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Granville County, NC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Granville County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Clerk of Superior Court, Granville County. The clerk is the ex officio judge of probate for estate matters. |
| Courthouse address | Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main St, Oxford, NC 27565. |
| Mailing address | Clerk of Superior Court, Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565. The published mailing address is the same as the courthouse street address. |
| Phone | (919) 690-4800. This is published as both the courthouse main line and the Clerk of Superior Court line. No separate estates phone line is published. |
| Fax | No clerk fax number is published on the Granville County court pages. |
| No office email address is published for the Granville County clerk. Use the phone number. | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday. No lunch closure or filing cutoff is published. |
| Opening cost | For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a minimum gross-estate assessment of $15.00 per filing and a cap of $6,000.00 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307). |
| Payment methods | By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Granville County Clerk of Superior Court. No cash or personal checks by mail. In person, the courthouse accepts cash, credit or debit cards with processing fees and some restrictions, money orders and certified checks. No personal checks. |
| Local estate forms | Granville publishes no local estate checklist, local estate cover sheet or local estate calendar request. Use the statewide Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms. |
| E-filing | File & Serve is available through eCourts. Attorneys use File & Serve. Self-represented filers may use it but should call the clerk about the original will and any paper step before filing. |
| Case search | Use the statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. If a Granville estate file does not appear, call the clerk at (919) 690-4800. |
| Remote appearance | Granville publishes no county-specific remote-appearance practice for estate matters. North Carolina law permits audio and video proceedings in some circumstances (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6), but ask the clerk before assuming a remote option exists. |
| Court website | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/granville-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you choose a filing path in Granville County, list what the person owned, what was jointly owned, what passes by beneficiary designation, what debts are known, and whether there is an original will. The clerk in Oxford will need the right statewide form, a certified death certificate, the will if there is one, and an initial picture of the estate property.
Sunset's estate settlement tools can help you build that picture before you call or visit the Granville County clerk. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help families find accounts, insurance, investments and other assets that are easy to miss during estate settlement.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Granville County estate filings go to the Clerk of Superior Court at the Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main St, Oxford, NC 27565. The Judicial Branch publishes one Granville County courthouse location for the county.
Granville County includes Oxford, Butner, Creedmoor, Stem and Stovall. Venue is based on the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a person not domiciled in North Carolina, a county where the person left property or into which estate property has come (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1). Estate venue is a county rule, not a district rule.
The jurisdiction process
- Identify the will, heirs, assets, debts and any jointly owned or beneficiary-designated property before filing. This helps you decide whether Granville County is the right venue and which statewide AOC estate form fits the situation.
- Call the Granville County clerk at (919) 690-4800 before traveling to Oxford. Granville publishes no booking link and no walk-in policy for opening an estate, so ask what the clerk wants you to bring and how the original will should be delivered.
- Prepare the statewide estate form. Use AOC-E-201 for an estate with a will, AOC-E-202 when there is no will, AOC-E-203B for collection of personal property by affidavit, or the appropriate summary administration form when that statewide procedure fits.
- File with the Clerk of Superior Court at the Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main St, Oxford, NC 27565, or mail to Clerk of Superior Court, Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565. Include the certified death certificate and the original will if there is one, after asking the clerk how the original will should be handled.
- Pay the estate costs by an accepted method. For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with the gross-estate assessment capped at $6,000.00 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307). Granville accepts money orders or certified checks by mail and does not accept personal checks.
- If the clerk issues letters testamentary or letters of administration, publish and mail the notice to creditors as North Carolina law requires. The notice period and claims rules are statewide, but the estate is administered through the Granville County clerk.
- File the inventory and later accounts on the statewide AOC forms. AOC-E-505 is the inventory, and AOC-E-506 is used for accounts.
- If the clerk sets a hearing or asks for more information, ask whether the matter is in person or whether any remote option is available. Granville publishes no estate-specific remote-hearing order, and statewide remote authority is permissive (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6).
