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Edgecombe County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Edgecombe County?

Public records in Edgecombe 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. Members of the public may inspect a broad range of record types maintained by various Edgecombe County offices.

The following categories of public records are currently available through county and state agencies:

  • Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family matters) — maintained by the Edgecombe County Clerk of Superior Court
  • Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and assessments) — maintained by the Edgecombe County Register of Deeds
  • Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Register of Deeds - Edgecombe County and the North Carolina Vital Records office
  • Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and the County Manager's Office
  • Tax records (property tax assessments and payment histories) — accessible through the Edgecombe County tax records portal
  • Voting and election records — maintained by the Edgecombe County Board of Elections
  • Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and advisory boards) — available through the Edgecombe County Document Center
  • Budget and financial documents — maintained by the County Finance Department
  • Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office
  • Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Edgecombe County Planning Department

Is Edgecombe County an Open Records County?

Edgecombe 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.G.S. § 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. The statute further provides that the custodian shall furnish copies of public records upon payment of the prescribed fees.

North Carolina's open records law operates in conjunction with the state's Open Meetings Law, codified at N.C.G.S. § 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18, which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained as public records. Edgecombe County has adopted a formal Public Records Policy, which governs how requests are processed at the county level. Members of the public may access this policy document through the county's official public records request portal, where the county's written Public Records Policy is currently posted.

How to Find Public Records in Edgecombe County in 2026

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

  1. Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record in question. Property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records are accessible online through the county's public access system.
  2. Submit a written or in-person request. Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office during regular business hours, by mail, or by email. The county does not require requestors to use a specific form, though a written request is recommended for documentation purposes.
  3. Use online portals where available. The Edgecombe County government website currently provides online access to tax records, document center materials, and other searchable databases without requiring a formal request.
  4. Allow reasonable response time. Under current law, custodians must respond to requests within a reasonable period. If a request is voluminous or requires redaction, the custodian may notify the requestor of an estimated completion date.
  5. Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are ready, the requestor must pay any applicable copying or certification fees before receiving physical copies.

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

Current fees for public records in Edgecombe County vary by record type and the office providing the copies. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge the actual cost of reproducing public records, including the cost of the medium used and the cost of labor directly attributable to the request.

Standard fees currently applicable include:

  • Standard paper copies: Typically $0.10 per page for black-and-white copies at most county offices
  • Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certified copy for birth and death certificates issued by the Register of Deeds
  • Certified copies of recorded documents: $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page, as set by the Register of Deeds
  • Court record copies: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type
  • Electronic records: Provided at actual cost of duplication; in many cases, records available through online portals are accessible at no charge

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases where the cost of collection would exceed the fee amount.

Does Edgecombe County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. § 132-6 establishes that any person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours; fees apply only when copies are requested. Several categories of records are currently accessible online at no cost:

Who Can Request Public Records in Edgecombe County?

Any person may request public records in Edgecombe 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. Under current law, custodians are not permitted to require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records.

Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:

  • Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Edgecombe County and North Carolina retain full rights to request public records.
  • Identification: Not required for inspection of standard public records. Certain offices may require identification when issuing certified copies of vital records to verify eligibility under state vital records statutes.
  • Purpose: Not required to be stated for most record types. Requestors seeking records for commercial purposes may be subject to additional provisions under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.
  • Requesting your own records: Individuals requesting records pertaining to themselves may be entitled to access records that are otherwise restricted to the subject of the record, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records.
  • Restrictions for specific record types: Some records, including juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute.

What Records Are Confidential in Edgecombe County?

Not all government records in Edgecombe County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from public access. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1 and related statutes, the following record types are currently designated as confidential or restricted:

  • Sealed court records — accessible only by court order
  • Juvenile records — protected under N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B
  • Ongoing criminal investigation records — exempt while investigations are active
  • Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers, which must be redacted prior to disclosure
  • Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
  • Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court petition
  • Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901
  • Personnel records — generally exempt under N.C.G.S. § 126-22, with limited exceptions for certain employment-related information
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder. North Carolina courts apply a balancing analysis in disputed cases to weigh the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or security interests supporting exemption.

Edgecombe County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Edgecombe County Register of Deeds serves as the primary custodian of recorded land documents, vital records, and related instruments. The office is open to the public during standard business hours, Monday through Friday.

Edgecombe County Register of Deeds 301 St. Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886 (252) 641-7911 Register of Deeds - Edgecombe County

Edgecombe County Clerk of Superior Court 301 St. Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886 (252) 641-7933 Edgecombe County — North Carolina Judicial Branch

Edgecombe County Tax Administration 201 St. Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886 (252) 641-7855 Edgecombe County Tax Public Access

Edgecombe County Manager's Office 201 St. Andrew St, Tarboro, NC 27886 (252) 641-7835 Edgecombe County Government

Public counter hours for most Edgecombe County offices are currently Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and county holidays. Members of the public are advised to confirm hours directly with the relevant office prior to visiting, as hours may be subject to change.

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