Cabarrus Court Records – Free Online Public Search by Name

Cabarrus Court Records give anyone a fast, free window into the judicial history of North Carolina’s Cabarrus County, covering everything from felony indictments and misdemeanor convictions to divorce decrees, custody orders, and small claims filed in Concord and Kannapolis. The NC Judicial Branch maintains these Cabarrus County court records through the Clerk of Superior Court, and the public access portal at nccourts.gov gives residents a Cabarrus court case lookup by entering a full name, case number, or attorney bar number. Most docket entries filed after 2000 surface within 24 hours through the Cabarrus court records online system, so anyone who needs to search Cabarrus court records by name finishes a lookup in seconds, with no subscription or account required. Visitors use free self-service kiosks at the courthouse on Union Street South to pull printed docket sheets on demand. Whether you need to verify a judgment, check your own pending case, or research a property dispute, every result pulls direct data straight from the Clerk’s official index, making Cabarrus County public records a primary-source reference rather than a third-party scrape.

Cabarrus Court Records extend beyond a simple docket search, giving researchers access to civil filings, traffic citations, DWI charges, probate estates, and Chapter 50B protective orders through one unified system operated under North Carolina’s Public Records Act (NCGS Chapter 132). When a Cabarrus County court docket search returns a sealed or expunged entry, the law restricts visibility to the defendant, the district attorney, and a narrow list of authorized agencies, so knowing which files are restricted matters before relying on findings. For older cases predating statewide digitization, the State Archives of North Carolina preserves handwritten Cabarrus County courthouse records back to the county’s 1792 founding, and staff can pull microfilmed judgments for a small retrieval fee. Anyone trying to find Cabarrus County court records or figuring out how to access Cabarrus court records can start at the courthouse kiosks, request mail copies for $5 per certification, or use the portal’s print-to-PDF feature to capture docket sheets within minutes. Attorneys, journalists, defendants, employers, and genealogists all rely on this same archive, because every search pulls primary-source filings straight from the Clerk’s office.

What Are Cabarrus Court Records?

Cabarrus court records are the official, publicly accessible documents filed and maintained by the Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court and the NC Judicial Branch. These records include civil lawsuits, criminal cases, traffic citations, divorce decrees, child custody orders, probate filings, and small-claims actions from Superior Court (District 19A) and District Court in Concord, NC.

Definition and Scope of Cabarrus County Public Records

Under NCGS § 132-1, North Carolina defines public records broadly 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 by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. The Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court serves as the statutory custodian of court records, meaning every docket sheet, motion, order, and judgment in Cabarrus County falls under the public records umbrella unless a specific statute seals it.

Which Court Maintains Cabarrus County Records?

Cabarrus County operates under Judicial District 19A of the North Carolina Superior Court Division. The county maintains two trial-court divisions:

• Superior Court — handles felonies, civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, appeals from District Court, equitable matters, and probate of estates.
• District Court — handles misdemeanors, traffic infractions, DWI charges, small claims (up to $10,000), divorce, child custody, juvenile cases, and domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B.

Both divisions sit at the Cabarrus County Courthouse, and the Clerk of Superior Court maintains a single unified index covering both dockets.

Role of the Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk is the official custodian of Cabarrus County court records under NCGS § 7A-109. The Clerk’s office maintains dockets, indexes, filing systems, and the archive of original pleadings. The Clerk also issues certified copies, administers oaths, files judgments, and processes expungement orders. Every entry entered into the statewide portal originates from this office, so the data shown on nccourts.gov flows directly from the Concord courthouse’s docketing system.

Historical Context

Cabarrus County was formed in 1792 from Mecklenburg County, and the Clerk’s office has held continuous court records since that date. The oldest indexed files in the State Archives date to the early 1800s, with handwritten dockets covering land disputes, estate settlements, and criminal matters from the antebellum period. Pre-1970 records sit on microfilm at the State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh, and staff can retrieve them for a small research fee.

Types of Cabarrus County Court Records Available to the Public

The Clerk’s office maintains separate indexes for each case type, but the public access portal groups them into searchable categories. The table below summarizes the main record types, their governing court, online availability, and standard case number format.

