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County level research is essential in the pursuit of family and local history. The list below highlights the most common county courthouse records used by genealogists, but there are many more record sets available. Use the guides below and explore the specific resources for the counties of interest to assure that you locate all pertinent documents.
When requesting courthouse records, inquire about both docket books and paper files. Often both types of material exist for each record. While the two formats may merely repeat the data, one may be easier to read than the other. And, in many cases, there are further details, unique notations, over-sized pages such as maps, and so on, that are filed in only the docket book or in only the paper file. Seeing both will provide a more complete review of the record.
| Birth Records |
|
|---|---|
| Civil Lawsuits |
Established in 1777, the North Carolina Superior Courts hear civil and criminal cases. |
| Coroner Inquests |
Note: If the cause of death is suspicious or unknown, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is responsible for conducting an inquest. |
| Court System |
Note: The North Carolina court system is called the General Court of Justice and consists of three levels: appellate, superior court, and district court. |
| Death Records |
|
| Deeds |
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| Divorce Records |
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| Marriage Records |
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| Naturalizations |
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| Taxes |
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| Will and Probate |
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The subscription resources marked with a padlock 
are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.
Using Ancestry Library Edition for North Carolina
Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as North Carolina records External.
Using FamilySearch for North Carolina
FamilySearch provides useful state and county wikis that make excellent starting points for research. The North Carolina Wiki External includes links to each county including extinct or renamed counties and counties absorbed by Tennessee or Virginia.
FamilySearch has digitized many of its microfilms containing county courthouse records. Not all records have been indexed yet, so search engine results may NOT show you the full range of FamilySearch data. You must browse the FamilySearch catalog External listings for each county to view the full set of records available. The vast amount of accessible original records is well worth your time to explore.
There is no fee to use FamilySearch, but you must create a personal account to access the databases and digital records.
Below are selected print publications for statewide courthouse records. The following titles link to fuller bibliographic information in the Library of Congress Online Catalog. Links to additional online content are included when available.
To locate additional published materials, go to the Print Resources section of this guide for search tips on locating published county courthouse records, abstracts, and indexes that may aide you in locating original records at the county level.
Courthouse Research for Family Historians by 
Early records of North Carolina : from the Secretary of State papers by Morgan District, North Carolina, Superior Court of Law & Equity by 
North Carolina General Assembly Sessions Records: slaves and free persons of color, 1709-1789 by 
North Carolina Slaves and Free Persons of Color: Burke, Lincoln, and Rowan counties by 
North Carolina Slaves and Free Persons of Color: Mecklenburg, Gaston, and Union counties by Petitions for land grant suspensions in North Carolina, 1776-1836 by 