- Use the letters to collect estate assets, pay valid claims and expenses, distribute property, and close the estate with the Granville County clerk when administration is complete.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Granville County
Granville County publishes no local estate checklist, local estate cover sheet, local estate calendar request or local estate form beyond the statewide Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms. The county local rules and forms page lists district court and superior court materials, but not estate paperwork for opening or administering a decedent's estate.
| Form | Use in Granville County |
|---|---|
| AOC-E-201 | Application for probate and letters testamentary or letters of administration c.t.a. Use for an estate with a will. |
| AOC-E-202 | Application for letters of administration. Use for an estate with no will. |
| AOC-E-203B | Affidavit for collection of personal property of decedent. Use to open the statewide collection by affidavit path when it fits. |
| AOC-E-204 | Affidavit of collection, disbursement and distribution. Use to close a collection by affidavit, not to start one. |
| AOC-E-505 | Inventory for decedent's estate. |
| AOC-E-506 | Account for annual or final accounting. |
| AOC-E-905 | Application for probate and petition for summary administration when there is a will. |
| AOC-E-906 | Petition for summary administration of estate without a will. |
| AOC-E-650 | Estates action cover sheet, when needed for the estate filing. |
Find the statewide form library at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms and filter to Estate (E). Some forms are tied to the date of death, so use the form library rather than an old saved copy.
Local nuance
Granville County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| One published clerk phone number | Call (919) 690-4800 for estate filing questions. The Granville contact directory lists the same number for the courthouse and the Clerk of Superior Court, and no separate estates line is published. |
| Same street and mailing address | Granville publishes 101 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565 as the clerk's mailing address. It is not a separate P.O. Box mailing county. |
| Payment restrictions | By mail, use money order or certified check only. In person, the courthouse accepts cash, card, money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted. |
| No local estate paperwork | Granville estate filings use the statewide AOC estate forms. The county local rules and forms page does not publish a local estate checklist or local estate cover sheet. |
| No booking link | Granville does not publish an estate appointment scheduler or a walk-in statement. Call before going to Oxford to open an estate. |
| No estate remote-hearing practice published | Do not assume qualification or a hearing can happen by video. Ask the clerk about any remote option for your specific matter. |
Recent updates
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Granville County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse w/ co-owned home | Start by separating the co-owned home from assets that actually need estate administration. If a spousal procedure or regular estate filing is needed, file with the Granville County clerk in Oxford and ask how the original will should be delivered. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts, insurance and beneficiary assets so the spouse does not open a larger estate settlement process than needed. |
| Out-of-state adult child w/ small estate | Call (919) 690-4800 before traveling because Granville publishes no appointment policy. If the statewide collection by affidavit path fits, AOC-E-203B starts that process, and AOC-E-204 closes it. | Sunset helps build the asset list, prepare the packet, and connect the adult child with a North Carolina probate attorney if distance, bond or institution requirements become a problem. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale usually requires careful title review and may require full estate administration through the Granville County clerk. If a dispute, caveat or damages claim arises, the matter may move beyond what the clerk can decide. | Sunset helps organize the estate settlement documents and can connect the parent with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney for the real-property and court steps. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court, Granville County | The filing office for Granville estate matters. Staff can explain filing logistics and what to bring, but cannot give legal advice. | Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main St, Oxford, NC 27565. Phone (919) 690-4800. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/granville-county |
| Granville County contact directory | The Judicial Branch list of courthouse contacts for Granville County. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/granville-county/contact-directory |
| Granville County payment information | Explains accepted payment methods by mail and in person. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/granville-county/granville-county-payment-information |
| North Carolina Judicial Branch estates help topic | Plain-language court information on wills, letters, what to bring to the clerk, and estate administration basics. | https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/wills-and-estates/estates |
| Decedent's estate procedures pamphlet | Administrative Office of the Courts pamphlet for executors, administrators, collectors by affidavit and summary administration. | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/publications/decedents-estate-procedures-pamphlet |
