Search Wilson County Divorce Decree
Wilson County is in the eastern Coastal Plain of North Carolina. The county seat is Wilson. If you need a divorce decree from Wilson County, the Clerk of Superior Court in Wilson is where to start. The clerk holds all civil court files, and that includes every divorce decree on record. Searching for a Wilson County divorce decree begins at the courthouse on East Nash Street in the city of Wilson.
Wilson County Clerk of Court
The Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court keeps all divorce decree records for this county. The office is at 115 E Nash St, Wilson, NC 27893. Staff can pull divorce decree files and make copies for you. You will need a valid photo ID when you visit. The clerk can search by name, case number, or date range for any Wilson County divorce decree.
Walk-in requests at the Wilson County courthouse are usually done the same day. The clerk makes both plain and certified copies of a divorce decree. A certified copy carries the court seal and is valid for legal use. Plain copies cost less but do not have the seal. Most banks, courts, and agencies want a certified copy of a Wilson County divorce decree. Call the clerk to ask about current copy fees before you visit.
The image below shows the NC eCourts portal, which can help you start a search for Wilson County divorce decree records.
The NC eCourts portal lets you search case index data for Wilson County, though full divorce decree documents must come from the clerk.
Wilson County Divorce Decree Sources
The Wilson County Register of Deeds handles marriage licenses and property records. This office does not keep divorce decree files. Those records are only at the Clerk of Superior Court. Some people call the Register of Deeds for a divorce decree by mistake. They will point you to the clerk office instead.
Marriage records from the Register of Deeds sometimes connect to a Wilson County divorce decree. You may need a marriage certificate along with your divorce decree for legal matters. Property deeds that changed hands due to a divorce are also at the Register of Deeds. But the divorce decree itself stays at the Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court. That office is the sole keeper of all divorce decree files in Wilson County.
Note: Wilson County divorce decree files are only at the Clerk of Superior Court, not the Register of Deeds.
How to Get a Wilson Divorce Decree
You can get a divorce decree from Wilson County through a few methods. Each one works for different needs.
In person is the fastest way. Go to the Wilson County courthouse at 115 E Nash St in Wilson. Ask the clerk to look up the case. Give them the name of one spouse and the year of the divorce. You can view the divorce decree at the counter. If you need copies, the clerk makes them on the spot. Certified copies of a Wilson County divorce decree take a bit more time. Most walk-in requests are done the same day at the Wilson courthouse.
By mail is another choice. Write to the Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court at 115 E Nash St, Wilson, NC 27893. Include both party names, the year of the divorce, and your return address. Add a check or money order for copy fees. The clerk will mail the Wilson County divorce decree copies back. Allow one to two weeks for mail requests.
The NC eCourts portal lets you search case data for Wilson County. You can find case numbers and dates. The portal does not show the full divorce decree document. For the actual decree, contact the Wilson County clerk in person or by mail.
Wilson County Divorce Decree Process
North Carolina is a no-fault state for divorce. Under G.S. 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year. At least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months under G.S. 50-8. If you live in Wilson County and meet these rules, you file at the courthouse in Wilson. The process creates records that lead to a signed divorce decree.
You file a complaint at the Wilson County Clerk of Superior Court. The filing fee is $225. The clerk gives you a case number. You then serve the other spouse. This can be done through the Wilson County Sheriff, a process server, or certified mail. After the court hears the case and grants the divorce, the judge signs a divorce decree. This decree becomes part of the Wilson County court file. It is a public record under G.S. Chapter 132. Anyone can request to view a Wilson County divorce decree at the courthouse.
Claims for equitable distribution under G.S. 50-20 must be filed before the divorce decree is entered. Alimony claims under G.S. 50-16.3A must also be raised before the final decree. If these claims are not filed in time, they are waived in Wilson County. The clerk can provide forms but cannot give legal advice about a divorce decree case.
Note: File all property and support claims before the Wilson County judge signs the divorce decree.
Divorce Decree and Certificate Differences
A divorce decree from Wilson County is the full court order. It sits in the case file at the clerk office. The decree may include terms on property, alimony, and name changes. This is the document most courts and agencies want to see. A Wilson County divorce decree is a public record.
A divorce certificate is a shorter document from the state. The NC Vital Records Section issues certificates for divorces from 1958 to now. The fee is $24. A certificate confirms a divorce happened. It shows names, the date, and the county. It does not include the terms of the divorce decree. For what a Wilson County judge ordered, you need the full decree from the clerk.
For divorces in Wilson County before 1958, the clerk is the only source. State records do not cover that time. The Vital Records research page explains more about older North Carolina records. The Wilson County website also has contact info for the clerk of court.
Wilson County Divorce Decree Help
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Wilson County residents with low income. They can help with divorce forms and the steps that lead to a divorce decree. The NC Courts website has forms and guides for self-represented parties in Wilson County.
The Wilson County courthouse has staff who can direct you to forms. They do not give legal advice. If you need 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 the Wilson area can explain the terms of a Wilson County divorce decree and tell you what steps come next after the judge signs the order. This is important when a divorce decree covers property or support.
State Divorce Records for Wilson County
The NC Vital Records Section in Raleigh has divorce certificates for all counties. Their mailing address is 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900. These certificates are not the same as a Wilson County divorce decree. A state certificate is a short form. It confirms that a divorce took place in Wilson County.
State certificates cost $24 each. They are good for quick proof. But they do not include what the judge ordered. For the full Wilson County divorce decree with all terms, go to the Clerk of Superior Court at 115 E Nash St in Wilson. The court file has the complete divorce decree and all related documents from the case.