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Carteret County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Carteret County?

Public records in Carteret County are defined as documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. This definition is established under the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, which mandates that these records are the property of the people.

Carteret County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, small claims, and probate cases maintained by the Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfers recorded by the Register of Deeds office
  • Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and military discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Business Records: Assumed business names, notary public records, and business licenses
  • Tax Records: Property tax information, tax maps, and assessment records
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings and other public boards
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and audits
  • Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest records (with certain restrictions)
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and planning documents
  • Geographic Information System (GIS) Data: Property boundaries, zoning maps, and other spatial data available through the county's GIS portal

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments, with the Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court serving as the primary custodians for many frequently requested documents.

Is Carteret County an Open Records County?

Carteret County fully complies with the North Carolina Public Records Act § 132-1, which establishes that public records shall be "open for inspection by any person." This statute creates a presumption of openness and transparency in government operations throughout North Carolina.

The law specifically states that "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." Furthermore, under § 132-6(a), "Every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."

Carteret County has established a formal public records request process to facilitate citizen access to government information. The county also adheres to North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.10), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public with limited exceptions.

While committed to transparency, the county must also balance open access with privacy protections mandated by state and federal laws. Certain records may be subject to statutory exemptions as outlined in § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.23 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Carteret County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Carteret County may utilize several methods to access information:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:

  2. Submit a Formal Request: For records not available online, individuals may:

    • Complete the county's public records request form
    • Direct requests to the specific department that maintains the desired records
    • Provide sufficient detail to identify the requested records
    • Specify preferred format (electronic or paper copies)

  3. In-Person Inspection: Visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

    • Register of Deeds for property and vital records
    • Clerk of Superior Court for court documents
    • Tax Office for property tax information
    • Planning Department for zoning and land use records

  4. Contact the Records Custodian: Reach out to the designated records custodian for assistance with complex requests or to determine which department maintains specific records.

The county strives to fulfill requests promptly, with many departments providing immediate access to commonly requested documents. For more complex requests, the county will respond within a reasonable timeframe as required by state law.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Carteret County?

Carteret County assesses fees for public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge only the "actual cost" of reproduction. Current standard fees include:

  • Paper Copies:

    • Black and white: $0.10 per page (standard 8.5" x 11")
    • Color copies: $0.25 per page
    • Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$10.00 depending on size

  • Electronic Records:

    • Records provided via email: No charge in most cases
    • Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
    • Records requiring extensive data compilation or programming: Actual labor costs may apply

  • Specialized Record Fees (set by state statute):

    • Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per copy
    • Marriage licenses: $60.00
    • Recording fees for deeds and other real estate documents: $26.00 for first 15 pages, $4.00 for each additional page

The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards for most transactions. Some departments may have limited payment options.

Per state law, inspection of records is available at no charge during regular business hours. Additionally, if a request is deemed to primarily benefit the public interest, certain fee waivers may be considered at the discretion of the records custodian.

Requestors should note that special service fees may apply when requests require extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, as permitted under § 132-6.2(b).

Does Carteret County Have Free Public Records?

Carteret County provides free access to numerous public records through several channels:

  • In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute § 132-6(a), all public records may be inspected and examined at no charge during regular business hours under reasonable supervision.

  • Online Resources: The county offers free access to several digital record repositories:

  • Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at several county offices for free public use, including:

    • Register of Deeds Office for property record searches
    • Clerk of Court for court record searches
    • Public libraries for general county information

  • Routine Disclosures: Certain records regularly published by the county at no charge include:

    • Annual budget documents
    • Financial reports and audits
    • Election results
    • Public notices and announcements

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies or certified documents as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases may require subscription fees for full access to advanced search features.

Who Can Request Public Records in Carteret County?

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-6, "any person" may request public records in Carteret County. This broad eligibility includes:

  • North Carolina residents and non-residents alike
  • Individual citizens
  • Media representatives
  • Businesses and corporations
  • Non-profit organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Legal representatives

Key provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

  • No Residency Requirement: Unlike some states, North Carolina does not restrict public records access to state residents.

  • Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state the purpose of their request. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:

    • Requesting vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
    • Seeking access to one's own confidential records
    • Requesting records with restricted access due to privacy laws

  • Purpose Disclosure: The law does not require requestors to explain why they want records or how they will use them, except in limited circumstances where specific statutory exemptions apply.

  • Proxy Requests: Individuals may authorize representatives to request records on their behalf, though written authorization may be required for certain record types.

  • Commercial Use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though specialized databases may have specific terms of use.

For requests involving confidential information, additional verification may be required to ensure compliance with state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA for medical records and FERPA for educational records.

What Records Are Confidential in Carteret County?

While Carteret County maintains a presumption of openness for public records, certain information is protected from disclosure under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.23 and various federal laws. Records exempt from public disclosure include:

  • Personal Information:

    • Social Security numbers
    • Driver's license numbers
    • Bank account and credit card information
    • Passwords and security codes
    • Personal email addresses and phone numbers of county employees

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Active criminal investigation records
    • Information that would identify confidential informants
    • Criminal intelligence information
    • Juvenile records (protected under § 7B-3000)
    • Records that would jeopardize a person's safety

  • Personnel Records:

    • Employee personnel files (with limited exceptions under § 160A-168)
    • Medical information of employees
    • Performance evaluations and disciplinary actions

  • Legal and Judicial Records:

    • Attorney-client privileged communications
    • Attorney work product
    • Sealed court records and adoption proceedings
    • Certain domestic violence records

  • Business and Economic Development:

    • Trade secrets and proprietary information
    • Certain economic development negotiations prior to public announcement

  • Security Information:

    • Detailed plans for public buildings and infrastructure
    • Emergency response plans
    • Network security information

  • Health and Medical Records:

    • Patient medical records (protected under HIPAA)
    • Communicable disease information
    • Mental health records

  • Educational Records:

    • Student records (protected under FERPA)
    • Standardized test materials

When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by § 132-6(c). The county applies a balancing test when determining whether certain discretionary exemptions apply, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and potential harm from release.

Carteret County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Carteret County Register of Deeds
302 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8474
Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
  • Issuance of marriage licenses
  • Birth and death certificates
  • Military discharge recording
  • Notary public oaths and authentications
  • Business name registrations (assumed names)

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Carteret County Clerk of Superior Court
300 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 504-4400
Carteret County Courts

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays

Carteret County Tax Office
302 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
(252) 728-8485
Tax Administration

Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Carteret County

Register of Deeds

Carteret County Courts

Public Records Request Portal

Carteret County GIS Maps

Real Estate Records

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