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How to Find Public Records in Person County in 2026
PersonRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records in Person County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking access to official documents may locate records through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online government portals. Available record categories include court filings, property records, vital records, tax documents, business licenses, and law enforcement records, subject to applicable exemptions under state law.
Records in Person County may be searched through several access points:
Online Access:
- The Person County official website provides access to various county department resources and online tools.
- Property records and tax information are searchable through the Person County Tax Administration online portal.
- Court records are accessible through the North Carolina Courts eCourts portal, which provides case lookup tools for civil, criminal, and estate matters.
- No registration is required to search most publicly available online databases.
In-Person Requests:
- Members of the public may visit the Person County Register of Deeds for property and vital records, or the Clerk of Superior Court for court-related documents.
- Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting certified copies.
- Staff at each office will assist in locating records and processing copy requests at the public counter during regular business hours.
Written/Mail Requests:
- Written requests should include the full name of the subject, the type of record sought, the approximate date range, and the requestor's return address.
- Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, custodians are required to provide access to public records within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
- Person County Register of Deeds: (336) 597-1733
- Person County Clerk of Superior Court: (336) 597-1282
What Are Public Records in Person County?
Public records in Person County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 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.
The following record types are currently maintained by Person County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Register of Deeds |
| Birth, death, and marriage certificates | Register of Deeds |
| Business licenses and permits | County Planning & Development |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Administration |
| Voting and election records | Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Manager's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | Finance Department |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Person County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning & Development |
The Person County Register of Deeds maintains real property instruments, vital records, and military discharge records. Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at the Person County Courthouse.
Is Person County an Open Records County?
Person County fully complies with North Carolina's open records laws, which establish a broad public right of access to government documents. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, public records are the property of the people, and any person may obtain copies of public records from any agency upon request.
As stated in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources guidance, "The Public Records Law of North Carolina gives the public broad access to the records of state and local government agencies." This principle applies to all county departments and offices in Person County.
The statute establishes a presumption of openness, meaning that all government records are presumed to be public unless a specific statutory exemption applies. Person County does not impose additional local restrictions beyond those established by state law. The county operates in compliance with North Carolina's sunshine laws, which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that records of those meetings be made available for inspection.
The North Carolina Attorney General's office provides guidance on open records compliance, and county agencies are expected to adhere to those standards in processing all public records requests.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Person County?
The current fee structure for public records in Person County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. Fees are governed by state statute and individual agency schedules.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies (per page) | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Certified copy of deed or instrument | $5.00 (first page) + $2.00 (each additional page) |
| Certified birth certificate | $10.00 |
| Certified death certificate | $10.00 |
| Certified marriage certificate | $10.00 |
| Court record copies (per page) | $0.25 |
- Inspection of public records at a public counter is available at no charge.
- Electronic copies, where available, may be provided at a reduced or no-cost rate depending on the format and the office.
- Certification fees apply when an official seal or attestation is required.
- Accepted payment methods at most Person County offices include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Under North Carolina law, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproducing records and are not permitted to charge for the time spent locating or retrieving records in most circumstances.
- Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established by statute, but individual offices may exercise discretion in certain circumstances.
Does Person County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Person County. Under state law, any person has the right to inspect public records at the office of the custodian during regular business hours at no charge. The right to inspect does not require payment; fees apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources provide free access to Person County records:
- The Person County Tax Administration portal allows free online searches of property tax and assessment records.
- The North Carolina Courts case search tool provides free online access to court case information.
- The North Carolina State Archives provides free online access to historical records, including some Person County documents.
- Meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents posted on the Person County official website are available at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review original records in person without charge, but obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees.
Who Can Request Public Records in Person County?
Any person may request public records in Person County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's public records law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. As affirmed by the North Carolina Attorney General's office, "Any person may examine and obtain copies of public records."
Specific eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Requestors are not required to be North Carolina residents or Person County residents.
- Identification: Identification is not required to inspect public records; however, certified copies of vital records such as birth and death certificates may require proof of eligibility under North Carolina General Statutes § 130A-93, which limits certified vital record copies to qualified applicants including the registrant, immediate family members, and legal representatives.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a reason for requesting most public records.
- Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under state law.
- Own records vs. others' records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal court filings or property records, follow the same process as any other requestor. Vital records have additional eligibility requirements as noted above.
Certain sensitive record categories, including juvenile records and sealed court files, are subject to restrictions regardless of who is making the request.
What Records Are Confidential in Person County?
Not all government records in Person County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general public access requirement. The following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating crime may be withheld while an investigation is active.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public 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 through court order or specific statutory procedures.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under state and federal child protection laws.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are generally exempt, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation.
- 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.
North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 and related chapters establish these exemptions. Agencies apply a balancing test in some circumstances, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the privacy or safety interests protected by the exemption. The North Carolina General Assembly's statutes database provides the full text of applicable exemptions.
Person County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Person County Register of Deeds 304 S. Morgan St., Suite 105, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 597-1733 Person County Register of Deeds
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Person County Clerk of Superior Court 105 S. Main St., Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 597-1282 North Carolina Courts – Person County
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed on state and federal holidays.
Person County Tax Administration 304 S. Morgan St., Suite 101, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 597-1721 Person County Tax Administration
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Person County Board of Elections 304 S. Morgan St., Suite 215, Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 597-1295 Person County Board of Elections
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Person County Sheriff's Office 606 Lamar St., Roxboro, NC 27573 (336) 597-1818 Person County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (administrative); law enforcement services available 24 hours