Burlington Family Court Records
Burlington family court records are filed at the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. Burlington is the largest city in Alamance County with about 58,000 residents. The county seat is in nearby Graham, so Burlington residents must go there for all family court matters. This includes divorce filings, child custody cases, support orders, alimony claims, and domestic violence protective orders. You can search Burlington family court records online or visit the courthouse in Graham for copies and in-person requests.
Burlington Quick Facts
Where Burlington Cases Are Filed
Burlington residents file family court cases at the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. The courthouse is on West Elm Street in downtown Graham, just a short drive west of Burlington. Graham is the county seat, so this is where all court records for Alamance County are kept. The clerk handles new filings, record searches, and copy requests.
| Court | Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 212 W. Elm St Graham, NC 27253 |
| Phone | (336) 570-5200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/alamance-county |
Graham is about 10 minutes west of Burlington by car. Parking is available near the courthouse. Bring a photo ID and be ready for security at the entrance. The clerk office is open during regular hours for all family court record requests.
Note: Burlington does not have its own courthouse, so family court records are filed and stored at the Alamance County courthouse in Graham.
Search Burlington Family Court Records
The NC eCourts portal lets Burlington residents search family court records from any device. This free system covers all of Alamance County. Search by name or case number. You can see filing dates, party names, and case status for divorce, custody, support, and other family cases.
Full documents are not shown online. For copies of court orders and filings, contact the clerk at (336) 570-5200 or go to the courthouse in Graham. The eCourts page explains what the online system covers. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more than plain copies.
The obtaining court records guide from the NC Judicial Branch covers mail, online, and in-person methods for getting copies of family court records. Burlington residents can use any of these methods to get records from the Alamance County clerk.
Burlington Family Case Types
The Alamance County court handles several types of family court cases for Burlington residents. Divorce, custody, support, alimony, and domestic violence are the main categories. Each one creates records that the clerk keeps on file.
Divorce requires one year of separation under N.C.G.S. § 50-6. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months per N.C.G.S. § 50-8. A Burlington divorce file includes the complaint, proof of service, motions, and the final judgment. Property division under N.C.G.S. § 50-20 creates additional records if the couple had shared assets.
Child custody records show who has the child and when. Support records set the payment amount. Alimony records deal with spousal support. Domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B can be issued on the same day they are filed. All family court records in Burlington are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132.
Filing Family Court Cases
Burlington residents start the process at the Alamance County clerk office in Graham. The filing fee for a divorce complaint is $225. After filing, you must serve the other party with the court papers. Service can be done by the Alamance County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt.
Each step creates records in the court file. Proof of service, motions, responses, and court orders all go into the case file at the clerk office. Burlington residents should keep copies of everything they file. The clerk can make copies for you at the time of filing.
Common fees for family court cases in Burlington include:
- Divorce complaint: $225
- Motion filing: $30
- Sheriff service: varies
- Certified copies: varies
Low-income Burlington residents can file an indigency petition to ask the court to waive fees. You must show proof that you cannot pay. The judge decides if you qualify.
Legal Help for Burlington Residents
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Burlington and all of Alamance County. They give free legal help to people with low income. Call (866) 219-5262 to see if you qualify. They handle divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence cases.
The NC Courts family law page has forms and guides for all family court matters. Download what you need for free. The divorce help page walks you through the process step by step. The NC State Bar referral line at 1-800-662-7660 can help you find a family law attorney near Burlington.
For child support questions, the NC Child Support Services office handles enforcement and payments statewide. Burlington residents can call 1-800-992-9457 for help with support matters beyond the court file. Claims for property division and alimony must be filed before the divorce judgment is entered, or those claims are permanently lost under North Carolina law.
Alamance County Family Court Records
Burlington is in Alamance County, and all family court filings go through the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. For more on the county court, complete fees, and additional resources, visit the Alamance County family court records page.