Durham County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Durham County?

Public records in Durham County are defined under 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."

Durham County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:

Court records - civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Durham County Courthouse
Property records - deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Durham County Register of Deeds
Vital records - birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
Business records - business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax records - property tax information and assessment records
Voting and election records - voter registration data and election results
Meeting minutes and agendas - records from Board of County Commissioners meetings and other public bodies
Budget and financial documents - county expenditures, financial reports, and audits
Law enforcement records - arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
Land use and zoning records - planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. The Durham County Register of Deeds maintains property records, vital records, and business filings. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records. The Tax Administration Office maintains property tax records. The Board of Elections maintains voter and election records.

Is Durham County an Open Records County?

Durham County fully 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 must be made available for inspection and examination by any person, with limited exceptions as specifically provided by law.

The law specifically 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."

Durham County has implemented policies to ensure compliance with both state open records laws and the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, sometimes referred to as the "Sunshine Law." The county maintains transparency in government operations by providing public access to records through various means, including in-person requests and online portals.

The Durham County Board of Commissioners has adopted a public records policy that outlines procedures for requesting and obtaining public records. This policy reinforces the county's commitment to transparency and open government while establishing consistent procedures for record requests.

How to Find Public Records in Durham County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Durham County records may utilize several methods currently available through county offices. The process varies slightly depending on the type of record sought:

For property and vital records:

Visit the Durham County Register of Deeds online portal to search for real estate records, marriage licenses, and other documents.
Submit a specific records request using the county's online request form.
Visit the Register of Deeds office in person during regular business hours to conduct research or request copies.
Mail a written request with specific information about the desired records.

For court records:

Access the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online court records portal to search for case information.
Visit the Clerk of Superior Court's office at the Durham County Courthouse to review records in person.
Submit a written request for certified copies of court documents.

For city records:

Submit a public records request through the City of Durham's online portal.
Contact the specific city department that maintains the desired records.
Visit city offices in person to inspect records during regular business hours.

For general county records:

Browse the Durham County website for publicly available documents.
Submit a records request to the specific department that maintains the desired information.
Contact the County Manager's office for assistance with locating the appropriate records custodian.

When making a request, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including relevant dates, names, and document types. Pursuant to § 132-6.2(b) of the North Carolina Public Records Law, agencies must respond to requests "as promptly as possible."

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

Durham County follows the fee structure established under North Carolina General Statute § 132-6.2, which allows agencies to charge only the "actual cost" of reproduction. The current standard fees for public records in Durham County are as follows:

Paper copies: $0.10 per page for standard black and white copies
Color copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certificate
Certified copies of real estate records: $5.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
Electronic records: Provided at no cost when records are already maintained in electronic format and can be emailed
Records requiring extensive technology resources or staff time: Additional fees may apply based on actual cost

Accepted payment methods include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Credit/debit cards (in-person and online requests)
Checks or money orders made payable to "Durham County"

The North Carolina Public Records Law stipulates that agencies may not charge for inspection of records or for searching, locating, or retrieving records. Fees may only be assessed for actual reproduction costs. Additionally, § 132-6.2(e) allows agencies to waive fees when doing so "would be in the public interest because providing the copy of the public record primarily benefits the general public."

Fee structures may vary slightly between different county departments and for specialized records. The Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, and Tax Administration each maintain their own fee schedules for specific document types.

Does Durham County Have Free Public Records?

Durham County provides free access to numerous public records in compliance with North Carolina law. Pursuant to § 132-6(a) of the North Carolina Public Records Law, any person has the right to inspect, examine, and obtain copies of public records without charge, except for the actual cost of reproduction.

The following records are currently available at no cost:

In-person inspection of any non-confidential public record during regular business hours
Online access to property records through the Register of Deeds website
Board of County Commissioners meeting agendas and minutes
County budget documents and financial reports
Voter registration information (with certain restrictions)
Building permit status information
County ordinances and regulations

The Durham County website provides free access to numerous public documents through its various department pages. The Durham County Register of Deeds offers an online search portal where citizens can access real estate records, marriage records, and other documents without charge, though fees apply for printing or downloading certified copies.

The North Carolina Judicial Branch also provides free online access to basic court record information, though detailed documents may require in-person requests and applicable fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Durham County?

Under the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-6(a), "any person" may request access to public records maintained by Durham County. This broad eligibility extends to:

North Carolina residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Organizations, businesses, and associations
Media representatives
Government agencies

Requestors are not required to:

Provide identification for most record types (though ID is required for certain vital records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain how they intend to use the records
Be a resident of Durham County or North Carolina

For certain restricted records, additional requirements may apply. For example, pursuant to § 130A-93, access to vital records such as birth certificates is limited to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest in the record.

When requesting records about oneself, identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. When requesting records about another individual, access may be limited based on the record type and applicable confidentiality laws.

Government agencies process all requests without discrimination based on the identity of the requestor or the purpose of the request, except where specifically limited by statute. Anonymous requests are generally accepted for public records, though contact information is necessary if copies are to be provided.

What Records Are Confidential in Durham County?

While Durham County strives for transparency, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1.2 and other applicable laws. These confidential records include:

Personnel records of county employees (with limited exceptions under § 160A-168)
Criminal investigation records that would reveal confidential informants or investigative techniques
Juvenile records, including court proceedings and law enforcement records
Social services records, including child protective services investigations
Medical records protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
Records containing Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal identifying information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Attorney-client privileged communications
Records related to economic development negotiations until finalized
Certain emergency response plans and security information
Sealed court records, including certain domestic violence and adoption proceedings
Tax information that identifies specific taxpayers
Certain voter registration information (such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth)
Records of closed sessions of public bodies

The determination of whether a record is confidential often requires a balancing test weighing the public interest in disclosure against privacy interests and other statutory protections. When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder.

Requests for records that may contain confidential information are evaluated on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable laws. The county is required to cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records based on confidentiality.