Davidson County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Davidson County?

Public records in Davidson County 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. Davidson County, as a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is subject to this definition in full.

Members of the public may access a broad range of record types maintained by various Davidson County offices and state agencies operating within the county:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may search civil and criminal court filings through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and recorded instruments are maintained by the Davidson County Register of Deeds. Property assessment records are maintained by the Davidson County Tax Assessor's Office.
Vital records — Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are issued by the North Carolina Vital Records office, a division of the NC Department of Health and Human Services.
Business records — Assumed business name registrations, permits, and licenses are filed with the Davidson County Register of Deeds and relevant county departments.
Tax records — Property tax and assessment records are maintained by the Davidson County Tax Administration Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Davidson County Board of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Records of the Davidson County Board of Commissioners, planning boards, and other public bodies are maintained by the County Manager's Office and Clerk to the Board.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are maintained by the Davidson County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Davidson County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Davidson County Planning and Zoning Department. Records involving septic systems, wells, or restaurant inspections may be requested through the Davidson County Public Records Request portal.

Is Davidson County an Open Records County?

Davidson County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes one of the broadest public access mandates in the southeastern United States. 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 open records law operates in conjunction with the state's Open Meetings Law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.9 et seq., which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be made available for inspection. Davidson County agencies are bound by both statutes and are required to respond to records requests promptly. The county does not currently maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all access rights and procedures are governed by Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Davidson County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county or state agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Superior Court; vital records by the state Vital Records office; and environmental health records by the Davidson County Health Department.
Submit a written or online request. For records maintained by Davidson County departments — including environmental health records such as septic system permits, well records, and restaurant inspection reports — members of the public may submit a request through the official Davidson County public records request form.
Request court records directly. Civil, criminal, and probate records may be accessed through the Davidson County courthouse location page of the North Carolina Judicial Branch, which provides contact information, hours, and directions for in-person access.
Access correctional and offender records online. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains a searchable database of public offender records online, containing current and historical information dating back to 1972. This database does not include county jail information.
Request vital records through the state. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are not available through county offices and must be ordered through NC Vital Records.
Appear in person. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the relevant county office during regular business hours without submitting a formal written request, as permitted under § 132-6.

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

Under current North Carolina law, custodians of public records are authorized to charge fees for the actual cost of reproducing records. The standard fee structure applicable to Davidson County offices is as follows:

Paper copies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the office and document size, consistent with the actual cost standard established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2.
Certified copies: Fees vary by record type. The Davidson County Register of Deeds currently charges standard certification fees for recorded instruments.
Vital records certificates: The North Carolina Vital Records office charges a fee per certified copy of birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates. Current fee schedules are published on the NC Vital Records website.
Court records: The North Carolina Judicial Branch charges fees for certified copies of court documents; fee schedules are available at the Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court's office.
Electronic records: Where records are provided in electronic format, fees reflect the actual cost of the medium and staff time required for production.

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, or credit card. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for general public records requests, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Davidson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to any person under North Carolina law. Pursuant to § 132-6, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record in person; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following resources are currently available at no cost:

In-person inspection at the Davidson County Register of Deeds, Tax Administration Office, and other county departments during regular business hours.
Online court records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch, which provides free access to certain court case information and records via its public portal.
Offender records through the NC Department of Adult Correction's public records online database, which is accessible at no charge.
Property and tax records through the Davidson County GIS and Tax Administration online portals, which provide free public access to assessment and ownership data.

Who Can Request Public Records in Davidson County?

Any person may request public records in Davidson County regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's open records law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Specifically:

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Davidson County and North Carolina retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances involving records with restricted access.
Purpose need not be stated. Under current law, requesters are not obligated to explain why they are seeking a record.
Restrictions apply to certain record types. Some records — such as juvenile records, sealed court files, and certain personnel records — are subject to access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
Requesting your own records. Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or personnel files, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Davidson County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or undisciplined proceedings are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000.
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that would compromise an active investigation are exempt.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records pursuant to § 132-1.10.
Medical and health records — Protected health information is exempt under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records of the Davidson County Department of Social Services relating to child abuse, neglect, or dependency are confidential.
Personnel records — State employee and local government employee personnel files are generally confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 153A-98, with limited exceptions for certain employment information such as name, date of hire, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted as part of permit or licensing applications, such information may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Plans for the security of public buildings and infrastructure are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.

Davidson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Davidson County Register of Deeds serves as the primary custodian of recorded land records, business name registrations, and related instruments. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records for all civil, criminal, probate, and special proceedings filed in Davidson County.

Davidson County Register of Deeds 913 Greensboro Street, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-2150 Davidson County Register of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court 110 W. Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-2000 Davidson County | North Carolina Judicial Branch Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Davidson County Tax Administration Office 913 Greensboro Street, Suite 303, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-2160 Davidson County Tax Administration Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Davidson County Health Department (Environmental Health Records) 555 Wilkesboro Street, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-2300 Davidson County Health Department Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Davidson County Board of Elections 913 Greensboro Street, Suite 200, Lexington, NC 27292 (336) 242-2170 Davidson County Board of Elections Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.