Cabarrus Civil Court Records

Civil cases cover contract disputes, property line conflicts, personal injury claims, medical malpractice, foreclosure actions, and debt collection. Superior Court civil case numbers in Cabarrus start with 19-CVS, where 19 represents Judicial District 19A, CVS stands for Civil Superior, and the trailing sequence is the year and filing order. District Court civil cases carry the prefix 19-CVD, used for claims under $25,000 and small-claims matters.

Cabarrus Criminal Court Records

Felony indictments filed in Cabarrus County Superior Court appear under the prefix 19-CRS, while misdemeanors and infractions handled in District Court use 19-CR. Each entry shows the indictment date, plea, sentence, attorney of record, and any post-conviction motions. Expunged convictions are removed from the public index, but a notation remains in the Clerk’s internal log to prevent re-filing of the same charge.

Cabarrus Family Court Records (Divorce, Custody, DSS)

Family court records include absolute divorce decrees, child custody orders, child support judgments, Chapter 50B domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile abuse/neglect filings. Divorce decrees filed after 2000 sit in the same index as civil cases under 19-CVD, while juvenile cases use 19-JA and are restricted from public view unless a court order unseals them.

Cabarrus Probate and Estate Records

The Clerk of Superior Court also serves as the probate judge for Cabarrus County. Probate records include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate inventories, annual accounts, and final settlement documents. Case numbers start with 19-E, and most filings are available online from 2000 forward.

Traffic, DWI, and Infraction Records in Cabarrus County

Traffic cases form the largest volume of filings in the District Court docket. Records include speeding tickets, reckless driving charges, driving while impaired (DWI), and other infractions under Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Statutes. The case number prefix 19-TR distinguishes them from criminal misdemeanor records.

Sealed, Expunged, and Confidential Cabarrus Records

Some Cabarrus court records sit outside the public access portal. Sealed cases under a judicial order, expunged records under NCGS § 15A-145, adoption files under Chapter 48, and juvenile cases under Subchapter 11 of Chapter 7A all carry confidentiality protections. The Clerk’s office denies public access to these files unless a court order grants a specific exception.

How to Search Cabarrus Court Records Online (Step-by-Step)

The fastest way to search Cabarrus court records online is through the NC Judicial Branch Public Access Portal at nccourts.gov, which lets you query by name, case number, attorney, or date across Superior and District Court dockets covering Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, and Mount Pleasant in real time.

Step 1 — Open the NC Courts Public Access Portal

Navigate to the North Carolina Judicial Branch website at nccourts.gov. Locate the “Services” menu, then click “Public Records” or “Court Records Search.” The portal’s public access system pulls data from the statewide court management system, which the Cabarrus Clerk’s office updates daily.

Step 2 — Select “Search by Name” or “Search by Case Number”

Choose the name search option for broad lookups when you know the party but not the case number. Enter the last name, then the first name. Middle initials improve accuracy. For targeted queries, switch to case number search and enter the full Cabarrus case identifier (for example, 19-CVS-2024-001234). The portal also accepts attorney bar number lookups, which help when you know the lawyer but not the parties.

Step 3 — Filter by County (Cabarrus) and Date Range

After running the initial search, apply the county filter to limit results to Cabarrus filings only. Add a date range to narrow the results to a specific window. The portal indexes filings back to approximately 2000 in electronic form, so records older than that require an in-person visit or mail request to the Clerk’s office.

Step 4 — Review Docket Sheet, Pleadings, and Disposition

Click any case number to open the docket sheet. The docket lists every filing in chronological order, including complaints, answers, motions, orders, judgments, and notices. The disposition field shows the final outcome, such as dismissed, guilty plea, jury verdict, or satisfied judgment. For civil cases, the portal also displays the monetary amount and party information.

Step 5 — Download, Print, or Request Certified Copy

To save a copy, use the portal’s print-to-PDF function. The fee for a portal-generated PDF is typically $2.50 per record. For legal filings requiring an official certification, request a certified copy through the Clerk’s office, either in person or by mail, and pay the $5.00 certification fee plus the $0.25 per-page copy charge set by NCGS § 7A-308.

