Durham County Court Records

Courthouses in Durham County, North Carolina, generate documentary materials that provide an official account of the judicial proceedings they hear. These materials include motions, dockets, pleadings, affidavits, court minutes, judgments, exhibits, notices, and all other records required by law to be filed and maintained by the Superior Court Clerk's office.

Durham court records are relevant for the following reasons:

• They act as historical and educational materials for understanding the legal system.
• They are vital to judicial proceedings, providing legal references for attorneys and judges in future proceedings.
• They promote transparency and accountability in the judicial process.

Are Court Records Public in Durham County?

Yes. Under the North Carolina General Statutes 132-1 et seq, Durham court records are categorized as public. Thus, members of the public may inspect and make copies of any court record not deemed confidential by law, court rule, or court order.

Examples of confidential court records include:

• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
• Records of alleged child abuse investigations
• Juvenile records
• Grand jury records
• Social security and financial account numbers.
• Unexecuted arrest and search warrants
• Sealed criminal summons and indictments

Where a court seals all or parts of a court record, members of the public may usually only access it by court order.

Durham County Court Records Search

Individuals can search for Durham County court records via the following avenues:

• The Office of the Clerk of Superior Court
• The North Carolina eCourts portal
• Third-party public records websites

Durham County Court Records Search by Name

A Durham County court records search by name makes it easier for people to find information on concluded and ongoing cases filed in the county courthouse. In this case, inquirers may use a plaintiff or defendant's name to find civil and criminal court records.

Below are methods to conduct a name-based Durham County court records search:

• By visiting the Superior Court Clerk's office in the county courthouse
• Using public self-service terminals in the Clerk's office. One can also print copies of court records at a nominal fee.
• Explore the North Carolina Judiciary's eCourts Services portal.

Durham County Courts

The Durham County court system comprises superior and district courts that hear proceedings at the following location:

Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 808-3000

Durham County Superior Court Case Search

The Durham County Superior Court hears and issues verdicts for civil and criminal matters, including claims of more than $25,000, felony, and probate cases.

Anyone who wants to find court records and information generated in the Durham County Superior Court can visit the county courthouse to request copies for the Clerk's office. They can also access public computers or search the eCourts portal with a case's party name or the case number.

Durham County District Court Records

The Durham County District Court receives and adjudicates civil actions below $25,000, emancipation, domestic/family law cases, juvenile matters, and small claims appeals, among others. This court also has jurisdiction over non-jury misdemeanors and infractions. Inquirers can obtain copies of district court records from the Superior Court Clerk's office at a nominal fee. They can also access the North Carolina eCourts portal or use public access terminals at the local courthouse.

Durham County Criminal Records

Individuals can obtain Durham County criminal records from law enforcement agencies like the county sheriff's office, local police department, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.

Durham Police Department: The Durham Police Department provides public Durham County arrest reports and incidents to community members at no cost. Individuals may search its Police-to-Citizen database by case number, incident address, and report information.

Sheriff's Office: The Records Division of the Durham County Sheriff's Office exclusively provides criminal background checks to court officials. However, members of the public may request fingerprint services for SBI criminal record checks. Criminal history checks for court officials cost $10 if paying in cash and $13.30 for credit cards.

To book public fingerprinting services, citizens must schedule an appointment in person, online, or via the self-service kiosk at the county courthouse. A driver's license, DMV ID, or other government-issued picture identification card will be required. Fingerprinting printing services cost $15 when paid in cash and $18.45 for credit cards.

North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI): This SBI provides statewide fingerprint background checks for people who want to obtain copies of their criminal history. Each fingerprint check costs $14. However, only record owners may access this service.

Durham County Criminal Court Case Lookup

To perform a Dulharm County criminal court case lookup, one can visit the Clerk of the Superior Court's office. Individuals can also examine criminal court cases at self-service terminals in the local courthouse or the North Carolina eCourts portal. Inquirers can use case parties' names or case numbers to search for criminal court cases.

Furthermore, the North Carolina Judicial Branch provides a Criminal Record Search form for interested persons to fill out and submit to the Durham County Superior Court Clerk's office in person or by mail. Each search costs $25 per G.S. 7A-308(a)(17). The fee is payable by credit card, check, cash, or certified money order.

