Alamance County Court Records Search
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Alamance County is located in the Piedmont Triad region of North Carolina, with its county seat in Graham. The county’s trial court system operates under the statewide unified court structure and includes both a Superior Court division and a District Court division, each handling distinct categories of cases. Court proceedings generate records that span criminal indictments, civil complaints, estate filings, domestic matters, and special proceedings, all maintained by the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court. The primary courthouse facilities are the Historic Courthouse at 1 Court Square and the Criminal Courts Building at 212 West Elm Street, both in Graham. This guide covers how to find, search, and obtain Alamance County court records, along with the offices responsible, applicable fees, and the legal rules governing access.
North Carolina’s unified court system offers multiple pathways for searching court case information. The state judiciary website at NorthCarolinaCourts.us hosts an eCourts Portal where users can search case data by name, case number, citation number, or attorney. Alamance County is among the counties now using the eCourts system, which means many records are accessible digitally. Beyond the online portal, records can also be viewed at public self-service terminals inside the clerk’s office at any North Carolina courthouse, requested by mail, or obtained in person during business hours.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Alamance County?
The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court is the custodian of all court records filed in Alamance County’s Superior and District Courts. The clerk’s office operates out of two buildings in Graham:
Historic Courthouse (Civil, Estates, Special Proceedings)
Address: 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253
Phone: (Civil Division): (336) 570-5203
Phone: (Estates Division): (336) 570-5204
Phone: (Special Proceedings Division): (336) 570-5206
Fax: (336) 570-5201
Criminal Courts Building (Criminal Division)
Address: 212 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253
Phone: (336) 570-5202
Fax: (336) 570-5343
Administration
Phone: (336) 570-5200
Email: alamance.publicrecords@nccourts.org
Online search through eCourts Portal
Alamance County participates in the North Carolina eCourts system, which transitioned court records into a digital platform. The public can search for case information through the Portal, which provides access to case details, court dates, and documents across case types. To look up a case:
- Visit the North Carolina eCourts Portal.
- Search by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney name.
- Select Alamance County to narrow results.
- Review docket entries, hearing dates, and available case documents.
The Portal is not recommended for formal background checks—the clerk’s office should be used for that purpose instead.
In-person access
Public self-service terminals are available in the clerk’s office at both courthouse locations. These terminals allow searches of criminal, civil, estates, and special proceedings records. Paper case files can be viewed by visiting the clerk’s office in the county where the case was filed. Copies of documents may be obtained for a fee.
Mail requests
Requests may be sent by mail to the appropriate division. Include a money order or certified check payable to “Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court”. Personal checks are not accepted. In-person payments may be made by cash, credit or debit card (with processing fees), money order, or certified check.
Are Court Records Public in Alamance County?
North Carolina law strongly favors public access to court records. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, public records are the property of the people, and agencies must provide access free of charge or at minimal cost unless the law provides otherwise. Separately, G.S. 7A-109 requires the clerk of superior court to maintain court records open to public inspection during regular office hours, encompassing civil actions, special proceedings, estates, and criminal cases.
Despite this broad presumption of openness, certain categories of records are restricted or confidential:
- Juvenile proceedings – Records involving minors in delinquency, abuse, neglect, and dependency cases are confidential under North Carolina law. Access is limited to parties, attorneys, and authorized agencies.
- Adoption records – Sealed by statute and unavailable to the general public.
- Mental health commitment proceedings – Involuntary commitment records are confidential; copies of audio recordings require court authorization via Form AOC-G-115.
- Unserved arrest and search warrants – Warrants that have not yet been returned or served are not public records.
- Medical malpractice settlement information – Settlement details in cases against public hospital facilities are exempt from disclosure under Chapter 132.
- Expunged records – Records that have been expunged under North Carolina law are removed from public access.
- Records of criminal investigations – Active investigative files maintained by law enforcement are not public records under G.S. § 132-1.4.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts also offers a Remote Public Access Program for businesses and organizations needing ongoing access to statewide criminal and civil court data through licensing agreements.
