Court records of Union County, North Carolina, are available through several channels. UnionNCCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online resources of the state's judicial branch, directly at the Clerk of Court's office, or through public terminals installed in the courthouse.
Union Court System & Jurisdictions
Union County has two main levels of state general jurisdiction courts — the Superior Court and the District Court. Both are located in a single judicial complex in Monroe.
Superior Court handles serious criminal cases (felonies), civil claims over $25,000, and appeals from the District Court. This is where jury trials are held in the most serious criminal cases. Local rules and forms of the Superior Court define specific procedures for this county, including bail policy.
The District Court covers a much wider range of cases:
- Criminal misdemeanors and traffic violations
- Civil claims up to $25,000
- Small claims — up to $10,000
- Family law: divorce, child custody, alimony, protective orders
- Juvenile cases
- Estate/probate cases — administered by the Clerk of Court
Magistrates in the county issue arrest and search warrants, set initial bail, and handle small claims cases. Traffic violations typically go to the District Court.
Union Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date of the next hearing, use the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal — the homepage has a search feature that allows you to find court dates by name, citation number, or county.
Steps to check the calendar:
- Visit nccourts.gov and use the search function.
- Enter the party's name or case number.
- Select "Union" as the county to narrow the results.
- The system will show scheduled hearing dates, court type, and room.
For information on recent arrests and incidents, the daily bulletin of the county sheriff publishes data on arrests, citations, and incidents. This resource is updated daily.
If you need a specific weekly hearing schedule, call the Clerk of Court's office directly — contact information can be found on the Union County page on the judicial branch website.
How to Get a Copy of a Union Court Document
Paper court case materials are stored at the Clerk of Court's office. There are three ways to obtain copies.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office in the courthouse in Monroe. You can review the case and order copies — both regular and certified. A certified copy bears the official seal of the clerk and is accepted as evidence in other courts and institutions. A regular copy costs less but does not have the legal force of the original.
Mail Request
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court's address, specifying the full name of the party, case number (if known), document type, and return address. Include payment in the form of a money order. Personal checks are usually also accepted.
Online Access
Some records can be viewed through the state's court records portal. However, full copies of documents, especially certified ones, generally require an in-person visit or mail request.
Note: Juvenile cases, adoptions, certain family matters, and records subject to a court confidentiality order are not public. Records that have undergone expungement are also not available to the public.
Union Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court documents in North Carolina are set at the state level according to N.C. General Statutes § 7A-308 and § 7A-311. Below are the main rates applicable at the Union County Clerk of Court's office.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.25 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $3.00 per document |
| Exemplification with court seal | $10.00 |
| Record search upon request | Free for self-search; a fee may apply for clerk-assisted search |
| Divorce certificate (from Vital Records) | $24.00 |
Payment is accepted in cash, money order, and typically credit/debit cards. For mail requests, use a money order made out to "Union County Clerk of Superior Court."
Divorce certificates can also be obtained through NC Vital Records or directly from the county clerk's office where the divorce was filed. To search for information on individuals serving sentences in state correctional facilities, use the Department of Adult Correction search system.