Wayne County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Wayne County?

Public records in Wayne County, North Carolina, are defined under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1 as 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. Wayne County, as a political subdivision of the state, is fully subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records accessible to members of the public.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Wayne County offices and agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may access civil and criminal court records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Wayne County Register of Deeds. Property tax assessments are maintained by the Wayne County Tax Administration Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued through the NC Vital Records office at the state level, with local registration occurring through the Wayne County Register of Deeds.
Business records — Business licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious name) registrations are filed with the Wayne County Register of Deeds and the Wayne County Planning and Development Department.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Wayne County Tax Administration Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Wayne County Board of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas for the Wayne County Board of Commissioners and other county boards are maintained by the Wayne County Clerk to the Board.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are maintained by the Wayne County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use plans are maintained by the Wayne County Planning and Development Department.

Is Wayne County an Open Records County?

Wayne County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government documents. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, 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. The statute further provides that the custodian shall furnish copies of public records upon payment of the prescribed fees.

North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, operates in conjunction with the state's open meetings law to ensure government transparency at all levels, including county government. Wayne County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in accordance with the requirements established under Chapter 132. The law places the burden of demonstrating that a record is exempt from disclosure on the government agency, not on the requesting party.

How to Find Public Records in Wayne County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Wayne County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought. The following steps outline the standard process:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; vital records are obtained through the state's vital records office.
Submit a request in person, by mail, or electronically. Wayne County offices accept public records requests in person at their respective counters during normal business hours. Many offices also accept written requests submitted by mail or email.
Use online portals where available. The Wayne County court locations and services page provides access to court-related information and filing resources. The NC Department of Adult Correction maintains public records available online, including correctional data dating back to 1972.
Allow reasonable processing time. Under current law, agencies are expected to respond to requests promptly. There is no fixed statutory deadline for fulfillment, but unreasonable delay may be challenged.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification of the fee amount, submit payment in the accepted form to receive copies of the requested records.

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

Current fees for public records in Wayne County vary by record type and the office responsible for maintaining the records. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge a fee for copies of public records, provided the fee does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Standard fees currently applicable in Wayne County include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the office and document type.
Certified copies of deeds and recorded instruments: Fees set by the Register of Deeds, generally $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page.
Vital records certificates: Birth and death certificates issued through NC Vital Records are subject to a standard state fee, currently $24.00 per certified copy.
Court records copies: Fees are established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type.
Electronic records: Where electronic copies are provided, fees reflect the actual cost of duplication.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under state law for standard public records requests; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as when the request serves a clear public interest.

Does Wayne County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under North Carolina law. Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, any person may inspect public records at the offices of the custodial agency at no charge during regular business hours. The right to inspect does not require payment; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Several categories of records are currently accessible at no cost through official government portals:

Court records may be inspected in person at the Wayne County Courthouse through the Clerk of Superior Court's office without charge.
Correctional records are searchable through the NC Department of Adult Correction's online database, which contains current and historical information dating back to 1972, at no cost to the user.
Property and tax records may be inspected in person at the Wayne County Tax Administration Office and Register of Deeds without charge.
Meeting minutes and agendas for the Wayne County Board of Commissioners are available for free inspection through the county's official website.

Who Can Request Public Records in Wayne County?

Any person may request public records in Wayne County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requester. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Wayne County and North Carolina retain the same right of access as county residents.
Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances involving records that require verification of eligibility.
Purpose need not be stated. Members of the public are not required to explain why they are seeking a record.
Restrictions apply to certain record types. Some records, such as adoption files, juvenile records, and sealed court documents, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
Requesting one's own records. Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal criminal history or social services case files, may be subject to identity verification requirements. The Wayne County Department of Social Services follows state and federal privacy guidelines when processing requests for case-related information.

What Records Are Confidential in Wayne County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related statutes identify specific exemptions that apply to Wayne County agencies. The following records are currently withheld from public access, in whole or in part:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000.
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating crime are exempt while the investigation is active.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records.
Medical records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records — Case records maintained by the Wayne County Department of Social Services are confidential under state and federal law.
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies is protected from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Plans relating to the security of public buildings or infrastructure are withheld to protect public safety.

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Wayne County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Wayne County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and vital records registrations. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records for all civil, criminal, probate, and special proceedings in the county.

Wayne County Register of Deeds 224 E Walnut St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 731-1449 Wayne County Register of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court 224 E Walnut St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 722-4400 Wayne County Clerk of Superior Court Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wayne County Tax Administration Office 224 E Walnut St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 731-1461 Wayne County Tax Administration Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wayne County Board of Elections 301 N Herman St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 731-1411 Wayne County Board of Elections Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wayne County Sheriff's Office 207 E Chestnut St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 731-1481 Wayne County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wayne County Department of Social Services 301 N Herman St, Goldsboro, NC 27530 (919) 731-1500 Wayne County Department of Social Services Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.