Durham County Court Records Search
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Durham County is located in the north-central Piedmont region of North Carolina and is home to the city of Durham. The county’s court system handles a broad range of criminal, civil, family, and probate matters, all administered through the Durham County Courthouse. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains the official records generated across both District Court and Superior Court proceedings. Anyone seeking to locate court records in Durham County can do so through the Clerk’s office, self-service public access terminals at the courthouse, or through digital tools provided by the North Carolina Judicial Branch. NorthCarolinaCourts.us may also help users identify publicly available case information from courts throughout the state.
All court operations in Durham County are conducted at a single courthouse location:
Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 808-3000
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Durham County?
Durham County court cases can be searched through three primary methods: online, in person, or by mail.
Online via the eCourts Portal
The North Carolina Judicial Branch operates the eCourts Portal, which allows the public to search court records by party name, case number, attorney name, citation number, and other criteria. The Portal displays court dates, hearing schedules, case details, judgments, and filed documents. It is free to search, though it is not recommended for formal background checks — the Clerk’s office should be used for that purpose.
In person at the courthouse
Public self-service terminals are available in the Clerk of Superior Court’s office. These terminals allow searches by defendant name, case number, or victim and witness name. You can search records from any North Carolina county on these terminals, view case information, and print documents for a nominal fee.
By mail
Written requests for case records or certified copies can be mailed to:
Clerk of Superior Court
510 S. Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
Include the case number (if known), party names, the specific document requested, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Fees must be paid by certified check or money order made payable to the Clerk of Superior Court.
Additional online tools
The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides eCourts Guide & File for preparing court documents and File & Serve for electronic filing. You can sign up for text or email notifications of changes to court dates on criminal and infraction cases.
Are Court Records Public in Durham County?
Court records in Durham County are public records under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132. G.S. 132-1 establishes a broad definition of public records and grants any person the right to inspect and obtain copies. This right extends to court filings, dockets, judgments, motions, orders, and most other documents maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Certain categories of court records are restricted by law, court rule, or court order. Records that are not available for public inspection include:
- Juvenile delinquency and abuse, neglect, and dependency records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
- Sealed criminal summonses and unexecuted arrest or search warrants
- Social Security numbers and financial account numbers contained in filings
- Records sealed by court order
- Involuntary commitment proceedings
Sealed records can only be accessed by court order. Audio recordings of confidential proceedings (such as juvenile cases) require judicial approval, which can be requested using Form AOC-G-115. Non-confidential audio recordings can be requested using Form AOC-G-114.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch also operates a Remote Public Access Program that provides businesses and organizations with ongoing licensed access to criminal and civil court data across all counties, either through real-time access or bulk data extracts.
Durham County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Durham County are heard by both the District Court and the Superior Court. The District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanors, traffic infractions, and municipal ordinance violations. The Superior Court handles felony prosecutions. The Criminal/Traffic Division of the Clerk’s office is located on the 1st Floor, Room 1300, and handles court dates, traffic citation payments, bond forfeitures, and limited driving privileges related to DWI or in-state speeding. The Superior Criminal Division is on the 2nd Floor, Room 2100.
| Division | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| District Criminal/Traffic Records | 1st Floor, Room 1300 | (919) 808-3002 |
| Superior Criminal | 2nd Floor, Room 2100 | (919) 808-3007 |
Searching criminal case records
Criminal case information can be viewed on the public self-service terminals at the Clerk’s office or through the eCourts Portal online.
Certified criminal background checks
A certified criminal record search (name inquiry check) covers only charges filed in Durham County. To obtain one:
- Visit the Clerk’s office at the 1st Floor, Room 1300, and provide the subject’s name and date of birth.
- Pay the $25 fee at the Cashier (Room 1200). Payment accepted in cash, certified check, or money order.
- Alternatively, mail a request using Form AOC-CR-314 to the Clerk of Superior Court, Attn: Cashier Division, 510 S. Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701. Include a $25 money order or certified check (personal checks not accepted) and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Name inquiry checks are not fingerprint-based and do not capture out-of-county, out-of-state, or federal charges.
Other criminal history resources
- The Durham Police Department provides public arrest and incident reports through its Police-to-Citizen database, searchable by case number or incident address at no cost.
- The Durham County Sheriff’s Office Records Division provides criminal background checks to court officials ($10 cash / $13.30 credit card). Public fingerprinting for SBI record checks is available by appointment on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Fingerprinting costs $15 cash or $18.45 by credit card. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
- The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation offers a statewide fingerprint-based criminal history check (Right to Review) for individuals seeking their own records. The fee is $14, payable by money order or certified check.
Durham County Civil Court Records
Civil matters in Durham County are divided between the District Court and the Superior Court based on the amount in controversy. The District Court handles civil actions involving claims up to $25,000, while the Superior Court has jurisdiction over claims exceeding $25,000. The Civil Filings Office is on the 1st Floor, Room 1500, and handles pro se lawsuit filings, eviction filings, restraining orders, motor vehicle liens, and tax foreclosures.
