Moore County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Moore County?

Public records in Moore 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. Moore County government agencies are currently required to maintain and make available a broad range of records to members of the public upon request.

The following record types are available through various Moore County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Moore County Clerk of Superior Court through the North Carolina Judicial Branch
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments) — maintained by the Office of the Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — filed and maintained by the Moore County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Business records (assumed name filings, business licenses, and permits) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and county planning offices
Tax records (property tax assessments and payment histories) — maintained by the Moore County Tax Administration office; members of the public may access real and personal property assessment data through the county's property tax lookup portal
Voting and election records — maintained by the Moore County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and advisory boards) — available through the Moore County official website
Budget and financial documents — published by the Moore County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Moore County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Moore County Planning and Community Development Department

Is Moore County an Open Records County?

Moore County fully operates in accordance 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, reflects the legislature's intent that government records belong to the people of the state and shall be open for inspection at all times. Moore County agencies are bound by this statewide mandate and do not impose additional local restrictions beyond those authorized by state law. The county also operates in compliance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained as public records.

How to Find Public Records in Moore County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county agency maintains the record of interest. Property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records are maintained by Tax Administration.
Search online portals first. Many records are accessible without a formal request. The county's property and tax assessment search allows members of the public to look up real and personal property data at no cost.
Submit a written or in-person request. For records not available online, members of the public may submit a public records request in writing, by email, or in person at the relevant office. North Carolina law does not require requestors to use a specific form.
Provide sufficient identifying information. Requestors should supply enough detail to allow staff to locate the record, such as a parcel number, party name, case number, or date range.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are ready, requestors must pay any applicable copying or certification fees before receiving copies.
Inspect records on-site. Members of the public retain the right to inspect original records in person at no charge during regular business hours.

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

Current fees for public records in Moore County vary by record type and the office maintaining the documents. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge the actual cost of reproducing records, including the cost of the medium used and the cost of labor directly attributable to the duplication, but may not charge for the time spent locating or reviewing records.

Standard fees currently applicable in Moore County include:

Standard paper copies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the office
Certified copies of vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 per certified copy, as set by state statute
Register of Deeds document copies: $0.25 per page for standard copies; $5.00 for certified copies of recorded instruments
Court record copies: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type
Electronic records: Provided at actual cost of duplication; in many cases, downloadable records are available at no charge

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 in individual circumstances.

Does Moore County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under North Carolina law, which guarantees the right to examine records in person at no cost during regular business hours. Several categories of Moore County records are also freely accessible online without any registration or fee requirement:

Property and tax assessment records are available through the county's real and personal property lookup tool, which provides read-only access to assessment and tax record information
Recorded land records may be searched through the Register of Deeds online index
Court case information is accessible through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's eCourts portal for Moore County
County meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents are published on the Moore County government website at no charge
Voter registration and election results are available through the North Carolina State Board of Elections online portal

Who Can Request Public Records in Moore County?

Any person may request public records in Moore 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 requestor. Specifically, under current law:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Moore County and North Carolina retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification is generally not required. Agencies may not condition access to public records on the provision of identification, except in limited circumstances involving restricted record categories.
Purpose need not be stated. Requestors are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record, and agencies may not deny access based on the requestor's perceived purpose.
Restrictions apply to certain record types. Some records, such as juvenile court files, adoption 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 vital records or criminal history, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, pay additional certification fees.

Organizations, businesses, attorneys, and members of the media are equally entitled to request public records under the same standards applicable to individual members of the public.

What Records Are Confidential in Moore County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Moore County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 and related provisions identify specific exemptions that custodians are required to apply. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — ordered sealed by a judge pursuant to court rules or statute
Juvenile records — protected under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000 and related provisions
Ongoing criminal investigation records — exempt while an investigation is active
Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers, which must be redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health 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 legal circumstances
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-2901
Personnel records — exempt from disclosure under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-98, with limited exceptions for certain employment-related information
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — withheld 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.

Moore County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Moore County Register of Deeds serves as the primary custodian of recorded land records, vital records, and related instruments. The Moore County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records at the courthouse. Both offices are located in Carthage, the county seat.

Moore County Register of Deeds 1 Courthouse Square, Suite 1, Carthage, NC 28327 (910) 947-6370 Office of the Register of Deeds Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Moore County Clerk of Superior Court Carthage, NC 28327 (910) 947-2396 Moore County | North Carolina Judicial Branch Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Moore County Government — General Administration PO Box 905, 1 Courthouse Square, Carthage, NC 28327 (910) 947-1000 Moore County, NC Official Website Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Moore County Tax Administration PO Box 457, 1 Courthouse Square, Carthage, NC 28327 (910) 947-6000 Moore County Tax Lookup Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.