new hanover county public records: what to expect and how to navigate

Overview

Residents and researchers can access a broad range of documents, from land deeds and civil filings to permits and board minutes. Most materials are available online, while older volumes may require in-person review at designated counters. Staff can help locate indexes, but you’ll speed things up by arriving with precise details.

Key offices

Different departments maintain distinct record sets. Start with the office that most closely aligns with your request.

• Register of Deeds: deeds, plats, marriage records, and vital indexes.
• Clerk of Superior Court: civil, criminal, estates, and special proceedings.
• Sheriff’s Office: incident reports and inmate information.
• Planning & Inspections: building permits and contractor details.
• County Administration: agendas, minutes, and budgets.

Request process and tips

Under North Carolina’s Chapter 132, access is presumed public; expect redactions for SSNs, juveniles, and active investigations. Simple inspections are free; copies may carry per-page fees, and certified copies cost more. Turnaround ranges from same-day to several business days, depending on scope and format.

To speed results, define your scope by names, dates, parcel IDs, or case numbers. Request the desired format-PDF, TIFF, or CSV-and note if you need certified copies. For large pulls, ask for an itemized estimate and a timeline before work begins.