Alamance County Court Records

Court records in Alamance County, North Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. AlamanceCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Alamance County. Additional access points include the North Carolina Judicial Branch's Alamance County page, the state court records portal, and the Clerk of Superior Court's office in Graham.

Alamance Court System Overview

Alamance County is part of North Carolina Judicial District 15A, which serves Alamance County exclusively. The county's court system operates under the state's Unified Court System and includes both district and superior court divisions. Magistrates serve under the district court and handle initial appearances, warrants, and small claims. The Judge J.B. Allen Jr. Criminal Courthouse and the Alamance County Historical Courthouse both serve court operations in Graham, the county seat.

Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court

Court offices are generally open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Courts Serving Alamance County

Alamance County falls within the Middle District of North Carolina for federal cases, with the nearest federal courthouse in Greensboro. Municipal courts do not exist in North Carolina; all criminal and traffic matters are handled through the state district court system.

What Types of Cases Alamance County Courts Hear

Courts in Alamance County handle a broad range of case types across criminal, civil, and specialty divisions:

• Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions
• Civil: General civil litigation, small claims, summary ejectment (eviction)
• Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence protective orders, paternity, termination of parental rights
• Probate and estates: Decedent estates, guardianships, incompetency proceedings, trust matters
• Juvenile: Delinquency, undisciplined youth, abuse/neglect/dependency
• Traffic: Moving violations, DWI, license-related offenses
• Infractions: Non-criminal violations including certain ordinance violations

The sections below explain which court division handles each category.

District Court Cases in Alamance County

The Alamance County District Court hears misdemeanor criminal cases, infractions, and civil cases where the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less. District court judges also preside over all family law matters — including divorce, custody, child support, and domestic violence protective orders — as well as juvenile cases. In criminal matters, district court trials are bench trials (decided by a judge, not a jury). A defendant convicted in district court may appeal to superior court for a new trial by jury. Cases are assigned to district court judges through the administrative schedule set by the chief district court judge.

Magistrate Court Cases in Alamance County

Magistrates in Alamance County operate as a division of the district court. They handle:

• Small claims — civil disputes up to $10,000
• Summary ejectment (eviction) proceedings
• Criminal process — issuing arrest warrants, search warrants, criminal summonses, and setting initial bail
• Initial appearances for criminal defendants
• Worthless check cases under the statutory threshold

Magistrates are available around the clock for warrant and bail matters. Small claims hearings are informal — attorneys are permitted but not required. Either party may appeal a magistrate's judgment to district court for a new hearing within 10 days.

Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Alamance County

Family law: Divorce, equitable distribution, child custody, child support, alimony, paternity, and domestic violence protective orders are all heard in Alamance County District Court. North Carolina requires a one-year separation period before an absolute divorce can be granted. Divorce certificates may be obtained from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed or from NC Vital Records.

Probate: The Clerk of Superior Court in Alamance County serves as the judge of probate. Estate administration, guardianship of incompetent adults, guardianship of minors, and trust proceedings are handled through the clerk's office. Filings are made at the courthouse in Graham.

Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency, undisciplined cases, and abuse/neglect/dependency petitions are heard in district court. Juvenile records are confidential under North Carolina law and are not available through public search portals. The Guardian ad Litem program serves children involved in abuse and neglect proceedings in Alamance County.

How Cases Move Through the Alamance County Court System

1. Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with a magistrate's order (warrant, criminal summons) or a grand jury indictment. Civil cases start with a complaint filed with the Clerk of Superior Court. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
2. Initial hearing: Criminal defendants appear for a first appearance before a magistrate or district court judge. Civil cases receive a scheduling order or calendar date.
3. Pre-trial phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and may negotiate settlements or plea agreements. Mediation is required in most custody disputes and many civil cases.
4. Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to bench trial (district court) or jury trial (superior court), or resolve by plea, settlement, dismissal, or default judgment.
5. Post-judgment: Criminal sentencing follows conviction. Civil judgments may be enforced through execution or garnishment. Either party may appeal — district court judgments to superior court, and superior court judgments to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Alamance County

The Chief District Court Judge for District 15A oversees day-to-day court operations in Alamance County, including scheduling and assignment of cases. A Trial Court Administrator supports administrative functions. Contact the Alamance County courthouse at (336) 438-1000 to reach the trial court administrator's office.

Local rules for District 15A govern scheduling, motions practice, and courtroom procedures. These rules are available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's Alamance County page.

Public access: Under North Carolina's Public Records Act (G.S. Chapter 132) and court administrative rules, most court records are public. Exceptions include:

• Juvenile records
• Adoption records
• Records sealed by court order
• Expunged records
• Grand jury proceedings

Members of the public may attend most court hearings in person. North Carolina's eCourts system, fully implemented statewide as of October 2025, provides electronic access to case information and documents. Remote hearing procedures may be available for certain case types — contact the clerk's office for current options.

Court Records and Related Court Resources in Alamance County

• Court record and case search: Use the North Carolina court records search portal to look up case information by name or case number. The eCourts portal provides expanded electronic access to filings and documents.
• Court dates and calendars: Search for upcoming court dates by name, county, or date range through the state judicial branch website.
• Cases of public interest: Alamance County cases of public interest are posted by the Clerk of Superior Court with document access.
• Clerk of Superior Court records requests: For certified copies of court documents, contact the Clerk of Superior Court at (336) 438-1000. Requests for arrest and search warrants should be directed to the clerk's office. The Alamance County Sheriff's Office public records page also provides guidance on law enforcement records requests.
• Background checks: The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation processes state criminal history checks. Court information is also available through the Clerk of Superior Court.
• Offender and inmate search: The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search covers state prison inmates, probationers, and parolees with records dating to 1972. For county detention information, contact the Alamance County Detention Center.
• Vital records: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and real estate records are maintained by the Alamance County Register of Deeds. Vital records can be requested by phone at (336) 570-6563.
• Property and tax records: Search Alamance County property records online, or contact the Alamance County Tax Department for tax payment and assessment information.
• Self-help and legal resources: The North Carolina Judicial Branch website offers court forms, self-help guides, and information on topics including expunctions and family law procedures.