Civil Filings Office
1st Floor, Room 1500
Phone: (919) 808-3003
Fax: (919) 808-3030
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday
Small claims
Small claims cases in Durham County cover disputes of up to $10,000. Filing requires:
- A completed complaint form (such as AOC-CVM-200 for money owed or AOC-CVM-201 for eviction)
- A Magistrate Summons (AOC-CVM-100)
- A filing fee of $96, payable to Durham County Clerk of Court
- A Sheriff’s service fee of $30 per defendant, payable to Durham County Sheriff’s Department
- A stamped envelope addressed to each defendant
Filings can be submitted in person or by mail to the Civil Filings Office at 510 S. Dillard St., Durham, NC 27701.
Judgments
Civil judgments are valid for 10 years and may be renewed for an additional 10 years. Collection is typically enforced through a Writ of Execution, which commands the Sheriff to seize and sell the debtor’s property. The fee for issuing an execution is $25 (payable to the Clerk), plus a $30 Sheriff’s processing fee. The Judgments Division is on the 1st Floor, Room 1400, and can be reached at (919) 808-3008.
Searching civil records
Civil case information is accessible on the self-service terminals at the Clerk’s office, through the eCourts Portal, or by visiting the Clerk’s office to review paper files. Copies of documents are available for a fee. The current court costs publication from the North Carolina Judicial Branch lists applicable fees across all case types.
Durham County Family Court Records
Durham County Family Court is a specialized division of the District Court, located on the 6th Floor, Room 6500 of the Durham County Courthouse. It handles divorce filings, child custody disputes (non-DSS), child support matters, and related domestic issues. The Family Court office can be reached at (919) 808-3075.
Divorce
The District Court hears dissolution of marriage cases. Divorce filings are handled through the Family Court office on the 6th floor. Copies of divorce decrees less than 10 years old can be obtained from the Civil Division (1st Floor, Room 1500). For decrees older than 10 years, contact the Judgments Division (1st Floor, Room 1400) at (919) 808-3008. Written requests can be mailed to the courthouse with relevant party names and case dates.
Child custody and juvenile matters
Non-DSS custody cases are handled by the Family Court division. Cases involving the Department of Social Services are handled by District Court/Juvenile Clerks on the 2nd Floor, Room 2200. The Juvenile Division also addresses abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings, emancipation, and judicial bypass petitions. Juvenile records are confidential and can only be accessed by parties to the case or by court order.
Protection orders
Domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) and other restraining orders are filed through the Civil Division on the 1st Floor, Room 1500. Related forms are available through the Clerk’s office or the North Carolina Judicial Branch forms page.
Marriage records
Marriage licenses in Durham County are issued by the Durham County Register of Deeds, located at 201 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Durham, NC 27701. The license fee is $60 (cash only). Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 each and can be obtained in person, by mail, or through the Register’s online vital records system. Mail requests require a written letter with the date of marriage, both spouses’ full names, the requester’s relationship to the parties, a copy of valid photo ID, and payment. North Carolina Vital Records also provides marriage certificates for a $24 search fee.
Birth and death records
The Durham County Register of Deeds maintains birth and death records for events occurring within the county. Key fees:
| Record Type | Certified Copy | Uncertified (In Person) | Uncertified (By Mail) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | $10 | $0.25 | $1.00 |
| Death certificate | $10 | $0.25 | $1.00 |
| Marriage certificate | $10 | — | $1.00 (uncertified) |
Requests can be made in person (by appointment), by mail with a letter of request and valid photo ID, or online. Only individuals authorized under G.S. 130A-93 — such as the registrant or immediate family members — may obtain certified copies. All fees are payable to the Durham County Register of Deeds. State-level certified copies are available through NC Vital Records for $24 each.
Durham County Probate Court Records
In North Carolina, the Clerk of Superior Court serves as the probate judge. In Durham County, the Estates Division handles all probate matters, including the probate of wills, estate administration, appointment of personal representatives, guardianships, conservatorships, and inheritance tax determinations.
Estates Division
2nd Floor, Room 2300
Durham County Courthouse
510 S. Dillard Street, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 808-3004
Beginning estate administration
To open an estate, visit the Estates Division and bring:
- The original will (if one exists)
- A certified death certificate
- A completed application and preliminary inventory of the decedent’s property
- A $120 filing fee
- Details of the decedent’s assets (bank accounts, stock holdings, vehicle titles, real estate deeds, and their fair market values at the time of death)
- Names, relationships, and addresses of heirs or beneficiaries
The Clerk’s office recommends calling (919) 808-3004 before visiting to determine the type of estate administration needed and to schedule an appointment with staff.
Types of estates
Not all estates require full administration. Smaller estates may qualify for simplified procedures, including collection by affidavit for personal property or summary administration when the surviving spouse is the sole heir or devisee.
Guardianships
The Clerk of Superior Court appoints three types of guardians: Guardian of the Person (care and custody decisions), Guardian of the Estate (financial management), and General Guardian (both). Guardians of the Estate and General Guardians must post a surety bond and file annual accountings with the Clerk for audit. Minor guardianship forms are available from the Estates Division. The Special Proceedings Division (2nd Floor, Room 2400, Phone: (919) 808-3009) handles adult incompetency proceedings, name changes, adoptions, and foreclosures.
Searching probate records
Public probate case information can be accessed through the self-service terminals at the Clerk’s office or through the eCourts Portal online. Paper estate files can be reviewed by visiting the Estates Division during business hours. Wills that have been filed with the court after the decedent’s death are public records. Copies of documents in estate files are available for a fee. Staff can provide guidance on navigating the administration process, though they are prohibited by law from offering legal advice.