Search Alamance County Divorce Decree

Alamance County sits in the north-central Piedmont region of North Carolina, with its county seat in Graham. Residents who need a divorce decree from Alamance County can search records held by the Clerk of Superior Court. The clerk maintains all civil case files, including divorce records. Graham is home to the main courthouse where these records are stored. Whether you need a copy for legal proof or personal use, the Alamance County court staff can help you find what you need.

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Alamance County Clerk of Court

The Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court is the main source for divorce decree records. This office sits at 212 W Elm Street in Graham, NC 27253. You can call them at (336) 570-5200. The clerk keeps all court files from divorce cases heard in Alamance County. Staff can pull files and make copies for you.

Visit the Alamance County clerk in person to view a divorce decree file. Bring a valid photo ID. You will need the name of at least one party or the case number. The clerk can search by name or date range. Alamance County court records are public under G.S. Chapter 132, so you do not need to be a party to the case. Most people can get same-day copies of their Alamance County divorce decree.

The image below shows the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court website, where you can find contact details and office hours for divorce decree requests.

Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court website for divorce decree records

Check the website before your visit to confirm current hours at the Alamance County courthouse.

Alamance County Divorce Decree Records

The Alamance County Register of Deeds also plays a role in the records process. This office is at 124 W Elm Street in Graham, NC 27253, and can be reached at (336) 570-6565. While the Register of Deeds does not keep divorce decree files, it does handle marriage records that often tie into divorce cases. You may need a marriage license or certificate along with your Alamance County divorce decree.

Certified copies from Alamance County cost $5.00 per document plus $0.25 per page. These fees apply to copies made by the clerk. A certified copy of a divorce decree carries a court seal. This makes it valid for legal use. Plain copies cost less but do not carry the seal. Most banks, courts, and agencies want a certified copy of the Alamance County divorce decree.

Note: Always call the Alamance County clerk at (336) 570-5200 to confirm current fees before visiting.

How to Get an Alamance Divorce Decree

There are a few ways to get a divorce decree from Alamance County. Each method works for different needs. Pick the one that fits your situation best.

In person is the fastest way. Go to the Alamance County courthouse at 212 W Elm Street in Graham. Ask the clerk to search for the case. You can view the file right there. If you need copies, the clerk will make them. Certified copies take a bit longer since the clerk must add the seal. Most requests are done the same day in Alamance County.

By mail is another option. Write a letter to the Alamance County Clerk of Superior Court. Include the full names of both parties, the year of the divorce, and your return address. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. Mail it to 212 W Elm Street, Graham, NC 27253. The Alamance County clerk will process your request and mail back the copies. This can take one to two weeks.

You can also search for Alamance County divorce records through the NC eCourts portal. This online system lets you look up case details by name. It shows basic case info like dates and parties. For the full divorce decree document, you still need to contact the Alamance County clerk.

In person at the Graham courthouse
By mail with a written request and fees
Online search through the NC eCourts system
Through a third-party records service

Alamance County Divorce Process

North Carolina is a no-fault divorce state. This means you do not need to prove wrongdoing. Under G.S. 50-6, spouses must live apart for one full year before filing. At least one spouse must have lived in North Carolina for six months under G.S. 50-8. If you meet these rules, you can file in Alamance County.

The filing fee for a divorce complaint in Alamance County is $225. You file at the Clerk of Superior Court in Graham. The clerk assigns a case number. You then serve the other spouse with the papers. Once the court grants the divorce, the judge signs a divorce decree. This decree goes into the Alamance County court file. It becomes a public record.

A divorce decree is not the same as a divorce certificate. The decree is the full court order. It may include terms on property and support. A divorce certificate is a short form that the state issues. It just confirms the divorce took place. The NC Vital Records office has divorce certificates from 1958 to now. The fee is $24. For the full Alamance County divorce decree, go to the clerk.

Note: Claims for property division under G.S. 50-20 must be filed before the divorce decree is entered, or they are waived.

Alamance Divorce Decree Court Files

A divorce decree in Alamance County contains several parts. The complaint starts the case. It lists the grounds and what the filing spouse wants. The answer is the response from the other side. Any motions or agreements also go in the file. The final decree is the order that ends the marriage.

The NC eCourts portal provides online search options for locating divorce decree records in Alamance County.

Alamance County divorce records search portal for divorce decree lookup

This resource can help you start your search for an Alamance County divorce decree before visiting the courthouse.

Typical items in an Alamance County divorce decree file include the names of both parties, the date of marriage, the date of separation, and the date the court granted the divorce. If alimony was part of the case, it may reference G.S. 50-16.3A. Property division terms appear when the spouses did not settle on their own. North Carolina is an equitable distribution state, so the court divides assets fairly but not always equally.

State Divorce Records for Alamance

Beyond the Alamance County courthouse, the state of North Carolina keeps divorce records too. The NC Vital Records Section in Raleigh has divorce certificates for all counties. Their address is 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1900. You can call them at 919-733-3000.

State records go back to 1958. Before that year, divorce records are only at the county level. For an Alamance County divorce decree from before 1958, the clerk in Graham is your only source. The Vital Records research page has more details on historical records.

The state certificate is useful for quick proof of divorce. It costs $24 and shows the basic facts. But it is not a divorce decree. If you need the full terms of the divorce, the detailed property split, or support orders, you need the Alamance County divorce decree from the court file.

Alamance County Divorce Decree Help

If you need help with a divorce in Alamance County, several resources exist. Legal Aid of North Carolina serves Alamance County residents with low income. They can help with paperwork and court forms. The NC Courts website has forms and guides for self-represented parties.

The Alamance County courthouse in Graham also has staff who can point you toward the right forms. They cannot give legal advice, but they can tell you which forms to file. For questions about your divorce decree or how to read one, a local attorney is your best bet. The NC State Bar lawyer referral line is 1-800-662-7660.