Cabarrus Court Case Lookup by Name — Advanced Tips

Common names return hundreds of hits. Narrow the results with a date of birth if you have it, or use middle initials to filter out unrelated parties. Check both District and Superior Court, since a single defendant may have a criminal record in one division and a civil judgment in the other. Marriage-related name changes are common in divorce and custody cases, so search under both pre-marriage and post-marriage surnames when researching family matters.

Cabarrus County Court Docket Search — What’s Included

A full docket sheet includes the case caption (parties and their addresses), the assigned judge, the attorney of record, every motion filed, every order entered, hearing dates, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and the current status. The portal does not include the full text of every pleading, but it shows the document type and filing date, which lets you request the specific document from the Clerk.

Visiting the Cabarrus County Courthouse for Court Records

The Cabarrus County Courthouse is located at 77 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. The Clerk of Superior Court’s office accepts in-person record requests Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed on North Carolina state holidays. Bring a valid photo ID and any case information you have to speed up the search.

Cabarrus County Courthouse Address, Hours, and Phone

The courthouse sits at the corner of Union Street South and Corban Avenue in downtown Concord. Public parking is available in the adjoining deck on Corban Avenue. Visitors pass through a security screening at the main entrance. The building is ADA-compliant, with accessible parking, ramps, and elevators. The Clerk of Court’s office occupies the first floor, with separate windows for civil, criminal, and record-search requests.

What to Bring for an In-Person Records Request

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
• Case number or full party name plus date of birth
• Payment in the form of cash, check, money order, or card at the terminal
• Self-addressed stamped envelope if you plan to mail certified copies back to your home

Self-Service Public Terminals at the Cabarrus Clerk’s Office

Free public kiosks sit just inside the Clerk’s office, letting visitors run unlimited searches on the same statewide portal that operates online. Viewing dockets is free, but printing costs $0.25 per page. Staff at the front desk can help locate a case if the search returns too many matches.

Same-Day Records Requests

Most docket searches finish within minutes, and certified copies typically print in 15 to 30 minutes after the request is placed. Complex searches across multiple cases may take longer, but the Clerk’s office strives to handle same-day requests whenever possible. For pre-2000 records that require archive retrieval, the turnaround is 5 to 10 business days.

Contacting the Cabarrus County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court for Cabarrus County can be reached by phone at (704) 262-5500 during regular business hours. The mailing address for record requests is Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court, 77 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. The office does not maintain a public email address for record requests, so phone or in-person contact is the standard method.

Cabarrus Court Records: Fees, Certified Copies, and Request Methods

North Carolina law caps copies at $0.25 per page under NCGS § 7A-308, and certified copies of Cabarrus court records cost an additional $5.00 certification fee per document. Online portal PDFs typically run $2.50 per record. Most mail requests are fulfilled within 5 to 10 business days.

How to Request Certified Copies of Cabarrus Court Records by Mail

Send a signed written request to the Clerk of Superior Court at 77 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025. Include the case number, the names of the parties, the specific documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery. Attach a check or money order for the certification fee plus estimated page charges, made payable to Cabarrus County Clerk of Court. The office processes mail requests in the order received and typically responds within 5 to 10 business days.

Viewing Cabarrus Court Records for Free

Yes, viewing Cabarrus court records is free at both the courthouse and the online portal. Fees apply only when you print, download, or certify a document. Self-service kiosks at the Clerk’s office let you run unlimited searches and scroll through docket entries at no cost, which helps when you need to check multiple cases or confirm details before requesting certified copies.

Payment Methods Accepted by the Cabarrus Clerk

The Clerk’s office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and debit or credit cards at the in-person terminal. Online portal payments process through a secure payment gateway. Mail requests require a check or money order, since the office does not accept card payments by mail.

