Guilford County Court Records
Guilford County court records provide a comprehensive coverage of cases handled by the county courts. They contain information about the litigants, actions and dates, court filings, and court decisions. North Carolina’s public records law mandates the creation and maintenance of these records, and court clerks are responsible for this duty at their individual courts. Court records serve various functions, such as promoting transparency and fairness in the justice system, as well as aiding public awareness of court activities.
The county’s court records are related to a range of other public records, including vital records, arrest records, and criminal history records. For instance, criminal case records are often related to law enforcement agency records since arrests and confinement (where applicable) are their responsibility, and both agencies are likely to have copies of each other’s records.
Are Guilford County Court Records Public?
Yes. Under the Public Records Law (G.S. Chapter 132), all Guilford County court records are public. The public records law defines public records as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business."
Pursuant to this law, members of the public have the right to inspect (for free) or copy (for a fee) court records at the clerk’s office or that of any designated record custodian. Notwithstanding, certain court records are exempt from the provisions of this chapter, either by other statute or court sealing, due to their confidential/sensitive nature. Some exempt records are as follows:
- Arrest and search warrants before they have been returned by law enforcement
- Sealed records
- Juvenile records
- Adoption and guardianship records
- Information about confidential informants
- Commitment records
- Medical reports
- Mental health proceeding records
- Presentence reports
What Information is Available in Guilford County Court Records?
Guilford County court records typically contain the following information/documents:
- Case identification details (case number, filing date, docket number, case type)
- Party information (names of defendants, plaintiffs, attorneys, petitioners, respondents)
- Charges or claims
- Court filings (motions, affidavits, declarations, briefs, complaints, indictments, notices, memoranda)
- Case disposition, orders, judgments, transcripts, trial/hearing dates, sentencing, docket entries, etc.
Guilford County Court Records Search
Depending on the type of record being sought, a person may request a Guilford County court record online, in person, or by mail. While most records are typically available online, certain records are deemed sensitive or non-public and often require a visit to the clerk’s office to obtain them.
- Online Access - record seekers can view statewide court records on the North Carolina Smart Search portal for free. To search for a record, enter the record number (usually the case number) or full name (with the last name first).
- In-Person Access - In-person access to court records may be achieved using public, self-service terminals at the courthouse or rby equesting them at the clerk’s office where the case was filed. Staff at the clerk’s office are available to assist with retrieving the requested records for a fee. A record seeker is required to know the case number or the party name to conduct a search.
- Mail and Phone Requests - requesters can send a written record request to the relevant court clerk’s office, including a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Before sending a request, an inquirer should call the clerk’s office at (336) 822-6700 (High Point courthouse) or (336) 412-7300 (Greensboro) to confirm any other requirements and the applicable fee.
Guilford County Courthouse - Greensboro
PO Box 3008
Greensboro, NC 27402
Guilford County Courthouse - High Point
PO Box 2434
High Point, NC 27261
Fees for Court Records in Guilford County
Courts across North Carolina are legally authorized to assess a stipulated fee when a person requests court records. Classified under miscellaneous court costs, the cost for court record copies are as follows:
- First page of each requested document - $2.00
- Each additional page - $0.25
- Judgment transcripts - $10.00
- Criminal records - $25.00
Guilford County Courthouse Locations
Guilford County has two courthouse locations: one in High Point and the other in Greensboro. Both locations have a superior and a district court, each with jurisdiction over specific case types and area coverage. Superior courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases, whereas district courts only handle certain less-serious cases. Below are the county’s courthouse locations, addresses, and phone numbers:
Guilford County Superior Court
201 South Eugene Street
PO Box 3008
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300.
Guilford County Superior Court
505 East Green Drive
PO Box 2434
High Point, NC 27262
Phone: (336) 822-6700.
Guilford County District Court
201 South Eugene Street
PO Box 3008
Greensboro, NC 27401
Phone: (336) 412-7300
Guilford County District Court
505 East Green Drive
PO Box 2434
High Point, NC 27262
Phone: (336) 822-6700.
Criminal Records Access in Guilford County
Name-based criminal record search is available through any superior court clerk’s office at a fee of $25.00. Complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the clerk’s office in person or by mail. For mail-in requests, fees are payable by money order or certified check. In-person requesters can pay the fee in cash, by credit card, certified check, or money order. Records obtained using this means are certified.
To search records for free, residents of Guilford County should use public access computers at the clerk’s office of any courthouse. Printing charges apply and obtained records are not certified. Searches are by defendant’s name, case number, attorney name, etc. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) handles fingerprint-based criminal background checks for a fee of $14.00. Requesters should complete the request form and submit it by mail to:
NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Applicant Unit - Right to Review
3320 Garner Road
Raleigh, NC 27610.
Guilford County Probate Records
Probate processes are handled by the county’s superior courts and the Clerk of the Guilford County Superior Court acts as the probate judge. Probate encompasses all estate-related hearings, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, will administrations, trusts, creditor claims, adoptions, and custody cases. Wills and probate filings are maintained by superior court clerk offices and are available for public inspection, unless sealed or deemed confidential.
Most court records, including Guilford County probate court records are available on the state’s Smart search portal. Both online and in-person record searches typically require that a requester possess the full name of a case party or the case number. Note that many probate matters, such as custody and adoption are often sensitive and related records may be sequestered from public access.
Guilford County Family Court Records
Family case records are obtainable from the courthouse where a case was filed. While they are assumed to be public, access may be restricted for certain records due to their sensitive nature. Common non-public family law cases are adoption cases, juvenile cases, guardianship and conservatorship of minors, mental health proceedings, domestic violence cases, and child protection cases.
Persons looking to obtain family case records should confirm their public availability before submitting a record request to the clerk’s office. Searches typically require a case party’s name or a case number. Inquirers can also view public information using the Smart Search portal.
Federal Court Records in Guilford County
Federal case records are maintained online using the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) System. Guilford County federal cases are heard by the
Middle District of North Carolina
324 West Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401-2544.
The court clerk’s office is open to record seekers Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Online access through PACER comes at the following fees: $0.10 per page; $3.00 per document, and $2.40 per audio file. Note that interested users must open an account on the platform to perform a search.