Get Durham County Civil Court Records

Guilford County civil court records bear relevant information about civil actions filed and adjudicated in the county's superior and district courts. One can obtain Durham County civil court records from the Superior Court Clerk's office during business hours. Individuals may also use the self-service terminal in the Clerk's office or explore the North Carolina Judicial Branch eCourts portal.

Durham County Family Court Records

Durham County Family Court is a division of the county's District Court. Located on the sixth floor of the local courthouse, the court handles all family legal matters, including adoption, child custody, juvenile cases, and child abuse, neglect, and dependency.

Many family court records are accessible to the public. As such, an interested person can stop by the county courthouse to view records or request copies. They can also access the NC eCourts portal. However, certain records (like juvenile records) are confidential. Those records may only be accessed by involved parties or parties with a court order.

Durham Dissolution of Marriage Records

In Durham County, dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court. One can visit the Durham Family Court at the sixth floor of the local courthouse during office hours to request these records. They can also mail a written request (containing relevant party names and dates) to the address below.

Durham County Courthouse
510 South Dillard Street
Durham, NC 27701

Durham County Marriage and Divorce Records

Divorce records in Durham County can be obtained from the local Superior Court Clerk's office (see above) or North Carolina Vital Records. Meanwhile, interested case parties can obtain certified copies of Durham County marriage records from the Register of Deeds office or the North Carolina Vital Records. The Durham County Register of Deeds maintains marriage records from 1962. Meanwhile, North Carolina Vital Records has marriage records dating back to 1962 and divorce records dating back to 1958.

Anyone who wants to obtain copies of marriage or divorce certificates from the NC Vital Records must present a legible photo ID with their written request. A certified copy costs $24.

To request certified copies of a marriage certificate from the Register of Deeds, one may visit the office in person, mail a written request, or use the office's online ordering system. Certified copies of marriage certificates cost $10 per copy. The fee is payable by cash, money order, or certified check to:

Durham County Register of Deeds
201 East Main Street
Second Floor
Durham, NC 27701

A copy of state-issued photo ID, return address, and phone number must be included alongside the fee for mail requests. Note that a certified copy of their marriage license can only be requested 10 days after a marriage date.

Durham County Birth and Death Records

The Vital Records Department of the Durham County Register of Deeds office maintains birth and death within the jurisdiction. Orders for these records can be submitted in person or via mail. However, only parties authorized under Section 130A-93 of the North Carolina General Statutes can submit requests for certified copies. They include the registrants and immediate family members.

Ordering Birth Certificates

To obtain a Durham County birth certificate, the individual should complete and submit a vital records application form. The form should include the record holder's name, date of birth, and mother's maiden name. The applicant should also state their relationship with the registrant and their name, address, and phone number. Every birth certificate applicant must present a valid photo ID (driver's license, US passport, or military ID). Each copy costs $10.

Admittedly, members of the public can request and obtain uncertified birth certificates. Uncertified copies cost 25 cents (over the counter) and $1 each by mail. All fees should be made payable to Durham County Register of Deeds.

Ordering Death Certificates

The Durham Register of Deeds office receives all death certificates from the Durham County Public Health. Individuals can submit requests for death certificates in person, by mail, or via the Register's online database.

The following details must be provided on the vital records application form:

• Deceased's name
• Date of death
• Relationship with the subject of record
• Applicant's contact details, name, and signature

Note that the North Carolina Vital Records also offers access to birth and death records from Durham County.

Durham County Probate Court Records

The Durham Clerk of the Superior Court serves as the County Probate Court judge and exercises general jurisdiction over all probate matters. The court handles the proper distribution of a decedent's estate, whether they have a will or not.

Members of the public can access all public probate case information via the self-service terminals in the court clerk's office or by accessing the North Carolina eCourts portal.

Durham County Property Records

In Durham County, the Register of Deeds Office is the official recorder of real estate or land transactions. The office also maintains deeds, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) liens, releases, mortgages, and other property records.

Members of the public can view or obtain copies of property records from the Register in person, via mail, or the online public record database. Online access is unavailable for real estate records filed from 1975 to 1977. Individuals can review the Register's fee schedule for copy requests. They may also contact the office at (919) 560-0480 for record inquiries.

Durham County Court Records Online

Members of the public can perform court record searches on third-party websites like Northcarolinacourtrecords.us. These websites often offer a wider coverage of public court records and access to other public records in Durham County and other US jurisdictions.

However, it is essential to cross-check records obtained from independent parties against the official court record for accuracy and completeness. Additionally, these records cannot be used for official purposes.