Beaufort County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Beaufort County?

Public records in Beaufort County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1 as all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, 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. Beaufort County, as a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is fully subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records available to members of the public.

The following categories of records are currently maintained and accessible through various Beaufort County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may access civil and criminal court filings, including judgments, case histories, and docket information, through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Beaufort County Register of Deeds. Members of the public may search the official records public search portal to locate recorded documents.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are maintained at the state level by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Section, with local access available through the Register of Deeds for certain marriage records.
Business records — Assumed business name registrations, permits, and licenses are filed with the Register of Deeds or the Beaufort County Planning and Inspections Department.
Tax records — Property tax assessments and payment histories are maintained by the Beaufort County Tax Assessor's Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Beaufort County Board of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are maintained by the County Manager's Office and Clerk to the Board.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Beaufort County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Beaufort County Planning Department.

Is Beaufort County an Open Records County?

Beaufort County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, 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. This statute further provides that the custodian shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies of the records upon payment of any fees authorized by law.

North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, operates in conjunction with the state's Open Meetings Law under Chapter 143, Article 33C, commonly referred to as the "Sunshine Law." These provisions collectively ensure that Beaufort County government operations remain transparent and accessible to the public. The county does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in accordance with the standards established by the North Carolina General Assembly. The NC Department of Administration's Division of Archives and Records provides additional guidance on accessing public records online without the need to submit a formal request in many instances.

How to Find Public Records in Beaufort County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Beaufort County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records by the Tax Assessor; and vital records by the Register of Deeds or the state Vital Records office.
Search available online portals. Many records are currently accessible without submitting a formal request. The Beaufort County courthouse locations and services page provides access to court-related information, while the Register of Deeds portal allows online property record searches.
Submit a written or in-person request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written request to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate it. North Carolina law does not require requestors to use a specific form, though some offices provide optional request forms.
Appear in person during public counter hours. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant office during regular business hours. Inspection is generally available at no charge.
Request copies. If copies are needed, standard fees apply as described below. Copies may be requested in person, by mail, or, where available, electronically.

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

Current fees for public records in Beaufort County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge a fee for copies of public records, provided the fee does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Standard fees currently applicable include:

Standard paper copies: Typically $0.10 to $0.25 per page for black-and-white copies, depending on the office.
Certified copies of recorded documents: The Register of Deeds charges a standard certification fee per document, currently set at $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page, consistent with state schedule.
Vital records copies: Certified copies of birth and death certificates are subject to fees established by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Electronic records: Where electronic copies are provided, fees reflect the actual cost of the medium or transmission.
Court records: Fees for certified court documents are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances, such as for indigent requestors or nonprofit organizations, at the discretion of the custodial office and consistent with applicable state guidelines.

Does Beaufort County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under North Carolina law. Custodians of public records are required to permit inspection at no charge during regular business hours. The following resources are currently available at no cost:

Online property record searches through the Beaufort County Register of Deeds public search portal, which allows users to search and view recorded documents without charge.
Court case information accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online systems, including case status and docket information.
Tax assessment data available through the Beaufort County Tax Assessor's online portal.
Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted on the Beaufort County official website at no cost.
Voter registration and election data available through the Beaufort County Board of Elections and the North Carolina State Board of Elections online portal.

The NC Division of Archives and Records maintains a directory of public records available online across state and county agencies, enabling members of the public to locate records without submitting a formal request or incurring fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Beaufort County?

Any person may request public records in Beaufort County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Beaufort County and North Carolina retain the same rights of access as county residents.
Identification is generally not required for inspection of public records, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes when processing copy requests.
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not required to explain why they are seeking a record, and custodians may not condition access on the provision of a reason.
Requesting records about oneself vs. others: Members of the public may request records pertaining to themselves or to other individuals, subject to applicable exemptions. Certain records containing personal identifying information may be redacted prior to release to protect third-party privacy.
Restrictions for specific record types: Some categories of records, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are subject to statutory restrictions regardless of who is making the request.

Attorneys, journalists, researchers, and members of the general public are all entitled to equal access under current North Carolina law.

What Records Are Confidential in Beaufort County?

Not all government records in Beaufort County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 and related statutes identify specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 and related provisions.
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating criminal activity may be withheld where disclosure would harm the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records pursuant to state and federal privacy protections.
Medical records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under North Carolina law.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by the Department of Social Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally exempt from disclosure under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-98, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a government agency may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records relating to the security of public buildings, facilities, or infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under North Carolina's public records framework.

Beaufort County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Beaufort County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and vital records within the county's jurisdiction.

Beaufort County Register of Deeds 117 W 2nd St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-2323 Beaufort County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and county holidays. Members of the public may inspect records in person during these hours or access the online search portal at any time.

Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court 112 W 2nd St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-6111 Beaufort County | North Carolina Judicial Branch

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains civil, criminal, estate, and special proceedings records. Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Beaufort County Tax Assessor's Office 220 N Market St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-7981 Beaufort County Tax Administration

Beaufort County Board of Elections 701 W 5th St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-2285 Beaufort County Board of Elections

Beaufort County Sheriff's Office PO Box 1628, Washington, NC 27889 — Physical: 701 W 5th St, Washington, NC 27889 (252) 946-4141 Beaufort County Sheriff's Office