Catawba County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Catawba County?

Public records in Catawba County are defined according to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically under § 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."

Catawba 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 Catawba County Clerk of Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments housed at the Register of Deeds Office
Vital Records: Birth certificates (from 1913), death certificates (from 1913), marriage licenses (from 1842), and delayed birth certificates available through the Register of Deeds
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names (assumed names)
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps maintained by the Tax Department
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results through the Board of Elections
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Commission meetings, advisory boards, and committees
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
Law Enforcement Records: Incident reports, arrest logs, and certain investigative records through the Sheriff's Office Records Division
Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits through the Planning Department

Each type of record is maintained by specific departments within Catawba County government, with the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, and Sheriff's Office being primary custodians of many frequently requested records.

Is Catawba County an Open Records County?

Catawba County adheres to the North Carolina Public Records Law as codified in North Carolina General Statutes § 132. Under § 132-1(b), the law explicitly states that "public records and public information are the property of the people," establishing a presumption of openness and accessibility.

The statute further provides that "the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law." This provision underscores the public's right to access government records with limited financial barriers.

Catawba County government offices comply with these state requirements and have implemented procedures to facilitate public access to records. The county follows the state's sunshine laws, including the Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public with limited exceptions.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online services portal, which provides digital access to many public records. While Catawba County does not have a separate county-specific public records ordinance, all departments follow the state statutes governing records access, retention, and disclosure.

Records custodians within each department are responsible for ensuring compliance with state law regarding both disclosure of public information and protection of confidential information as defined by statute.

How to Find Public Records in Catawba County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Catawba County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:

Identify the Appropriate Department: Determine which county department maintains the records you seek. The main record-keeping offices include:
- Register of Deeds: For property records, vital records, and marriage licenses
- Clerk of Court: For court records, including civil and criminal cases
- Sheriff's Office: For incident reports and certain law enforcement records
- Tax Office: For property tax records and assessments
- Planning Department: For zoning and land use records
Submit a Formal Request: While not all records require a formal written request, it is advisable to submit one for complex or voluminous records. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the appropriate department
- By mail to the department's address
- By email to the department's contact address
- Through online request forms where available
Access Online Resources: Many records are available through the county's online portals:
- The Register of Deeds offers online access to real estate records, vital records indexes, and marriage records
- The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to court records through its online system
- Property tax records can be searched through the Tax Department's online database
Visit in Person: For immediate access or assistance with complex searches, visit the appropriate office during regular business hours:
- The Register of Deeds Office is located in the Catawba County Justice Center
- The Clerk of Court maintains public terminals for searching court records
- The Sheriff's Office Records Division provides access to applicable law enforcement records
Specify Record Details: When requesting records, provide as much specific information as possible, including:
- Names of parties involved
- Relevant dates
- Case numbers (for court records)
- Property addresses or parcel numbers (for property records)
- Document types needed
Review and Receive Records: Once your request is processed, you may:
- Review records in person at the department
- Receive copies by mail, email, or in person
- Access electronic copies through secure online portals when available

County officials are required to respond to records requests "as promptly as possible" under North Carolina law, though response times may vary based on the complexity and volume of the request.

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

Catawba County charges fees for public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge only the "actual cost" of reproduction. The current fee structure for public records in Catawba County is as follows:

Register of Deeds Office:

Certified copies of birth certificates: $10.00 per copy
Certified copies of death certificates: $10.00 per copy
Certified copies of marriage licenses: $10.00 per copy
Uncertified copies of real estate records: $1.00 for first page, $0.25 for each additional page
Recording fees for documents: Vary by document type and length (typically $26.00 for the first 15 pages)

Clerk of Court:

Copies of court documents: $0.25 per page
Certified copies: $3.00 certification fee plus copy costs
Criminal background checks: $25.00 per name searched

Sheriff's Office Records Division:

Incident/accident reports: $5.00 per report
Copies of photographs: $5.00 per CD
Fingerprinting services: $10.00 per card

General County Records:

Standard black and white copies: $0.05 per page
Color copies: $0.25 per page
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc
Electronic records sent via email: No charge for transmission (charges may apply for staff time for extensive requests)

Payment methods accepted by most Catawba County offices include:

Cash (in-person requests only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (in person and for certain online services)

For requests requiring extensive staff time or specialized technology resources, additional fees may be assessed based on the actual cost of providing the records, as permitted under § 132-6.2(b). The county defines "extensive" as requests requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time to fulfill.

