Common Questions About Buncombe County Court Records
The questions below come up most often when people try to find Buncombe County court records, visit the courthouse, or deal with the jail and vital records offices. Each answer is based on official sources and links to the relevant page on this site for more detail.
How do I search Buncombe County court records online?
Use the North Carolina eCourts Smart Search. Enter a record number or a name in Last, First Middle Suffix format, then open Advanced Filtering Options and set the location to Buncombe County. The Portal requires JavaScript and cookies and throws a CAPTCHA every five minutes. Wildcard rules are strict: a case-number search needs at least four characters, a business or nickname search needs four characters plus an asterisk, and a person-name wildcard needs three last-name letters plus one first-name letter, each with an asterisk. Full details on using the Portal are on the Buncombe County court records page.
How do I find a Buncombe County court date?
Open the eCourts Search Hearings page. The form asks for location, hearing type, and either a name or case number. Select Buncombe County, then pick the hearing type if you know it: Civil, Criminal, Family, or Probate and Mental Health. The N.C. Judicial Branch Buncombe County page also has a direct "Find a court date" link that leads to the same tool. Hearing schedules can shift, so check the day before a court appearance.
Where is the Buncombe County Courthouse?
The Buncombe County Courthouse is at 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801. The main number is (828) 259-3400. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry is at street level, and elevators reach all office floors. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. A security checkpoint scans bags and everyone passes through a metal detector before entering. Superior Court, District Court, the Clerk of Superior Court, and magistrates are all in this building.
Where should I park when visiting the courthouse?
The Buncombe County Parking Deck at 164 College Street sits across from the courthouse. Jurors park free there when the automated ticket is validated by the jury clerk. Register of Deeds staff can validate up to one hour of parking for visitors to that office at 205 College Street. The court's website does not publish a rate schedule for non-juror parking, so confirm current rates before you arrive.
What happens if I miss a court date?
Missing court can result in an order for arrest and a financial penalty. If you miss a scheduled court date, contact your attorney right away. If you do not have a lawyer, the Clerk of Superior Court page directs people to call the District Attorney's Office at (828) 259-3410 or the Clerk at (828) 259-3400. Acting quickly matters: the longer you wait, the harder it can be to address an active warrant. See the Buncombe County warrant records page for more on orders for arrest.
Who keeps divorce records in Buncombe County?
The Clerk of Superior Court keeps divorce records because divorce is a court proceeding, not a vital records matter. The Register of Deeds FAQ specifically states that the Register does not handle divorce information and sends those questions to the Clerk at (828) 259-3400. Divorce filings are District Court family matters and are searchable through eCourts to the extent they are public. For the full picture of what each office holds, see the Buncombe County marriage and divorce records page.
Who handles probate and estate records in Buncombe County?
The Clerk of Superior Court serves as judge of probate and handles all probate and estate matters. That means wills, estate administration, appointment of personal representatives, guardianship petitions, conservatorship orders, and audits of estate accountings all go through the same office at 60 Court Plaza. The Register of Deeds does not handle probate or estate files and will redirect those questions to the Clerk. For more on what the probate process involves in Buncombe, see the Buncombe County probate records page.
Are Register of Deeds records public?
Yes, with one main exception. Records filed in the Buncombe County Register of Deeds are public and available to anyone. Military discharge records (DD-214 forms) are restricted because of the sensitive personal and financial data they contain. Certified vital records such as birth, death, and marriage certificates are also available for viewing, but certified copies carry eligibility restrictions: they are limited to the person named, immediate family, authorized agents, or legal representatives. The Register of Deeds is at 205 College Street, Asheville.
How much is a marriage license in Buncombe County?
The marriage license fee is $60. Both parties must appear in person at the Register of Deeds with valid photo identification and Social Security cards or an accepted alternative or affidavit. Licenses are issued Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM and are valid for 60 days. They can be used anywhere in North Carolina. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the license to the Register within 10 days. For more requirements and the certified copy fee, see the marriage and divorce records page.
Can I get married at the Buncombe County Courthouse?
Yes. Civil ceremonies are offered on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM on the second floor of the Buncombe County Courthouse in Courtroom 2D. The fee is $50, payable in cash or money order with exact change. Parties must bring two signed copies of the marriage license and two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The ceremony is performed by the Clerk or a deputy clerk. No reservations are taken; it is first-come, first-served within the available window.
How do I look up a Buncombe County inmate?
Use the official Police-to-Citizen Inmate Inquiry tool, linked from the county's jail resources page. Search by name to see current custody status and booking information. If the tool is unavailable or custody status is urgent, call the Buncombe County Detention Facility directly at (828) 250-4550. The full roster and booking process are covered on the Buncombe County inmate records page.
Where is the Buncombe County Jail?
The Buncombe County Detention Facility is at 20 Davidson Drive, Asheville, NC 28801. The main number is (828) 250-4550. Captain Jeffrey Littrell serves as Facility Administrator. The facility holds people for local, state, and federal agencies. The front desk can be reached at (828) 250-4610 or (828) 250-4557. The Criminal Magistrate line is (828) 250-4690. For release notification and related tools, see the inmate records page.
What are visitation hours at the Buncombe County jail?
On-site visits run Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM and 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Each visit is a 20-minute interval. Visits must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance. First-time visitors can set up a visit at the Detention Facility Front Desk. Contact the facility at (828) 250-4550 to confirm current availability, as schedules can change.
Can I send mail to a Buncombe County inmate?
Standard postal mail from family and friends is no longer accepted directly at the detention facility. Effective October 3, 2022, the Buncombe County Detention Facility stopped accepting non-privileged mail at the facility address. All family and friend mail must go through TextBehind, either electronically or by sending handwritten mail to the TextBehind processing address. Privileged legal mail follows different rules. To put money on an inmate account, use InmateCanteen.com online or the lobby kiosk at the detention facility. Customer service for deposits is 1-866-933-6386.
What is eCourts, and what does it include?
eCourts is North Carolina's statewide electronic case management and public access system. All 100 counties moved onto the Enterprise Justice and Odyssey platform as of October 13, 2025. The public-facing services include the eCourts Portal for case search and hearing lookup, File and Serve for attorneys, Guide and File for self-represented litigants, online payments for eligible criminal and infraction cases, and NC Judgment Search. There is no charge to search public case records. The Portal requires JavaScript and cookies to run.
What is Guide and File?
Guide and File is a free online tool that asks questions and helps users prepare court documents without a lawyer. Buncombe County's Clerk page lists the categories available through Guide and File: Absolute Divorce, Adult Guardianship, Adult Name Change, Domestic Violence Protective Order, Motion to Claim Exempt Property, indigency petitions, several probate options, small claims, and summary ejectment. After Guide and File generates the forms, the user still needs to file them with the Clerk of Superior Court and pay any required filing fees.
How do I get a certified copy of a marriage certificate?
Certified marriage certificates come from the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 205 College Street. In person, bring valid photo ID and payment. Online, use the Personal Records Purchase website. By mail, send a copy of valid photo ID, payment, a completed Vital Records Request Form, and a stamped self-addressed envelope to the Register. The fee for a certified marriage certificate is $10. Certified copies are limited to the person named, immediate family, an authorized agent, or a legal representative.
How do I pay a traffic citation in Buncombe County?
There are three ways to pay an eligible traffic citation. By mail, send a money order or certified check payable to "Buncombe County Clerk of Superior Court, c/o Court Payments, 60 Court Plaza, Asheville, NC 28801." The Clerk does not accept cash or personal checks by mail. In person, the Clerk's office on the first floor of the courthouse accepts cash, credit and debit cards (with a processing fee), money orders, and certified checks but not personal checks. Online payments through the eCourts Make Payments portal accept credit and debit cards with a processing fee when the case is eligible. See the traffic court records page for more detail.
Are juvenile records public in North Carolina?
Generally no. An adjudication that a juvenile is delinquent or undisciplined is not a public record under North Carolina law. Chapter 7B Article 30 restricts who may view juvenile court records, and access requires a court order in most cases. This applies to cases handled in Buncombe County District Court as it does everywhere in the state. Adoption records are sealed under Chapter 48. If you have questions about sealed or restricted records, contact the Clerk of Superior Court at (828) 259-3400.
How do I start an expunction in Buncombe County?
Start by identifying the statute that matches your situation. Common categories include dismissed or not-guilty charges under G.S. 15A-146 and certain nonviolent convictions under G.S. 15A-145.5. File the petition in the county where the charge or conviction occurred, which for Buncombe cases means the Clerk of Superior Court at 60 Court Plaza. The process typically requires a petition form, affidavits, notice to the district attorney, and a judge's order. The N.C. Judicial Branch expunction guide at nccourts.gov explains each category and links to the correct forms.
What federal court covers Buncombe County?
Buncombe County falls within the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina. The Asheville federal courthouse is at 100 Otis Street, Asheville, NC 28801, and the main number is (828) 771-7400. Federal bankruptcy cases go to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of North Carolina, also at 100 Otis Street, at (828) 771-7300. Federal case records are searchable through PACER. Appeals from the Western District go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Still Have Questions About Buncombe County Court Records?
For the right office and request procedures, see Clerk of Superior Court. For broader access rules and how to file a public records request, see public records. For records by topic, browse court records, arrest records, inmate records, warrant records, marriage and divorce, probate records, Register of Deeds, or traffic court records. If you need to reach the courthouse directly, call (828) 259-3400 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Note: Online court records may lag behind new filings or dispositions. Always confirm case details with the Clerk of Superior Court before relying on them for a legal, financial, or personal decision.