Special Proceedings, Juvenile 

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Special Proceedings (such as adoptions; foreclosures; incompetency and guardianship
proceedings; name changes; partitions of property and legitimations) are filed on the 1st floor of the
Moore County Courthouse. The filing fee for all Special Proceedings is $50.00, except foreclosures which are $60.00.  There will be an additional $3.00 copy charge for name changes.

Some Special Proceedings have forms available – others do not. We have forms available for
adoption; incompetency and guardianship; and name changes. All other Special Proceedings must be
drafted by you or your attorney.

Juvenile Information
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All juvenile court records are confidential.

Name Changes
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There are several legal means of having your name changed: names may be changed by an
Adoption Decree; through an application by a widow or divorced woman for the resumption of a
maiden name, name of a prior deceased husband, or prior divorced husband if children have that
husband’s surname. Additionally, a petition may be filed as a Special Proceeding before the Clerk of
Superior Court for any other name change. The filing fee for the latter name change is $50.00, plus
an additional $3.00 charge for copies.

Resumptions of Prior Name are not filed as Special Proceedings – these are filed in the
Civil Division of our office. To resume a prior name, you will need to fill
out the application forms and bring a certified copy of the divorce or death certificate.

Changing your name:
If you are not resuming a prior name but would still like your name changed or the name of your
child changed, you must complete the Name Change forms which are located in the Special
Proceedings Division of our office, located on the 1st floor of the Moore County Courthouse.
Before the Clerk of Superior Court may approve your name change, you must have posted notice at
the courthouse of your intent to change your name for at least 10 days and prove that you have
a good and sufficient reason for the name change. You must also have at least two citizens of the
county who know you to file an affidavit giving proof of your good character. When you come to our
office to pick up the name change forms, there will be a more detailed instruction sheet to explain this
process.

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Emancipation of Minors
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A minor who is 16 years of age or older may pick up a Petition for Emancipation in the Juvenile Division of our office, located on the basement floor of the Moore
County Courthouse. The minor’s parent cannot complete the Petition for Emancipation for the minor
– the minor must complete and file the Petition on his/her own.
 

Foreclosures
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Information contained herein is not intended as legal advice. The Clerk of Superior Court and staff
are specifically prohibited by law from giving legal advice.  A foreclosure is a judicial proceeding,
therefore, you should contact an attorney for specific advice.

           Process:
A Notice of Hearing is issued. The Order of Sale assigns a date for the property to be sold at public auction. Auctions are conducted on the 1st floor of the courthouse in front of the stairs. Notices of Sale are posted on the bulletin board on the first floor of the Moore County Court facility building. After a property is sold a Report of Sale is filed with the Clerk of Court by the trustee. The law provides a ten day period for an upset bid to be filed. After ten days passes without an upset bid, a final report of sale is filed with the Clerk of Court.

           Upset bids:
Any interested party may come to the 1st floor of the Moore County court facility, Special Proceedings Division, to file an upset bid.  The bid must be raised by at least 5%. 5% of the new bid must be deposited with the Clerk of Superior Court. (5% or $750 whichever is greater). The deposit will be required in the form of certified check, money order or cash. A new ten day upset bid period begins. When no further upset bids are filed in the ten day period the property will  then be considered legally sold to the highest bidding party.  If the highest bidding party defaults on the bid, they may lose some or all of their deposit and a new sale will begin.

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Adoptions
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Adoptions are Special Proceedings filed before the Clerk of Superior Court. The adoption
petition forms are available in the Special Proceedings Division of our office, located on the 1st
floor of the Moore County Courthouse. The filing fee for an adoption is $40.00. Although our staff will assist you with procedural questions, we are specifically prohibited by law from giving you legal advice. It is recommended that you seek legal counsel.
 

Incompetency and Guardianship Proceedings
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