronic case management system and are accessible through the NC Judicial Branch portal
Members of the public seeking records from cases that may have been archived are advised to contact the Caswell County Clerk of Superior Court directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.