Alamance County Civil Court Records

Alamance County civil court records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Graham, North Carolina. These records cover lawsuits, small claims, contract disputes, property cases, and other civil matters filed in Alamance County courts. The county has maintained civil court records since its formation in 1849, giving residents and researchers access to more than 170 years of case data. You can search for records in person at the courthouse, by mail, or through the NC eCourts online portal. The Clerk's office offers free public access terminals for viewing case details. Whether you need to look up a judgment, check a lien, or find a past filing, the Alamance County court system provides several ways to locate what you need.

Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court

The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court manages all civil court records in the county. The main office sits at 212 W Elm Street in Graham, NC 27253. You can reach the office by phone at (336) 570-5200 or by fax at 336-570-5343. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help you find case files, check judgments, and request copies of court documents.

The Civil Division operates from a separate location at 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253. Its direct phone line is (336) 570-5203. This division handles the day-to-day processing of civil lawsuits, motions, and orders. Walk-in visitors can use the public access terminals in the office to search case records at no charge. For email requests, contact alamancepublicrecords@nccourts.org.

The following image shows the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court page on the NC Judicial Branch website.

This page lists contact details, office hours, and links to search Alamance County civil court records through the state system.

How to Search Civil Court Records in Alamance County

Several search methods exist for Alamance County civil court records. The fastest free option is the NC eCourts Portal, where you can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Select Alamance County from the jurisdiction dropdown to narrow your results. No registration is needed for basic searches, though the portal caps results at 200 per query.

In-person searches work well when you need to view a full case file. Visit the Clerk's office during business hours and use the self-service computer terminals. These terminals connect to both the civil case processing system and the statewide database. Staff at the front counter can also pull paper files from the vault if you know the case number. Free inspection of records is allowed under North Carolina law, as stated in N.C.G.S. Chapter 132.

You can view the Alamance County Records Portal shown below for additional property and vital records services.

Keep in mind that the Alamance County Records Portal focuses on property and vital records through the Register of Deeds. Civil court case files are held by the Clerk of Superior Court, not the Register of Deeds.

Types of Civil Court Records Available

Alamance County courts produce many types of civil records. Each case file may hold different documents depending on how the case moved through the system. Common records include complaints that start a lawsuit, answers from the other side, motions asking the court to act, and orders from the judge. Final judgments close out cases and become part of the permanent record.

Records you can find at the Alamance County courthouse include:

• Civil complaints and petitions
• Court orders and final judgments
• Small claims filings and magistrate decisions
• Liens and judgment abstracts
• Motions, responses, and discovery documents

Court dockets and calendars are also public. They show which cases are set for hearings and when judges will rule on pending matters. The Clerk keeps final judgments and orders on file for most civil cases for at least 10 years after the case closes.

Note: Certain records like juvenile cases and mental health proceedings are sealed and not available for public viewing.

Alamance County Civil Court Records Access

North Carolina law gives the public a broad right to inspect court records. Under state guidelines for obtaining court records, anyone can view civil case files at the courthouse during regular hours. You do not need to give a reason or show identification just to look at a file, though photo ID may speed up the process.

The Alamance County Clerk's office follows statewide procedures set by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Record access methods include visiting the courthouse in Graham, sending a written request by mail, or searching online through the NC eCourts system. Each method has its own advantages. In-person visits let you see the full paper file. Online searches are quick but may not show every document. Mail requests work when you cannot visit in person but need certified copies.

Below is a view of the Alamance County Historical Courthouse, which has served the county's judicial system since the mid-1800s.

The historic courthouse remains part of the Alamance County judicial complex and has held civil court records for generations of residents.

Fees for Civil Court Record Copies

Viewing records at the Alamance County courthouse costs nothing. Copies, however, carry a small fee. Standard paper copies are $0.25 per page across all North Carolina courts. This rate is set by N.C.G.S. Section 7A-308. Certified copies cost $2.00 per certification on top of the per-page copy charge.

Payment can be made at the Clerk's window. If you send a request by mail, include a check or money order with your letter. The Clerk's office will calculate the total and let you know if extra payment is needed. Large requests that require a lot of staff time may cost more under the state's rules for extraordinary requests found in N.C.G.S. Section 132-6.2.

Alamance County Court History

Alamance County was formed in 1849, and its courts have served the community since then. The county seat of Graham has been the center of judicial activity for the region. Historical civil records stretch back to the county's earliest days, giving researchers a rich source of data about property disputes, debts, and other civil matters from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Burlington is the largest city in Alamance County. The City of Burlington handles its own municipal matters but directs all civil court record requests to the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court. This means that civil lawsuits filed by or against Burlington residents are part of the county court system.

The image below shows the City of Burlington's website, which points residents to county resources for civil court records.

Burlington residents should contact the Alamance County Clerk at (336) 570-5200 for any civil case questions rather than the city offices.

Note: Marriage records dating back to 1868 are held by the Alamance County Register of Deeds at 118 West Harden Street in Graham, not by the Clerk of Court.

Nearby Counties

If your case involves parties from surrounding areas, you may need to search civil court records in counties near Alamance.