Alamance County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Alamance County are divided between the Superior Court and District Court based on severity. Superior Court handles all felony cases, while District Court adjudicates misdemeanors and infractions. Both criminal divisions operate from the Criminal Courts Building at 212 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. The clerk’s Criminal Division phone is (336) 570-5202.
Certified criminal record search
To obtain a certified criminal record search for a single county, requesters must complete Form AOC-CR-314 and submit it to the clerk’s office with a $25 fee. This form is available on the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms page. The search covers only records within Alamance County and is not a statewide check.
Request methods:
- By mail – Send the completed form with a $25 money order or certified check (no personal checks) to the Criminal Division at 212 West Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. Include a self-addressed envelope.
- In person – Visit Suite 105 at the Criminal Courts Building. Payment may be made by cash, credit or debit card, money order, or certified check.
Non-certified self-service search
Anyone can search criminal records without charge using the public access computers at the clerk’s office in any North Carolina courthouse. These terminals provide the same data available through the eCourts system. Printing fees may apply.
Statewide criminal history through the SBI
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers a fingerprint-based statewide criminal record search (known as the “Right to Review”). The process involves:
- Getting fingerprinted on an FD-258 card at a local law enforcement agency.
- Completing the SBI Right to Review Form.
- Including a $14 money order or certified check payable to NC State Bureau of Investigation.
- Mailing the form, fingerprint card, and payment to:
NC State Bureau of Investigation
Criminal Information and Identification Section
Attention: Civilian Services Unit — Right to Review
P.O. Box 29500
Raleigh, NC 27626-0500
Sheriff’s Office records
The Alamance County Sheriff’s Office handles requests for incident reports, police reports, and related law enforcement records. All requests must be submitted in writing—either through the online form on the Sheriff’s website or by mail to:
Alamance County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Public Records Requests
109 S. Maple Street
Graham, NC 27253
Requests for arrest and search warrants should be directed to the Alamance County Clerk’s Office rather than the Sheriff’s Office. Fees for actual costs incurred in fulfilling records requests will be communicated before the request is processed.
Jail roster
Current custody information is viewable through the Alamance County jail inmate listing.
Alamance County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Alamance County are split between the Superior Court and District Court based on jurisdictional thresholds. Superior Court handles cases involving larger monetary amounts and complex commercial litigation, while District Court handles small claims (amounts up to $10,000) and other civil matters. Civil case records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court’s Civil Division, located in the Historic Courthouse at 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253, Phone: (336) 570-5203
Searching civil records
Civil case data can be searched through the eCourts Portal by name, case number, or attorney. For in-depth searches, the public self-service terminals in the clerk’s office provide access to the Civil Case Processing System (VCAP). The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides a VCAP user manual to help users navigate the system.
Paper files for civil cases can be viewed during business hours at the clerk’s office. Copies are available for a fee.
Court costs
Civil court costs in North Carolina are set by statute and updated periodically. The North Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a current civil court costs chart that details filing fees, service fees, and other assessments. Payments for court costs may be made in person (cash, credit/debit card, money order, or certified check) or by mail (money order or certified check only).
Special proceedings
Special proceedings such as foreclosures, partitions, condemnation actions, and related matters are handled through the Special Proceedings Division at the Historic Courthouse, Phone: (336) 570-5206 The Special Proceedings court costs chart provides current fee information.
Property records
Real estate records including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, and plats are maintained by the Alamance County Register of Deeds, located at 118 West Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253, Phone: (336) 570-6565 The Register of Deeds maintains an online portal for deed searches. Property tax data and spatial searches with aerial imagery are accessible through Alamance County Tax Administration.
Register of Deeds recording fees (selected):
| Document Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Deeds | $26 (pages 1–15); $4 each additional page |
| Deeds of Trust | $64 (pages 1–35); $4 each additional page |
| Certified Copies | $5 (first page); $2 each additional page |
| Uncertified Copies | $0.25 per page |
Hours of operation: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (recording accepted until 4:30 p.m.).
Alamance County Family Court Records
North Carolina does not operate standalone family courts. In Alamance County, domestic relations cases—including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, domestic violence protective orders, and equitable distribution—are handled by the District Court division. Juvenile cases, including delinquency and abuse/neglect/dependency proceedings, are also under District Court jurisdiction. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records for all these case types.
