This page helps users handle Court Records tasks in Durham County, North Carolina, including online case searches, court dates, document copies, background checks, and transcript requests.

Most public case lookup tasks start with the North Carolina Judicial Branch Portal, while certified searches, case files, divorce judgments, and audio copy requests may require the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court.

NC eCourts Portal for Durham County court records

The NC eCourts Portal provides online access to case information and court records. Users may search by name, case number, attorney, and more.

  • Name
  • Case number
  • Attorney
  • County
  • Date range for hearings

The Portal includes several public tools for common court record tasks.

  • Use Smart Search to look for court records and case information.
  • Use Search Hearings to search court dates and hearings by name, county, date range, and related details.
  • Use Make Payments for probation, parole, and some criminal or infraction cases.
  • Use NC Judgment Search for the judgment index under NCGS 7A-109(b)(6).

Browser note: JavaScript and cookies must be enabled. The Portal also requires a CAPTCHA challenge every ten minutes for anonymous, registered, and elevated access users.

Case files, copies, and public terminals

For criminal, civil, special proceeding, and estates cases, court information can be accessed through public self-service terminals at a clerk of court’s office in any North Carolina county. Paper case files are viewed at the clerk’s office in the county where the case is located.

For Durham County case files, visit or contact the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court. Staff can provide copies of documents in court files for a fee. The Obtaining Court Records help page explains statewide access options for case records, divorce judgments, audio recordings, transcripts, and related records.

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

Certified and non-certified background checks

A certified criminal record search by name is available through the Clerk of Superior Court office for one county. For Durham County, that means the search checks only Durham County court records.

The certified single-county search uses Form AOC-CR-314 and has a $25 fee. Mail submissions require a money order or certified check. In-person submissions may be paid by credit card, cash, money order, or certified check.

Users may also search, view, or email criminal records without charge from public access computers at any courthouse. Printing charges may apply. The Criminal Background Check help page explains certified searches, self-service courthouse searches, SBI options, third-party vendors, and Remote Public Access for businesses.

Court dates and Durham County calendars

Portal is recommended for searching court dates and case information. Users may search by name, citation number, county, and related criteria on the North Carolina Judicial Branch court dates service.

Durham County also has civil and criminal calendar pages for district and superior court schedules. The calendar listings show Durham civil and criminal calendars with start dates for available schedules.

For statewide court date help, use the Court Dates page. For Durham-specific calendar listings, review the Durham civil calendars or the Durham criminal calendars.

Divorce judgments and vital records

A copy of a divorce judgment may be obtained from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted for a fee. If the divorce was in Durham County, contact the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court.

Birth, marriage, and death certificates are handled through the Register of Deeds in the county where the event took place. Divorce certificates may also be available through North Carolina Vital Records.

Transcripts and audio recordings

An official transcript is a typed, word-for-word version of a court proceeding prepared by an official court reporter or an approved transcriptionist. Transcripts are commonly requested for appeals and require payment to the court reporter or transcriptionist unless costs are advanced for a qualifying court-appointed appeal.

Not every court proceeding is recorded. Criminal district court proceedings are generally not recorded unless ordered by a judge, except for pleas in H and I felonies.

For non-confidential recorded proceedings, a copy of the audio recording may be requested from the clerk’s office in the county where the case is filed using Form AOC-G-114. For confidential proceedings, permission from the court is requested using Form AOC-G-115.

Payments and Portal access limits

The Portal accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover credit or debit cards for eligible payments. Digital payment applications such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, Cash App, and Venmo are not accepted.

Payment access may be affected on iOS operating systems for elevated access users and within Make Payments. For specific case payment questions, contact the clerk of court in the county where the case is assigned.

Remote Public Access for court data

The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts offers the Remote Public Access Program for criminal and civil court data in all 100 North Carolina counties. RPA licensees may use real-time online access or bulk data extracts.

RPA is intended for ongoing access by approved users and businesses. The Remote Public Access Program page describes access options, prospective licensee information, resources, and contact routing for RPA questions.

Durham County court contacts

Use these contacts for Durham County court record questions, case file access, certified searches, court dates, and related courthouse services.

Common questions

Where can I search Durham County court records online?

Use the NC eCourts Portal to search case information and court records by name, case number, attorney, and related criteria.

Should I use Portal for a background check?

No. Individuals performing background checks should use the county clerk’s office. The Portal is available for case information, but background checks should be handled through the clerk’s office process.

How do I get copies from a Durham County court file?

Visit the clerk of court’s office in the county where the case is located. For Durham County cases, the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court can provide copies of documents in court files for a fee.

Where can I find Durham County court dates?

Use the Court Dates service to search by name, citation number, county, and more. Durham County civil and criminal calendars are also available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch calendar pages.

How do I get a Durham County divorce judgment?

Request a copy from the clerk of court’s office in the county where the divorce was granted. If the divorce was granted in Durham County, contact the Durham County Clerk of Superior Court.

Can I request an audio recording of a court proceeding?

Yes, if the proceeding was recorded and the case type allows access. Non-confidential requests use Form AOC-G-114. Confidential proceedings require court permission using Form AOC-G-115.

Who should I contact for specific case information?

Contact the clerk of court in the county where the case is assigned. For eCourts questions, email [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).