| Statewide estate forms | The AOC form library used for Granville estate filings. Filter to Estate (E). | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms |
| Portal | Statewide case search, hearing search and online payment when a case is eligible. | https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ |
| Guide & File | Free guided document preparation. It currently offers a probate interview for summary administration, and the Judicial Branch has announced additional probate interviews. | https://northcarolina.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina, Durham office | Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents of Granville County. Ask at intake whether your estate question fits the organization's help areas. | 411 W. Chapel Hill Rd., Suite 1A, Durham, NC 27701. Toll free 1-800-331-7594. Local (919) 688-6396. Statewide helpline 1-866-219-5262, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. https://legalaidnc.org/get-help/offices/ |
When to hire an attorney
You may be able to handle a straightforward Granville County estate without a lawyer, but counsel is sensible when real property must be sold or title must be cleared, heirs disagree, a caveat is threatened, creditors are pressing claims, the personal representative lives outside North Carolina and bond is an issue, or the dispute is one the clerk cannot decide. The clerk of superior court handles estate proceedings, while monetary-damages claims, caveats and certain other matters belong in the Superior Court Division (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-2-4). Sunset connects families with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches across more than 2,300 institutions to help identify bank accounts, investments, insurance, retirement assets and other property that may affect the Granville County estate settlement.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset helps organize the information families need for the statewide AOC estate forms and the documents the Granville County clerk will expect, including the death certificate, will information and asset list.
Find a local probate attorney. When the estate involves a home sale, a dispute, creditor pressure, an out-of-state personal representative or a court issue beyond the clerk's role, Sunset can connect the family with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Families can use Sunset to understand the estate settlement workflow, locate assets, prepare for the clerk's counter in Oxford and decide whether attorney help is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate in Granville County?
File with the Clerk of Superior Court at the Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main St, Oxford, NC 27565. The published mailing address is Clerk of Superior Court, Granville County Courthouse, 101 Main Street, Oxford, NC 27565.
Does Granville County have a separate estates phone number?
No separate estates line is published. The Judicial Branch lists (919) 690-4800 as both the Granville County Courthouse main line and the Clerk of Superior Court line.
Do I need an appointment to open an estate in Granville County?
Granville County does not publish a booking link or a walk-in policy for opening an estate. Call (919) 690-4800 before going to Oxford and ask what the clerk wants you to bring.
Can I e-file a Granville County estate case?
File & Serve is available through eCourts. Attorneys use File & Serve, and self-represented filers may use it. Because Granville does not publish instructions for delivering an original will, call the clerk before assuming every step can be completed online.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Granville County?
For costs assessed or collected on or after January 1, 2026, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of the gross estate, with a minimum gross-estate assessment of $15.00 per filing and a cap of $6,000.00 (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307).
What payment methods does the Granville County clerk accept?
By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Granville County Clerk of Superior Court. Do not mail cash or a personal check. In person, the courthouse accepts cash, credit or debit cards with processing fees and some restrictions, money orders and certified checks. Personal checks are not accepted.
Does Granville County publish local probate forms?
Granville County publishes no local estate checklist, local estate cover sheet or local estate calendar request. Use the statewide AOC estate forms at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms and filter to Estate (E).
Can I look up a Granville County estate case online?
Use the statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. The Portal may require sign-in and a human check before a search runs. If a Granville estate file does not appear, call the clerk at (919) 690-4800.
Can I appear remotely for a Granville County estate matter?
Granville County publishes no estate-specific remote-appearance order. North Carolina law permits some proceedings by audio and video transmission (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6), but you should ask the clerk whether any remote option applies to your matter.
Shaped by the families we've helped
Thank you to the thousands of families who have trusted Sunset to help settle their loved ones' estates. This page is shaped by the questions they actually asked and the obstacles they actually hit — and that hard-won experience is what keeps it accurate, current, and genuinely useful to the families who come next.