Fee waivers are not explicitly provided for in county policy, though certain records may be available at no cost when accessed through public terminals or online systems.

Does Catawba County Have Free Public Records?

Catawba County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6(a), which states that citizens have the right to inspect public records during regular business hours.

Free public records access is available through the following means:

In-Person Inspection:

Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
The Register of Deeds Office provides public terminals for searching real estate records, vital records indexes, and other public documents
The Clerk of Court offers public access terminals for reviewing court records
The Tax Department maintains public terminals for property tax record searches

Online Resources:

The Catawba County website provides free access to:
- County Commission meeting minutes and agendas
- County budgets and financial reports
- Planning and zoning documents
- Building permit information
The Register of Deeds offers online access to:
- Real estate indexes
- Marriage license indexes
- Birth and death certificate indexes (not full certificates)
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides free access to basic court case information

Public Libraries:

Catawba County Public Libraries offer free internet access to online county records
Library staff can assist patrons with navigating public records databases

While inspection of records is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or records requiring extensive staff time to compile. Additionally, certain specialized databases may require subscription fees for full access, though basic information is typically available at no cost.

The county continually expands its online offerings to increase free public access to government records while balancing privacy concerns and resource limitations.

Who Can Request Public Records in Catawba County?

Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, "any person" has the legal right to request and receive access to public records maintained by Catawba County. This broad eligibility extends to:

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

Requestors are not required to:

State the purpose of their request
Demonstrate a "legitimate interest" in the records
Provide identification for most record types
Be a resident of Catawba County or North Carolina

However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:

Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates have restricted access under § 130A-93. Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a documented legitimate interest may obtain these records. Identification is required.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain investigative records may have restricted access, particularly for ongoing investigations, as provided in § 132-1.4.
Personnel Records: Access to county employee personnel records is limited by § 153A-98, which specifies what information is public versus confidential.
Social Services Records: Records maintained by the Department of Social Services are generally confidential under various state statutes.

When requesting your own records versus those of others, different standards may apply:

Requests for one's own records typically require identity verification
Requests for records about others must comply with applicable privacy laws
Certain records may require a court order or specific authorization

Commercial use of public records is permitted, though bulk requests may be subject to special procedures or fees to recover actual costs of production.

What Records Are Confidential in Catawba County?

Catawba County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes and federal laws. Under § 132-1.2 and related statutes, the following records are exempt from public disclosure:

Court and Law Enforcement Records:

Sealed court records by judicial order
Juvenile records (§ 7B-3000)
Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations (§ 132-1.4)
Intelligence information gathered for law enforcement purposes
Criminal investigative records that would:
- Disclose confidential informants
- Reveal investigative techniques
- Endanger the life or safety of individuals
- Interfere with an ongoing investigation

Personal and Medical Information:

Social Security numbers and other personal identifying information (§ 132-1.10)
Medical records and protected health information (HIPAA)
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Adoption records (§ 48-9-102)
Child protective services records (§ 7B-302)
Certain domestic violence records

Government and Personnel Records:

County employee personnel records, except for specific information designated as public under § 153A-98
Attorney-client privileged communications
Draft documents and working papers of elected officials
Certain economic development records prior to project announcement
Security plans, emergency response protocols, and infrastructure vulnerability assessments
Competitive bid documents prior to contract award

Financial and Business Information:

Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Taxpayer information protected under state and federal law
Certain banking account information and financial account numbers

The determination of whether a record is confidential often involves 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 are required to provide access to the public portions while redacting confidential information.

Requests for confidential records may be denied in writing, with the specific statutory basis for the denial cited. In some cases, court orders may provide access to otherwise confidential records for specific purposes.

Catawba County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Catawba County Register of Deeds
25 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 465-8660
Catawba County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Issuance of marriage licenses
Certified copies of birth certificates (from 1913)
Certified copies of death certificates (from 1913)
Certified copies of marriage licenses (from 1842)
Notary public oaths and authentications
Military discharge recording (DD-214)
Real estate index searches

Additional County Records Offices:

Catawba County Clerk of Court
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 466-6100
Catawba County Clerk of Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state holidays

Catawba County Sheriff's Office Records Division
100 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 465-8333
Catawba County Sheriff's Office Records Division

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Catawba County Tax Office
25 Government Drive
Newton, NC 28658
(828) 465-8400
Catawba County Tax Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays