Wake County Raleigh Court Docket
Wake County court docket records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Wake County is the most populous county in the state with over 1.1 million residents. It falls within Judicial District 10. The clerk handles a high volume of civil, criminal, family, and traffic cases each year. Docket entries are searchable online and at the courthouse. This page explains how to find court docket records in Wake County, what the records contain, and where to get copies.
Wake County Clerk of Superior Court
The Wake County Justice Center at 316 Fayetteville Street in Raleigh houses the Clerk of Superior Court. This is the central filing location for all court cases in Wake County. The main phone number is (919) 792-4000. Staff handle new filings, docket updates, and public record requests at this location.
Wake County serves Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Wake Forest, Garner, Knightdale, and Morrisville. All of these municipalities file cases at the Justice Center. The courthouse complex also hosts Family Court, Administrative Traffic Court, and the File It Yourself Domestic Packets program. With over a million residents, expect higher wait times than in smaller counties. Plan your visit for early in the day if possible.
The Wake County court page on the NC Judicial Branch site lists all court services and locations.
This page has court calendars, local rules, and payment options for Wake County.
| Court |
Wake County Clerk of Superior Court Wake County Justice Center 316 Fayetteville Street PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602 Phone: (919) 792-4000 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/wake-county |
How to Search Wake County Court Docket
The North Carolina eCourts Portal is the fastest online option. It is free. Search Wake County cases by party name or case number. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, charges, and case status. No account is required for basic lookups. Wake County has a large case volume, so use specific search terms for better results.
The NC Court Dates tool shows upcoming hearings. Select Wake County and enter a name. Scheduled appearances display on the results page. This works well for checking active cases.
The Wake County contact directory lists phone numbers for each division at the courthouse.
Use these numbers to reach the right office at the Wake County Justice Center.
Key phone lines at the Wake County courthouse include:
- Traffic and Misdemeanors: (919) 792-4300
- Record Checks: (919) 792-4325
- Judgments: (919) 792-4200
- Small Claims: (919) 792-4175
- Estates: (919) 792-4450
In-person visits to the Justice Center give full access to case files. Public terminals are on the main floor. Staff can pull paper files and make copies. Bring your ID. The building has a security check at the entrance, so allow extra time.
Wake County Docket Record Details
A court docket is a chronological log of all actions in a case. Each entry records a date, a description, and the party who filed. Civil dockets cover complaints, motions, discovery, orders, and judgments. Criminal dockets show charges, arraignments, bond settings, pleas, trial dates, and sentences. Family court dockets track custody, support, and domestic matters. Small claims and estate cases also produce docket entries in Wake County.
Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, most court records are public. You do not need to be a party to the case to view them. Sealed records, juvenile files, and certain protective orders are restricted. The clerk can confirm whether a file is open to the public.
The Wake County government website has links to other departments including the Register of Deeds, tax office, and sheriff. These offices may hold records that relate to court cases.
Court Docket Fees in Wake County
Viewing records at the Justice Center is free. Copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies start at $3.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. A criminal record check costs $25.00. Wake County follows the statewide fee schedule set by North Carolina law.
The clerk accepts cash, credit and debit cards, money orders, and certified checks. Credit card transactions carry a small processing fee. For mail requests, send a money order to "Wake County Clerk of Superior Court, PO Box 351, Raleigh, NC 27602." Include the case number or full name you need searched along with your return address.
The Wake County government page provides contact information for all county offices.
Use this site to find related records from property, tax, and other Wake County offices.
Note: Fees change from time to time. Call (919) 792-4000 to confirm current rates before you send payment.
Public Records Law and Wake County Courts
North Carolina has strong public records protections. Under N.C.G.S. 132-1, any document created or received in the course of public business is a public record. Court docket records at the Wake County Justice Center are included. The clerk must allow inspection during normal business hours. No residency requirement applies.
Under N.C.G.S. 7A-109, the clerk keeps all records, files, dockets, and indexes as prescribed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Agencies must provide copies "as promptly as possible." Special service charges may apply if a request involves extensive staff time or a large number of pages beyond normal lookups. The NC Judicial Branch website has full details on court record access policies statewide.
Nearby Counties
These counties surround Wake County. Court docket records are kept in the county where the case is filed. If you need records from a neighboring county, visit that county's clerk of court.