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Randolph County, NC Probate Information
Quick facts
| Item | Randolph County information |
|---|---|
| Court | Clerk of Superior Court, Randolph County. North Carolina estate matters are handled before the clerk of superior court, who serves as ex officio judge of probate. |
| Courthouse address | Randolph County Courthouse, 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203 |
| Mailing address | Clerk of Superior Court, Randolph County Courthouse, 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203 |
| Appointments | Estates and Special Proceedings are by appointment only as of January 2026. Call (336) 328-3001 to schedule. Upset bids are excluded from that appointment process. |
| Clerk phone | (336) 328-3100. The Randolph contact directory does not publish a separate line labeled Estates. |
| Courthouse main phone | (336) 328-3000 |
| Fax | No clerk fax for estate filings is published by the Judicial Branch for Randolph County. |
| No office email for the Randolph clerk is published. Call the appointment or clerk phone number instead. | |
| Clerk hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The courthouse building opens at 8:00 a.m. |
| Filing cost | Under the January 1, 2026 estates costs chart, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307). |
| Payment methods | By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court. Do not mail cash or a personal check. In person, the Cashier's Office on the second floor accepts cash, credit or debit card with processing fees, money order or certified check. No personal checks. |
| Local forms | Randolph publishes no local estate form. Estate filings use the statewide Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms. |
| E-filing | File & Serve is the statewide e-filing system. Attorneys must use File & Serve. Self-represented filers may use it, but may also need a paper step for an original will. Ask about the original will when scheduling the appointment. |
| Case search | Use the statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. If the estate file does not appear, call the Randolph clerk at (336) 328-3100. |
| Remote appearance | North Carolina law permits audio and video proceedings in some situations (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6), but Randolph County publishes no remote appearance practice for estate matters. Ask the clerk if a hearing is set. |
| Website | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county |
Before you begin — know the assets and liabilities
Before you call Randolph County for an estate appointment, make a working list of the decedent's accounts, debts, vehicles, real estate and other property. The clerk's staff will expect the correct statewide form and a preliminary inventory, and the right path depends on what exists and who has authority to collect it.
Sunset helps with estate settlement by searching across more than 2,300 financial institutions for accounts and assets, then organizing what you need before the Randolph appointment. That preparation is especially useful because Randolph handles Estates and Special Proceedings by appointment only.
Which court handles jurisdiction
Randolph County estate filings go to the Clerk of Superior Court at the Randolph County Courthouse, 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203. The published court location for Randolph County is the courthouse in Asheboro; the Archdale Magistrate's Office is not an estate filing counter.
Randolph County includes Asheboro, Archdale, Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman, Seagrove, Staley and Trinity. Venue for probate of a will and estate administration is generally the county where the decedent was domiciled at death, or, for a decedent not domiciled in North Carolina, a county where the decedent left property or where estate property has come (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-3-1).
The jurisdiction process
- List the assets, debts, heirs and any will before choosing the filing path. If there is a will, keep the original safe and ask the clerk how to deliver it when you schedule.
- Call (336) 328-3001 to schedule the Randolph Estates and Special Proceedings appointment. Do this before traveling to the courthouse because the appointment rule has applied since January 2026.
- Choose the correct statewide estate form. Common starting forms include AOC-E-201 for a will, AOC-E-202 when there is no will, AOC-E-203B for collection by affidavit and the summary administration forms when that path fits.
- Gather the will if there is one, a certified death certificate, the application and preliminary inventory. Randolph families can obtain certified death certificates through the Randolph County Register of Deeds.
- File with the Clerk of Superior Court at 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203, or ask the clerk how mailed materials interact with the appointment requirement.
- Pay the court costs using an accepted Randolph payment method. Under the January 1, 2026 estates costs chart, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307).
- If letters are issued, publish and mail the required notice to creditors, then keep proof and claim information with the estate file.
- File the inventory and later accounts on the statewide AOC forms. Use AOC-E-505 for the inventory and AOC-E-506 for accounts.
- If the clerk sets a hearing, ask whether it will be in person or whether another format is available. Randolph publishes no estate specific remote appearance procedure, and audio or video proceedings depend on the judicial official's direction under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6).
- Administer the estate, pay valid claims and expenses, distribute the remaining property and close the estate with the required account or closing filing.
