Search Burlington Divorce Records
Burlington divorce records are filed at the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. Burlington is the largest city in Alamance County, though Graham is the official county seat. The courthouse in Graham is only about 3 to 4 miles from Burlington. You can search for divorce records from Burlington online through the state court portal or visit the courthouse in Graham. The short drive makes it easy to get copies of divorce documents from the Alamance County clerk office.
Burlington Quick Facts
Where Burlington Divorce Cases Are Filed
Burlington residents file for divorce at the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. The courthouse is at 212 W. Elm Street. Burlington does not have its own courthouse for divorce cases. All filings go through the Alamance County system.
| Court | Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 212 W. Elm Street Graham, NC 27253 |
| Phone | (336) 570-5200 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/alamance-county |
Alamance County runs two courthouse buildings. The Historical Courthouse handles civil matters including divorce. A separate criminal courthouse handles criminal cases. Burlington residents should go to the Historical Courthouse for divorce filings and records. The drive from Burlington to Graham takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
How to Search Burlington Divorce Records
Search for Burlington divorce records online through the NC eCourts portal. You can look up cases by name or case number for free. The system shows filing dates, parties, and case status for divorce cases filed in Alamance County. For copies of actual documents, contact the clerk or visit the courthouse in Graham.
Copies cost $0.25 per page for uncertified copies and $5.00 per document for certified ones. The search fee is $2.00 per name. Burlington divorce records are public under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132. Most files are open to anyone. You can also email requests to alamance.publicrecords@nccourts.org for public records from the Alamance County court.
The Alamance County government website links to other public records and services for Burlington residents.
The Alamance County website offers resources for the community.
The county site has links to court services, the Register of Deeds, and other offices that Burlington residents may need during a divorce.
Divorce Filing Steps for Burlington
Filing for divorce from Burlington follows North Carolina law. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-8, at least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months. Under N.C.G.S. § 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year. One spouse must intend the split to be for good. This is the only ground for absolute divorce in the state.
You file the complaint at the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham and pay $225. Then you serve the other spouse. You can use the Alamance County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. After service, the case moves to a hearing. The final judgment becomes a public record at the clerk office. Burlington residents can get copies from the clerk by visiting the courthouse or calling the civil division at (336) 570-5203.
The Alamance County courthouse has a custody mediation office at (336) 570-5214 and court-ordered arbitration at (336) 570-5212. These help with disputes over custody and property during divorce cases from Burlington. The Guardian ad Litem program at (336) 570-5221 helps protect children in the court system.
Note: 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.
Burlington Divorce Record Fees
Fees for divorce in Burlington follow the state schedule. The main costs are:
- Filing a divorce complaint: $225.00
- Uncertified copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Record search: $2.00 per name
- Motion filing fee: $30.00
If you cannot afford the fees, apply for a fee waiver at the Alamance County courthouse. The Alamance County Public Library at 342 S. Spring Street in Burlington has resources that can help with research, including the Alamance County Libraries system.
The library system has a local history collection with genealogy resources for older family record research in the Burlington area.
Divorce Verification for Burlington
The NC Division of Public Health at Vital Records issues verification letters. The fee is $24 for the first copy and $15 for each extra. These cover divorces from 1958 to now. For older records, contact the Alamance County clerk in Graham. Alamance County was formed in 1849 from Orange County.
For the full judgment, get it from the clerk at the courthouse. The Alamance County Register of Deeds at 118 W Harden Street in Graham keeps marriage and property records separate from divorce files.
Legal Help for Divorce in Burlington
Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Burlington and Alamance County. Call (866) 219-5262 for help. The NC Judicial Branch has forms and guides for people filing on their own. All forms are free. The North Carolina State Bar at 1-800-662-7660 offers a lawyer referral service.
Burlington residents have the advantage of being close to Graham. The 5-minute drive makes it easy to visit the courthouse for paperwork and questions. The clerk staff at (336) 570-5200 can help direct you to the right office for your divorce case needs.
Many Burlington residents file pro se when both spouses agree. The clerk office can tell you which forms to use for your case. They cannot give legal advice. But they can point you to the right forms and explain how to file them. For complex cases with property disputes or custody issues, hiring a family law attorney is a good idea. The Alamance County Public Defender at (336) 570-5260 handles criminal matters only, not divorce, so you would need a private attorney or Legal Aid for help with family law in Burlington.
Alamance County Divorce Records
Burlington is in Alamance County, and all divorce filings go through the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. The county court handles cases for Burlington and all other towns. For more on the county court system, full fee lists, and other resources, visit the Alamance County divorce records page.