Wake County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Wake County?

Public records in Wake County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by county government agencies and departments pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132. These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions that affect Wake County residents and property. The following categories of public records are maintained and accessible through various Wake County departments:

Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, property tax assessments, and plat maps
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, traffic citations, probate records, and judgments
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and corporate filings
Tax Records - Property tax records, tax liens, and tax sale information
Voter Registration - Voter rolls and election results
Law Enforcement Records - Arrest records, incident reports, and jail records (with certain exemptions)
Meeting Minutes - Records of county commission and board meetings
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and financial statements
Land Use Records - Zoning information, building permits, and code enforcement actions
Environmental Records - Environmental assessments, permits, and violation notices

Wake County maintains these records through various departments including the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, Tax Administration, Board of Elections, and Sheriff's Office. Many records are now available through online portals, while others require in-person requests at the appropriate county office.

Is Wake County an Open Records County?

Wake County operates as an open records county in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Act, codified in Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes. Pursuant to § 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 statutory framework establishes that public records in Wake County are presumptively open for inspection and copying by any person.

The North Carolina Public Records Act defines public records broadly to 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."

Wake County government has implemented policies and procedures to facilitate public access to records in compliance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated public records request process through which members of the public may submit requests for documents. County officials are required to respond "as promptly as possible" to such requests, as mandated by § 132-6(a) of the General Statutes.

While Wake County maintains an open records policy, certain categories of information are protected from disclosure under various provisions of state law, including records related to ongoing criminal investigations, certain personnel records, and confidential health information.

How Do I Find Public Records in Wake County in 2025

Wake County residents and other interested parties may access public records through multiple channels established by county departments. The appropriate method for obtaining records depends on the specific type of record sought:

Online Access Options:

The Wake County Register of Deeds offers an online portal for property records, including deeds, mortgages, and marriage licenses
Court records may be searched through the North Carolina Court System electronic filing and case management system
Property tax records are accessible through the Wake County Tax Administration website
Voter registration information can be verified through the NC State Board of Elections voter lookup tool

In-Person Requests:

For vital records such as birth and death certificates, individuals may visit the Wake County Vital Records Office located at:

Wake County Vital Records Office
201 W. Davie Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-250-4100
Wake County Vital Records
Court records not available online may be requested at:

Wake County Clerk of Superior Court
316 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-792-4000
North Carolina Court System

Written Requests:

For records not readily available through online portals or in-person visits, individuals may submit formal public records requests to the specific department that maintains the desired records
Requests should include specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types
Pursuant to North Carolina law, agencies must respond to requests "as promptly as possible"

For specialized records, such as law enforcement reports or environmental documents, requestors should contact the specific agency directly. Many departments now offer dedicated online request forms to streamline the process.

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Wake County?

Wake County agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2. The fee structure for obtaining public records in Wake County is designed to recover actual costs of reproduction rather than to generate revenue. The following fee schedule applies to most public records requests:

Standard Copy Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies (8.5" x 11")
Color copies: $0.50 per page
Large format documents (maps, plats, etc.): $3.00 to $10.00 per sheet depending on size

Electronic Records:

Records provided via email or download: No charge for electronic delivery
Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
Records provided on USB drive: Actual cost of the storage device

Specialized Records Fees:

Certified copies of vital records (birth certificates, death certificates): $24.00 for the first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy requested simultaneously
Marriage licenses: $60.00 application fee
Recorded documents from Register of Deeds: $2.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page
Court records: Varies by document type; certified copies typically cost $5.00 plus copy fees

Additional Fees:

Special service charges may apply for requests requiring extensive staff time (more than 30 minutes) to search, retrieve, or prepare records
Specialized computer programming or data extraction: Actual cost based on staff time
Postage: Actual cost if documents are mailed

Pursuant to state law, agencies must provide an estimate of charges when costs are expected to exceed $25.00. Payment is typically required before records are released. Some agencies accept cash, checks, and credit cards, while others may have limited payment options.

Does Wake County Have Free Public Records?