Forms and documents
Probate forms in Randolph County
Randolph County does not publish a local estate packet, local estate checklist or local estate cover sheet. Its published local rules and forms are for superior civil, district civil, domestic and juvenile matters, not decedent's estates.
| Form | Use in Randolph County |
|---|---|
| AOC-E-201 | Application for probate and letters testamentary or administration CTA when there is a will. |
| AOC-E-202 | Application for letters of administration when there is no will. |
| AOC-E-203B | Affidavit for collection of personal property of decedent. This opens a collection by affidavit. |
| AOC-E-204 | Affidavit of collection, disbursement and distribution. This closes a collection by affidavit. |
| AOC-E-505 | Inventory for decedent's estate. |
| AOC-E-506 | Account. |
| AOC-E-905 and AOC-E-906 | Summary administration forms, depending on whether there is a will. |
| AOC-E-100 | Year's allowance petition. Use the form library rather than an old saved PDF because versions depend on the date of death. |
Find the statewide estate form library at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms and filter to Estate (E).
Local nuance
Randolph County-specific considerations
| Local point | What it means |
|---|---|
| Appointments only for estates | As of January 2026, Randolph takes Estates and Special Proceedings by appointment only. Call (336) 328-3001 before going to the courthouse. |
| Two phone numbers have different uses | Use (336) 328-3001 to book an estates appointment. Use (336) 328-3100 for the Clerk of Superior Court line listed in the contact directory. |
| One address, no P.O. box | File in person or mail to the same Suite 201 courthouse address in Asheboro. |
| Clerk hours and building hours differ | The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The courthouse building opens at 8:00 a.m. |
| Payment methods are restricted | By mail, use a money order or certified check only. In person, the second floor Cashier's Office accepts cash, card with processing fees, money order or certified check. No personal checks. |
| No local estate paperwork | Randolph uses statewide AOC estate forms and publishes no local estate form. |
| Certified death certificates | The Randolph County Register of Deeds handles certified death certificates, not the clerk of superior court. |
Recent updates
| Date | Local change | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | The Randolph County clerk's office began taking Estates and Special Proceedings by appointment only. The courthouse page directs callers to (336) 328-3001 and states that upset bids are excluded from the appointment process. | The first step for a Randolph family starting estate settlement is to call for an appointment rather than arrive at the Asheboro counter without one. |
Scenarios
| Situation | Likely Randolph County path | Where Sunset helps |
|---|---|---|
| Surviving spouse with co-owned home | Confirm how the home is titled and what personal property needs to be collected, then call (336) 328-3001 for a Randolph Estates and Special Proceedings appointment. A spouse who is the sole heir or devisee may have options that differ from a general full administration. | Sunset helps identify accounts, debts and property so the spouse can ask the clerk or attorney about the right filing path with a clearer asset picture. |
| Out-of-state adult child with small estate | Call before traveling because Randolph estate matters are appointment only. If collection by affidavit is the correct path, use AOC-E-203B and ask how the clerk wants any original will delivered. Mail goes to the Suite 201 courthouse address, and mailed payments must be money order or certified check. | Sunset organizes the estate settlement checklist, helps find accounts and can prepare a probate packet for review before the appointment. |
| Parent settling predeceased child's estate, home must be sold | A home sale or title clearing issue often points toward full administration and careful handling of real property. File in Randolph if venue belongs there, and consider counsel if heirs, title or creditors create disputes. | Sunset helps assemble asset information and connects the family with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney when real estate or disputes make the filing more complex. |
Self-help resources
| Resource | How it helps | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Superior Court, Randolph County | Filing counter for Randolph estate matters. Estates and Special Proceedings are by appointment only. | Randolph County Courthouse, 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203. Appointments: (336) 328-3001. Clerk: (336) 328-3100. https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county |
| Randolph County Courthouse page | Shows the courthouse address, clerk office hours and the estates appointment instruction. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county/randolph-county-courthouse |
| Randolph County contact directory | Shows the Clerk of Superior Court line and other courthouse contacts. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county/contact-directory |
| Randolph County payment information | Explains accepted mail and in person payment methods for the Randolph clerk. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county/randolph-county-payment-information |
| Randolph County local rules and forms | Shows the local rules and forms Randolph publishes. It does not include local estate forms. | https://www.nccourts.gov/locations/randolph-county/randolph-county-local-rules-and-forms |
| Randolph County Register of Deeds | Source for certified death certificates for deaths handled through Randolph County vital records. | 158 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203. (336) 318-6960. https://www.ncard.us/find-your-register-of-deeds/randolph-county/ |
| North Carolina Judicial Branch estates help topic | Statewide court guidance on wills, letters, what to bring to the clerk and related estate questions. | https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/wills-and-estates/estates |
| Decedent's estate procedures pamphlet | Administrative Office of the Courts pamphlet summarizing procedures for executors, administrators, collectors by affidavit and summary administration. | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/publications/decedents-estate-procedures-pamphlet |
| Statewide estate forms | Administrative Office of the Courts form library used for Randolph estate filings. Filter to Estate (E). | https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms |
| Portal | Statewide case search, hearing search and online payment where a case is eligible. | https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/ |
| Guide & File | Free guided document preparation. Its estate coverage includes a guided interview for summary administration. | https://northcarolina.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina, Greensboro office | Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents in its service area, which includes Randolph County. Ask at intake whether the estate question fits their help areas. | 122 N Elm St, Ste 700, Greensboro, NC 27401-2842. Local 336-272-0148. Toll free 1-800-951-2257. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. https://legalaidnc.org/get-help/offices/ |
When to hire an attorney
Counsel makes sense in Randolph County when real property must be sold or title must be cleared through the estate, when heirs disagree, when a caveat is threatened, when creditors are pressing claims, when the personal representative lives out of state and bond is an issue, or when the matter is one the clerk cannot decide and belongs in the Superior Court Division under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-2-4). Sunset connects the family to a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
How Sunset helps
Find the accounts and assets. Sunset searches more than 2,300 financial institutions and helps build the asset picture you need before calling Randolph County for an estate appointment.
Generate the probate packet. Sunset organizes the information for estate settlement and helps prepare the packet around the correct North Carolina AOC forms, so you know what still needs clerk or attorney review.
Find a local probate attorney. If real estate, creditors, heirs or a court transfer make the Randolph filing more complex, Sunset can connect you with a vetted North Carolina probate attorney.
Sunset is free for families. Sunset helps families move from uncertainty to an organized estate settlement plan without charging families for the core support.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file probate paperwork in Randolph County?
File with the Clerk of Superior Court at the Randolph County Courthouse, 176 East Salisbury St, Suite 201, Asheboro, NC 27203. Randolph County estate matters are handled in Asheboro, not at the Archdale Magistrate's Office.
Do I need an appointment to open an estate in Randolph County?
Yes. As of January 2026, Randolph County takes Estates and Special Proceedings by appointment only. Call (336) 328-3001 before going to the courthouse.
Does Randolph County have a separate estates phone number?
The Randolph contact directory does not list a separate line labeled Estates. It lists the Clerk of Superior Court at (336) 328-3100. The courthouse page separately gives (336) 328-3001 for Estates and Special Proceedings appointments.
How much does it cost to open an estate in Randolph County?
Under the January 1, 2026 estates costs chart, opening an estate costs $120.00 in court costs (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307), plus 40 cents per $100.00 of gross estate, with a $15.00 minimum per filing and a $6,000.00 cap (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-307).
What payment methods does the Randolph County clerk accept?
By mail, use a money order or certified check payable to Randolph County Clerk of Superior Court. Do not mail cash or personal checks. In person, the Cashier's Office on the second floor accepts cash, credit or debit card with processing fees, money order or certified check. No personal checks.
Does Randolph County have local probate forms?
No. Randolph County publishes no local estate form or estate packet. Use the statewide Administrative Office of the Courts estate forms at https://www.nccourts.gov/documents/forms and filter to Estate (E).
Can I appear remotely for a Randolph County estate hearing?
North Carolina law permits a judicial official to conduct some proceedings by audio and video transmission (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-49.6). Randolph County publishes no remote appearance practice for estate matters, so ask the clerk what applies if a hearing is set.
How do I look up a Randolph County estate case?
Use the statewide Portal at https://portal-nc.tylertech.cloud/Portal/. The site may require sign in or a verification step. If the estate file does not appear, call the Randolph clerk at (336) 328-3100.
Can I e-file an estate in Randolph County?
File & Serve is the statewide e-filing system. Attorneys must use File & Serve, and self-represented filers may use it. Randolph does not publish how an original will should be delivered, so ask about that paper step when calling (336) 328-3001 for the appointment.
Do I have to travel to Asheboro to start a Randolph County estate?
Not always, but do not assume the whole start can be handled online or by mail. Call (336) 328-3001 first because Randolph handles Estates and Special Proceedings by appointment only and does not publish a rule for original will delivery.
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.