Cabarrus County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Cabarrus County?
Public records in Cabarrus County are defined under the North Carolina Public Records Law, N.C. General Statutes § 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."
Cabarrus County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Cabarrus County Courthouse
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property tax 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, tax maps, and assessment records
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission, planning board, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
- Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning maps, and planning documents
- Historical Records: Cabarrus County Estates and Miscellaneous Historical Records
Different county departments maintain specific record types. The Cabarrus County Register of Deeds maintains property and vital records, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records. The County Tax Office maintains property tax records, and the Board of Elections maintains voter and election records.
Is Cabarrus County an Open Records County?
Cabarrus County adheres to North Carolina's Public Records Law as codified in N.C. General Statutes § 132. This statute establishes that public records are the property of the people and mandates that citizens have the right to inspect, examine, and obtain copies of public records unless specifically exempted by law.
Under N.C.G.S. § 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. 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."
Cabarrus County complies with these state requirements and has established procedures for public records access in accordance with state law. 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.
The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online resources and established procedures for requesting records from various departments. While Cabarrus County follows state open records laws, specific procedures may vary by department based on the type of records requested.
How to Find Public Records in Cabarrus County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Cabarrus County may follow these procedures to access various types of public information:
For Court Records:
- Visit the Cabarrus County Courthouse in person or access the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online court records portal
- Submit a specific request identifying the case number, party names, or other identifying information
- For criminal background checks, use the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts' public access terminal at the courthouse or online system
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified documents
For Property Records:
- Visit the Cabarrus County Register of Deeds office in person
- Access the online property records database through the county website
- Provide specific information such as property owner name, address, or parcel number
- Request copies of deeds, mortgages, liens, or other property documents
For Vital Records:
- Visit the Register of Deeds office for marriage licenses and birth/death certificates
- Complete the appropriate request form with required identification
- Pay the statutory fee for certified copies
- For older vital records, contact the North Carolina State Archives
For Law Enforcement Records:
- Contact the appropriate law enforcement agency (Sheriff's Office or municipal police)
- Complete a public records request form specifying the incident report or document needed
- Provide date, time, location, or report number if available
- Note that certain investigative records may be exempt from disclosure
For County Government Records:
- Contact the specific department that maintains the records
- Submit a written request specifying the records sought
- Allow reasonable time for the county to respond to the request
- Arrange for inspection or copying of non-exempt records
Many records are now available through online portals, reducing the need for in-person visits. The county continually updates its digital access systems to improve public accessibility to records.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cabarrus County?
Cabarrus 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 fee structures for various record types include:
General Copy Fees:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page (black and white)
- Color copies: $0.50 per page
- Electronic records provided via email: Generally no charge if already in electronic format
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus staff time for extensive requests
Vital Records Fees:
- Certified copies of birth certificates: $24.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at same time
- Certified copies of death certificates: $24.00 for first copy, $15.00 for each additional copy ordered at same time
- Marriage licenses: $60.00
- Certified copies of marriage certificates: $10.00
Court Record Fees:
- Uncertified copies: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $0.25 per page
- Criminal background checks: $25.00 per name searched
Property Record Fees:
- Uncertified copies of deeds: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies of deeds: $5.00 for certification plus $1.00 per page
- Recording fees: Vary based on document type and length
Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most county offices. Some online services may require credit card payment.
For extensive requests requiring substantial staff time or specialized resources, additional charges may apply. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b), agencies may charge for extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance.
Does Cabarrus County Have Free Public Records?
Cabarrus County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, which states 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."
The following records are available for free inspection:
- In-Person Inspection: Any non-exempt public record may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
- Online Resources: Many records are available at no cost through the county's online portals, including:
- Property tax records through the Tax Assessor's online database
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- County budget documents and financial reports
- Voter registration verification through the Board of Elections website
- Court calendars and basic case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
- Public records available online through various state portals
While inspection is free, fees apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive staff time to compile. Some specialized searches or certified documents (such as vital records) always carry statutory fees regardless of the method of access.
The county continually expands its online offerings to increase free access to public information while balancing privacy concerns and resource limitations.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cabarrus County?
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, any person has the right to request and receive public records from Cabarrus County. The law states that "any person" may inspect, examine, and obtain copies of public records, with no requirement to:
- Be a resident of Cabarrus County or North Carolina
- Provide identification (except for certain restricted records)
- State a reason or purpose for the request
- Have a direct interest in the records requested
However, certain exceptions and special provisions apply:
For Vital Records:
- Birth certificates: Available only to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest as defined by statute
- Death certificates: Available to anyone, though certain information may be redacted for recent deaths
- Marriage licenses: Available to the public with certain personal information redacted
For Court Records:
- Most court records are available to any person
- Sealed or confidential court records (such as juvenile cases, certain family court matters, or records sealed by judicial order) have restricted access
- Certain sensitive information may be redacted from otherwise public court documents
For Law Enforcement Records:
- Criminal investigation records may have restricted access while investigations are active
- Certain personal information in law enforcement records may be redacted
For Property Records:
- Generally available to anyone without restriction
- Some personal information may be redacted from publicly available versions
When requesting records that contain sensitive or restricted information, requestors may need to provide identification or documentation establishing their legal right to access such records. Government agencies may verify identity before releasing certain types of records to ensure compliance with privacy laws.
What Records Are Confidential in Cabarrus County?
While North Carolina's Public Records Law promotes transparency, certain records are exempt from disclosure under N.C. General Statutes § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.10 and other specific statutes. In Cabarrus County, the following records are generally confidential and not available for public inspection:
Court and Legal Records:
- Juvenile court records (N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901)
- Adoption records (N.C.G.S. § 48-9-102)
- Records of grand jury proceedings
- Sealed court records pursuant to court order
- Certain domestic violence and protective order information
Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10)
- Driver's license numbers and state identification numbers
- Financial account numbers and electronic identifiers
- Dates of birth and personal telephone numbers in certain contexts
- Personnel records of county employees (with limited exceptions under N.C.G.S. § 160A-168)
Health and Medical Information:
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
- Communicable disease information (N.C.G.S. § 130A-143)
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4)
- Information that would identify confidential informants
- Criminal intelligence information
- Certain 911 recordings and emergency response information
- Juvenile arrest and law enforcement records
Other Protected Records:
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Economic development recruitment records until announced
- Certain security plans and infrastructure details
- Certain tax information protected by state and federal law
- Voter registration information designated as confidential by voters facing threats
When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record. The county must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records based on confidentiality provisions.
Cabarrus County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cabarrus County Register of Deeds
65 Church Street SE, Concord, NC 28025
704-920-2112
Cabarrus 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
- Certified copies of birth and death certificates
- Notary public oaths and authentications
- Military discharge recordings
- Real estate transfer tax collection
Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court
77 Union Street S, Concord, NC 28025
704-262-5500
Cabarrus County Courthouse
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Maintenance of court records
- Probate of wills and administration of estates
- Special proceedings
- Issuance of civil and criminal process
- Collection of court costs and fines
Cabarrus County Tax Administration
65 Church Street SE, Concord, NC 28025
704-920-2166
Cabarrus County Tax Administration
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Cabarrus County
Cabarrus County court services and information
North Carolina court records and background checks
Historical estate records for Cabarrus County
Miscellaneous historical records for Cabarrus County
Concord Police Department documents and resources