Pender County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Pender County?

Public records in Pender 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."

Pender County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court records maintained by the Pender County Clerk of Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfers recorded by the Pender County Register of Deeds
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1913), death certificates (from 1913), marriage licenses (from 1849), and military discharge records (DD-214)
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps available through the Pender County Tax Office
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, financial reports, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions), and jail records
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and planning documents

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. The Register of Deeds maintains property and vital records, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records. Tax records are managed by the Tax Assessor's Office, and general county records are maintained by the County Manager's Office.

Is Pender County an Open Records County?

Pender County fully adheres to North Carolina's Public Records Law, making it an open records county. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, public records are the property of the people, and the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of these records unless specifically exempted by law.

The statute explicitly states: "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."

Pender County Government has established a comprehensive public records request process to facilitate citizen access to government information. The county's policy aligns with North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18), which ensures that official meetings of public bodies are conducted openly.

The county maintains transparency by:

Providing online access to many records
Establishing clear procedures for requesting records not available online
Responding to requests promptly as required by state law
Publishing meeting notices, agendas, and minutes

Pender County's commitment to open government is further demonstrated through its online records portal, which allows citizens to access many records without submitting formal requests.

How to Find Public Records in Pender County in 2026

Accessing public records in Pender County involves several methods depending on the record type and urgency of the request. Members of the public may utilize the following procedures:

Online Access:

Visit the Pender County Register of Deeds website to search real estate records, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents
Access property tax records through the Tax Assessor's online database
View court records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
Browse county meeting minutes and agendas on the county's official website

In-Person Requests:

Identify the appropriate department that maintains the desired records
Visit during normal business hours (typically Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Complete any required request forms
Present identification if required for specific record types
Pay any applicable fees for copies or certified documents

Written Requests:

Submit a formal public records request through the county's online request portal
Include specific details about the records sought
Provide contact information for follow-up
Allow reasonable time for response (typically within 10 business days)

For Vital Records:

Birth and death certificates can be requested through the Register of Deeds office
Marriage licenses must be applied for in person at the Register of Deeds office
Certified copies require proper identification and payment of fees

For specialized records such as law enforcement reports, building permits, or environmental documents, requestors should contact the specific department directly. The county's central records request coordinator can assist with directing complex requests to appropriate departments.

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

Pender 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. Current standard fees for public records in Pender County are as follows:

General Document Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page (black and white)
Paper copies: $1.00 per page (color)
Electronic copies: No charge when sent via email
CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
USB drive: Actual cost of the device

Vital Records Fees:

Birth certificates: $10.00 per certified copy
Death certificates: $10.00 per certified copy
Marriage licenses: $60.00 for issuance
Marriage certificates: $10.00 per certified copy
Military discharge (DD-214): No charge for veterans or immediate family

Property Record Fees:

Deed recording: $26.00 for first 15 pages, $4.00 each additional page
Plat recording: $21.00 per map
Certified copies of recorded documents: $5.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page
Uncertified copies: $0.25 per page

Court Record Fees:

Civil case copies: $0.25 per page
Criminal case copies: $0.25 per page
Certified court documents: $5.00 certification fee plus copy costs

Payment methods accepted include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with a processing fee) at most county offices. Some departments may have limited payment options.

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, particularly for indigent persons seeking their own records or for requests deemed to be in the public interest. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Does Pender County Have Free Public Records?

Pender County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with North Carolina law. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6(a), every person has the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours.

The following records are available for free inspection or access:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Any public record may be inspected at no cost during normal business hours
Self-service computer terminals at the Register of Deeds office for property records
Public meeting minutes and agendas at the County Clerk's office
Budget documents and financial reports at the Finance Department

Free Online Access:

Property tax records and parcel information
County Commission meeting agendas and minutes
County ordinances and regulations
Court calendars and case information (basic details)
Voter registration verification and polling place information
Real estate index search (limited information)

While inspection is free, fees apply when copies are requested or when certified documents are needed. Additionally, specialized searches requiring significant staff time may incur research fees as permitted by state law.

