Davidson County Court Records

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    Davidson County sits in the heart of North Carolina's Piedmont region, with Lexington as the county seat. The county's courts are part of North Carolina's 33rd Judicial District and operate through two trial court levels — Superior Court and District Court — along with the office of the Clerk of Superior Court, which is the official record-keeper for both courts. Together, these courts handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters that arise in Davidson County.

    If you're looking for court case information, you have a few options. You can search at the clerk's office in person, use the public self-service terminals at the courthouse, search through the statewide court portal, or apply for bulk data access through the Remote Public Access Program. The NorthCarolinaCourts.us website may also help you locate publicly available case information from Davidson County alongside the official resources described throughout this guide.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Davidson County?

    The Clerk of Superior Court in Davidson County maintains records for both the Superior and District Courts and offers three main ways to access case information.

    Online Search via NC Courts Portal

    The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers a statewide court records portal where you can search for case information by defendant name, case number, or other identifiers. It's free to use and shows publicly available docket information including case status, party names, scheduled court dates, hearing and disposition details, and offense or citation data. Keep in mind that the portal is for viewing only — if you need paper copies, you'll have to submit a separate request to the clerk's office.

    Public Self-Service Terminals

    The public self-service terminals at the clerk's office let you search civil case records directly during regular business hours. There's no charge to use them.

    In-Person, Mail, and Online Record Requests

    If you need paper copies of court records, you'll need to submit a formal request. The clerk's office accepts online public records requests as well as in-person requests at the courthouse. Once the clerk receives your request, they'll let you know what duplication fees apply.

    Davidson County Courthouse Clerk of Superior Court
    Address: 110 West Center Street, P.O. Box 1064, Lexington, NC 27293
    Phone: (Main): (336) 242-6701
    Phone: (Criminal & Traffic): (336) 242-6702
    Phone: (Civil & Small Claims): (336) 242-6704
    Email: Davidson.Clerk@nccourts.org
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Davidson County Courthouse Thomasville Branch
    Address: 22 Randolph Street, Thomasville, NC 27360
    Phone: (336) 474-3185
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Payment for Copies

    When requesting records by mail, payment must be made by money order or certified check. Cash is not accepted through the mail. For in-person payment options, check with the clerk's office directly.

    Are Court Records Public in Davidson County?

    Court records in Davidson County are generally public under the North Carolina Public Records Law, Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes. This law establishes that public records held by government bodies — including courts — are open to inspection and copying by any person, unless a specific exemption applies.

    Under Chapter 132 and related statutes, the following categories of records are commonly restricted or withheld from public access in Davidson County:

    • Juvenile court records and proceedings, which are confidential by statute
    • Records sealed by court order
    • Active criminal investigation materials and intelligence information
    • Confidential attorney-client communications and trial preparation materials
    • Information constituting trade secrets
    • Certain victim and witness identifying information in violent crime cases
    • Involuntary hospitalization and mental health commitment records

    When a record contains a mix of public and restricted information, clerks will typically redact the confidential portions before providing copies. If you're requesting records that may fall into a restricted category, contact the Clerk of Superior Court to find out whether access is available and what procedures apply. You can also initiate a formal request through the NC Courts public records request form.

    Davidson County Criminal Court Records

    Court Jurisdiction

    The Davidson County Superior Court has general jurisdiction over felony criminal cases in the county. The District Court handles misdemeanors, infractions, and ordinance violations. Both courts are served by the same Clerk of Superior Court, whose office at the Lexington courthouse maintains all filings.

    Searching Criminal Court Records

    You can search criminal case information online through the NC Courts case portal or at the public self-service terminal at the clerk's office. Searches can be run by defendant name, case number, or victim/witness name. For paper copies, submit a request in person or by mail to the Clerk of Superior Court in Lexington.

    County-Level Criminal Background Checks

    The Clerk of Superior Court can run a certified criminal background check limited to Davidson County court records. This is a county-specific check, not a statewide search. To request one:

    1. Complete Form AOC-CR-314 (Criminal Record Search)
    2. Include the $25 fee by money order or certified check
    3. Submit in person or by mail to:

    Clerk of Superior Court
    Davidson County Courthouse
    110 West Center Street
    Lexington, NC 27293-1064

    Statewide Background Checks

    If you need a statewide criminal history check, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI) administers fingerprint-based background checks for personal review, employment, and licensing purposes. The SBI charges $14.00 for a fingerprint-based records check. Fingerprinting can be arranged through local law enforcement agencies.

    Sheriffs Office and Arrest Records

    The Davidson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and incident reports for the county. For public records requests to the Sheriff's Office, contact them directly at (336) 242-2105. Current jail inmate information is available through the Sheriff's Office inmate search tool on the county's website. Keep in mind that arrest records reflect charges filed, not convictions, and should not be used as a substitute for a certified criminal history check.

