North Carolina public records
North Carolina's eCourts services provide court access, while county registers of deeds and assessors handle different property records. The Secretary of State covers entity filings and Vital Records covers eligible certificates. A public-records request to an agency uses a promptness standard, not a universal fixed-day deadline.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsNorth Carolina Judicial Branch | Follow eCourts Portal instructions for public case information and court contacts. | Portal access and certified clerk copies are separate. Protected records and restricted documents are excluded; confirm coverage and official copies with the clerk. |
| Property and land recordsNorth Carolina Department of Revenue | Locate the county assessor for parcels and register of deeds for recorded instruments. | County document fees vary. Assessment values and a recorded chain of title are different records. |
| Business recordsNorth Carolina Secretary of State | Use Business Registration search for entities and filed documents. | Basic search and certification services differ. Corporate registration is separate from local assumed-business-name filings and professional licenses. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceNorth Carolina Vital Records | Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate instructions. | Search and certificate fees apply. Eligibility and record dates control access; a divorce certificate is not the full court decree. |
| Criminal-history checksNorth Carolina State Bureau of Investigation | Choose personal review or an authorized fingerprint-based check. | Check and fingerprint fees depend on purpose. SBI repository access differs from county court records or a name-based court search. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in North Carolina
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may inspect and obtain copies of public records, subject to statutory exceptions. The custodian cannot ordinarily require an explanation of purpose.
- How to submit
- Identify the North Carolina agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- Records must be supplied as promptly as possible. North Carolina does not set a single routine response-day deadline for every request.
- Fees and estimates
- Ordinary copies are charged at actual reproduction cost. Extensive information technology or clerical assistance may justify a reasonable special service charge.
- If access is denied
- Ask for the exemption and a narrower release of public portions. The requester may seek a court order for access and use applicable mediation procedures.
North Carolina records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: North Carolina public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. §§ 132-1 to 132-10), I request electronic copies of the city's issued permit and final inspection reports for [address and permit number]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
North Carolina public records FAQ
Where can I find North Carolina court records?
Follow eCourts Portal instructions for public case information and court contacts. Protected records and restricted documents are excluded; confirm coverage and official copies with the clerk.
Sources: North Carolina Judicial BranchAre North Carolina public records free?
Ordinary copies are charged at actual reproduction cost. Extensive information technology or clerical assistance may justify a reasonable special service charge. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: North Carolina official public-records guidance; North Carolina Judicial Branch; North Carolina Vital RecordsHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in North Carolina?
Choose birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate instructions. Eligibility and record dates control access; a divorce certificate is not the full court decree.
Sources: North Carolina Vital Records; North Carolina Judicial BranchIs a North Carolina court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. SBI repository access differs from county court records or a name-based court search. Choose personal review or an authorized fingerprint-based check.
Sources: North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation; North Carolina Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- North Carolina official public-records guidance — checked
- North Carolina Judicial Branch — checked
- North Carolina Department of Revenue — checked
- North Carolina Secretary of State — checked
- North Carolina Vital Records — checked
- North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions