Divorce records in Chatham County, North Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. ChathamNCCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Chatham County. You can also obtain records directly from the court that issued the divorce decree, the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court, or the North Carolina Vital Records office. The method you choose depends on whether you need the full court file or a divorce certificate.
Chatham Divorce Records Search
Divorce records in Chatham County are maintained by two separate offices. The Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court keeps the complete court file for every divorce case filed in the county. This includes the divorce judgment (decree), complaints, settlement agreements, custody orders, equitable distribution orders, and all other documents filed during the case. The North Carolina Division of Public Health, Vital Records Section, maintains divorce certificates — shorter documents that confirm a divorce occurred but do not contain the full case details.
If you need the actual divorce decree or any related court filings, start with the Clerk of Superior Court at the Chatham County Courthouse:
Paper case files can be reviewed in person at the clerk's office. You can also request a public record through the North Carolina Judicial Branch. Divorce records are generally public in North Carolina, though certain documents — such as sealed financial affidavits or records involving minors — may have restricted access.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Chatham
In North Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the District Court Division of the General Court of Justice. In Chatham County, divorce complaints are filed with and processed through the Chatham County District Court. After the judge signs the divorce judgment, the decree becomes part of the permanent court record maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
The state vital records office also receives a report of each divorce. However, the document it issues — a divorce certificate — is not the same as the court decree. Here is a breakdown of which office to contact based on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreements, custody orders, or other court filings: Contact the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court.
- Divorce certificate (verification that a divorce occurred): Contact either the Clerk of Superior Court in Chatham County or the NC Vital Records office.
Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court
Visit the Chatham County Courthouse page for directions and additional contact information. You can access paper court files by visiting the clerk's office in person. Copies of documents from the file can be requested at the counter.
North Carolina Vital Records
The NC Vital Records divorce page explains how to order a divorce certificate by mail. Divorce certificates are available for divorces granted in North Carolina from 1958 to the present.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Chatham
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Superior Court) | $0.25 per page plus $3.00 certification fee | Same day to several business days (in person) |
| Uncertified copy of court document (Clerk of Superior Court) | $0.25 per page | Same day (in person) |
| Divorce certificate (NC Vital Records, by mail) | $24.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce certificate (Clerk of Superior Court) | Varies; contact the clerk's office | Same day to several business days |