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Davie County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Davie County?

Public records in Davie 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. Davie County government agencies generate and maintain a broad range of records that members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of under current law.

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

  • Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Davie County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may access Davie County court filings and case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
  • Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Davie County Register of Deeds. Property assessment data is available through the Davie County real estate basic search portal, which compiles data from recorded deeds, plats, and other public records.
  • Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are administered at the state level by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The NC Vital Records office processes certified copy requests statewide.
  • Business records — Business licenses, permits, and assumed name (fictitious name) registrations are filed with the Davie County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Secretary of State.
  • Tax records — Property tax bills, assessment records, and payment histories are maintained by the Davie County Tax Administration office.
  • Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Davie County Board of Elections.
  • Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas of the Davie County Board of Commissioners and other public boards are maintained by the County Manager's office and posted on the official county website.
  • Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are public records maintained by the Davie County Finance Department.
  • Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Davie County Sheriff's Office. Corrections records are accessible through the NC Department of Adult Correction public records database, which contains current and historical information dating to 1972.
  • Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use plans are maintained by the Davie County Planning and Zoning Department. Spatial data is accessible through the Davie County GIS mapping system.

Is Davie County an Open Records County?

Davie County fully complies with North Carolina's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption 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 request, subject to applicable fees.

North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, operates as the state's primary sunshine law and applies uniformly to all county agencies, boards, and offices within Davie County. Key provisions of the law include:

  • The presumption that all government records are open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
  • The requirement that custodians respond to requests without unreasonable delay.
  • The prohibition against requiring a requester to state a reason or purpose for seeking access to public records.

Davie County does not currently maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes or supplements state law. All county departments are expected to comply with Chapter 132 requirements as administered through each respective office's designated records custodian.

How to Find Public Records in Davie County

Members of the public may obtain Davie County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In-person requests: Requesters may visit the relevant county office during regular business hours and ask to inspect or obtain copies of specific records. The Davie County Courthouse, located at 140 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028, houses the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and Tax Administration offices.

Online access: Several categories of records are accessible through official online portals without submitting a formal request:

Written requests: For records not available online, members of the public may submit a written request to the appropriate custodian by mail, email, or in person. Written requests should identify the records sought with reasonable specificity, including relevant dates, names, or document types.

Vital records requests: Certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates must be requested through the NC Vital Records office, as these records are not maintained at the county level under current state policy.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Davie County, consistent with the cost-recovery framework established under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge the actual cost of reproducing records.

Current standard fees for common record types include:

  • Register of Deeds copies: $0.25 per page for standard document copies; certified copies of recorded instruments are subject to a certification fee set by the Register of Deeds.
  • Clerk of Superior Court copies: Fees for court record copies are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type.
  • Tax records: Copies of tax records are generally available at standard per-page rates.
  • Vital records: Certified copies of birth and death certificates issued by NC Vital Records are subject to a statutory fee per certificate.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Members of the public are advised to confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to submitting a request. Under current law, agencies may not charge fees for the time spent locating records unless the request requires extraordinary measures, and inspection of records in person is generally available at no charge.

Does Davie County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under North Carolina law, which requires custodians to permit in-person inspection at no cost. Several categories of Davie County records are also accessible online at no charge through official government portals.

Free online resources currently available include:

Fees apply only when certified copies or reproductions are requested. In-person inspection of records at county offices remains free of charge under current state law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Davie County?

Any person may request public records in Davie County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Under current law, custodians are prohibited from requiring requesters to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access to non-restricted public records.

Specific eligibility provisions include:

  • Residency: Requesters are not required to be residents of Davie County or North Carolina to access public records.
  • Identification: Custodians may not require identification as a precondition for inspecting public records, though identification may be required for certain restricted record types or for requesting records about oneself.
  • Purpose: No statement of purpose is required for access to general public records under Chapter 132.
  • Requesting records about oneself: Individuals seeking their own records, such as criminal history or corrections records, may be subject to additional identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure.
  • Restricted record types: Certain categories of records, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and adoption records, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the requester's identity. Access to these records may require a court order or demonstration of a legally recognized interest.

Non-residents retain the same rights of access as county residents under state law, and no additional requirements apply solely on the basis of out-of-state residency.

What Records Are Confidential in Davie County?

Not all government records in Davie County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 and related statutes identify numerous categories of records that are exempt from public access requirements. Custodians are required to withhold or redact exempt information prior to releasing responsive records.

Records currently exempt from public disclosure include:

  • Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public.
  • Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000 and related provisions.
  • Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
  • Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar personal data are redacted from public records pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10.
  • Medical and health records: Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
  • Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
  • Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Davie County Department of Social Services relating to child protective services are confidential under state law.
  • Personnel records: Employee personnel files are generally exempt from public disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation.
  • Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies may be withheld where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
  • Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public buildings, infrastructure, or emergency response plans are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under North Carolina public records law.

Davie County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Davie County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, assumed name certificates, and other instruments affecting real property or business identity in the county.

Davie County Register of Deeds 123 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028 (336) 753-6080 Davie County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Davie County Clerk of Superior Court 140 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028 (336) 753-6020 Davie County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains civil, criminal, estate, and special proceeding records. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Davie County Tax Administration 123 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028 (336) 753-6120 Davie County Tax Administration

Tax records, property assessments, and payment histories are available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Davie County Board of Elections 161 Depot St., Suite 2, Mocksville, NC 27028 (336) 753-6072 Davie County Board of Elections

Davie County Sheriff's Office 140 S. Main Street, Mocksville, NC 27028 (336) 751-6238 Davie County Sheriff's Office

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