| Clerk of Superior Court | Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk address | Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801 |
| Phone | (828) 259-3400 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. |
| Earliest records noted | Varies by court — older files may be on paper or microfilm |
| Plain copy fee | $2.00 for the first page of a document copied, $0.25 for each additional page (G.S. 7A-308(a)(12)) |
| Certified copy fee | $2.00 first page / $0.25 each additional page for the copy, plus $3.00 for the certificate under seal (G.S. 7A-308(a)(9) and (a)(12)) |
Buncombe County's trial courts sit in the Buncombe County Courthouse in downtown Asheville. As in every North Carolina county, one office — the Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court — keeps the records for Superior Court, District Court, and estates; there is no separate county clerk.
Buncombe is part of the statewide eCourts Portal system, so most case lookups and many document requests can be handled online. The courthouse is fully accessible on the street level, with elevators to all office floors.
As with the rest of the state, Portal's document coverage is strongest for filings after the county's eCourts conversion; older civil, criminal, or estate records may require a request directly to the clerk's office.
Because Asheville and the surrounding mountain communities draw a large seasonal and visiting population, the clerk's office also fields a steady stream of out-of-county and out-of-state requests for estate, civil, and family records by mail. Calling ahead to confirm the current fee schedule and accepted payment method before sending a check or money order saves a second round trip through the mail for many requesters who are not able to visit the courthouse in person.
Search Buncombe County court records online
Clerk of Superior Court
Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court
- Cost
- Free to search in person or on Portal; fees apply for copies and certifications
- Coverage
- All Superior Court, District Court, and estate/special-proceedings records for Buncombe County
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic
One office covers every case type in the county; North Carolina has no separate county clerk.
Other courts
Portal (eCourts) — Buncombe County
- Cost
- Free
- Coverage
- Statewide eCourts case search, live in Buncombe County as part of the statewide rollout completed October 13, 2025
- Records
- Civil, Criminal, Family, Probate, Traffic
Search by party name, case number, or citation.
What is available online
Portal covers civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic case information for Buncombe County. Document images are most complete for filings after the county's eCourts conversion; older files may require a request directly to the clerk's office.
Which clerk has your record
In North Carolina, the clerk who keeps a file depends on which court heard the case. Check the court name on the case notice, citation, or order, then use the office and coverage details above to identify the record holder. Court names and responsibilities differ by state; a county clerk may not keep court case files. For federal cases, see the PACER guide. The full court structure is on the North Carolina page.
| Court | Typical cases | Records kept by |
|---|---|---|
| Superior Court | Felony criminal cases; Civil cases over $25,000; Business Court cases (complex commercial disputes, by assignment) | Clerk of Superior Court of the county |
| District Court | Misdemeanors and infractions; All family-law matters (divorce, custody, child support, domestic violence); Civil cases between $10,000 and $25,000 | Clerk of Superior Court of the county |
| Magistrates (Small Claims) | Small claims and civil disputes up to $10,000; Evictions (summary ejectment); Worthless-check cases | Clerk of Superior Court of the county |
Request records in person or by mail
Buncombe County clerk offices
Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 259-3400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
In person. Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, during posted hours.
Online. Search Portal for case information and, where available, document copies before visiting the courthouse.
By mail. Write to the clerk's office at the courthouse address with the case number, the documents needed, and whether a certified copy is required; call ahead to confirm the current fee and accepted payment methods.
Fees
| Item | Typical cost in North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Plain copy | $2.00 for the first page of a document copied, $0.25 for each additional page (G.S. 7A-308(a)(12)) |
| Certified copy | $2.00 first page / $0.25 each additional page for the copy, plus $3.00 for the certificate under seal (G.S. 7A-308(a)(9) and (a)(12)) |
These are the statewide fees the Clerk of Superior Court charges under G.S. 7A-308; a certified, name-based criminal record search in a single county costs $25 under the same statute (a)(17). Clerks may also charge for a criminal record search or exemplification of records; confirm the exact total with the specific clerk's office before sending payment, since some offices restrict payment method (money order or certified check only) for certain requests.
Need a copy an agency will accept? See how to get certified copies of court records.
Sealed and restricted records
North Carolina court records are open to the public, but several categories are removed from public view or never appear in Portal:
The North Carolina guide lists every category of sealed and restricted record, and our guide to expunging or sealing a criminal record explains how to remove one from public view.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search Buncombe County court records?
Use Portal, the free statewide eCourts search, by party name, case number, or citation. No account is required for a basic search.
Who keeps probate and estate records in Buncombe County?
The Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court, the same office that handles civil, criminal, and family cases. There is no separate county clerk.
What are the Buncombe County Clerk's office hours?
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Buncombe County Courthouse, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville.
Is the Buncombe County Courthouse accessible?
Yes. All patrons enter on the street level, and elevators serve every office floor.
Sources
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Buncombe County — https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Buncombe County Contact Directory — https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county/contact-directory
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Buncombe County Courthouse — https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county/buncombe-county-courthouse
- Portal (eCourts public case search) — https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Types of Courts — https://www.nccourts.gov/learn/types-of-courts
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Court Officials (Clerks of Superior Court) — https://www.nccourts.gov/learn/court-officials
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — eCourts — https://www.nccourts.gov/ecourts
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Criminal Background Check — https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/criminal-background-check
- N.C. State Bureau of Investigation — Personal Review (Right to Review) — https://www.ncsbi.gov/Services/Background-Checks/personal-review
- NC Appellate Courts eFiling Site — https://appellate.nccourts.org/
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — Expunctions — https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/court-records/expunctions
- General Statutes, Chapter 15A, Article 5 — Expunction of Records — https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByArticle/Chapter_15A/Article_5.html
- General Statutes, G.S. 7A-308 — Miscellaneous Fees and Commissions — https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_7A/GS_7A-308.html
See also: all North Carolina counties.