Person County Divorce Records
How To Find a Divorce Record In Person County in 2026
PersonRecords.us provides access to publicly available data related to divorce records in Person County, North Carolina. Members of the public may find case numbers, filing dates, party names, and court disposition information. Available record categories include final divorce decrees, dissolution judgments, separation agreements, property division orders, and related family court filings. 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 North Carolina court system's online portal, the Person County Clerk of Superior Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office.
Online Searches
1. Clerk of Court Case Search
The North Carolina Courts' eCourts case search portal provides free basic case information for divorce proceedings filed in Person County Superior Court. Members of the public may search by party name or case number. Certified copies of documents require payment of applicable fees.
2. State Court System Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide portal that allows searches across all county jurisdictions. This consolidated database is the primary official resource for locating divorce case records filed anywhere in North Carolina.
3. State Vital Records
North Carolina does not issue divorce certificates through the state vital records office in the same manner as birth or death certificates; however, the NC Vital Records office maintains divorce records and may provide verification letters. The Register of Deeds in the county where the divorce was granted may also hold relevant documentation.
In-Person Searches
Clerk of Court — Person County Superior Court (Family Division)
Person County Clerk of Superior Court
105 S. Main Street
Roxboro, NC 27573
Phone: (336) 597-1733
Person County Clerk of Superior Court
- 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 documents at public access terminals
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Staff assistance for locating archived records
By Mail
Written Request:
Mail requests to the Person County Clerk of Superior Court at the address listed above. Each written request should include:
- Full legal names of both parties (including maiden names where applicable)
- Approximate date the divorce was finalized
- Case number, if known
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Purpose of the request (required in some circumstances)
- Payment for applicable copy fees
- A self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, though archived or older cases may require additional time.
By Phone
Limited Information Available by Phone:
- Clerk of Court: (336) 597-1733
- Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide the case number, confirm case status, and verify the filing date
- Staff cannot provide detailed document contents, copies of filings, or any confidential information by telephone
Through Attorneys
An attorney licensed in North Carolina may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, request sealed documents upon a proper showing of cause, and navigate complex or older records. The North Carolina State Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects members of the public with qualified family law attorneys.
Information Needed for Search
Essential Information:
- Full legal names of both spouses
- Maiden names, if applicable
- Approximate date of divorce or filing
- Case number, if known
Helpful Information:
- Date and location of marriage
- Prior addresses in Person County
- Names of children, if applicable
- Names of attorneys of record, if known
Search in Correct County
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-3, a divorce action in North Carolina must be filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public searching for a divorce record should confirm which county the filing party resided in at the time of the proceeding. Searching the county where the marriage ceremony occurred will not yield results unless one party also resided there.
North Carolina requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for a minimum of six months immediately preceding the filing of the divorce action, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-8.
Time Considerations
Recent Divorces: Cases finalized within the past several weeks may not yet appear in online search systems. Members of the public should allow standard processing time following the final hearing before conducting a search.
Older Divorces: Records predating electronic filing systems may be archived in paper format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time and a written request to the Clerk's office.
What If You Cannot Find a Record
Common reasons a divorce record may not appear in a search include:
- The divorce was filed in a different county
- Name variations between married and maiden names
- Spelling differences in party names
- The case has not yet been finalized
- Very old records stored in off-site archives
- The case has been sealed by court order
Members of the public encountering these issues may contact the Clerk's office at (336) 597-1733, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the NC Vital Records office for verification.
What Are Person County Divorce Records?
Person County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings filed in Person County Superior Court. These records constitute part of the permanent family law case file maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and are subject to North Carolina's public records framework.
Types of Divorce Records:
Court Case Files include the petition for absolute divorce, the respondent's answer, financial affidavits, parenting plans, settlement agreements, motions, court orders, and the final judgment of absolute divorce.
Final Decree (Judgment of Absolute Divorce): The final judgment is the official court order dissolving the marriage. It establishes the date of dissolution, any property division terms, alimony provisions, child custody and support arrangements, and any court-ordered name restoration. Certified copies of the final judgment are available through the Clerk of Superior Court.
Supporting Documents may include marriage certificates submitted as exhibits, financial disclosure statements, property inventories, and any post-judgment modification orders.
Purpose of Divorce Records:
Divorce records serve numerous legal and personal purposes, including:
- Providing proof of marital status for remarriage
- Supporting name change documentation
- Facilitating property transfers and estate planning
- Documenting eligibility for Social Security survivor or spousal benefits
- Supporting immigration proceedings requiring proof of prior marriage dissolution
- Enabling genealogical and family history research
Who Maintains Divorce Records:
The Person County Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of all divorce case files. The Clerk indexes records by the names of both parties and provides certified copies upon request. The North Carolina Judicial Branch maintains electronic access to case information through its statewide portal.
North Carolina family law proceedings are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 50, which establishes the legal framework for absolute divorce, divorce from bed and board, alimony, equitable distribution, and child custody and support.
Are Person County Divorce Records Public?
Divorce records filed in Person County Superior Court are public court records under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Law, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, establishes a presumption of public access to government records, including court filings. Members of the public may access basic case information, docket entries, and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need.
What Is Public:
- Case number and filing date
- Names of both parties
- Names of attorneys of record
- Court hearing dates and outcomes
- Court orders and judgments
- Final divorce decree
- Property division orders
- General case status and docket entries
What May Be Restricted:
Financial Information:
- Social Security numbers are redacted from all publicly accessible documents
- Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
- Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access
- Certain financial affidavits may have restricted portions
Children's Information:
- Addresses where minor children reside may be withheld
- Schools children attend are not disclosed in public records
- Medical and psychological evaluations of children may be sealed
- Guardian ad litem reports are subject to restricted access
- Child custody evaluation reports may be sealed by court order
Sensitive Personal Information:
- Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence may be sealed
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records are protected
- Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders may be withheld
Sealed Records:
A court may seal all or part of a divorce 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 most case information, view docket summaries, and obtain copies of public documents upon payment of applicable fees. Photo identification may be required.
- Parties to the Case: Have full access to their own case file, including any confidential portions.
- Attorneys: Have professional access to case files and may petition the court for access to sealed documents upon a proper showing.
- Researchers and Media: May access public portions of case files. First Amendment protections support access for news reporting and academic research purposes.
Prohibited Uses of Divorce Records:
Members of the public are prohibited from using divorce records for stalking, harassment, identity theft, fraudulent purposes, or any use that violates an existing protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification of marital status.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Person County?
The Person 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 judgment/decree | $3.00 per certification + $0.25 per page |
| Exemplified (triple-certified) copy | $10.00 |
| Search fee (if no case found) | No charge |
- Inspection of public records at the courthouse is available at no charge.
- Electronic copies, where available through the eCourts portal, may be accessed for free for basic case information; document downloads may carry a nominal fee.
- Accepted payment methods at the Person County Clerk's office include cash, money order, and checks made payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Credit and debit card acceptance may vary.
- Fee waivers are not routinely available for divorce record copies; however, parties who are proceeding in forma pauperis in an active case may petition the court for waiver of certain fees.
Members of the public requesting records by mail should include a money order or check for the estimated copy cost, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
What's Included in Divorce Records in Person County
A complete Person County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Clerk of Superior Court from the initiation of the proceeding through any post-judgment actions. The following describes the standard contents of a divorce case file.
Basic Case Information:
The case caption identifies the case number, the court division, the names of the petitioner and respondent, the assigned judge, and the attorneys of record. Filing information includes the date the action was initiated, the filing fee paid, and the jurisdictional basis for the proceeding.
Initial Pleadings:
The Complaint for Absolute Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the respondent's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation, the grounds for divorce (in North Carolina, one year of continuous separation under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 50-6), and the relief requested. The respondent's Answer addresses each allegation and may include a counterclaim.
Financial Affidavits disclose both parties' income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property), and liabilities including mortgages, loans, and credit card debt.
Discovery Documents:
Discovery materials may include interrogatories and sworn answers, requests for production of documents, tax returns, pay stubs, bank and investment account statements, retirement account statements, and business financial records where applicable. Property appraisals and expert valuations of real estate, businesses, or personal property may also be included.
Children-Related Documents (if applicable):
Where minor children are involved, the case file contains a parenting plan or custody agreement addressing legal and physical custody, a regular and holiday timesharing schedule, transportation arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities. A child support calculation worksheet documents income figures, the number of overnights, health insurance costs, and childcare costs. Court-ordered custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports, where present, may be subject to restricted access.
