Johnston County Court Records

In Johnston County, court records are legal documents prepared, filed, and maintained by courts. It is official documentation of court proceedings, including papers, motions, orders, and entries filed with the Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court or tendered as evidence during a civil or criminal proceeding.

The Johnston County Clerk of Superior Court is the primary custodian of court records. In compliance with the North Carolina Public Records Act, court records in Johnston County may be accessed at the county courthouse or through other search or request mediums offered by the county clerk’s office. In Johnston County, public access to court records helps members of the public to find criminal and arrest records, probate records, divorce records, and family law records.

Are Johnston County Court Records Public?

Yes. In accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132), court records in Johnston County, North Carolina, are considered open for inspection and copying. However, some court records may be exempt from public disclosure for any of the reasons stated in §132-1 of the Act, which includes:

• Confidential Information (trade secrets, certain financial information, social security numbers)
• Electronic images of a person’s signature, date of birth, driver’s license number, or social security number.
• State security information
• Criminal investigation or intelligence information records, and law enforcement investigation and detection records
• Information that may jeopardize the health or safety of the complaining witness
• Information that may jeopardise the prosecution of a defendant or the right of a defendant to a free and fair trial
• Law enforcement agency recordings (For example: body-worn cameras, dashboard cameras, or any audio or video recording device)

What Information is Available in Johnston County Court Records?

The following are generally publicly accessible information in Johnston County Court Records:

• Name of the parties and complainants
• Case summary
• Facts of the case
• Case details: Information on the case type. For example Civil, criminal, small claims, family court, or probate.
• The case number, docket number, schedules, and court calendar
• Case Documents: Transcript, motions, orders, evidence, judgments.
• Case status
• Disposition

Johnston County Court Records Search

Interested persons can inspect or request copies of Johnston County court records online, in person, or by mail. The availability of court records may vary on a case-by-case basis. Requests for records that fall within the description of confidential records not required to be disclosed as stated in the North Carolina Public Records Act may either be refused or redacted to the extent of the information that can be furnished to the public.

• Online Access - The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides easy and convenient access to Johnston County and statewide court records through its Smart Search Portal. Interested persons can look up criminal court records as well as civil, family, and probate records for free. One can also find information on searching for court dates and scheduled hearings by County name.
• In-Person Access - While Johnston County provides online access to court records, online records more often than not contain case summaries and basic court information. To access full and comprehensive court records, researchers can visit the Johnston County Courthouse to inspect records in person at the office of the Superior Court Clerk using the available terminals. At the courthouse, visitors can search for cases by defendant name, case number, or victim or witness name. One can also submit requests for copies of court records in person. While merely inspecting records is free, the court clerk’s office charges fees for producing copies and certification of Johnston County Court Records.
• Mail and Phone Requests - The Johnston County Court Clerk also receives and processes court records by mail and phone. Requesters are to print and complete the Judicial Branch Public Records Form and mail it to the Johnston County Courthouse. Mail requests must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope as well as the fees for records production in the acceptable payment methods (usually money order or cashier’s check).

Mailing address,

Clerk of the Superior Court,

Johnston County Courthouse,

PO Box 297,

Smithfield, NC 27577

Fees for Court Records in Johnston County

In line with current court costs and fees for the North Carolina Judicial Branch, requests for copies of court records from Johnston County Courts shall cost $2.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. For records in custody of the Register of Deeds, $0.1 per page for uncertified copies, and $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page for certified copies. Also, certified copies of birth, death, or marriage certificates cost $10 per copy, while state vital records cost $24 for the first copy, and $15 for additional copies.

Johnston County Courthouse Locations

The Johnston County Courthouse is a single building complex that houses all judicial divisions and services for Johnston County. The courthouse building houses the following divisions:

The Clerk of the Superior Court: Handles court records, filings, probate of wills, administration of estates, and special proceedings.

The District Court: This court handles civil matters (lawsuits) as well as minor criminal cases, misdemeanors, initial appearances for felony offenses, small claims, family law matters (divorce, child support, custody, termination of parental rights), and the juvenile court.

The Superior Court: The superior court handles felonies, jury trials, civil lawsuits where the amount claimed exceeds $25,000, and appeals from the district court.

Johnston County Courthouse,

207 E Johnston Street,

Smithfield, NC 27577,

Mailing address,

Johnston County Courthouse

PO Box 297,

Smithfield, NC 27577,

Phone: (919) 209-5400.

Criminal Records Access in Johnston County

In North Carolina, residents can request certified criminal history and background checks through the Clerk of the Superior Court Office at the Johnston County Courthouse. This search, however, only covers court records in the County. For statewide criminal records access, the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) offers non-certified personal statewide criminal background checks for free. To request a certified criminal record, complete and print the Form AOC-CR-314 and mail or submit in person to the Clerk of the Superior Court’s office.

Johnston County Probate Records

Johnston County probate records are legal documents filed and maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court. These include probate filings, administration of estate records, wills, asset inventories, appointment of executors and administrators, validation of wills, debt settlements, guardianship, and conservatorship filings and proceedings.

Information on probate records may be obtained through the NC smart search portal, but older probate records may only be available for inspection or copying at the Johnston County Courthouse. Note that all probate records are public documents; for example, wills filed at the Superior Court clerk’s office for safekeeping or filed during the lifetime of the deceased will not be public information. Individuals may also file certain documents under seal.

Johnston County Family Court Records

The Johnston County District Court handles all family law matters and domestic relations. Individuals may obtain copies of Johnston County Family Court records online through the North Carolina Judicial Branch Smart Search portal or by submitting a request in person or by written mail to the Johnston County Superior Court clerk’s office.

Johnston County family court records are generally public records; however, family law matters often involve minors (adoption, child support, child custody, visitation rights, divorce, legal separation, termination of parental rights, and others), and access to these records may be restricted to parties involved or be redacted to protect sensitive information.

It is advisable to contact or visit the superior court clerk’s office to find out the nature and availability of the records needed. In line with the Public Records Act, record custodians will refuse any request for non-disclosure of court records.

County	Court Name	Address	Phone Number	Office Hours
Johnston County	Johnston County District Court	Physical Address 207 E Johnston St Smithfield, NC 27577 Mailing address Johnston County Courthouse PO Box 297 Smithfield, NC 27577	(919) 209-5400	Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Federal Court Records in Johnston County

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina manages federal court records for Johnston County, accessible through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system. Federal courts handle matters involving federal laws, international treaties, the Constitution, or cases where the federal government is a party. Federal cases are outside the jurisdiction of the Johnston County Courts. Hence, federal court records are not available through the Superior Court Clerk’s office.