Wake County Divorce Decree Records

Wake County is the most populous county in North Carolina. Its county seat is Raleigh. If you need a divorce decree from Wake County, the Clerk of Superior Court holds those files at the courthouse on Fayetteville Street. Searching for a divorce decree in Wake County starts with the clerk office. The court keeps all civil case records, and divorce decree documents are part of that collection.

Wake County Clerk of Superior Court

The Wake County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all divorce decree records for this county. The office is at 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601. You can call them at (919) 792-4000. Staff handle case filings, store court files, and make copies of divorce decree documents. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit.

Wake County processes a large volume of cases each year. As the most populous county in the state, the clerk office stays busy. You will need basic details to search for a divorce decree. The full name of at least one spouse is a must. A case number speeds things up. The clerk can search by name or by date range. You must provide the month and year of the divorce to help staff find the right file. Most Wake County divorce decree requests are handled the same day if you visit in person at the Raleigh courthouse.

The image below shows the Wake County Register of Deeds page that explains where to get divorce records in Wake County.

This page notes that the Register of Deeds does not process divorce records in Wake County.

Wake County Divorce Decree Sources

A common point of confusion in Wake County involves the Register of Deeds. Many people call that office for a divorce decree. The Wake County Register of Deeds does not process divorce records. They handle marriage licenses and property records. For a divorce decree, you must go to the Clerk of Superior Court in Wake County.

You also cannot get a Wake County divorce decree through the Register of Deeds website. There is no online portal for divorce records at that office. The clerk of court is the sole holder of divorce decree files in Wake County. This applies to both old and new cases. If you need a copy of a divorce decree from Wake County, call the clerk at (919) 792-4000 or visit in person at 316 Fayetteville St in Raleigh.

Note: The Wake County Register of Deeds can help with marriage records, but divorce decree files are only at the clerk of court.

Find Wake County Divorce Decree

There are a few ways to search for a divorce decree in Wake County. Each one works for different needs. Pick the path that fits your case best.

In person is the fastest route. Go to the Wake County courthouse at 316 Fayetteville St in Raleigh. Ask the clerk staff to look up the case. You will need to give them the month and year of the divorce. You can view the file at the counter. If you want copies of the divorce decree, the clerk will make them. Certified copies take a bit more time since the clerk adds a court seal. Wake County handles most in-person requests the same day.

By mail works too. Write a letter to the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. Include the full names of both parties, the month and year of the divorce, and your return address. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail it to 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27601. The Wake County clerk will mail back the divorce decree copies. This method can take one to two weeks.

The Wake County Courts website has more details on the search process for divorce decree records in this county.

Use this resource to learn what to bring and how to prepare for your Wake County divorce decree search.

Online Search for Wake Divorce Decree

The NC eCourts portal lets you search Wake County case records by name. This tool shows case type, dates, and party names. It is free for basic info. However, you cannot get the full divorce decree document through the portal. You can only see index data and case status for Wake County cases.

For the actual divorce decree, you need to contact the Wake County clerk. The portal is good for finding a case number or confirming dates. Once you have the case number, call the clerk at (919) 792-4000 to ask for copies. This two-step approach saves time at the counter in Wake County. Staff can pull the divorce decree file faster when you bring a case number.

Some third-party services also offer record searches. These sites charge their own fees on top of what the county charges. They can be useful if you cannot visit Raleigh. But the most direct path to a Wake County divorce decree is through the clerk of court.

Wake County Divorce Decree vs Certificate

A divorce decree and a divorce certificate are not the same thing. The divorce decree is the full court order from the judge. It sits in the court file at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. The decree may include terms on property division, alimony, and name changes. Anyone can view a divorce decree since it is a public record under G.S. Chapter 132.

A divorce certificate is a short form the state issues. The NC Vital Records Section has certificates from 1958 to now. The fee is $24. It confirms the divorce took place. It shows names, the date, and the county. A certificate does not include the full terms of the divorce decree. For legal proof of what a judge ordered in Wake County, you need the full divorce decree from the clerk.

The NC Vital Records office is in Raleigh at 225 North McDowell Street. You can also mail requests to 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900. For the full Wake County divorce decree, the clerk of court is the right source.

Divorce Decree Process in Wake County

North Carolina is a no-fault state. Under G.S. 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year before filing. At least one spouse must have been a North Carolina resident for six months per G.S. 50-8. If you meet these rules and live in Wake County, you file at the courthouse in Raleigh. The process creates the record that ends with a divorce decree.

You file a complaint at the Wake County Clerk of Superior Court. The filing fee is $225. The clerk gives you a case number. You then serve the other spouse with the papers. After the required time passes and the court grants the divorce, the judge signs a divorce decree. This decree goes into the Wake County court file. It becomes a public record that anyone can search for at the Raleigh courthouse. Wake County sees a high number of filings each year given its large population.

Claims for property division under G.S. 50-20 must be filed before the divorce decree is entered. Alimony claims under G.S. 50-16.3A also need to be raised before the final decree. If you miss that window, those claims are lost in Wake County. The clerk can provide forms but not legal advice about your divorce decree case.

Note: File all property and support claims before the Wake County judge signs the divorce decree.

Wake County Divorce Decree Help

Legal Aid of North Carolina helps Wake County residents with low income. They have an office in Raleigh and can help with divorce forms and court steps. The NC Courts website has forms and guides for people who file on their own. These tools can help you through the process that leads to a Wake County divorce decree.

The Wake County courthouse in Raleigh has a self-help center. Staff can point you to the right forms. They do not give legal advice. For help reading a divorce decree or understanding its terms, talk to a family law attorney. The NC State Bar lawyer referral line is 1-800-662-7660. An attorney in Wake County can explain what each part of a divorce decree means and what you need to do next. This is especially important in Wake County where cases can involve complex property and multiple claims.