Alamance County Divorce Records
Alamance County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Graham, North Carolina. The clerk handles all divorce case files for Alamance County residents. You can search for divorce records in person at the courthouse or request them by mail. The Alamance County clerk has records going back to 1832. Staff can help you find the right files, though you must do your own research once the records are pulled. This guide covers how to get divorce records in Alamance County and what to expect during the process.
Alamance County Quick Facts
Alamance County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Superior Court in Alamance County maintains all divorce records. David Barber serves as the current clerk. The office is at 212 W Elm Street in Graham. You can also send mail to 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253. The Civil Division handles divorce record requests at (336) 570-5203. Staff will help you find materials but cannot give legal advice. The clerk does not conduct research for you. You must search the records yourself once staff pulls the files.
The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court website has details about court services and hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Public access terminals are set up at the courthouse for self-service record searches. These let you look up case names and numbers on your own. Alamance County accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. A 3% fee applies to card payments.
Alamance County was formed in 1849 from Orange County. Divorce records from 1832 are still on file at the clerk office. Court records from 1849 are also available. For older records, check the North Carolina State Archives, which holds historical Alamance County court documents.
| Court |
Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court 212 W Elm Street Graham, NC 27253 Phone: (336) 570-5200 Fax: (336) 570-5343 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/alamance-county |
How to Search Alamance Divorce Records
You can search for Alamance County divorce records in person or by mail. In-person visits let you use the public terminals at the courthouse. You can look up cases by name or case number. The Civil Division staff can point you to the right records. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit. You will need the names of both parties and the rough date of the divorce to start your search.
The Alamance County divorce records page explains the search steps. You must visit the Civil Division during regular hours. Fill out a records request form at the office. Pay the search and copy fees. The search fee is $2.00 per name. Plain copies cost $0.25 per page. A certified copy is $5.00 per document plus the per-page copy fee.
The Alamance County contact directory at nccourts.gov lists phone numbers for each department. Call the Civil Division at (336) 570-5203 before your visit to confirm what you need to bring.
Mail requests go to the Clerk of Superior Court, 1 Court Square, Graham, NC 27253. Include full names, dates, and your return address. Add the right fees by check or money order.
Alamance County Divorce Filing Process
Filing for divorce in Alamance County follows North Carolina state law. You start by filing a complaint for absolute divorce with the clerk. The filing fee is $225. Under N.C.G.S. 50-6, you must live separate and apart for one year before you can file. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months under G.S. 50-8.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse. 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. Your spouse does not have to agree to the divorce. Once the waiting period passes and all papers are filed, the court can enter a judgment of absolute divorce. That judgment becomes part of the public record in Alamance County.
Note: Claims for property division under G.S. 50-20 and alimony must be filed before the divorce judgment is entered, or those claims are lost forever.
Alamance Divorce Record Fees
Alamance County follows the state fee schedule for court records. The Alamance County payment page has current details on accepted forms of payment and fees.
The main fees for divorce records in Alamance County are:
- Record search fee: $2.00 per name
- Plain copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copy: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Recording fee: $6.00 first page, $0.25 each extra page
- Divorce filing fee: $225.00
Fees can change. Call (336) 570-5200 before your visit to check current rates. The office takes cash, checks, money orders, and cards. Card payments have a 3% surcharge in Alamance County.
What Alamance County Divorce Records Show
A divorce record in Alamance County has several parts. The complaint states the grounds for divorce and what the person filing wants from the court. The answer is the other spouse's response. A separation agreement may show what both sides agreed to about property, children, and support. All of these go in the court file.
The final judgment of divorce is the key document. It ends the marriage. Most people need a certified copy of this judgment. You might need it to change your name, sell property, or get remarried. Under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132, divorce records are public in Alamance County. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be a party to the case. Some details about children may be kept private, but most of the file is open to the public.
The North Carolina Division of Public Health also issues divorce verification letters. These shorter documents confirm that a divorce took place. They show the names, date, and county. The fee is $24 for one copy. You can write to NC Vital Records at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903. This office has records from 1958 to the present.
Online Divorce Records in Alamance County
The North Carolina eCourts portal lets you search case records from home. You can look up Alamance County divorce cases by name or case number. The system shows basic case details for free. Go to nccourts.gov to start your search. Full documents still require an in-person visit or a mail request to the Alamance County clerk.
Pre-1958 divorce records may not be in the online system. For those older Alamance County records, contact the clerk office directly. The State Archives at 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh also holds historical court records from Alamance County. Call (919) 814-6840 for help with older files.
Note: The email for Alamance County public records requests is alamance.publicrecords@nccourts.org, which can be used to ask about record availability before you visit.
Divorce Help in Alamance County
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free help to low-income residents of Alamance County. Call their helpline at (866) 219-5262. The North Carolina State Bar runs a lawyer referral service at 1-800-662-7660. They can match you with a family law attorney in the Alamance County area.
The NC Judicial Branch website has all the court forms you need to file for divorce in Alamance County. Forms and instructions are free to download. The Alamance County courthouse also has public access terminals where you can look up filing requirements. Under North Carolina law, you can include a request to resume your maiden name in the divorce complaint at no extra cost.