Salem, NC Public Records
Salem is an unincorporated community (a census-designated place) in Burke County, North Carolina, with an estimated population of 2,377 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey) and 4.3 square miles of land.
🏢 Local Government for Salem
Salem is not an incorporated city or town, so it has no city hall, town clerk or local government of its own. Local government services and records for Salem come from Burke County. Birth and death certificates, marriage records, deeds and court files come from the county and state offices below.
Population figure: U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimate for the Salem census-designated place (a statistical area, not a government).
↑ Back to record types🏛️ County Courthouse & Records Office for Salem
Salem is in Burke County. In North Carolina, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds. Divorce cases in North Carolina are heard by the District Court in each county. Wills and estates in North Carolina are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court in each county.
📍 Burke County at a Glance
| County | Burke County |
| County population (2024 est.) | 88,545 Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
⚖️ Burke County Courthouse (Burke County Clerk of Superior Court)
| Address | 201 South Green St, Morganton, NC 28655 |
| Directions | Get directions ↗ |
| Phone | (828) 433-3200 |
| Hours | Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Records available | Court case records (civil, criminal, traffic, small claims, divorce/custody), estates and special proceedings are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court |
| Official website | nccourts.gov |
| Sources | nccourts.gov/…/burke-county-courthouse ↗ nccourts.gov/…/contact-directory ↗ |
| Last verified | October 16, 2026 |
See the full Burke County records page →
↑ Back to record types📋 Where to Get Records for Salem
Where to get the most-requested public records for people and property in Salem, NC:
📋 Salem Records Guide
| Birth & death certificates | North Carolina Vital Records (NCDHHS)In North Carolina, certified birth and death certificates can also be ordered from the county Register of Deeds. |
| Deeds & property records | In North Carolina, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds. |
| Court cases & divorce | Burke County courthouse. Divorce cases in North Carolina are heard by the District Court in each county. |
| Wills & estates | Wills and estates in North Carolina are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court in each county. |
| State court system | North Carolina Judicial Branch |
| Sex offender registry | North Carolina Sex Offender Registry (State Bureau of Investigation) |