Common Questions About Union County Court Records
How do I search Union County court records online?
Use the North Carolina eCourts Portal and select Union County where a county filter shows. Search by party name, case or record number, citation number, or attorney. The Portal is good for case details, hearing dates, and payments. Certified copies and official criminal background checks still come from the Clerk of Superior Court, not the Portal. For the full walkthrough and the search-field table, see Union County court records.
Are Union County court records public?
Many adult civil, criminal, traffic, estate, and judgment records are public. They stay open unless a statute or court order closes them. G.S. 7A-109 keeps clerk records open during regular office hours, except where the law prohibits access. Juvenile, adoption, mental health, sealed, and expunged records are not open to the public. The broader access framework is explained on the Union County public records page.
Where is the Union County courthouse?
The main facility is the Union County Judicial Center at 400 North Main Street, Monroe, NC 28112. The Register of Deeds is nearby at 500 North Main Street. The Sheriff's Office and jail sit on Presson Road, away from downtown. Confirm which office you need before you drive, since court and jail functions are in different buildings. The Clerk of Superior Court page lists contact details for the court side.
How do I get a certified criminal background check?
For a single-county certified search, submit Form AOC-CR-314 to the Clerk of Superior Court with the $25 fee. Mailed payments must be money order or certified check, since personal checks are not accepted. In person, the clerk also takes credit card, cash, money order, or certified check. Online Portal results are not a certified background check. See Union County arrest records for the difference between Portal searches and certified checks.
Can I use the Portal as a background check?
Not for official purposes. The Judicial Branch says you may search the Portal for case information, but background checks should go through the county clerk's office. Public access computers at any courthouse can be used for non-certified searches. A certified single-county search still requires the clerk process and the set fee. More on this is on the arrest records page.
How do I find a court date?
Use the eCourts Portal through the Union County Judicial Branch page. You can search by name, citation number, county, and more. Always verify the date close to the hearing, because schedules change often. For how dockets and calendars are organized, see Union County court dockets.
How do I search for an inmate?
Use the Union County Sheriff P2C inmate inquiry. Search by last name and first name. Results show the name, a demographic summary, the primary charge, the arrest date, the booking agency, and a details link where available. The roster reflects people currently in custody. Full steps and the search-field table are on the Union County inmate records page.
Does Union County publish released inmates?
There is no separate official released-inmates page for the county. The P2C inmate inquiry shows current inmates, so a name dropping off the roster can signal a release. To confirm, check the roster and call the jail. State and federal release tools, plus notification sign-up, are covered on the released inmates page.
How do I visit an inmate?
Union County Detention allows up to two 25-minute visits per day, Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Visits are scheduled through ICSolutions. Onsite video visits run Saturdays and Sundays, require a valid U.S.-issued ID, and allow one adult plus one youth age 15 or younger. Visitation and contact details are listed on the inmate records page.
How do I send mail or money to an inmate?
Use the format Inmate Name and ID number, 3344 Presson Rd., Monroe, NC 28112, with a full return name and address in the top left corner. Missing envelope information causes return to sender. The jail does not allow money orders, checks, or cash by mail. Use the jail ATM kiosk or deposit online. See the Union County inmate records page for the rules.
How do I get married in Union County?
Apply through the Register of Deeds. Fill out the application online or in person, and both applicants must appear together at 500 North Main Street, Suite 258, Monroe, NC 28112. Licenses are issued Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Courthouse weddings are by appointment at the Magistrates Office on Presson Road. Full steps are on the marriage and divorce records page.
How do I get a marriage certificate?
The Register of Deeds issues marriage certificate copies. Certified copies cost $10 each, and uncertified copies cost $1 each. Certified copies are limited to eligible persons under G.S. 130A-93, while uncertified copies are public records. The court clerk does not issue these, so go to the Register of Deeds. The marriage and divorce records page explains who qualifies.
Where do I file for divorce?
Divorce is a court matter filed through the Clerk of Superior Court and heard in District Court, not the Register of Deeds. Use the Judicial Branch divorce forms, file in the proper county, pay the filing fee or request a waiver, serve the other spouse, and get a judgment. Step-by-step help is on the divorce records page.
Who handles probate in Union County?
The Clerk of Superior Court handles estates and many special proceedings in North Carolina. There is no separate county probate court. Estate matters use the clerk's office, state forms, and the Judicial Branch wills and estates guidance. Files can include wills, letters, inventories, and accountings. For how to search and file, see the Union County probate records page.
Are juvenile records public?
No. Judicial Branch guidance says juvenile court hearings are generally open, but juvenile court records are confidential. G.S. 7B-3000 restricts public inspection and allows access only to listed persons or by court order. These files will not show in a normal Portal search. The restricted-records rules are summarized on the court records page.
How do I expunge a record, and how long does it take?
File the correct expunction petition with the Clerk in the county where you were charged or convicted. Eligibility depends on the statute, the outcome, the offense, the age, and the waiting period. The general filing fee is $175, though some dismissed, not-guilty, and juvenile expunctions have no fee. The process can take several months due to record checks and hearings. See arrest records for more.
How do I look up warrants?
Check the Sheriff's website and P2C, the eCourts Portal, and the Clerk of Superior Court. A public webpage may not be complete or current. If you believe you have an active warrant, contact an attorney or the court and sheriff directly, and do not rely on third-party sites. The full method is on the Union County warrant records page.
What if I missed court?
A missed date can trigger an order for arrest, a failure-to-appear, bond forfeiture, license consequences on traffic matters, or new court costs. Check the Portal and contact the clerk or an attorney right away to learn the status and the next step. For traffic-specific consequences, see the Union County traffic court records page.
How do I pay a traffic ticket?
Use the eCourts Portal or the payment link on the Union County Judicial Branch page for eligible citations. Some offenses require a court appearance and cannot just be paid online. A court traffic record is separate from the NCDMV driver record, so paying the court does not erase DMV consequences on its own. Details are on the traffic court records page.
Still Have Questions?
For the right office, see the Clerk of Superior Court. For broader access rules, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, or probate records. Court staff can hand you forms and explain process, but they cannot give legal advice.