Criminal records in Alamance County, North Carolina, are accessible through several channels. AlamanceCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Beyond that, the North Carolina court system, the Alamance County Clerk of Court, the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, and state-level repositories all serve as access points for criminal record searches, background checks, and certified document requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Alamance
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Alamance County. What you need to get started depends on the method, but having the person's full legal name is essential. A date of birth, case number, or offense date will narrow results significantly.
Online Search Options
- AlamanceCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information from Alamance County. You can search by name or case number.
- North Carolina Judicial Branch Court Records Portal — The state eCourts system, fully implemented across all 100 North Carolina counties, allows searches by name, case number, or county. Criminal case data includes charges, court dates, and dispositions.
- Court Dates Search — Look up upcoming court dates by defendant name, county, or date range.
- NC Department of Adult Correction Offender Search — Search for state prison inmates, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders. This database covers records back to 1972 but does not include county jail information.
- Alamance County Sheriff's Office Public Records — Submit a public records request for incident reports, arrest records, and related law enforcement documents. Requests for arrest and search warrants should be directed to the Alamance County Clerk's Office.
In Person
Visit the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court at the Judge J.B. Allen Jr. Criminal Courthouse in Graham. Public access terminals and staff assistance are available during business hours. You can search case records, view filed documents, and request copies on site.
Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court: Send a written request to the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court at the courthouse address above. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth if known, and the case number if available. Include a check or money order for applicable copy fees.
- State Criminal History: For a statewide criminal background check, contact the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). The SBI processes fingerprint-based background checks for authorized purposes.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps)
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Alamance Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by it is the fastest and most precise method. North Carolina uses a standardized case numbering format across all counties.
The format is: YY CRS NNNNNN
- YY — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 24 for 2024)
- CRS — A three-letter code indicating the case type. Common criminal codes include:
- CRS — Criminal Superior Court
- CR — Criminal District Court
- CRM — Criminal Misdemeanor (District Court)
- IF — Infraction
- NNNNNN — A sequential six-digit number assigned to the case
For example, a case number like 24 CRS 001234 refers to a Superior Court criminal case filed in 2024. Enter this number into the state eCourts portal or provide it to the Clerk's office for a direct lookup.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Alamance
Criminal case records in Alamance County contain several categories of information. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The North Carolina General Statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., N.C.G.S. § 14-72 for larceny) |
| Severity level | Felony, misdemeanor, or infraction — determines which court (Superior or District) handles the case |
| Original charge | The charge as initially filed by law enforcement or the district attorney |
| Amended charge | A charge that has been modified through plea negotiation or prosecutorial discretion |
Case Status
- Pending: The case is open and awaiting action (hearing, trial, or plea)
- Active: Proceedings are underway
- Disposed: The case has reached a resolution — conviction, dismissal, or acquittal
- Closed: All matters, including sentencing and post-judgment actions, are complete
Hearing Types
- First appearance / Arraignment: Defendant is formally informed of charges and enters an initial plea
- Preliminary hearing: A judge determines whether probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Pre-trial hearing: Attorneys address motions, evidence issues, and potential plea agreements
- Trial: The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing: The judge imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up on probation compliance or other post-disposition matters
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict
- Not guilty: Defendant was acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court
- Dismissed with leave: Charges dismissed but may be refiled
- Prayer for judgment continued (PJC): Judgment is deferred; no formal conviction is entered at that time
- No contest (nolo contendere): Defendant does not contest the charge; treated similarly to a guilty plea for sentencing
Records that have been expunged will not appear in public searches.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Alamance
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court handles these requests.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk's office at the Criminal Courthouse in Graham. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can locate the case and produce certified copies while you wait, depending on volume.
- By mail: Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), and a description of the records needed. Include payment for copy and certification fees. Mail to:
- Online: Some court documents may be viewable through the state eCourts portal, but certified copies typically require an in-person or mail request.
Law Enforcement Records
For arrest reports, incident reports, or booking records, submit a public records request to the Alamance County Sheriff's Office. Requests are processed in the order received. North Carolina law does not require agencies to respond within a specific number of days, but the Sheriff's Office is committed to timely responses.
For records from municipal agencies within the county, such as the Burlington Police Department, contact that agency directly.
State-Level Criminal History
A comprehensive state criminal history check is available through the NCSBI. These checks are fingerprint-based and are typically required for employment screening, professional licensing, and similar authorized purposes.
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID (in-person requests)
- Defendant's full legal name and date of birth
- Case number (speeds processing)
- Payment for fees (check, money order, or cash at the counter)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Alamance
Fees for criminal record copies in North Carolina are set by statute. The following table reflects standard rates under N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 and related fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $3.00 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.25 | N.C.G.S. § 7A-308 |
| NCSBI state criminal history check | $14.00 | NCSBI fee schedule |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk's office: Often same-day for straightforward requests. Complex or voluminous requests may take longer.
- Mail requests to the Clerk: Typically processed within 5–10 business days after receipt, depending on workload.
- Sheriff's Office public records requests: No statutory deadline in North Carolina, but the office processes requests in the order received.
- NCSBI background checks: Processing times vary; allow several business days for electronic submissions and longer for mailed fingerprint cards.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk's office or the relevant agency before submitting payment.