Laws Governing Access to Cabarrus County Court Records (NC Public Records Act)

Cabarrus court records are governed by the North Carolina Public Records Act (NCGS Chapter 132) and the NC Judicial Branch records-retention schedule. While most records are public, certain categories — juvenile, adoption, expunged, sealed by court order, and attorney work product — are restricted or confidential by statute.

NCGS § 132-1 — Definition of Public Records in North Carolina

NCGS § 132-1 defines public records as all documentary material made or received by government agencies in connection with public business. The statute creates a presumption of openness, meaning every Cabarrus court record is public unless a specific exemption applies. The burden of proof falls on the agency seeking to withhold a record, not on the person requesting access.

NCGS § 7A-109 — Duties of the Clerk of Superior Court

NCGS § 7A-109 outlines the duties of the Clerk of Superior Court, including the duty to maintain dockets, indexes, and filings for every case type. The statute also authorizes the Clerk to charge fees for copies and certified copies, as set by the General Assembly.

NCGS § 15A-145 — Expunction of Criminal Records in NC

NCGS § 15A-145 governs the expungement of criminal records in North Carolina. When a Cabarrus court grants an expunction, the Clerk removes the case from the public docket and seals the underlying file. The record no longer appears in the online portal, and the Clerk can only release it to the defendant, the district attorney, or a law enforcement agency for a specific statutory purpose.

NCGS § 50B — Domestic Violence Protective Orders (Confidential Address)

NCGS § 50B allows the court to keep a petitioner’s address confidential when issuing a domestic violence protective order. The Clerk’s office maintains the protected address in a separate confidential file, and the public docket shows only the court that issued the order and the case number.

Federal and NC Records Retention Schedule (NCAOC)

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) sets the retention schedule for all court records. Superior Court records in Cabarrus are permanently retained. District Court misdemeanor records are kept 10 years, traffic records 5 years, and small claims 7 years. Once the retention period expires, records are transferred to the State Archives of North Carolina in Raleigh, where they remain accessible to researchers.

Who Can Access Sealed or Expunged Records in Cabarrus County?

Only the defendant named in an expunged record, the prosecuting district attorney, and certain government agencies operating under specific statutory exceptions can access sealed or expunged files. Private investigators, employers, and landlords cannot view these records, even with a signed release from the defendant.

Cabarrus Court Records vs. Commercial Background Check Services

The free NC Judicial Branch portal is the official source for Cabarrus court records and provides primary-source data straight from the Clerk of Court. Paid services like BeenVerified, TruthFinder, and Intelius aggregate the same data but add convenience, nationwide search, and historical address linking — at a subscription cost of $20 to $40 per month.

When the Free NC Portal Is Enough

The free NC portal works for personal lookups, journalism, genealogy research, and attorney case preparation. Because the data flows directly from the Clerk’s office, the information is accurate, current, and admissible as a primary source. Anyone who needs a quick check of their own record or a single case in Cabarrus County can complete the lookup in minutes without paying for a subscription.

When a Paid Service May Make Sense

Paid services work for users who need nationwide search across many jurisdictions, ongoing monitoring of new filings, mobile-app convenience, or consolidated people-search results that include social media profiles, address history, and known associates. These platforms are designed for personal use and cannot supply certified copies for legal filings.

Is Using a Paid Site for Cabarrus Court Records Legal?

Yes, paid sites are legal for personal use under North Carolina and federal law. However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. § 1681) prohibits using consumer-reporting websites for employment screening, tenant screening, or credit decisions. Employers and landlords who need a background check for a hiring or housing decision must use a FCRA-compliant Consumer Reporting Agency, not a consumer-facing people-search platform.

FCRA Compliance Warning for Employers and Landlords

Under the FCRA, any third-party report used for employment, promotion, demotion, termination, or tenant screening must come from a CRA that issues a compliant report. Self-screening or using non-CRA websites exposes the user to liability for negligent hiring, defamation, and FCRA violations. Cabarrus employers should request background reports only from certified CRAs and follow the adverse-action process required by federal law.

Who Searches Cabarrus Court Records — and Why It Matters

Cabarrus County court records serve journalists investigating local crime, attorneys building case strategy, defendants checking their own dockets, families researching property or probate, employers running pre-hire due diligence, and genealogists tracing Cabarrus ancestors. Each audience has different access rights and privacy considerations.

Journalists and Investigative Reporters

Reporters covering crime, government accountability, and local courts use the NC portal to verify case facts, track pending indictments, and confirm sentencing outcomes. Cabarrus court records provide primary-source documentation that anchors investigative reporting with court-verified facts. The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics emphasizes seeking truth and minimizing harm, so reporters using these records should balance public interest with individual privacy, especially in cases involving juveniles or expunged records.

Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Lawyers use Cabarrus court records for conflict-of-interest checks, precedent research, judgment enforcement, and post-judgment collection. The portal’s attorney bar number search helps firms identify repeat players and opposing counsel patterns. Attorneys who need certified copies for trial exhibits must request them through the Clerk’s office, since the portal only generates unofficial PDF printouts.

Defendants, Families, and Self-Represented Litigants

People who need to check their own record, monitor a pending case, or determine expungement eligibility rely on the portal for quick, free access. Self-represented litigants can pull docket sheets, track hearing dates, and confirm filing deadlines without paying an attorney. Families researching probate, custody, or divorce records can locate filings for relatives, though confidential address protections still apply under NCGS § 50B.

Employers, Landlords, and Licensed Professions

Hiring managers, property managers, and licensing boards use court records to inform background decisions. North Carolina requires FCRA-compliant processes for employment and tenant screening, so any third-party report must come from a certified CRA. Self-querying the NC portal is acceptable when the applicant provides written consent, but the result cannot substitute for a formal background check used in an adverse-action decision.

Genealogists and Historical Researchers

Cabarrus County was formed in 1792 from Mecklenburg County, and its early court records include land grants, estate inventories, marriage bonds, and criminal dockets that trace family lines. Researchers access pre-1970 records through the State Archives of North Carolina, where staff can pull microfilmed and original bound volumes. The archives’ reading room at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh provides in-person access to original records, with copy services available on-site.

Common Problems When Searching Cabarrus Court Records — and How to Fix Them

Most Cabarrus record-search errors come from typos, common-name overload, sealed-case denial, or post-2000 indexing limits. Use the full date of birth, check both District and Superior Court, and request archived records directly from the State Archives of North Carolina for pre-1970 cases.

“My Search Returned No Results” — Name Spelling and DOB Issues

Typos in the name field are the most common reason for empty result sets. Try alternate spellings, including phonetic variations, and add a date of birth to narrow the search. The portal also accepts middle initials and partial dates, which help when you know the year but not the exact filing day.

“The Case I Need Is Not Online” — Archived and Pre-Digitization Records

The statewide portal indexes electronic filings back to approximately 2000. Cases filed before that date sit in physical bound volumes at the courthouse or on microfilm at the State Archives. Contact the State Archives of North Carolina at 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, for pre-1970 Cabarrus records. The archives charges a small retrieval fee for copies and can mail or email digital scans for most documents.

“Access Denied” — What to Do If a Record Is Sealed or Expunged

If the portal returns a message that the record is sealed or expunged, the Clerk’s office cannot release it without a court order. The party named in the record, the prosecuting district attorney, or an authorized government agency under a specific statutory exception can file a motion to unseal. Private parties generally cannot view sealed or expunged Cabarrus court records, even with the defendant’s written consent.

“Wrong County?” — Case Venue vs. County of Residence

A case may be filed in a county other than where the defendant or plaintiff lives. North Carolina uses the county where the incident occurred or where the defendant resides for venue. If you cannot find a case in Cabarrus, try the adjacent counties in Judicial District 19A or the county where the parties live. Civil contract disputes are often filed in the county named in the contract’s venue clause.

How Long Does It Take for a New Cabarrus Court Filing to Appear Online?

Routine filings like complaints, answers, and motions appear in the portal within 24 to 72 hours of docketing. Judgments and final dispositions take 5 to 10 business days to propagate through the system. Sealed filings and expungement orders update the portal only after the Clerk’s office processes the underlying order, which can add another 1 to 2 business days.

Sources, Citations, and Further Reading

• North Carolina Judicial Branch — nccourts.gov
• NC Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) Records Retention Schedule
• NCGS Chapter 132 — Public Records Act
• NCGS § 7A-109 — Duties of the Clerk of Superior Court
• NCGS § 7A-308 — Fees for Clerks
• NCGS § 15A-145 — Expunction
• NCGS § 50B — Domestic Violence
• State Archives of North Carolina — 109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
• Cabarrus County Government — cabarruscounty.us
• Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1681

Cabarrus County Courthouse Location

Official Contact Information

Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court
77 Union Street South, Concord, NC 28025
Phone: (704) 262-5500
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed on North Carolina state holidays)
Official website: nccourts.gov

State Archives of North Carolina
109 East Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Official website: archives.ncdcr.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

Cabarrus Court Records offer the public a clear path to check civil, criminal, and family court filings from Concord, Kannapolis, and other towns within Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Whether you need a divorce decree, a misdemeanor judgment, a small claims ruling, or a felony case docket, the NC Judicial Branch and the Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court keep these documents open under state public records law. Below you will find practical answers about how to search Cabarrus court records online, by mail, or at the courthouse, plus what types of cases you can view and which fees apply.

How Do I Search Cabarrus Court Records Online for Free?

You can search Cabarrus Court Records online through the NC Judicial Branch portal at nccourts.gov. Click Search Court Records, choose Cabarrus County from the drop-down, and enter the party last name plus first name to find a Cabarrus court case lookup. Results show case number, filing date, charge or claim type, and hearing history. The portal covers civil, criminal, and traffic cases filed since the 1980s. For older Cabarrus County public records, you must visit the courthouse in Concord. No login or fee applies for the basic search.

What Types of Cases Are Included in Cabarrus County Court Records?

Cabarrus County court records cover every case type handled by the Clerk of Superior Court and District Court. You will find felony indictments, misdemeanor convictions, DWI charges, traffic infractions, divorce decrees, child custody orders, child support judgments, eviction filings, small claims actions, and civil lawsuits up to $25,000. Probate files, such as wills and estate administration, also appear in the system. Sealed records, juvenile cases, and expunged convictions stay hidden from the public search and require a court order for release.

Can I Find Cabarrus Court Records by Searching a Person’s Name?

Yes, you can run a Cabarrus court records search by name using the NC Judicial Branch online portal or the Cabarrus County courthouse public terminals. Enter the full last name and first name, then narrow results by year range or case type to skip common-name matches. Each result lists the party role, such as plaintiff, defendant, or witness, along with the attorney of record. For better accuracy, add a date of birth or address if you know it. The name search is free and runs in seconds.

How Do I Request Certified Copies of Cabarrus County Courthouse Records?

You can request certified copies of Cabarrus County courthouse records three ways. First, go in person to the Clerk of Superior Court office at 65 Church Street SE, Concord, NC. Second, mail a written request that includes the case number, party names, and a self-addressed stamped envelope plus a $5 check per document. Third, call the clerk at 704-262-5500 to ask about fax or online payment options. Certified copies carry the court seal and serve as legal proof for immigration, employment, or real estate transactions.

Are Cabarrus Court Case Lookup Results Updated Daily?

Yes, Cabarrus court case lookup results refresh every business day after the clerk enters new filings or judgments. Dispositions, sentencing orders, and motions appear within 24 to 48 hours of the hearing. Weekend updates wait until the next open day. For real-time docket details, call the clerk during office hours or stop by the courthouse terminal, which pulls the freshest data straight from the live case management system used across North Carolina courts.

What Should I Do If I Cannot Find a Specific Cabarrus County Court Docket Entry?

If a Cabarrus County court docket search returns no results, try spelling variations or use just the last name with a date of birth to narrow matches. Older cases filed before 1986 may sit only on microfilm at the Concord courthouse, so a clerk visit could help. You can also email the Clerk of Superior Court with the case number, party name, and year of filing. Staff will point you to the right file or explain why a record stays sealed from public view.