This page helps with a Court Records need in Buncombe County, North Carolina by pointing you to official online tools, courthouse resources, and clerk contacts for case information, court dates, copies, and background checks.

For online case information, the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal is the main self-service option. For paper files, certified searches, copies, and case-specific questions, use the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court.

North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal

The Portal provides online access to court records and case information. Use North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal for Smart Search, hearing searches, certain payments, and the NC Judgment Search.

  • Name, case number, attorney, or other available case information for Portal searches
  • Name, county, and date range when searching for court dates or hearings

The Portal requires JavaScript and cookies. It may also show a CAPTCHA challenge during use.

  • Open the Portal in a supported browser.
  • Choose Smart Search for court records and case information, or Search Hearings for court dates and hearings.
  • Use Buncombe County as the county filter when the search form offers a county option.
  • Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned for specific case information.

Background check note: Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk's office, not Portal.

Court dates and calendars

For hearing dates, the Judicial Branch provides a statewide court date search and county calendar pages. The court date search can be used by name, county, date range, and more.

Start with the court dates page for name-based court date searches and links to court calendars. Buncombe County also has civil and criminal calendar pages for upcoming case schedules.

If a courthouse closure or canceled court session affects your case, the case will be rescheduled. Notice of the new court date is generally sent by mail, but you may contact the clerk of court’s office after normal office hours resume.

Viewing court files and getting copies

Criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates case information can be viewed on public self-service terminals in a clerk of court’s office. Paper files may be reviewed at the clerk’s office in the county where the case is located, and copies may be made for a fee.

The Judicial Branch explains these options on its obtaining court records page. Divorce judgments are available from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee.

For Judicial Branch public records outside ordinary case file access, use the public record request service. State agencies and employees are not required to create or compile a public record that does not exist.

Certified and non-certified background checks

A certified criminal record search by name for a single county is handled through the clerk of superior court office at the courthouse. The certified single-county search uses Form AOC-CR-314 and has a $25 fee.

Non-certified criminal records can be searched, viewed, or emailed without charge using public access computers at any courthouse. Printing charges may apply.

For Buncombe County, a certified name inquiry check searches criminal charges filed in Buncombe County only. It does not include out-of-county, out-of-state, or federal charges.

Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court files, processes, indexes, preserves, and provides public access to court records in Buncombe County. The Clerk also handles court fees, traffic citations, fines, estates, foreclosures, partitions, name changes, adoptions, and other matters listed for the office.

The Buncombe County courthouse page lists the courthouse at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville and shows weekday hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Review the Buncombe County Courthouse information before visiting.

Copy or filing item Fee
Regular copies $2 for first page, $0.25 for each additional page
Certified copies $3
Exemplified copies $10
Certified name inquiry check $25
Transcript of judgment $10

Traffic and criminal division records

The Buncombe County Criminal and Traffic division enters cases, citations, dispositions, and judgments, retains District and Superior Court records, generates calendar information, produces background checks, processes expunction requests, and holds administrative hearings.

For criminal or traffic court dates, the Clerk’s Office lists the Criminal Division phone number. The Clerk’s office cannot issue continuances; continuances may only be issued by the District Attorney or a judge.

If a required court date is missed, an order for arrest may be issued. After 20 days, DMV may be notified of noncompliance and a $200 fee may apply.

Payments connected to court cases

The Portal supports payments for probation, parole, and some criminal or infraction cases. Accepted credit and debit cards include Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. Digital payment applications such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, and Venmo are not accepted.

Some minor traffic citations may be paid before the court date if a personal court appearance is not required. Paying a citation before court is treated as appearing in court and pleading responsible to the original charge.

For Buncombe County traffic citations, mail payments must be made by certified check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. In-person payments may be made with cash, certified check, money order, or debit or credit card.

Remote public access for businesses

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts offers Remote Public Access to criminal and civil court data in all 100 North Carolina counties. Access options include online real-time access and bulk data extracts.

Businesses can review the Remote Public Access Program for licensing details, access options, and contact information.

Buncombe County court records contacts

Use these contacts for case-specific questions, courthouse access, criminal and traffic records, certified name inquiry checks, and court date questions.

Common questions

Where can I search Buncombe County court records online?

Use the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal for Smart Search to find court records and case information. For official background checks, use the county clerk’s office instead of Portal.

Where can I view paper court files?

Visit the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. Public self-service terminals are also available in clerk of court offices for criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates case information.

Request a certified name inquiry check through the Buncombe County Clerk’s Office. The check searches Buncombe County criminal charges only and has a $25 fee.

Who should I contact about a specific case?

Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case is assigned. For Buncombe County, the Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at (828) 259-3400.

Can I get a copy of a divorce judgment?

Yes. A divorce judgment copy is available from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee.

What should I do if I missed a court date?

Contact the clerk of court’s office in the county where you were charged to ask about local rescheduling procedures. If you have an attorney, contact your attorney as well.