Craven County Divorce Decree Records
Craven County sits in eastern North Carolina along the Neuse River. New Bern is the county seat and one of the state's oldest cities. Residents who need a divorce decree from Craven County can search through the Clerk of Superior Court in New Bern. The clerk holds all civil case files, including divorce records from cases heard in this county. Whether you need a copy for legal proof or personal reference, the Craven County court staff can guide your search and provide the documents you need.
Craven County Clerk of Court Divorce Decree
The Craven County Clerk of Superior Court manages all divorce decree files. The office is at 302 Broad Street in New Bern, NC 28560. You can reach them by phone at (252) 639-3000. The clerk stores every divorce case filed in Craven County. Staff can search by party name or case number.
Court records are public in North Carolina under G.S. Chapter 132. You do not have to be a party to the case to view the file. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Craven County clerk. The office provides plain and certified copies. Certified copies bear the court seal and work for legal use. Plain copies are good for personal files.
New Bern is a mid-sized city with a busy courthouse. Wait times can vary. Call ahead at (252) 639-3000 to check on current conditions before you make the trip to get your Craven County divorce decree.
Note: Craven County certified copies cost $10 per document, so plan your budget before you visit.
How to Find a Craven Divorce Decree
There are several ways to get a divorce decree from Craven County. Each method has its own pace and process.
Visiting in person is the quickest path. Go to the courthouse at 302 Broad Street in New Bern. Ask the clerk to search for your case. Give them the names of the parties or the case number. You can view the file right there. The clerk can make copies while you wait. Most Craven County requests are handled the same day when you visit in person.
By mail is another choice. Write to the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court at 302 Broad Street, New Bern, NC 28560. Include the full names of both spouses and the year of the divorce. Enclose a check or money order for the copy fees. The clerk will process the request and mail back copies of the Craven County divorce decree. Allow one to two weeks for this method.
You can also start online. The NC eCourts portal lets you search case records by name. It shows basic case data like dates and party names. For the full Craven County divorce decree document, contact the clerk directly.
- In person at the New Bern courthouse
- By mail with a request letter and fees
- Online search through NC eCourts
- By phone at (252) 639-3000 to start the process
- Through a third-party records service
State Divorce Records for Craven County
The NC Vital Records Section in Raleigh keeps divorce certificates for all counties from 1958 to the present. A certificate costs $24. It is a short form that confirms the divorce but does not contain the full terms. For the complete Craven County divorce decree with all case details, you need the court file from the clerk in New Bern.
The image below shows the NC Vital Records research page, a resource for finding historical divorce records when county files are hard to locate.
This research page can help with older Craven County divorce records that may not be in the current system.
Before 1958, the state did not collect divorce data. For those older cases, the Craven County clerk in New Bern holds the only records. New Bern has a long history, and some court files date back many decades. The clerk can help you search through older records if you have enough information to narrow the search.
Craven County Divorce Decree Process
North Carolina is a no-fault state. G.S. 50-6 requires one year of separation. G.S. 50-8 requires six months of residency. These rules apply in Craven County the same as every other county in the state.
Filing starts at the clerk's office in New Bern. The fee is $225. The clerk assigns a case number. You must serve the other spouse. The court sets a hearing date. If the judge confirms everything is in order, the judge signs a divorce decree. This decree enters the Craven County court file as a permanent public record. Anyone can request a copy.
A divorce decree is not the same as a certificate. The decree is the judge's full order. It can include terms on property division under G.S. 50-20 and alimony under G.S. 50-16.3A. A certificate from the NC Vital Records office is a one-page summary. It just shows that a divorce took place. For full terms, you need the Craven County divorce decree from the court.
Note: Claims for equitable distribution must be raised before the divorce decree is entered, or they are lost forever.
Craven County Divorce Decree Resources
The Craven County government website links to all county offices. You can find the clerk's contact details, hours, and forms. This is a useful starting point for anyone who needs records from the Craven County courthouse.
Craven County has a large population compared to many eastern NC counties. New Bern is a hub for the region. The courthouse handles a high volume of cases. If you need a Craven County divorce decree, plan your visit for early in the day. This helps avoid long waits. The staff are experienced and can guide you through the records search process.
Legal Help for Craven Divorce Decree
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Craven County residents who qualify based on income. They help with court forms, filings, and other civil matters. The NC Courts website offers forms and self-help guides for those handling their own divorce.
The Craven County courthouse staff in New Bern can point you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice. For specific questions about your Craven County divorce decree, talk to a family law attorney. The NC State Bar referral line is 1-800-662-7660. They can match you with a lawyer in the New Bern area who handles divorce cases.