Buncombe County Court Docket
Buncombe County court docket records are kept at the courthouse in downtown Asheville. The county is the largest in western North Carolina and belongs to Judicial District 40. The Clerk of Superior Court manages all case records, docket entries, and judgment indexes. Buncombe County offers several specialty court programs in addition to its standard civil and criminal divisions. You can search court docket records online or at the clerk office on Court Plaza. Here is what you need to know about finding and using docket records in Buncombe County.
Buncombe County Clerk of Court Office
The Buncombe County Courthouse is at 60 Court Plaza in Asheville. The main phone number is (828) 259-3400. The Clerk of Superior Court office is on the first floor. Hours are Monday through Friday during standard business hours. The building closes on weekends and state holidays. All visitors must pass through a security check at the entrance.
The NC Judicial Branch provides a detailed page for Buncombe County courts.
This page covers court services, calendars, and links to online tools for Buncombe County.
Buncombe County has a large court operation. It runs an Adult Drug Treatment Court at (828) 250-6491, a Veterans Treatment Court at (828) 259-6601, and a Family Court at (828) 259-3415. The Guardian ad Litem program is reached at (828) 259-3443. These specialty courts create their own docket records, all of which are maintained by the clerk. Asheville draws cases from across the county, including Black Mountain, Weaverville, and surrounding towns.
The Buncombe County courthouse building is shown on the NC Courts website.
All court proceedings and record requests go through this building in downtown Asheville.
| Court |
Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court 60 Court Plaza Asheville, NC 28801 Phone: (828) 259-3400 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Website | nccourts.gov/locations/buncombe-county |
Searching for Court Docket Records in Buncombe County
The NC eCourts Portal offers free online access to Buncombe County court records. Search by party name, case number, business name, attorney name, or citation. The portal shows docket entries, hearing dates, case status, and party information. Anonymous users can search without making an account.
The contact directory for Buncombe County has phone numbers for each court office.
Call the clerk at (828) 259-3400 or reach specific departments through the numbers listed for Buncombe County.
In Buncombe County, you can also use the Court Dates search to find upcoming hearings. Type in a name or citation and the tool returns the date, time, and courtroom. This covers all court types in Buncombe County.
For in-person research, go to 60 Court Plaza. Check in through security. The clerk office on the first floor has public terminals for free searches. Staff can pull paper files. You can review documents at the counter. If you need copies, tell the clerk. They will print what you request and charge the per-page fee. Bring cash or a card.
What Buncombe County Docket Records Contain
The court docket is a timeline of a case. Every action gets an entry. Buncombe County processes thousands of cases each year, and each one generates its own docket. The docket starts when the case is filed and ends when the case is closed.
Key items that appear on a Buncombe County court docket include:
- Case filing date and type
- Service of process records
- Motions and court orders
- Hearing dates and outcomes
- Final judgment or dismissal
- Post-judgment filings
The Buncombe County government site links to other county departments.
The Register of Deeds and other offices in Buncombe County may hold related records.
Criminal docket entries in Buncombe County are detailed. They show each charge, the bond amount, every court appearance, plea details, and the sentence. Drug treatment court dockets have additional entries for program compliance. Civil dockets track the lawsuit from complaint through trial or settlement. Judgment indexes under N.C.G.S. § 7A-109 link money judgments to the parties and the case number.
Fees for Buncombe County Court Records
Standard copy fees in Buncombe County are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $3.00 for the first page and $0.25 for each page after. A record check is $25.00 per name. These fees are the same across all North Carolina counties.
The Buncombe County clerk office in Asheville accepts cash, credit and debit cards (with processing fees), money orders, and certified checks. Personal checks are not accepted. MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover are all taken. For mail payments, send a money order or certified check payable to "Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court" at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. Include the case number and specify what you need. Online payment for certain fines is available through the NC Courts website.
Note: An ATM is not mentioned for the Buncombe County courthouse, so bring payment with you.
Public Records Law and Buncombe County
The North Carolina Public Records Act under N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 gives the public access to court records in Buncombe County. Records belong to the people. The clerk must allow inspection during business hours. You do not need to be a party to the case or a resident of the county.
Most court docket records in Buncombe County are fully accessible. This includes criminal cases, civil lawsuits, judgments, estate files, and special proceedings. Restricted categories include juvenile records, sealed files, and certain domestic violence protective orders. For restricted records, you must have elevated access or a court order. The NC Courts page on obtaining records explains the access levels and how to apply for elevated access if needed.
Counties Near Buncombe
Buncombe County is surrounded by other mountain counties in western North Carolina. Each county has its own court docket system managed by its clerk of court.