    Davidson County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Davidson County are divided by claim amount and case type between the two trial courts. The Superior Court handles civil cases with no jurisdictional ceiling, including complex commercial litigation, real estate disputes, and equity matters. The District Court handles civil claims not exceeding $25,000, including small claims and landlord-tenant cases.

    The Clerk of Superior Court maintains civil case records for both courts. You can access them through the following methods:

    • Online: Search the NC Courts portal for docket information by case number or party name
    • Public terminal: View civil case records at the self-service terminal in the clerk's office during business hours
    • In person: Visit the clerk's office at 110 West Center Street, Lexington, to inspect case files and request copies
    • Online request: Submit a formal request through the NC Courts public records request page
    • Mail: Send a written request with a description of the case and applicable fee to the clerk's office at P.O. Box 1064, Lexington, NC 27293

    Civil case files may contain complaints, motions, affidavits, evidence, summonses, judgments, and settlement agreements. The clerk's office will calculate copy fees based on the volume of documents requested. Having the party names and case number on hand will help speed up retrieval.

    Davidson County Family Court Records

    Davidson County does not operate a standalone family court. Family law matters — including divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, and termination of parental rights — are heard by the District Court. Juvenile matters, including juvenile delinquency and abuse and neglect proceedings, are also handled at the District Court level. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains records for all of these proceedings.

    Divorce and Dissolution of Marriage

    Divorce decrees and related case files are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted. Uncertified copies of divorce documents are generally available to the public; certified copies are restricted to the parties and their authorized representatives. To request a copy of a divorce judgment, submit an online request or visit the clerk's office in person at 110 West Center Street, Lexington. If you need a certified divorce certificate issued by the state, contact the North Carolina Office of Vital Records (NCOVR), which maintains records of divorces obtained in North Carolina since 1958.

    Marriage Records

    Marriage records in Davidson County are held at two levels. The Davidson County Register of Deeds maintains records of marriage licenses issued in the county. Certified copies are available for $10 per copy and can be requested online through the Davidson County online records portal. Certified copies are restricted to the couple and qualifying family members; uncertified copies are open to the public.

    For certified copies at the state level, eligible persons may mail completed application forms, the $24 fee, a copy of photo ID, and any required supporting documentation to:

    NCOVR Attn: VC Certificate Orders
    1903 Mail Service Center
    Raleigh, NC 27699-1900

    Birth and Death Records

    Birth and death records for Davidson County are maintained by both the Davidson County Register of Deeds and the NC Office of Vital Records. The Register of Deeds holds records for events occurring in Davidson County, and certified copies cost $10 per copy. These can be requested online at ncvitals.com, which accepts all major debit and credit cards, with documents delivered by regular U.S. mail.

    Certified copies of birth and death records are restricted under GS 130A-93 to the record subject, spouse, parents, siblings, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and authorized legal representatives. A valid government-issued photo ID is required for all certified copy requests. Uncertified copies are available to anyone who submits a valid request.

    Juvenile Records

    Juvenile court records in Davidson County are confidential under North Carolina law and are not accessible to the general public. Access is limited to parties directly involved in the case, their attorneys, and authorized agencies. Requests involving confidential juvenile proceedings require court authorization before any records or audio recordings can be released.

    Davidson County Probate Court Records

    In North Carolina, probate jurisdiction rests with the Clerk of Superior Court rather than a dedicated probate judge. The Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court oversees the administration of decedents' estates, probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, and guardianship and conservatorship proceedings. Probate case records include wills, estate inventories, letters testamentary, guardianship petitions, and related filings.

    Filing Fees

    North Carolina charges a base filing fee of $120.00 to open an estate, plus a probate tax of 0.4% of the gross estate value (40 cents per $100), up to a maximum of $6,000.00. Current court costs for estates proceedings are published on the NC Courts current court costs page.

    Requesting Probate Records

    Probate case records can be searched online through the NC Courts case portal or at the public self-service terminal at the clerk's office. Paper copies of probate filings can be obtained by submitting a request online or in person at:

    Clerk of Superior Court Davidson County
    Address: 110 West Center Street, P.O. Box 1064, Lexington, NC 27292
    Phone: (336) 242-6701
    Email: Davidson.Clerk@nccourts.org
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

    Probate records are generally public, though information identifying minor beneficiaries or containing sensitive personal data may be subject to redaction. The NC Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC) also provides access to civil and estates court data across all 100 North Carolina counties through its Remote Public Access Program, which requires a subscription and is primarily used by researchers, attorneys, and media organizations that need bulk data access.