Alamance County Family Court Records

Alamance County family court records are stored at the Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. The clerk handles all family law cases filed in Alamance County, from divorce and custody to child support and protective orders. With a population of about 171,000, Alamance County is one of the more active court systems in the Piedmont Triad area. You can search these records online through the state portal or visit the courthouse in person. The clerk staff can help you find case files, check hearing dates, and get copies of court orders filed in Alamance County.

Alamance County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all family court records in Alamance County. This office processes new filings, stores court documents, and provides copies of orders and judgments. Staff can help you look up both old and new cases. The courthouse sits in downtown Graham and serves the whole county.

Alamance County is part of Judicial District 9B along with Person County. District Court judges rotate through the district to hear family law cases. The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court accepts filings during regular hours. All documents must meet the state rules for format and fees. You can pay with cash, check, or money order at the clerk window. Public access terminals are set up in the clerk office so you can search the eCourts system for free while you are there.

The Alamance County Courthouse at 212 W. Elm Street in Graham houses the clerk office, district court rooms, and other court services. The building is fully accessible for people with disabilities. All visitors must pass through security when they enter.

The eCourts portal shows Alamance County family court records online around the clock. You can search by name, case number, or case type from any device with web access.

Note: The clerk office is closed on weekends and all state holidays, so plan your visit for a weekday.

How to Search Alamance Family Court Records

You can look up family court records in Alamance County in two ways. The first is online through the North Carolina eCourts portal. The second is in person at the courthouse in Graham. Both give you access to case data going back several years. The online route works well for basic details like case status, hearing dates, and filed documents. An in-person visit lets you see the full file and get certified copies right away.

To search Alamance County cases online, go to the eCourts system and select the case search tool. You can look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney name. Family law cases in Alamance County are sorted by type. Divorce cases use the code ABS. Custody cases use CUST. Child support is CS. Domestic violence orders fall under 50B. The portal is free to use and runs all day, every day.

To search in person, go to the clerk office at 212 W. Elm St in Graham. Bring your ID. Staff can pull up cases by name or number. Older records that have been sent to off-site storage may take a few extra days to get. Most requests are done within three to five business days.

Alamance County Family Case Types

The clerk office in Alamance County keeps records for many types of family law cases. Each type has its own case code in the eCourts system. These records are public under the North Carolina Public Records Act, N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, with some limits on sealed or private matters.

Alamance County family court records include these case types:

• Absolute divorce and divorce from bed and board
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support establishment and enforcement
• Alimony and post-separation support
• Equitable distribution of property
• Domestic violence protective orders under Chapter 50B

Sealed cases, juvenile matters, and abuse and neglect files do not show up on the public portal. You need a court order to view those records in Alamance County. For all other family court records, anyone can request to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case.

Note: Certified copies cost $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per page for the copy fee in Alamance County.

Filing for Divorce in Alamance County

Divorce cases in Alamance County follow the same rules as the rest of North Carolina. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must live apart for at least one year before you can file for absolute divorce. At least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months under N.C.G.S. 50-8. If you or your spouse lives in Alamance County, you can file here.

You start by filing a complaint for absolute divorce with the clerk in Graham. The filing fee is $225. The clerk gives you a case number. Then you must serve the other spouse with the papers. You can use the Alamance County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service goes in the court file. For cases where both sides agree, the divorce can be done fairly fast after the filing.

Claims for property division under N.C.G.S. 50-20 and alimony must be raised before the judge signs the divorce judgment. If you wait too long, those claims are lost. The final judgment ends the marriage and becomes part of the public record in Alamance County.

Alamance County Court Records Online

The North Carolina eCourts Portal gives the public a way to look up Alamance County family court records from home. The eCourts portal shows case status, hearing dates, scheduled events, and document filings for public cases in real time.

The portal works on phones, tablets, and computers. You can print case info right from the screen or save it for later. While the portal is useful for basic lookups, you still need to visit the clerk office for certified copies of orders and judgments. The portal does not charge a fee. It is provided free by the North Carolina Judicial Branch as part of its push for open courts.

Child Support in Alamance County

Child support cases make up a large share of family court records in Alamance County. The NC Department of Health and Human Services runs a local child support office in Graham. This office helps with setting up new support orders, enforcing current ones, and collecting payments.

Custodial parents in Alamance County can apply for child support services with a $25 application fee. Parents on public assistance are enrolled at no cost. The office uses the state child support guidelines to figure out what each parent owes based on income, child care costs, and health insurance. If a parent falls behind, the office can take steps like wage withholding, tax refund intercept, property liens, and license suspension to collect what is owed.

Note: Child support payments in Alamance County go through the state centralized collections system, not the local clerk office.

Domestic Violence Orders in Alamance County

Domestic violence protective orders are a key part of family court records in Alamance County. These orders are filed under Chapter 50B of the North Carolina General Statutes. There is no filing fee for a protective order. This makes sure that cost does not stop someone from getting help.

You can file for a protective order at the clerk office in Graham during business hours. If the court is closed, you can reach a magistrate through law enforcement for an emergency order. The Alamance County Sheriff serves the order on the other party at no cost. A temporary order lasts up to 10 days. After a full hearing, the judge can issue an order that lasts up to one year. The order can be renewed for up to two more years if needed. Protective orders can include provisions for temporary custody, possession of the home, and support. These records become part of the Alamance County family court file.

Legal Resources for Alamance County

Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal help to people with low income in Alamance County. They can assist with divorce, custody, support, and protective orders. Call the helpline at (866) 219-5262 to see if you qualify.

The Alamance County Clerk provides self-help forms and instruction sheets for people who want to handle their own case. The NC Judicial Branch website has all the court forms you need for family law matters, along with guides for people without a lawyer. District 9B also has local rules that apply to Alamance County cases, so check those before you file. The clerk staff can explain how to file but they cannot give legal advice.

The state image below shows the North Carolina eCourts information page, which links to resources for all counties including Alamance.

Several approved mediators work in District 9B for contested custody cases. The court can also appoint a Guardian ad Litem to speak for a child in high-conflict cases filed in Alamance County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Alamance County. If you are not sure where to file your family court case, check the address where you live. You must file in the right county for the court to have jurisdiction.