Search Rowan Court Records

RowanCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on RowanCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

Rowan County, North Carolina Court Records

Rowan County court records are the official documents of legal cases handled in Rowan County. These typically include, but are not limited to, filings, proceedings, decisions, transcripts, judgments, exhibits, and orders. The purpose of court records is to document cases and promote openness and transparency in the judicial system. Individuals can access these records to view case details, monitor case proceedings, or research case outcomes.

In Rowan County, the Clerk of the Superior Court is the custodian of the county court records. Typically, these records are created, preserved, and dispensed to the public by the clerk’s office in accordance with applicable North Carolina court rules and the state’s Public Records Law (i.e., N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 132).

Rowan County court records, including other public records, such as vital records (e.g., birth, marriage, death, and divorce records), arrest information/records, and federal case files, constitute the broader county public records. Note that some of these records may intersect under certain conditions (e.g., court records and arrest information/records).

Are Rowan County Court Records Public?

Yes. Under the North Carolina Public Records Act, most Rowan County court records are public. As a result, any individual may request access to inspect and/or copy these records at reasonable times. The types of cases generally public include criminal, civil, probate/estate, and certain family law matters like divorce. However, the types of cases and records typically excluded from public access under the law include juvenile-related records (i.e., delinquency, abuse, and neglect cases), adoption proceedings, involuntary commitments, domestic abuse matters, sealed/expunged cases, and grand jury proceedings.

What Information is Available in Rowan County Court Records?

The type of information typically included in Rowan County court records includes, but is not limited to:

  • Names of parties involved (e.g., plaintiff, defendant, petitioner, respondent, etc.)
  • Case number and filing dates
  • Type of case (criminal, civil, probate, family, etc.)
  • Hearing dates
  • Hearing transcripts
  • Pleadings
  • Motions
  • Complaints
  • Responses
  • Subpoenas
  • Summonses
  • Orders/decrees
  • Judgments
  • Evidence/exhibits

Rowan County Court Records Search

To search Rowan County records, interested persons can utilize any of the following methods.

  • Online Access - Individuals can use the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s eCourts Portal to search Rowan County court records online. This portal enables users to search for and look up case information or documents by name, case number, etc. It also allows individuals to search for court/hearing dates by name and date range. The portal offers statewide access to trial court records; therefore, select "Rowan County" as the search location. Note that record availability depends on the case type. Records of restricted cases are typically excluded from public access.
  • In-Person Access - Visit the Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court to search county court records. The clerk is the custodian of court records and maintains a public, self-service terminal at the office location that individuals can use to search court records by case party names or case numbers. In addition to searching, individuals can request physical copies of court records in person at the clerk’s office, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court

Rowan County Courthouse

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: (704) 797-3001

  • Mail and Phone Requests - Interested persons may also search and/or obtain Rowan County court records through mail and phone requests to the Rowan County clerk of courts (i.e., Clerk of Superior Court). Mail requests should be forwarded in a self-addressed, stamped envelope, including applicable fees (in money orders or certified checks made payable to the Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court), to the address below.

Rowan County Courthouse

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

To submit a phone request, call (704) 797-3001.

Fees for Court Records in Rowan County

In Rowan County, there are no fees for looking up court records in person at the clerk’s office (via the public self-service terminal) or online through the eCourts Portal. However, the following fees are charged for copies, certification, and exemplification of court records:

  • $2.00 for the first page of each document, and $0.25 for each additional page (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-308(a)(12))
  • $3.00 per certified copy (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-308(a)(9))
  • $10.00 for exemplification/authentication (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-308(a)(10))

These fees apply to copies of court documents like judgments, orders, pleadings, decrees, and transcripts. Note that vital records (such as birth, death, and marriage records) are handled by the Rowan County Register of Deeds. The cost of obtaining certified copies of these records is $10.

Rowan County Courthouse Locations

The courts in Rowan County include the superior court and the district court. The superior court handles criminal felony cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, and probate/estate matters. The district court handles misdemeanor cases, civil cases where the amount does not exceed $25,000, traffic violations, infractions, and family/domestic relations cases (e.g., divorce, child custody & support). The address and contact details of these courts are listed below.

Rowan County Superior Court

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: (704) 797-3001

Rowan County District Court

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: (704) 797-3011

Criminal Records Access in Rowan County

The Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court, who is the custodian of county court records, does not handle statewide criminal records. Official statewide criminal history record information (CHRI), which individuals may obtain through criminal history background checks, is provided by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI).

Notwithstanding, individuals may obtain local criminal history records in Rowan County through the Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court’s Office. This requires submitting a completed Form AOC-CR-314 in person or by mail to the clerk’s office. Additionally, local case records of criminal matters handled in the county are available through the clerk’s office or online via the eCourts Portal.

Rowan County Probate Records

Rowan County probate records include official documents of wills, estate administration, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. Probate records, like other court records, are created and maintained to preserve case information and activities while also providing public access. In Rowan County, probate records are available online. These may include more recent filings. To access these records online, use the eCourts Portal or the public, self-service terminal at the Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court’s office. Note that older or more detailed files may require an in-person visit to the clerk’s office. Also, contact the clerk’s office in person to request copies of probate records.

Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court

Rowan County Courthouse

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: (704) 797-3001

While estate records, wills, and other probate records are generally public in North Carolina, guardianships involving minors, medical records, and confidential information are restricted.

County

Court Name

Address

Phone Number

Office Hours

Rowan County, North Carolina

Rowan County Superior Court

210 North Main Street,
Salisbury, NC 28144

(704) 797-3001

8:30 am - 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday)

Rowan County Family Court Records

Rowan County family court records contain official documents on divorce, custody, adoption, paternity, and child support matters. Interested persons may obtain certified copies of these records by request, typically in person, from the Rowan County Clerk of Superior. Otherwise, individuals may search for and view them online via the eCourts Portal. The public, self-service terminal at the clerk’s office may also be used to search family court records.

Rowan County Clerk of Superior Court

Rowan County Courthouse

210 North Main Street

Salisbury, NC 28144

Phone: (704) 797-3001

Note that under state law, most family court records are public, but certain types are restricted from disclosure for privacy reasons. These include adoption records, child abuse and neglect case records, and termination of parental rights.

Federal Court Records in Rowan County

Per 28 U.S.C. § 113(b),Rowan County falls under the Middle District. As a result, federal cases in the county are handled by theU.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The court maintains offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Durham. The clerk of court creates, maintains, and dispenses records of federal cases handled at this court. Interested persons should, therefore, visit or contact the clerk’s office to search and/or obtain these records. Alternatively, interested persons may search federal court records in Rowan County online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is an electronic portal that allows individuals, attorneys, and any interested person to review federal case information for a fee (i.e., $0.10 per page, capped at $3.00 per document).