Wake County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with North Carolina public records laws and county policies. The following records and services are available without charge:

Free Online Access:

Property tax records through the Wake County Tax Administration website
Basic voter registration information via the North Carolina State Board of Elections
County Commission meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings
County budget documents and financial reports
Building permit status and history
GIS mapping information through Wake County iMAPS

Free In-Person Inspection:

Any public record may be inspected in person at no charge during normal business hours at the office where such records are maintained
Self-service computer terminals are available at various county offices for searching electronic records
The Wake County Law Library provides free access to legal resources and certain court records

Free Records for Qualifying Individuals:

Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 130A-93, one certified copy of a birth certificate is provided at no cost to:
- A person over 62 years of age
- A person experiencing homelessness (with verification from a homeless service provider)
- A person released from incarceration within the past 90 days
Veterans and their immediate family members may obtain certain military discharge records at no cost

Free Records for Government and Nonprofit Use:

Other government agencies may obtain certain records without charge for official purposes
Qualified nonprofit organizations may be eligible for fee waivers for certain types of records when used for public interest research

While inspection of records is free, reproduction costs as outlined in the fee schedule still apply when copies are requested. Additionally, special service charges may apply for requests requiring extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance.

Who Can Request Public Records In Wake County?

Under North Carolina's Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132-6), public records in Wake County are available to any person regardless of citizenship, residency status, age, or purpose for the request. The law establishes a broad right of access with minimal restrictions on who may request records:

Eligible Requestors:

North Carolina residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Business entities and corporations
Media organizations
Nonprofit organizations and advocacy groups
Government agencies
Incarcerated individuals (with certain limitations)
Anonymous requestors (though providing contact information is necessary for record delivery)

The law specifically states that agencies may not require requestors to disclose the purpose or motive behind their request. As established in N.C.G.S. § 132-6(b), "No person requesting to inspect and examine public records, or to obtain copies thereof, shall be required to disclose the purpose or motive for the request."

While anyone may request public records, certain practical considerations apply:

Requestors must be specific enough about the records sought to allow officials to identify and locate them
Some specialized records may require verification of identity to ensure proper access
Certain vital records (birth certificates, death certificates) may only be obtained by qualified individuals with a direct interest
Records that have been sealed by court order may have specific restrictions on who can access them

Wake County agencies process all valid public records requests regardless of the requestor's identity, though response times may vary based on the complexity of the request and current workload of the department.

What Records Are Confidential In Wake County?

While North Carolina law establishes a presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are specifically protected from disclosure under various state and federal statutes. Wake County maintains the following types of records as confidential pursuant to legal requirements:

Personnel Records:

Employee personnel files are confidential under N.C.G.S. § 153A-98
Limited information such as name, age, date of employment, current position, and salary is public
Performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information remain confidential

Law Enforcement Records:

Active criminal investigation records (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4)
Intelligence information gathered for law enforcement purposes
Informant identities and information
Juvenile records (N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000)
Criminal history record information obtained from state or federal repositories

Health and Medical Records:

Patient medical records protected under HIPAA
Communicable disease information (N.C.G.S. § 130A-143)
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Public health surveillance data that could identify specific individuals

Social Services Records:

Child protective services records (N.C.G.S. § 7B-302)
Adult protective services records
Public assistance and welfare recipient information
Foster care and adoption records

Other Protected Records:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Certain economic development records during active recruitment
Educational records protected under FERPA
Library user records (N.C.G.S. § 125-19)
Certain utility customer account information
Security plans for public buildings and infrastructure
Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information

Requestors seeking records that contain both public and confidential information may receive redacted copies with protected information removed. County officials are required to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records based on confidentiality provisions.

Wake County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Wake County Register of Deeds serves as the official recorder for the county, maintaining vital records, property documents, and other important public records. The office provides services to the public at the following location:

Wake County Register of Deeds
300 S. Salisbury Street, Suite 1700
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-856-5460
Wake County Register of Deeds

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
Holidays: Closed on all county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Certified copies of birth and death certificates (for births/deaths occurring in Wake County)
Certified copies of marriage licenses and military discharge records
Notary public oath administration and commission recording
Real estate excise tax collection

Online Services:
The Register of Deeds offers 24/7 access to many services through their online portal, including:

Property records search
Marriage records search
Document recording via e-recording for authorized submitters
Online vital records requests

Document Recording Requirements:

Original documents must be submitted for recording
Documents must be signed and notarized as required by law
Proper recording fees must be paid at time of submission
Documents must meet formatting requirements per N.C.G.S. § 161-14

For specialized assistance or questions about specific records, members of the public may contact the office directly during business hours. The Register of Deeds staff cannot provide legal advice but can answer procedural questions about records and filing requirements.