Court records in Brunswick County, North Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. BrunswickCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Brunswick County. You can also search for case details through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's Brunswick County page, visit the clerk's office in person, or use statewide public records databases to locate the records you need.
Brunswick Court System Overview
Brunswick County is part of North Carolina Judicial District 13, which serves Brunswick, Bladen, and Columbus counties. The county's court system operates through two trial-level divisions: Superior Court and District Court. Superior Court handles felony criminal cases and civil cases above $25,000, while District Court covers misdemeanors, infractions, small claims, and family law matters. Magistrates serve under the District Court division, handling initial appearances, issuing warrants, and presiding over small claims cases.
The Brunswick County Courthouse is located in Bolivia, the county seat:
Courts Serving Brunswick
Several courts at the state and federal level serve Brunswick County residents:
Brunswick County Superior Court
Brunswick County District Court
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of North Carolina
Brunswick County falls within the Eastern District of North Carolina, Southern Division.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District of North Carolina
What Types of Cases Brunswick Courts Hear
Brunswick County courts handle a broad range of case types across both Superior and District Court divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
- Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, summary ejectment (eviction)
- Family Law: Divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, termination of parental rights
- Probate and Estates: Decedent estates, guardianships, incompetency proceedings, trust matters
- Juvenile: Delinquency, undisciplined youth, abuse/neglect/dependency
- Traffic: Moving violations, DWI, license revocations
- Adoption
District Court Cases in Brunswick
In North Carolina's court structure, "District Court" handles misdemeanors, infractions, and civil cases at or below $25,000 — not felonies. Felony cases are tried in Superior Court. District Court judges in Brunswick also preside over all family law matters, juvenile cases, and magistrate appeals. Cases typically arrive via criminal citation, civil complaint, or petition. A chief district court judge assigns cases among the judges serving Judicial District 13. Appeals from District Court go to Superior Court for a trial de novo (a new trial).
Magistrate Court Cases in Brunswick
Magistrates in Brunswick County operate under the District Court division and handle:
- Small claims cases up to $10,000
- Initial appearances and bond settings for criminal defendants
- Issuance of arrest warrants, search warrants, and criminal summonses
- Worthless check cases
- Summary ejectment (eviction) proceedings
Under North Carolina General Statute § 7A-210, magistrates have jurisdiction over small claims actions where the amount in controversy does not exceed $10,000. Magistrate judgments can be appealed to District Court for a new trial. Magistrates also accept guilty pleas for certain minor traffic infractions and issue domestic violence temporary protective orders outside regular court hours.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Brunswick
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, equitable distribution, domestic violence protective orders, paternity actions, and termination of parental rights are all heard in Brunswick County District Court. North Carolina requires a one-year separation period before an absolute divorce can be granted. Divorce certificates can be obtained from NC Vital Records or the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Probate
The Clerk of Superior Court in Brunswick County handles probate matters, including the administration of decedent estates, appointment of executors and administrators, guardianship of minors and incompetent adults, and trust proceedings. The clerk acts as the judge of probate under North Carolina law.
Juvenile
Juvenile delinquency, undisciplined cases, and abuse/neglect/dependency petitions are heard in District Court. Juvenile court records are confidential under North Carolina General Statute § 7B-2901 and are not available to the general public. Contact the Brunswick County Clerk of Court for questions about juvenile court services.
How Cases Move Through the Brunswick Court System
- Filing / Initiation: Criminal cases begin with a magistrate issuing a warrant or criminal summons, or an officer filing a citation. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a complaint with the clerk. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Assignment: The chief district court judge or senior resident superior court judge assigns cases to judges based on case type and court calendars.
- Initial Hearing: Criminal defendants have a first appearance before a magistrate or district court judge. Civil cases receive a scheduling order or trial date.
- Pre-Trial Phase: In criminal cases, this includes discovery, motions, and plea negotiations. Civil cases involve discovery, mediation (often required in family and civil disputes), and motions practice.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases resolve by guilty plea, jury or bench trial verdict, settlement, consent order, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, probation, or appeal to Superior Court (from District Court) or the North Carolina Court of Appeals (from Superior Court). Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Brunswick
The courts in Brunswick County are administered by the chief district court judge for Judicial District 13 and the senior resident superior court judge. A trial court administrator supports day-to-day operations. Local rules and court calendars for Brunswick County can be found on the Brunswick County page of the North Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Public Access to Records
Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1 (the Public Records Act) and the rules of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, most court records are generally open to the public. Exceptions include:
- Juvenile records
- Sealed or expunged records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Certain adoption and incompetency records
- Records restricted by court order
You can view case information at public self-service terminals in the clerk's office or search online for case information through the state's eCourts portal. For certified copies, visit or contact the Clerk of Superior Court directly. You can also submit a public records request to the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Attending Hearings
Court hearings in Brunswick County are generally open to the public. Check the court calendar on the Brunswick County Judicial Branch page for scheduled sessions. Some proceedings may be available by remote audio or video — contact the clerk's office to ask about electronic hearing options for a specific case.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Brunswick
- Online Case Search: The North Carolina eCourts system allows you to search for case information online. For background checks, the Judicial Branch recommends using the county clerk's office rather than the public portal.
- Court Calendar: View upcoming hearing schedules on the Brunswick County court page.
- Court Forms and Self-Help: The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides forms and instructions for common filings, including public records requests, domestic violence protective orders, and small claims.
- Clerk of Superior Court: The Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of court records. Visit the courthouse in Bolivia or call (910) 253-3871 to request copies or ask about fees.
- Criminal Background Checks: You can request a certified criminal background check through the Clerk of Superior Court's office for a single county, or through the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts for a statewide search.
- NC Department of Adult Correction — Offender Search: Search for state prisoners, probationers, and parolees by name or offender ID.
- Public Records Online: The NC Department of Adult Correction also provides additional public records resources, including victim notification through NC SAVIN.
- NC Sex Offender Registry: Search the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry maintained by the NC State Bureau of Investigation.
- County Records Archive: For historical Brunswick County records, the State Archives of North Carolina County Records Guide catalogs original and microfilmed records held at the state level.
- Property and Parcel Records: Brunswick County property information is available through the county tax office and the NC OneMap Parcels portal. The NC Department of Revenue provides additional property tax guidance.