Pitt County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Pitt County?
Public records in Pitt County are defined according to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically under N.C.G.S. § 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."
Pitt County maintains numerous types of public records accessible to citizens, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments are available through the Pitt County Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Pitt County Tax Administration
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results through the Pitt County Board of Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Commission and various boards and committees
- Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning maps, and land development plans
The Pitt County Register of Deeds Office maintains property records, vital records, and various other official documents, while court records are maintained by the Pitt County Courthouse. The county's real estate records provide comprehensive information about property ownership and transfers throughout the county.
Is Pitt County an Open Records County?
Pitt County adheres to the North Carolina Public Records Law as codified in N.C.G.S. § 132-1 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), "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, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."
This statute clearly establishes that public records in North Carolina, including those in Pitt County, are presumed to be open for inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The law further stipulates that agencies must respond to records requests "as promptly as possible," though it does not set a specific timeframe.
Pitt County also complies with North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (N.C.G.S. § 143-318.9 through 143-318.18), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions.
The county maintains a commitment to transparency in government operations, as evidenced by its online access to many public records through various departmental websites and portals. Pitt County's compliance with these state laws ensures that citizens have legal access to government information and proceedings.
How to Find Public Records in Pitt County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Pitt County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:
In-Person Requests:
- Identify the appropriate county department that maintains the desired records
- Visit the department during regular business hours
- Complete any required request forms
- Present identification if required for certain records
- Pay any applicable fees
Online Access:
- Visit the Pitt County Register of Deeds eSearch portal for property records, marriage licenses, and other recorded documents
- Access the North Carolina Judicial Branch website for court records
- Use the Online Parcel Information System (OPIS) for property tax and assessment information
- Check the Pitt County Sheriff's Charges Inquiry Search for arrest and inmate information
Written Requests:
- Submit a written public records request to the appropriate department
- Include specific details about the records sought
- Provide contact information for response
- Allow reasonable time for processing
For vital records such as birth and death certificates, individuals may contact the North Carolina Vital Records office or the Pitt County Register of Deeds. Divorce records can be obtained through the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
Law enforcement records, including police reports from Greenville (the county seat), can be requested through the Greenville Police Department Records Division.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pitt County?
Pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2, Pitt County may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records. The current fee structure for various records includes:
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
- Recording fees for deeds and other documents: $26.00 for the first 15 pages, $4.00 for each additional page
- Copies of recorded documents: $1.00 per page
Clerk of Court:
- Copies of court records: $0.25 per page
- Certified copies: $3.00 certification fee plus copy costs
- Criminal background checks: $25.00 per name
Tax Administration:
- Property record copies: $0.25 per page
- Tax maps: $5.00 per map
Other Departments:
- Standard copies: $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on department
- Special format records (large maps, electronic media): Actual cost of production
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards in most departments, though some offices may have limitations on certain payment types. Electronic payments are accepted for many online services.
The fees charged must reflect the actual cost of producing the records, as stipulated by state law. Excessive fees that might discourage public access are prohibited under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b).
Does Pitt County Have Free Public Records?
In accordance with North Carolina law, Pitt County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), citizens have the right to inspect and examine public records at reasonable times without charge, though fees may apply for copies.
Several free online resources are available to access Pitt County public records:
- The Pitt County Register of Deeds eSearch portal offers free searching of property records, though downloading documents may incur fees
- The Online Parcel Information System (OPIS) provides free access to property tax information and GIS mapping
- The Pitt County Sheriff's Charges Inquiry Search allows free searches of recent arrest information
- The Pitt County Government website offers free access to meeting minutes, agendas, and various county documents
- The North Carolina Court System provides free basic case information searches
Additionally, public access computers are available at the Pitt County Courthouse and public libraries throughout the county, allowing citizens without internet access to view online records free of charge.
Who Can Request Public Records in Pitt County?
Under North Carolina's Public Records Law, specifically N.C.G.S. § 132-6, "any person" may request public records in Pitt County. This broad eligibility includes:
- North Carolina residents
- Out-of-state residents
- Foreign nationals
- Organizations, businesses, and associations
- Media representatives
- Government agencies
The law does not require requestors to:
- State the purpose of their request
- Provide identification for most records
- Be a resident of North Carolina or Pitt County
- Explain why they want the records
However, certain exceptions apply for specific record types:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) require proper identification and may have relationship requirements
- Certain law enforcement records may have restricted access
- Records containing confidential information may require proof of identity or legal right to access
- Voter registration information has specific permitted uses under state law
When requesting your own records versus those of others, different requirements may apply. For example, accessing your own medical records from county health facilities requires identity verification, while accessing another person's medical records typically requires authorization or a court order.
The county may ask for contact information to respond to requests but cannot generally use the identity of the requestor or the purpose of the request as grounds for denial, except where specifically authorized by law.
What Records Are Confidential in Pitt County?
While North Carolina's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from disclosure under state and federal laws. In Pitt County, the following record types are generally confidential:
- Personnel Records: Under N.C.G.S. § 153A-98, county employee personnel files are confidential, though limited information such as name, position, and salary is public
- Medical Records: Protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
- Social Services Records: Client information, child protective services records, and public assistance records are confidential under N.C.G.S. § 108A-80
- Juvenile Records: Court and law enforcement records involving minors are protected under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000
- Criminal Investigative Records: Active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure
- Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice to county officials and litigation records
- Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
- Tax Information: Individual tax returns and certain tax information
- Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order
- Adoption Records: Sealed under state law
- Certain Personal Information: Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal identifying information
- Critical Infrastructure Information: Security plans, detailed utility maps, and emergency response protocols
- Economic Development Records: Certain information about business recruitment until formally announced
These exemptions are established under various provisions of North Carolina law, including N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1 through 132-1.10, which detail specific categories of confidential information.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, Pitt County officials must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by N.C.G.S. § 132-6(c).
Pitt County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Pitt County Register of Deeds
1717 W. 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: (252) 902-1650
Pitt County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 W. 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
Phone: (252) 695-7100
Pitt County Clerk of Court
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and state-observed holidays
Pitt County Tax Administration
1717 W. 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27834
Phone: (252) 902-3400
Pitt County Tax Administration
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Lookup Public Records in Pitt County
Marriage licenses and vital records
Property tax and parcel information