Guilford County Divorce Decree Records

Guilford County is one of the most populated counties in North Carolina. Its county seat is Greensboro. Residents searching for a divorce decree in Guilford County can access records through the Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk holds all civil case files, including divorce records. Guilford County also has a second courthouse in High Point. Both locations can help you search for a divorce decree from Guilford County court cases.

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Guilford County Clerk of Court

The Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court is the primary office for divorce decree records. The Greensboro office is at 201 S. Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. You can reach this office at (336) 412-7300. Staff at the Guilford County clerk's office can pull court files and make copies of any divorce decree on record.

Guilford County also runs a second courthouse in High Point. That office is at 505 E. Green Dr, High Point, NC 27260. The phone number is (336) 822-6700. If your divorce case was heard in the High Point division of Guilford County, that office may have the file closer at hand. Both offices serve Guilford County residents and can access the same records system.

To search for a divorce decree in Guilford County, bring a valid ID. You will need the name of at least one spouse or the case number. The clerk can search by party name or date range. Guilford County court records are public under G.S. Chapter 132. You do not need to be a party to view a divorce decree. Most requests are filled the same day at either Guilford County office.

The image below shows the Guilford County court records page, which can help you plan your visit for a divorce decree search.

Guilford County court records information page for divorce decree searches

Check this site before your trip to the Guilford County courthouse.

Guilford County Divorce Decree Copies

The Guilford County Register of Deeds is at 201 W. Market St, Greensboro, NC 27401. You can call them at (336) 641-7556. While this office does not store divorce decree files, it handles marriage records. You may need both a marriage record and a Guilford County divorce decree for legal matters.

Guilford County offers certified and non-certified copies of court records. Certified copies of a divorce decree from Guilford County carry a court seal. This seal makes the copy valid for banks, courts, and government agencies. Plain copies work for personal reference but lack legal weight. Most people who need a Guilford County divorce decree for official use should get a certified copy.

Note: Call the Guilford County clerk at (336) 412-7300 to confirm current copy fees before your visit.

How to Get a Guilford Divorce Decree

There are several ways to get a divorce decree from Guilford County. Each method suits different needs. The best choice depends on how fast you need the record.

In person is the quickest route. Go to the Guilford County courthouse at 201 S. Eugene St in Greensboro or the High Point office at 505 E. Green Dr. Ask the clerk to search for your case. You can view the divorce decree file right there. The clerk will make copies if you need them. Certified copies require a seal, so they may take a bit longer. Same-day service is standard at both Guilford County locations.

By mail works if you cannot visit. Write to the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court at 201 S. Eugene St, Greensboro, NC 27401. Include the full names of both spouses, the year of the divorce, and your return address. Add a check or money order for copy fees. The Guilford County clerk will search for the record and mail copies back. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests.

You can also search for Guilford County divorce records through the NC eCourts portal. This system lets you look up case basics by name. It shows dates and party names. For the full Guilford County divorce decree, you must still contact the clerk.

In person at the Greensboro courthouse
In person at the High Point courthouse
By mail with a written request and fees
Online search through NC eCourts
Through a third-party records service

Guilford County Divorce Decree Process

North Carolina uses a no-fault divorce system. Under G.S. 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months under G.S. 50-8. If you meet these rules, you can file for divorce in Guilford County.

The filing fee for a divorce in Guilford County is $225. You file at the Clerk of Superior Court in Greensboro or High Point. The clerk assigns a case number. You serve the other spouse. After the court grants the divorce, the judge signs a divorce decree. This decree goes into the Guilford County court file and becomes a public record.

A divorce decree differs from a divorce certificate. The decree is the full court order from Guilford County. It may cover property terms, support, and custody. A divorce certificate is a short form that the state issues. It only confirms the divorce happened. The NC Vital Records office has certificates from 1958 forward. That certificate costs $24. For the full Guilford County divorce decree, contact the clerk.

Note: Property division claims under G.S. 50-20 must be filed before the Guilford County divorce decree is entered, or they are waived.

Guilford Divorce Decree Court Files

A Guilford County divorce decree file contains several parts. The complaint opens the case. It lists the grounds for divorce and what the filing spouse asks for. The answer is the other spouse's response. Motions, agreements, and court orders also go in the file. The final decree is the order that ends the marriage in Guilford County.

The screenshot below shows the Guilford County divorce records page, a helpful starting point for locating records.

Guilford County divorce records search page for divorce decree lookup

Use this resource to begin your Guilford County divorce decree search before visiting the courthouse in person.

A typical Guilford County divorce decree includes the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, the date of separation, and the date the court granted the divorce. If alimony was at issue, the decree may reference G.S. 50-16.3A. When spouses could not agree on property, the court divides assets under equitable distribution rules. North Carolina courts split property fairly but not always equally.

State Divorce Records for Guilford

The state of North Carolina keeps divorce records beyond the Guilford County level. The NC Vital Records Section in Raleigh holds divorce certificates for all counties. Their address is 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900.

State records go back to 1958. Before that year, divorce records exist only at the county level. For a Guilford County divorce decree from before 1958, the clerk in Greensboro is the sole source. The Vital Records research page has more details on historical records and how to search older files.

The state certificate is handy for quick proof that a divorce took place. It costs $24 and shows basic facts. But it is not a divorce decree. If you need the full terms, the property split, or support orders, you need the Guilford County divorce decree from the court file in Greensboro.

Guilford County Divorce Decree Help

If you need help with a divorce in Guilford County, several resources are available. Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Guilford County residents with low income. They can assist with paperwork and court forms. The NC Courts website has forms and guides for people who represent themselves.

The Guilford County courthouse staff in Greensboro and High Point can point you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice. For questions about your divorce decree or how to read the terms, talk to a local attorney. The NC State Bar referral line is 1-800-662-7660. A lawyer can help you understand what your Guilford County divorce decree means for your rights.