Support Documents:
Alimony provisions, where ordered, specify the type of support (post-separation support, alimony, or rehabilitative alimony), the amount, the payment schedule, and the conditions for termination or modification.
Settlement Documents:
A Separation Agreement and Property Settlement, if executed by the parties, comprehensively resolves property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related matters. This document, once incorporated into the final judgment, becomes an enforceable court order.
Court Orders and Final Judgment:
Temporary orders may address interim custody, support, and use of marital property during the pendency of the action. The Final Judgment of Absolute Divorce is the court's dispositive order, containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, the date of dissolution, all property and support provisions, child custody and support orders, and any court-ordered name restoration. Where retirement accounts are divided, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) is filed as a separate instrument directing the plan administrator.
Post-Judgment Documents:
The case file may also contain petitions to modify custody or support, contempt motions, income deduction orders, and enforcement actions filed after the entry of the final judgment.
What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed:
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted as a matter of course)
- Children's residential addresses and school information
- Domestic violence evidence (may be sealed by court order)
- Mental health and substance abuse evaluation records
- Mediation communications (confidential by statute)
- Settlement negotiation correspondence (not filed with the court)
How to Get Proof of Divorce in Person County?
Proof of divorce in Person County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Absolute Divorce issued by the Person County Clerk of Superior Court. A certified copy bears the Clerk's official seal and signature and is accepted as legal proof of divorce for remarriage, name change, immigration, Social Security, and other official purposes.
Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:
- Identify the case number using the NC Courts eCourts case search or by contacting the Clerk's office at (336) 597-1733.
- Submit a request in person, by mail, or through the Clerk's office at 105 S. Main Street, Roxboro, NC 27573.
- Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the divorce, and the case number if known.
- Pay the applicable certification fee ($3.00 per certification plus $0.25 per page).
- Receive the certified copy at the counter (in-person requests) or by mail (written requests, typically within one to two weeks).
Members of the public who need a divorce verification letter rather than a full certified copy may contact the NC Vital Records office, which maintains a statewide index of divorce records and can provide verification of divorce events recorded in North Carolina.
Person County Clerk of Superior Court
105 S. Main Street
Roxboro, NC 27573
Phone: (336) 597-1733
Person County Clerk of Superior Court
NC Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1903
Phone: (919) 733-3526
NC Vital Records
Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Person County?
Divorce proceedings in Person County are presumptively public; however, North Carolina law and court rules permit certain records or entire case files to be sealed under defined circumstances.
- A party may file a motion requesting that specific documents or the entire case file be sealed. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public's right of access against the privacy interests at stake.
- Cases involving allegations of domestic violence, sexual abuse, or child abuse may be subject to sealing orders to protect victims and minor children.
- Financial account numbers, Social Security numbers, and children's personal identifying information are redacted from publicly accessible documents as a matter of standard court practice.
- Mental health evaluations, substance abuse treatment records, and psychological assessments of children are subject to restricted access and may be sealed by court order.
- Mediation communications are confidential under North Carolina law and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
- Confidential settlement agreements that are not incorporated into the final judgment remain private between the parties and are not part of the public record.
- High-profile cases may be sealed upon a specific showing of extraordinary circumstances, though the presumption of public access remains strong under the North Carolina Public Records Law.
Members of the public seeking access to a sealed case file must file a motion with the Person County Superior Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.
How Long Does Person County Keep Divorce Records?
Person County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources records retention schedules applicable to trial court records.
- Final Judgments of Absolute Divorce are retained permanently. These records are never destroyed and remain accessible indefinitely through the Clerk's office.
- Complete case files for contested divorce proceedings are retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, after which non-permanent documents may be subject to disposition in accordance with the applicable retention schedule.
- Financial affidavits and discovery documents that are not incorporated into the final judgment may be subject to shorter retention periods, depending on the nature of the document and the applicable schedule.
- Post-judgment modification orders are retained as part of the permanent case record.
- Electronic records filed through the eCourts system are maintained in the statewide court management system and are accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal.
- Paper records predating electronic filing may be stored in on-site or off-site archives. Retrieval of archived paper records may require additional processing time.
- The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources publishes the official records retention and disposition schedules governing court records statewide.
Members of the public seeking records older than ten years should contact the Person County Clerk of Superior Court directly to confirm availability and retrieval procedures.