Chatham County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Chatham County?

Public records in Chatham County, North Carolina, 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. Chatham County government agencies are required to maintain and make available the following categories of public records:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files maintained by the Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and deed of trust documents held by the Chatham County Register of Deeds
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates, available through the Register of Deeds and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Business records — Assumed business name (fictitious name) registrations, business licenses, and permits filed with the Register of Deeds or county departments
Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment records, and payment histories maintained by the Chatham County Tax Administration
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Chatham County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Board of Commissioners meeting minutes, agendas, and supporting documents published by the County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and expenditure records available through the Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, available through the Chatham County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and planning documents maintained by the Chatham County Planning Department

Is Chatham County an Open Records County?

Chatham County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes a broad public right of 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 certified copies of public records shall be furnished upon request, subject to applicable fees. North Carolina's Public Records Law operates in conjunction with the state's Open Meetings Law, codified at N.C.G.S. § 143-318.9, which ensures that official meetings of public bodies are open to the public and that related records are accessible. Chatham County does not currently maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance beyond the requirements established by state law; all county departments operate in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law as their governing policy.

How to Find Public Records in Chatham County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Chatham County public records through several official 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 are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records are held by Tax Administration.
Search online portals. Many records are available through the Chatham County government website and affiliated online databases. Property records may be searched through the county's GIS and tax portal. Chatham County court documents may be accessed through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's eCourts system.
Submit a written or in-person request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written public records request directly to the relevant department. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate custodian.
Complete any required forms. Certain offices, such as the Register of Deeds, provide standardized request forms for vital records. These forms are available at the office counter or on the department's official webpage.
Allow for processing time. Agencies are required under state law to respond to requests within a reasonable time. Complex or voluminous requests may require additional processing.
Retrieve or receive the records. Completed requests may be fulfilled in person, by mail, or electronically, depending on the format of the record and the capabilities of the custodial office.

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

Current fees for public records in Chatham County vary by record type and the office fulfilling the request. 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:

Photocopies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the department
Certified copies of vital records: The Register of Deeds charges $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time
Recorded document copies: The Register of Deeds charges $0.25 per page for standard copies
Court record copies: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and currently range from $0.25 per page for standard copies to higher amounts for certified documents
Electronic records: Some records provided in electronic format may be furnished at no charge or at reduced cost

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 current North Carolina law for standard public records requests, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances, such as when the cost of collection would exceed the fee amount.

Does Chatham County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under North Carolina law, which requires custodians to permit in-person inspection of records at no charge. Members of the public may inspect the following records at no cost:

Property and deed records — Available for free in-person inspection at the Register of Deeds and searchable online through the county's property lookup portal
Tax assessment records — Accessible at no charge through the Chatham County Tax Administration's online search tool
Court records — Members of the public may inspect Chatham County court case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's case lookup tools, which provide free access to certain case data
Meeting minutes and agendas — Published at no cost on the Chatham County Board of Commissioners' official webpage
Election and voter data — Certain voter registration and election result data is available at no charge through the Board of Elections and the North Carolina State Board of Elections online portal
GIS and mapping data — Parcel maps and zoning information are available free of charge through the county's online GIS viewer

Who Can Request Public Records in Chatham County?

Any person may request public records in Chatham County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. N.C.G.S. § 132-6 establishes that the right of access to public records extends to "any person," and agencies are not authorized to require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-exempt records. Specific eligibility provisions include:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Chatham County or North Carolina
Identification: Agencies may not require identification as a precondition for inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certain certified vital records requests where the requestor's relationship to the subject must be verified
Purpose: Requestors are generally not required to state the purpose of their request for standard public records
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as birth certificates less than 25 years old and death certificates less than 24 years old, are restricted to qualified requestors including the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest
Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking their own records, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a signed authorization

Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under current North Carolina law, with the same exceptions applicable to restricted record categories.

What Records Are Confidential in Chatham County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or undisciplined proceedings are confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that would compromise an active investigation are exempt from disclosure
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records pursuant to state and federal privacy requirements
Medical and health records — Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health records statutes
Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court-ordered circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — Confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901 and related provisions
Personnel records — Employee personnel files are generally confidential, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Exempt from disclosure when submitted to a government agency under a claim of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety

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

Chatham County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Chatham County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder's office for property records, vital records, and business name registrations. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records at the Chatham County Courthouse.

Chatham County Register of Deeds 12 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-8240 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chatham County Register of Deeds

Chatham County Clerk of Superior Court 12 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-8200 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chatham County | North Carolina Judicial Branch

Chatham County Tax Administration 12 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-8250 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chatham County Tax Administration

Chatham County Sheriff's Office 986 US-64 Business, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-2911 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chatham County Sheriff's Office

Chatham County Board of Elections 984 US-64 Business, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (919) 542-8270 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Chatham County Board of Elections