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Criminal Division:  Traffic Citation Payments
 

Minor traffic citations do not require a court appearance and can simply be paid off before your court date. Directly paying off your citation, however, carries certain consequences.

As the reverse-side of your citation informs you, paying a citation before the court date is the same as appearing in court and pleading "responsible" (guilty) to the original charge. This conviction may result in points being assessed against your license and your insurance premiums may also rise.
In this Division
Criminal Division
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An appearance in court can often result in a reduction of your citation, which may save you a substantial amount in insurance premiums and keep your driving record clean. The Assistant District Attorney in your courtroom will talk with you about a possible citation reduction.

Some traffic citations require a court appearance and cannot be paid prior to the court date. If you fail to appear on your court date as required, your driver's license may be revoked and you may be arrested. If your personal court appearance is not required, there are two (2) ways to pay a traffic citation prior to your court date:

  • Online. You may pay your citation using a credit or debit card by visiting www.payNCticket.org.   This online payment system uses a third party vendor for secure transactions. There is an additional minor fee for use of this system at the time of payment.
  • In person. You may pay your citation at the Clerk's Office Finance Division, located on the 1st floor of the Wake County Courthouse, no later than the last working day prior to your court date. You must pay in cash, by certified check, or by money order; we do not accept personal checks. Please see Directions for our location and directions.
  • By mail. Make a certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court for the amount shown on the front of your citation. We do not accept personal checks. Mail your citation to:

    Clerk of Superior Court
    ATTN: Criminal Division - Traffic
    PO Box 351
    Raleigh NC 27602-0351

If you are unsure whether you must appear in court for your case, please call our Criminal Public Information Department at 792-4300 or send an email to waketraffic@nccourts.org.

 

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Wake County Clerk of Court
Mailing Address:  P.O. Box 351 Raleigh, NC 27602-0351
Physical Address: 316 Fayetteville St, Raleigh, NC 27602
Automated Directory Phone: (919) 792-4000
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