Onslow County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Onslow County?

Public records in Onslow County encompass a wide range of documents created, received, or maintained by county government agencies in the course of official business. According to the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, public records are defined as "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."

Onslow County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments available through the Register of Deeds and Tax Administration offices
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1913), death certificates (from 1913), marriage licenses (from 1741), and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation of County Commissioners meetings and various boards and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Onslow County Register of Deeds maintains property records, vital records, and business filings, while the Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records. Other departments maintain records specific to their functions.

Is Onslow County an Open Records County?

Onslow County adheres to the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under this statute, public records are "the property of the people" and copies shall be made available to the public "as promptly as possible."

The law specifically states in § 132-6(a) that "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."

Onslow County government operates in compliance with these state requirements and has established procedures for public records requests. The county also follows the North Carolina Open Meetings Law § 143-318.10, which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online resources, where many records are made available through the county's official website. However, certain records may be exempt from disclosure under specific provisions of state law, as outlined in § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.23.

How to Find Public Records in Onslow County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Onslow County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides both in-person and online options for obtaining various public records.

For in-person requests:

Identify the appropriate department that maintains the desired records
Visit the department during regular business hours
Complete any required request forms
Present identification if required for specific record types
Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents

For online access:

Visit the Onslow County Government website
Navigate to the department that maintains the desired records
Use available online search tools or databases
Follow instructions for requesting copies of records not available online
Submit payment for any applicable fees using accepted methods

Specific record types can be accessed as follows:

Property Records: The Register of Deeds offers online access through its Land Records Search portal. Users may search by name, book and page, or instrument number.

Court Records: The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access through its public records portal. Some records require in-person requests at the courthouse.

Tax Records: Property tax information is available through the Onslow County Tax Administration online search tool.

Meeting Minutes and Agendas: These documents are typically posted on the County Commissioners' webpage.

For records not available online, individuals may submit written requests to the specific department. The county recommends that requests be as specific as possible to facilitate prompt processing.

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

Onslow County charges fees for copies of public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.2, which allows agencies to charge only the "actual cost" of making copies. The current fee structure for common record types includes:

Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certificate
Marriage licenses: $60.00
Deed recordings: $26.00 for the first 15 pages, $4.00 for each additional page
Map recordings: $21.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Certified copies of recorded documents: $5.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page

Additional fees may apply for:

Extensive staff time required for research or compilation
Special formatting or media (USB drives, CDs, etc.)
Expedited processing (where available)
Postage for mailed records

The county accepts the following payment methods:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks (with proper identification)
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees)
Online payments for certain record types

Fee waivers are not typically granted, but inspection of records in person is generally available at no cost. Special provisions may apply for indigent persons seeking certain court records, as provided by state law.

Does Onslow County Have Free Public Records?

Onslow County provides free inspection of most public records during regular business hours at the respective government offices. While copying fees apply as outlined above, the following resources are available at no cost:

In-person inspection of public records at the maintaining department
Online access to property records through the Register of Deeds search portal
Tax and property assessment information via the Tax Administration website
County Commission meeting minutes and agendas on the county website
Voter registration verification through the NC State Board of Elections
Court calendars and basic case information via the NC Courts website
County budget documents and financial reports on the Finance Department page

The Onslow County Public Library also provides free public access to computers where residents can access online county records. Library staff may assist patrons in navigating available resources.

Per North Carolina General Statute § 132-6(a), agencies must allow inspection of public records at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision without charge, though fees may be assessed for copies.

Who Can Request Public Records in Onslow County?

Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-6, "any person" may request public records in Onslow County. The law does not restrict access based on:

Residency status (non-residents have the same rights as residents)
Citizenship
Age (though minors may face restrictions for certain records)
Purpose of the request (requestors generally do not need to state why they want records)

For most public records, requestors are not required to:

Provide identification
Submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended for clarity)
Explain the purpose of their request
Be physically present in the county

However, certain record types do have specific requirements:

Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates require proper identification and may be restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives as specified in § 130A-93.
Court Records: While most court records are public, access to sealed or confidential case files is restricted to parties to the case or their legal representatives.
Law Enforcement Records: Criminal investigative records may have restricted access while investigations are ongoing.
Medical Records: Protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws, these require authorization from the patient or legal representative.

Government agencies may ask for contact information to facilitate communication about the request, but cannot deny a request solely because a person declines to provide personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Onslow County?

Certain records in Onslow County are exempt from public disclosure under various provisions of North Carolina law. North Carolina General Statute § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.23 establishes specific exemptions for records that are considered confidential. These include:

Personnel records of county employees, except for limited information specified in § 153A-98
Criminal investigation records and intelligence information maintained by law enforcement agencies
Juvenile records protected under § 7B-3000
Social services records including child protective services and adult protective services information
Medical records protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws
Trade secrets and confidential business information submitted to government agencies
Attorney-client privileged communications involving county legal counsel
Tax information that identifies individual taxpayers
Sealed court records and records subject to protective orders
Adoption records sealed by court order
Certain emergency response plans and security information
Personal identifying information including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and dates of birth
Library user records showing materials borrowed by specific individuals
Certain economic development records during active recruitment negotiations
Controlled substance prescription information
Voter registration information that includes confidential data such as Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers

When a record contains both public and confidential information, agencies must provide the public portions while redacting exempt information. The county applies a balancing test in some cases, weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests or potential harm from release.

Requests for confidential records may be denied with a written explanation citing the specific statutory exemption that applies, as required by § 132-9.

Onslow County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Onslow County Register of Deeds
234 NW Corridor Blvd.
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Phone: (910) 455-3430
Onslow County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Issuance of marriage licenses
Certified copies of birth and death certificates (from 1913)
Certified copies of marriage licenses (from 1741)
Military discharge recording
Notary public oaths
Business name registrations (assumed names/DBAs)

Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court
625 Court Street
Jacksonville, NC 28540
Phone: (910) 478-3600
Onslow County Clerk of Superior Court