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How to Find Public Records in Pasquotank County in 2026

PasquotankRecords.us aggregates publicly available information that may assist members of the public in locating records associated with Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Individuals seeking official documentation may find references to a range of record categories, including court filings, property transactions, vital records, and law enforcement logs. The data presented reflects what government agencies have made available through public channels, and completeness or currency of any individual record cannot be guaranteed.

Records in Pasquotank County may be searched through official court resources, the Register of Deeds, the Clerk of Superior Court, public access terminals located at county facilities, and various online tools maintained by state and county agencies.

Online Access:

The Pasquotank County Register of Deeds provides an online portal for searching recorded land instruments, deeds, and plats.
The North Carolina Courts website offers access to civil and criminal case information through the eCourts public portal.
Property tax and assessment records are searchable through the Pasquotank County tax administration portal.
No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most county and state portals.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Pasquotank County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records during regular business hours. Staff at each office can assist with locating documents and processing copy requests. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification when seeking certified copies.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must include the requestor's name, a description of the records sought, and a mailing address for response. Under § 132-6 of the North Carolina General Statutes, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time. Requests may be mailed to the applicable office at the addresses listed in the contact section below.

Phone/Email:

Pasquotank County Register of Deeds: (252) 335-4367
Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court: (252) 331-4600

What Are Public Records in Pasquotank County?

Public records in Pasquotank County are defined under North Carolina law 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. The following record types are maintained by county and state agencies:

Court records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings maintained by the Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats maintained by the Register of Deeds
Vital records: Birth and death certificates maintained by the North Carolina Vital Records office; marriage and divorce records held by the Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court respectively
Business records: Assumed name filings and business licenses maintained by the Register of Deeds and county departments
Tax records: Property tax assessments and payment histories maintained by the Pasquotank County Tax Administration office
Voting and election records: Maintained by the Pasquotank County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas: County commission proceedings and board records maintained by the county manager's office and, for municipal matters, the Elizabeth City City Clerk
Budget and financial documents: Available through the county finance department
Law enforcement records: Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted, through the Pasquotank County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records: Maintained by the county planning department

Is Pasquotank County an Open Records County?

Pasquotank County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government documents. Under Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, all public records are the property of the people of North Carolina and are open for inspection and examination at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision.

As stated in the statute, "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." This foundational principle means that no agency may require a requestor to demonstrate a specific need or purpose before granting access to non-exempt records.

The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits. North Carolina's open records law operates alongside the state's open meetings law, codified at § 143-318.9 et seq., which ensures that deliberations of public bodies are conducted transparently. The North Carolina Department of Justice publishes guidance on open records compliance that county agencies are expected to follow.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Pasquotank County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Standard fees applicable at present are as follows:

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies (standard size)	$0.05–$0.10 per page
Certified copies of vital records	$10.00 per copy (state fee)
Recorded land instrument copies	$0.25 per page
Certification of documents	$3.00–$5.00 per document
Electronic records (where available)	No charge for inspection; nominal fee for reproduction

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for inspecting public records in person.
Copy fees: Per-page fees apply when physical or electronic copies are produced.
Certification fees: Fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
Search fees: North Carolina law does not authorize agencies to charge a fee solely for conducting a search.
Fee waivers: Agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases of demonstrated public interest or indigency.

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2 governs the fees that agencies may charge for reproducing public records and limits charges to the actual cost of reproduction.

Does Pasquotank County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any member of the public at the offices that maintain those records. North Carolina law requires that agencies permit inspection without charge during regular business hours.

The following resources provide free access to records:

The Pasquotank County Register of Deeds online portal allows free searching and viewing of recorded instruments.
The North Carolina Courts eCourts portal provides free access to civil and criminal case index information.
The North Carolina State Archives offers free online access to historical government records and digitized collections.
Property tax records are searchable at no cost through the county's online tax administration system.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may inspect any non-exempt record at no cost, but fees apply when physical or electronic copies are produced by agency staff.

Who Can Request Public Records in Pasquotank County?

Any person may request public records in Pasquotank County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's open records law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor.

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of North Carolina or Pasquotank County.
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a condition of inspecting public records, though identification is required when requesting certified copies of vital records.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for their request for most record types.
Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under state law.
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure.

Certain record types, such as law enforcement investigative files or personnel records, carry additional access restrictions that apply equally to all requestors. The NC Department of Adult Correction offender search tool allows any member of the public to search for information on county jail inmates, state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered sex offenders without registration.

What Records Are Confidential in Pasquotank County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the open records requirement. The following records are currently withheld from public access in Pasquotank County:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under state law.
Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active criminal investigations are exempt until the investigation is closed.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Department of Social Services.
Personnel records: Employee records are exempt from disclosure with limited exceptions, such as name, position, and compensation of public employees.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

As stated in the North Carolina Attorney General's guidance on public records, "the burden is on the agency to demonstrate that a record falls within a specific statutory exemption." Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes enumerates applicable exemptions, and agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of access.

Pasquotank County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Pasquotank County Register of Deeds
203 E. Main Street, Suite 103
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335-4367
Pasquotank County Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court
112 W. Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 331-4600
Pasquotank County Clerk of Superior Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Pasquotank County Tax Administration
206 E. Main Street
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 338-5169
Pasquotank County Tax Administration

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Elizabeth City City Clerk
306 E. Colonial Ave.
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 337-6660
Elizabeth City City Clerk

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM