Craven County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Craven County?

Public records in Craven County are defined according to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically under § 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."

Craven County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Craven County Register of Deeds
• Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (primarily maintained by the Register of Deeds)
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Craven County Tax Department
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Craven County Board of Elections
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of proceedings for the County Commission and various boards and committees
• Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Craven County Sheriff's Office
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits accessible through the Craven County GIS system

The Craven County government serves as the central authority for maintaining these records, with specific departments responsible for different record types as outlined above.

Is Craven County an Open Records County?

Craven County adheres to the North Carolina Public Records Law as codified in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1 through § 132-10. This comprehensive statute establishes that public records shall be "the property of the people" and that the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of these records unless specifically exempted by law.

Under § 132-6(a), the law specifically states: "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."

Craven County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with these state requirements. The county maintains transparency in government operations through adherence to North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public with limited exceptions.

The county's commitment to open records is further demonstrated through its online access portals and digital record systems, which facilitate public access to many records without requiring in-person visits to county offices. However, certain records remain subject to statutory exemptions as outlined in § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.10, which protect sensitive information from disclosure.

How to Find Public Records in Craven County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Craven County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they require:

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

   • Property records can be searched through the Register of Deeds online system
   • Court records are accessible via the North Carolina Judicial Branch portal
   • Geographic information and property tax data are available through the Craven County GIS system
   • Criminal justice information can be found through the NC Department of Adult Correction public records database

2. In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For property records: Visit the Register of Deeds Office
   • For court documents: Visit the Clerk of Superior Court
   • For tax records: Visit the Tax Administration Office
   • For voting records: Visit the Board of Elections

3. Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:

   • Requestor's name and contact information
   • Specific description of records sought
   • Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
   • Date range of records, if applicable

4. Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online submission forms available on the Craven County website.

When making requests, citizens should be as specific as possible about the records they seek to expedite processing. Pursuant to § 132-6(a), custodians must respond to requests "as promptly as possible," though response times may vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of records sought.

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

Craven County assesses 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. The current fee structure for obtaining public records in Craven County includes:

• Paper Copies:

  • Standard letter/legal size (8.5" x 11" or 8.5" x 14"): $0.25 per page
  • Oversized documents (larger than legal size): $1.00-$5.00 per page depending on size

• Electronic Records:

  • Records provided via email: No charge for transmission (copying fees may apply)
  • Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus copying fees
  • Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the drive plus copying fees

• Specialized Records:

  • Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy requested simultaneously
  • Recorded documents (deeds, mortgages): $2.00 for first page, $0.25 for each additional page
  • Maps and plats: $5.00-$25.00 depending on size and complexity

• Search and Retrieval Fees:

  • Standard searches: No charge for the first 30 minutes
  • Extended searches requiring significant staff time: $18.00-$35.00 per hour (varies by department) after the first 30 minutes

Payment methods accepted by most Craven County offices include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Personal checks
• Money orders
• Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees in some departments)

Under § 132-6.2(b), if a request is deemed "extensive," requiring extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, the county may charge a special service charge based on the actual cost incurred.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request serves the public interest, though such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.

Does Craven County Have Free Public Records?

Craven County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, which states that public records must be open for inspection at no charge. The following records are available for free inspection or access:

• In-Person Inspection: Any public record may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours at no cost. This includes:

  • Property records at the Register of Deeds Office
  • Court files at the Clerk of Superior Court
  • Tax records at the Tax Administration Office
  • County Commission minutes at the County Manager's Office

• Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by Craven County and the State of North Carolina:

  • Craven County GIS mapping system provides free access to property information, tax maps, and zoning data
  • The Craven County Register of Deeds offers a free index search of recorded documents (though fees apply for viewing or obtaining copies)
  • The North Carolina Court System provides free access to court calendars and basic case information
  • County Commission meeting agendas and minutes are freely available on the Craven County website
  • Voter registration verification is available at no cost through the State Board of Elections

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available for public use at several county facilities:

  • The Register of Deeds Office provides terminals for searching property records
  • The Clerk of Court's Office offers terminals for accessing court records
  • The Public Library provides internet access for online public records

While inspection is free, reproduction costs as outlined in the previous section still apply when copies are requested. Additionally, pursuant to § 132-6.2(e), if a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, a service charge may be applied even if inspection would otherwise be free.

Who Can Request Public Records in Craven County?

Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, public records in Craven County are available to "any person" regardless of citizenship or residency status. The statute establishes a broad right of access with minimal restrictions on who may request records. Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency Requirements: There is no requirement to be a resident of Craven County or North Carolina to request public records.

• Identification: For most general records requests, 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 that may contain restricted information

• Legal Standing: Certain records may only be accessible to individuals with specific legal standing:

  • Adoption records are generally only available to parties to the adoption or by court order
  • Certain court records may only be available to parties to the case
  • Personnel records have limited accessibility under § 153A-98

• Commercial Use: While commercial entities may request public records, § 132-6.2(b) allows agencies to charge special service fees for requests that are extensive or commercial in nature.

• Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and other representatives may request records on behalf of clients, provided they have proper authorization when required for confidential records.

• Media Access: Members of the press have the same rights of access as any member of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions.

When requesting records that contain both public and confidential information, custodians are required under § 132-6(c) to separate the confidential portions and make the public portions available for inspection and copying.

What Records Are Confidential in Craven County?

While North Carolina's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from disclosure under state law. Pursuant to various provisions in the North Carolina General Statutes, the following records are considered confidential in Craven County:

• Personal Information: Under § 132-1.10, social security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal identifying information are protected from disclosure.

• Law Enforcement Records: § 132-1.4 exempts criminal investigative records, intelligence information, and records that would reveal undercover agents or informants.

• Personnel Records: County employee personnel files are confidential under § 153A-98, though certain information such as name, age, date of employment, current position, and salary are public.

• Medical Records: All medical records, including those held by county agencies, are protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

• Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are confidential under § 7B-2901, with limited exceptions for certain agencies and individuals with legitimate interest.

• Social Services Records: Records concerning public assistance, child welfare, and adult protective services are confidential under § 108A-80.

• Tax Information: Individual tax returns and information obtained from tax returns are confidential under § 132-1.1(b).

• Attorney-Client Communications: § 132-1.1(a) protects communications between county legal counsel and county officials.

• Economic Development Records: § 132-6.1 allows certain records related to economic development projects to remain confidential until the project is publicly announced.

• Competitive Bid Information: Sealed bids remain confidential until the bid opening under § 143-129(b).

• Library User Records: § 125-19 protects the privacy of library patrons' borrowing records and other usage information.

• Voting Records: While voter registration information is public, how a person voted remains confidential under § 163-165.1.

• Critical Infrastructure Information: Details about security systems, emergency response plans, and utility infrastructure may be withheld under § 132-1.7.

When records contain both public and confidential information, county officials must redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remaining public information as required by § 132-6(c). The burden of establishing that a record is exempt from disclosure rests with the county agency claiming the exemption.

Craven County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Craven County Register of Deeds
226 Pollock Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 636-6617
Craven County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - 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
• Real estate transfer tax collection

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Craven County Clerk of Superior Court
302 Broad Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 639-3000
North Carolina Judicial Branch

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

Craven County Tax Administration
226 Pollock Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 636-6604
Craven County Tax Administration

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

Craven County Board of Elections
406 Craven Street
New Bern, NC 28560
(252) 636-6610
Craven County Board of Elections

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Extended hours during election periods
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Craven County

Craven County Official Website

North Carolina Court Records

Craven County Register of Deeds

Craven County GIS Mapping System

North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Public Records