Brunswick County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Brunswick County?

Public records in Brunswick County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes § 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. Brunswick County, as a political subdivision of the state, is fully subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records available to members of the public.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Brunswick County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court, including case filings, judgments, and orders
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are recorded and maintained by the Brunswick County Register of Deeds; property assessments are held by the Tax Administration Office
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the North Carolina Vital Records office; marriage licenses are filed with the Register of Deeds; divorce decrees are held by the Clerk of Superior Court
Business records — Assumed business name (fictitious name) registrations, business licenses, and permits are maintained by the Register of Deeds and the Brunswick County Planning and Inspections Department
Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment records, and payment histories are maintained by the Brunswick County Tax Administration Office
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Brunswick County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are available through the Brunswick County Clerk to the Board
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are published by the Brunswick County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are held by the Brunswick County Planning and Inspections Department

Is Brunswick County an Open Records County?

Brunswick 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.G.S. § 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 North Carolina General Statutes, operates in conjunction with the state's open meetings law to ensure transparency in government operations. Key provisions include:

The burden of proof rests with the government agency to demonstrate that a record is exempt from disclosure, not with the requester to justify access
Agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time
Electronic records are subject to the same disclosure requirements as paper records
No formal written request is required for most records; oral requests are generally sufficient

Brunswick County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law. All county departments operate in accordance with the requirements established under state statute.

How to Find Public Records in Brunswick County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Brunswick 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. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records by Tax Administration; and vital records by the Register of Deeds or the state Vital Records office.
Search online portals — Brunswick County provides online access to property records through the Brunswick County GIS and Property Records portal. Court records may be searched through the North Carolina eCourts portal.
Submit a request in person — Members of the public may appear in person at the relevant office during public counter hours to inspect records at no charge.
Submit a written request — For records not available online, a written request may be submitted by mail, email, or in person. No specific form is required under state law, but the request should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity.
Submit a request by mail or email — Each county department accepts requests via mail addressed to the relevant office. Email addresses are listed on the Brunswick County official website.
Request certified copies — For vital records and recorded documents, certified copies may be requested in person or by mail with the applicable fee and required identification.

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

Current fees for public records in Brunswick County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. Under N.C.G.S. § 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 in effect include:

Standard paper copies — $0.05 to $0.10 per page for black-and-white copies, depending on the office
Certified copies of recorded documents — $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page, as set by the Register of Deeds
Certified copies of vital records — $24.00 per certified copy of a birth or death certificate, as established by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Court record copies — Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type
Electronic records — Fees for electronic copies may reflect the actual cost of the medium and staff time required for production

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly established under current state law, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as for indigent requesters or when the request serves a clear public interest.

Does Brunswick County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, which requires custodians to permit inspection at no charge during regular business hours. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee simply to view records on-site. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection — Any member of the public may inspect records at the relevant county office without charge during public counter hours
Brunswick County online property search — Property ownership, assessment, and tax data are available at no cost through the Brunswick County Tax Administration online portal
North Carolina court records — Basic case information for civil and criminal matters may be searched at no cost through the North Carolina eCourts public access portal
Voter registration records — Voter registration information is available at no cost through the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool
Meeting minutes and agendas — Brunswick County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes and agendas are posted at no cost on the Brunswick County Commissioners page

Who Can Request Public Records in Brunswick County?

Under North Carolina's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Brunswick County agencies. The statute does not restrict access based on residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. Specific eligibility provisions include:

No residency requirement — Non-residents of Brunswick County and North Carolina retain the same right of access as county residents
No identification required — Requesters are generally not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required for certified copies of vital records
No purpose required — Requesters are not required to state the reason for their request under current state law
Any person may request — Individuals, businesses, organizations, journalists, and researchers all have equal standing to request public records

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions. Requests for one's own records, such as criminal history or vital records, may require proof of identity. Requests for records pertaining to another individual may be subject to redaction of exempt personal information. Attorneys and parties to litigation may access court records through the Clerk of Superior Court, while members of the public may access non-sealed court filings through the Brunswick County courthouse.

What Records Are Confidential in Brunswick County?

Not all government records in Brunswick County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law establishes specific categories of exempt records. The following records are currently withheld from public access under applicable state and federal law:

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.G.S. § 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 numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10
Medical and health records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed under North Carolina law
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Department of Social Services relating to child abuse, neglect, and dependency are confidential
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure under N.C.G.S. § 153A-98, with limited exceptions for certain employment information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies may be withheld
Security plans and infrastructure details — Plans for the security of public buildings and critical infrastructure are exempt from disclosure

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

Brunswick County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Brunswick County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, plats, and vital records. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all court-related records. Both offices are located at the Brunswick County Government Complex in Bolivia, North Carolina.

Brunswick County Register of Deeds 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 Phone: (910) 253-2690 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brunswick County Register of Deeds

Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court 310 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 Phone: (910) 253-3600 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brunswick County Clerk of Superior Court

Brunswick County Tax Administration 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 Phone: (910) 253-2829 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brunswick County Tax Administration

Brunswick County Sheriff's Office 70 Stamp Act Drive, Bolivia, NC 28422 Phone: (910) 253-2777 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brunswick County Sheriff's Office

Brunswick County Board of Elections 45 Referendum Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 Phone: (910) 253-2620 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Brunswick County Board of Elections