Durham Civil Case Filings
Durham civil court records are kept by the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court. Durham is both the county seat and the largest city in Durham County. Civil lawsuits filed in Durham go through the county court system at the courthouse on South Dillard Street. The clerk's office stores all case files, handles new filings, and gives the public access to records. You can search for Durham civil court records through the NC eCourts portal online or visit the clerk's office in person to review case files during regular business hours.
Durham County Courthouse Details
The Durham County Clerk of Superior Court is located at 510 South Dillard Street, Durham, NC 27701. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (919) 808-3000 to reach the clerk's office.
The courthouse handles civil, criminal, and family court matters for all of Durham County. Public access terminals are available inside the building for free record searches. The Durham County NC Judicial Branch page provides a full list of services, hours, and contact details.
Durham County has full eCourts implementation. Attorneys must file all documents electronically. Self-represented parties can still file on paper at the clerk's window.
Searching Durham Civil Court Records
The quickest way to look up civil court records in Durham is the NC eCourts portal. You can search for free by party name, case number, or citation number. No registration is required for basic lookups.
Select Durham County from the county dropdown to narrow your results. The portal shows case summaries, docket entries, hearing dates, and filing information. You can view documents for cases filed after the eCourts launch.
The Durham County Courts website has links to the eCourts portal, court calendars, and general court information. It covers civil, criminal, family, and small claims divisions.
For older cases not yet in the online system, contact the clerk's office by phone or visit in person. Staff can pull paper files and help with your search.
Civil Records Available in Durham
Durham County courts handle several types of civil cases. District Court manages disputes under $25,000. Superior Court covers civil matters over $25,000. Small Claims Court handles cases up to $10,000.
The following records are maintained by the clerk:
- Civil complaints and answers
- Court orders and final judgments
- Small claims filings
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Docket sheets and case logs
General civil records are kept for 10 years after a case ends. Small claims files stay on record for 5 years. Judgments may remain available longer depending on the case type.
Note: The clerk's office also handles administrative traffic court, family court, and probate matters separately from civil cases.
Public Records Rights in Durham
Civil court records in Durham are public records under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 says that any person can inspect public records during reasonable hours. You can view civil case files at the Durham County courthouse at no charge.
Not all records are open. Juvenile cases, adoption proceedings, mental health commitments, and sealed records are confidential. Everything else in a civil case file is available for public review.
Below is the Durham County Clerk of Court page where you can find information about accessing civil court records.
The clerk's website links to the eCourts portal and lists hours, fees, and contact information.
Durham Court Record Copy Fees
Copies of Durham civil court records follow the statewide schedule. Standard copies cost $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 plus the per-page charge. Certified documents carry the clerk's official seal.
Inspecting records in person is free. Online searches through the eCourts portal are also free. Fees only apply when you request paper or certified copies of documents.
Filing a Civil Case in Durham
Civil cases in Durham begin when a plaintiff files a complaint at the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk issues a case number and logs the filing. The defendant is then served with notice of the lawsuit.
After service, the case moves through response deadlines, discovery, and potential motions. Many civil disputes settle before trial. If a case goes to trial, the judge or jury issues a verdict that becomes part of the court record.
All filed documents become public records. You can track the progress of a case through the docket sheet, which lists every event from the initial filing to the final order. The eCourts portal updates docket entries as filings are processed.
The obtaining court records page on the NC Judicial Branch website explains how to get copies and what to expect during the process.
Note: Attorneys must use the eCourts electronic filing system for all new civil filings in Durham County.
Durham County Civil Court Records
Durham serves as both a city and the county seat of Durham County. Civil court records for all communities in the county are filed through the same clerk's office on South Dillard Street. The NC Courts website offers statewide resources and direct access to the eCourts portal for all counties in North Carolina.