The Pender County Public Library also provides free public computer access where citizens can search many online county records without charge. Library staff can assist patrons in locating publicly available government information.

Pender County Public Library
103 S. Cowan Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-1234
Pender County Public Library

Who Can Request Public Records in Pender County?

Under North Carolina's Public Records Law, any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status, may request public records from Pender County government offices. The law specifically states in § 132-6(a) that "Every custodian of public records shall permit any person to inspect and examine the public records of the agency."

Key eligibility factors include:

No residency requirement exists for general public records requests
Requestors do not need to state a reason or purpose for most record requests
Identification is generally not required except for specific record types
Requests can be made anonymously for most records
Non-citizens and foreign nationals have the same access rights as U.S. citizens

However, certain record types do have specific eligibility restrictions:

Vital Records Access:

Birth certificates are restricted to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest
Death certificates are available to anyone, but certain information may be redacted for non-family members
Marriage licenses are public records available to anyone

Court Records:

Most court records are available to any person
Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain family court matters have restricted access
Some criminal records may have restricted access if expunged or under special protective orders

Personnel Records:

Current or former employees may access their own personnel files
General public access to personnel records is limited to specific information outlined in N.C.G.S. § 160A-168

When requesting records that contain confidential information, requestors may be required to provide identification or documentation proving their legal right to access such information. Government agencies are required to provide the accessible portions of records even when other portions may be confidential.

What Records Are Confidential in Pender County?

While Pender County strives for transparency, certain records are confidential under North Carolina law and exempt from public disclosure. These exemptions are primarily defined in various sections of the North Carolina General Statutes, including § 132-1.1 through § 132-1.10.

The following record types are generally confidential in Pender County:

Personal Information:

Social Security numbers, bank account information, and credit card numbers
Driver's license numbers and state identification numbers
Personal email addresses and telephone numbers of citizens
Personnel files (except for specific information outlined in § 160A-168)
Tax returns and financial information submitted to the county

Law Enforcement Records:

Active criminal investigation records
Criminal intelligence information
Identity of confidential informants
Juvenile arrest and criminal records (governed by § 7B-3000)
Information that would jeopardize the safety of law enforcement personnel

Court and Legal Records:

Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
Adoption proceedings and records
Certain domestic violence and protective order information
Grand jury proceedings and materials
Attorney-client privileged communications

Health and Medical Information:

Medical records protected under HIPAA
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Communicable disease information and reports
Child and adult protective services records

Other Protected Records:

Trade secrets and confidential business information
Emergency response plans and security information for public buildings
Certain economic development negotiations prior to public announcement
Academic records protected under FERPA
Certain utility customer information

When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record. In cases where redaction is not possible, the county may withhold the entire record as permitted by law.

The determination of confidentiality is made by the custodian of records based on applicable state statutes. Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may seek remedies through administrative appeal or judicial review.

Pender County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Pender County Register of Deeds
300 E. Fremont Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-1225
Pender County Register of Deeds

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
County Holidays: Closed

The Register of Deeds office serves as the official repository for various important public records in Pender County. This office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to:

Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats)
Vital records (birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses)
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Business names and partnerships
Notary public commissions

In-person services include document recording, issuance of certified copies, marriage license applications, and notary public oath administration. The office maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1875, with some records available from earlier periods.

Self-service computer terminals are available for public use during regular business hours for searching indexes and viewing recorded documents. Staff members are available to assist with complex searches or to locate historical records that may not be available in electronic format.

For those unable to visit in person, many services can be accessed through the office's website, including ordering certified copies of vital records and searching real estate indexes.

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Pender County Clerk of Superior Court
100 S. Wright Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 663-3900
Pender County Clerk of Court

Pender County Tax Office
300 E. Fremont Street
Burgaw, NC 28425
(910) 259-1221
Pender County Tax Office