Buncombe County Court Records

Buncombe County court records are available at the Clerk of Superior Court in Asheville. As the largest city in western North Carolina, Asheville serves as the hub for a busy court system. The Buncombe County clerk's office at 60 Court Plaza processes thousands of filings each year. Criminal cases, civil suits, and domestic matters are all on file. This guide covers how to search Buncombe County court records, where to find them, and what costs are involved. Whether you search online or visit the Asheville courthouse, the process starts here.

Buncombe County Clerk of Court

The Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court is at 60 Court Plaza in downtown Asheville. This is one of the busier clerk's offices in western North Carolina. Buncombe County's population exceeds 260,000, making it the most populous county west of Charlotte. The court system handles a heavy caseload across criminal, civil, and domestic divisions.

Downtown Asheville has paid parking. Plan for that if you visit. The courthouse is near Pack Square in the city center. Public transit options serve the area as well. Due to the volume of cases, wait times at the Buncombe County clerk's office can be longer than at smaller mountain counties. Arriving early in the morning gives you the best chance of quick service.

How to Search Buncombe County Cases

Start online with the NC eCourts Portal. This statewide tool is free and available at all hours. Search by name or case number to find Buncombe County court records. The portal shows case type, status, charges, and disposition for closed cases. It covers criminal, civil, and domestic filings.

In-person searches happen at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. Walk into the clerk's office with the full name and date of birth of the person you want to search. A case number speeds up the process. Staff can look up cases in the system and pull paper files from the archive. Copies are available on the spot for a fee.

Buncombe County court records are public under N.C.G.S. § 132-1. You do not need a reason to request access. The main exceptions are juvenile records protected by N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901 and expunged records under N.C.G.S. § 15A-152. The NC Courts records help page provides more detail on these rules.

Note: The eCourts portal is the quickest way to look up recent Buncombe County filings without a trip to Asheville.

Criminal Records in Buncombe County

Buncombe County sees a high volume of criminal cases. Felonies and misdemeanors filed in Superior and District Court are on record at the clerk's office. Common charges include drug offenses, assault, theft, DWI, and fraud. The clerk can process local background checks during business hours. Provide the person's full name and date of birth.

Statewide searches go through the NC State Bureau of Investigation. SBI criminal history checks cover all counties. They require fingerprints in most cases. N.C.G.S. § 114-19 restricts some criminal history records to law enforcement and authorized agencies.

The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office at 202 Haywood Street in Asheville keeps arrest records, incident reports, and jail information. Call (828) 250-4503 for the sheriff's records division. Incident reports and arrest records are separate from court filings. You may need to contact both the clerk and the sheriff to get all the records you need.

The Buncombe County offices shown above serve as the main locations for court records and sheriff reports in the Asheville area.

Buncombe County Court Records Fees

Standard copy fees apply at the Buncombe County clerk's office. Certified copies cost about $3 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page. The office accepts cash, credit cards, money orders, and certified checks. Fees for other services vary by type.

• Certified court document: $3 first page, $0.25 each added page
• Marriage license: $60, both parties with photo ID
• Expunction filing: $175 unless the petitioner qualifies as indigent
• Civil complaint filing: varies by case type and claim amount
• Appeal fees: set by statute

Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, copy fees must reflect the actual cost of reproduction. The NC Courts forms library provides free blank forms that can help you prepare filings for the Buncombe County clerk's office.

Types of Buncombe County Court Records

Buncombe County courts hear a wide range of cases given the county's size and urban center. Criminal matters fill much of the docket. Civil cases include personal injury lawsuits, foreclosures, contract disputes, and small claims. Domestic filings cover divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders.

Special proceedings are another major category at the Buncombe County clerk's office. Estate probate is frequent in a county this size. Guardianship petitions, adoptions, and name changes also come through the office. Under N.C.G.S. § 7A-109, the clerk presides over many special proceedings. The NCAOC ensures all counties follow the same procedures for these matters.

Buncombe County also sees cases that reflect Asheville's role as a regional center. Business disputes, tourism-related civil cases, and real estate matters are common. The court docket stays busy throughout the year.

Getting Copies of Buncombe County Records

Visit 60 Court Plaza in Asheville for walk-in copy requests. Bring ID and case details. Staff will pull files and make copies during your visit. Given the volume at the Buncombe County clerk's office, complex requests may take longer than at smaller counties.

Mail requests should go to the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville. Include the case number, party names, and a check or money order for fees. Allow one to two weeks for processing. N.C.G.S. § 132-9 imposes penalties on officials who unlawfully deny access to public records. For state-level records, contact the NC Department of Public Safety. Access disputes can be appealed through the NC appellate courts.

Nearby Counties

Buncombe County is at the center of western North Carolina, surrounded by mountain counties.