New Hanover County Public Records
What Are Public Records in New Hanover County?
Public records in New Hanover County are defined according to the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, which states that public records include "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."
New Hanover County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases maintained by the New Hanover County Courthouse
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: Annual budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land development plans
The New Hanover County Register of Deeds maintains property records, vital records, and business filings, while the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records. The County Tax Office maintains property tax records, and the Board of Elections maintains voter registration and election records.
Is New Hanover County an Open Records County?
New Hanover County adheres to North Carolina's Public Records Law, making it an open records county. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1(b), "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." This statute establishes that public records shall be accessible to the public for inspection and examination.
The law specifically states: "Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law." This provision ensures transparency in government operations and public access to information.
New Hanover County complies with these state requirements and has established procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. The county also adheres to North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (N.C.G.S. § 143-318.10), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions.
While the county follows state open records laws, certain records may be exempt from disclosure as specified by state statutes, which will be discussed in a later section.
How to Find Public Records in New Hanover County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in New Hanover County may follow these procedures to access various types of public information:
For Court Records:
- Visit the New Hanover County Courthouse in person or access the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online court records portal
- Submit a request form specifying the case number, party names, or other identifying information
- For criminal records, use the North Carolina Court System's public terminal computers available at the courthouse
- For copies of court documents, submit requests to the Clerk of Superior Court's office
For Property Records:
- Visit the New Hanover County Register of Deeds office in person
- Access the online property records database through the county's official website
- Provide specific information such as property owner name, address, or parcel number
- Request certified copies if needed for legal purposes
For Vital Records:
- Birth and death certificates can be requested from the New Hanover County Department of Social Services or through the North Carolina Vital Records office
- Marriage licenses and divorce decrees can be obtained from the Register of Deeds office
- Complete the appropriate application form and provide required identification
- Pay applicable fees for certified copies
For Tax Records:
- Visit the New Hanover County Tax Office in person
- Access the online property tax database through the county's official website
- Search by owner name, property address, or parcel identification number
- Request printed copies of tax bills, assessment notices, or property cards
For most records, requestors may submit requests in person, by mail, or through official online portals. Some records may require written requests using specific forms available on the county's website or at the respective offices.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in New Hanover County?
New Hanover County charges fees for public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge only the actual cost of reproduction. Current standard fees for public records in New Hanover County include:
- Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
- Certified Copies: $5.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
- Large Format Documents (maps, plats): $10.00 per sheet
- Digital Records: $5.00 per CD/DVD or may be provided via email at no cost if file size permits
- Court Records: $0.25 per page for copies, $3.00 for certification of documents
- Vital Records: $24.00 for the first copy of birth, death, or marriage certificates; $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
The county accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most offices. Online requests typically require credit card payment.
Special service fees may apply for extensive information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, as permitted under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b). These special service charges must reflect the actual cost incurred.
Fee waivers are not explicitly provided for in county policy, but pursuant to state law, inspection of records is free of charge. Additionally, if the request is determined to primarily benefit the public rather than the requester, some fees may be reduced at the discretion of the records custodian.
Does New Hanover County Have Free Public Records?
New Hanover County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with North Carolina public records law. Members of the public may inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. According to N.C.G.S. § 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."
Free public records resources in New Hanover County include:
- In-person inspection of any non-exempt public record at the appropriate county office
- Online access to property tax records through the county's tax administration website
- Meeting minutes and agendas for the Board of Commissioners and other public bodies
- County budgets and financial reports available on the county's official website
- Voter registration verification through the Board of Elections website
- Court calendars and basic case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
The New Hanover County Public Library also provides free public access to computers where residents can access many online county records at no charge.
While inspection is free, fees apply for copies, certified documents, and special requests as detailed in the previous section. Additionally, some specialized databases may require subscription fees for full access.
Who Can Request Public Records in New Hanover County?
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, any person has the legal right to request and receive public records from New Hanover County. The law states that public records shall be made available "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person." This broad eligibility extends to:
- North Carolina residents
- Out-of-state residents
- Foreign nationals
- Organizations, businesses, and associations
- Media representatives
- Government agencies
Requestors are not required to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Provide identification for most records (except when requesting certain confidential records)
- Be a resident of New Hanover County or North Carolina
- Make requests in person (mail, email, and online requests are accepted)
For certain sensitive or restricted records, such as vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates), requestors must demonstrate a qualifying relationship or legitimate interest as defined by N.C.G.S. § 130A-93. For example, birth certificates are available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order.
When requesting your own records versus those of others, different requirements may apply. For personal records that contain confidential information, proper identification is required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure.
Government agencies process all requests without discrimination based on the identity of the requestor, except where specifically limited by statute.
What Records Are Confidential in New Hanover County?
While New Hanover County maintains a commitment to transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.10 specifically exempts the following categories of records:
- Personnel records of county employees, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (limited information such as name, position, and salary is public)
- Medical records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information
- Juvenile records including court proceedings, law enforcement records, and social services records related to minors
- Ongoing criminal investigation records that would jeopardize an investigation if released
- Attorney-client privileged communications between county officials and legal counsel
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Tax information that identifies specific taxpayers
- Certain emergency response plans and security information for public buildings
- Sealed court records including certain domestic violence, adoption, and mental health proceedings
- Records related to economic development projects prior to public announcement
- Certain utility customer information including billing and usage data
Additionally, N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901 protects child welfare and protective services records, and N.C.G.S. § 108A-80 protects social services records.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by N.C.G.S. § 132-6(c).
North Carolina law also provides for a balancing test in certain circumstances, where the public interest in disclosure is weighed against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure.
New Hanover County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
New Hanover County Register of Deeds
230 Government Center Drive, Suite 185
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 798-4530
New Hanover County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court
316 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: (910) 772-6600
New Hanover County Clerk of Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
New Hanover County Tax Office
230 Government Center Drive, Suite 190
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 798-7300
New Hanover County Tax Department
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
New Hanover County Department of Social Services
1650 Greenfield Street
Wilmington, NC 28402
Phone: (910) 798-3400
New Hanover County Department of Social Services
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in New Hanover County
New Hanover County Court Records
North Carolina Judicial Branch Court Records Search