Divorce records
Divorce judgments are part of the civil court record and can be obtained from the clerk’s office in the county where the divorce was granted. Requesters may visit the Civil Division at the Historic Courthouse, 1 Court Square, or email alamance.publicrecords@nccourts.org. Copies are available for a fee.
Divorce verification certificates (as opposed to the full judgment) may also be obtained through the North Carolina Office of Vital Records by mail. The application forms are available in English and Spanish. The fee is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each additional copy, payable by money order or check.
Mail requests should be sent to:
North Carolina Vital Records
ATTN: VC Certificate Orders
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1900
Confidential family records
Family court records may contain classified information about the parties or their children. Juvenile court records are confidential and accessible only to authorized parties, including the record subject, legal representatives, and certain family members. Courts may redact sensitive information from publicly accessible documents.
Marriage licenses and certificates
Marriage licenses are issued by the Alamance County Register of Deeds, 118 West Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253. The fee for a marriage license is $60. Delayed marriage licenses cost $20, and corrections cost $10. License applications are accepted Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate, requesters can:
- Order online through the Register of Deeds online request portal for $10 per certified copy (or $1 for an informational/uncertified copy). A valid photo ID is required for certified copies.
- Request by mail – Send the completed vital records application form, a copy of a valid photo ID, and a $10 check or money order payable to Alamance County Register of Deeds, in a self-addressed envelope to: P.O. Box 837, 118 West Harden Street, Graham, NC 27253.
Marriage certificates are also available from the North Carolina Vital Records office using the state-level application form in English or Spanish, with a $24 fee for the first copy and $15 for additional copies.
Birth and death records
The Alamance County Register of Deeds is the local custodian of birth and death records and issues certified copies only to eligible individuals, including the record subject, immediate family, legal representatives, and persons with a direct legal interest. Copies may be ordered online through the Register of Deeds portal or by mail using the vital records application form. Fees are $10 per certified copy at the county level.
State-level birth certificate applications (English / Spanish) and death certificate applications (English / Spanish) can be submitted to the North Carolina Vital Records office at the same mailing address above, with a fee of $24 for the first copy and $15 for additional copies.
Alamance County Probate Court Records
North Carolina does not have dedicated probate courts. In Alamance County, the Clerk of Superior Court has original jurisdiction over estates, including the probate of wills, estate administration, guardianships, trusts, and related filings. The Estates Division handles these matters from the Historic Courthouse.
Estates Division
Address: 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253
Phone: (336) 570-5204
Fax: (336) 570-5201
Email: Alamance.Estates@nccourts.org
Types of probate matters handled
The Estates Division processes petitions for probate of wills, intestate administration, appointment of personal representatives and guardians, estate accountings, year’s allowances, and other filings related to decedent estates and incompetency proceedings. Name changes and certain trust matters also fall within this division’s purview.
Searching probate records
Estate case information can be searched through the eCourts Portal or at public self-service terminals in the clerk’s office. Paper estate files may be viewed during business hours. For copies, contact the Estates Division directly by phone or email.
Estate court costs
North Carolina publishes a statewide Estates Court Costs chart that applies uniformly across counties. Under G.S. 7A-307, filing fees for estate administration include a base General Court of Justice fee, plus an assessment based on a percentage of the estate’s value. Caveats to wills carry a $200 filing fee. Specific fee amounts depend on the type and value of the estate proceeding.
Requesting probate records
Requests for copies of estate documents—wills, letters testamentary, inventories, accountings, and court orders—can be made in person, by mail, or by email. Mail requests should include a money order or certified check payable to Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court and be sent to the Historic Courthouse at 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253. In-person payments may be made by cash, credit/debit card, money order, or certified check.
Guardianship and incompetency
Guardianship proceedings for minors and incompetent adults are filed in the Estates Division. These records are generally public, though medical evaluations and other sensitive information submitted in support of incompetency petitions may be restricted. The Clerk Mediation Program is available in Alamance County for certain contested estate and guardianship matters.