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How to Find Public Records in Martin County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Martin County, North Carolina may access a range of publicly available information through MartinRecords.org and through official county and state agencies. This page provides data and publicly available information related to public records maintained by Martin County government offices. Records that may be available include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
Tax and property assessment records
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted by law)
Land use and zoning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by Martin County and the State of North Carolina.

Online Access:

The Martin County official website provides access to various county department portals, including tax records and deed information.
The Martin County Tax Office offers an online search tool for property tax records and assessments. No registration is required to search publicly available tax data.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the eCourts Portal for online access to certain court records.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Martin County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to complete a written request form if required by the office. Staff will direct requestors to the appropriate records or public access terminals.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests as promptly as possible.

Phone/Email:

Martin County Register of Deeds: (252) 789-4350
Martin County Tax Office: (252) 789-4350 (main county line)

What Are Public Records in Martin County?

Public records in Martin County are defined by North Carolina state law 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. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, public records are the property of the people of North Carolina.

The following record types are maintained by Martin County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family)	Clerk of Superior Court
Property deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Register of Deeds
Tax and assessment records	Tax Office
Business licenses and permits	Various departments
Voting and election records	Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents	Finance Department
Law enforcement records	Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning Department

The Martin County Register of Deeds maintains vital records including marriages, births, deaths, and veterans discharge records, as well as real property instruments such as deeds and liens.

Is Martin County an Open Records County?

Martin County fully complies with North Carolina's open records laws, which establish a broad public right of access to government documents. 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.

As stated in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources guidance on public records: "The public records law of North Carolina is one of the most open in the nation. The law presumes that all government records are open to the public unless a specific law makes them confidential."

Martin County operates in compliance with the North Carolina Public Records Law (Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes), which functions as the state's equivalent of a Freedom of Information Act. The law applies to all county departments, boards, and agencies. There is no county-specific ordinance that restricts access beyond what state law permits. The North Carolina Attorney General's office provides additional guidance on public records compliance, which county agencies follow as a matter of standard practice.

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

The fee structure for public records in Martin County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Members of the public may inspect records at no charge; fees apply when copies or certified documents are requested.

Standard Copy and Certification Fees (Register of Deeds):

Service	Fee
Standard paper copy (per page)	$0.25
Certified copy of vital record	$10.00 (first copy); $3.00 (each additional)
Certified copy of real property instrument	$5.00
Electronic copy (where available)	Varies by record type

Tax Records:

Online access to property tax and assessment records is available at no charge for basic searches.
Printed copies from the Tax Office are subject to standard copy fees.

Accepted payment methods at Martin County offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit cards; requestors should confirm accepted payment methods with the specific office prior to visiting. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge a fee for the actual cost of reproducing public records, but may not charge for the time spent locating or reviewing records unless a specific statute authorizes such a fee. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under current North Carolina law, though individual offices may exercise discretion in limited circumstances.

Does Martin County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Martin County. Under North Carolina law, any person has the right to inspect public records at no cost during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person is free, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain Martin County records:

The Martin County government portal provides free online access to department information, meeting agendas, and budget documents.
The Martin County Tax Office online search tool allows free access to property tax and assessment data.
The North Carolina Courts eCourts Portal provides free online access to certain court case information.
Public access terminals are available at the Register of Deeds office for in-person inspection of deed and vital record indexes at no charge.

Certain records, such as veterans discharge records (DD-214), are available to eligible veterans and their authorized representatives at no charge through the Register of Deeds office.

Who Can Request Public Records in Martin County?

Any person may request public records in Martin County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's public records law does not require requestors to be residents of the state or county, to provide identification (except where required for specific restricted records), or to explain the reason for the request.

Specific provisions include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents have the same access rights as residents under current state law.
Identification: Not required for general public records inspection. Identification may be required when requesting certified copies of vital records, particularly birth and death certificates, where access is restricted to eligible parties under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most public records requests.
Requesting your own records vs. others' records: Individuals requesting their own vital records must provide proof of identity and eligibility. Requests for another person's restricted vital records require documentation of legal authority (e.g., parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative).

Certain record types, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted regardless of who is making the request.

What Records Are Confidential in Martin County?

Not all government records in Martin County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. As noted in the North Carolina Public Records Law, "the General Assembly finds that government records should be open to the public unless a specific provision of law makes them confidential."

The following categories of records are currently exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina statutes:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 7B-3000.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating crime are exempt while the 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 law.
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 where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.

The North Carolina Attorney General's office provides a comprehensive summary of exemptions applicable to state and county agencies, which Martin County offices follow in determining what records may be withheld.

Martin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The primary office responsible for recording and maintaining property records, vital records, and related documents in Martin County is the Register of Deeds.

Martin County Register of Deeds
305 E. Main Street, Williamston, NC 27892
(252) 789-4350
Martin County Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.

Additional Offices:

Martin County Tax Office
305 E. Main Street, Williamston, NC 27892
(252) 789-4350
Martin County Tax Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Martin County Clerk of Superior Court
305 E. Main Street, Williamston, NC 27892
(252) 792-2515
North Carolina Courts – Martin County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Martin County Board of Elections
305 E. Main Street, Williamston, NC 27892
(252) 789-4352
Martin County, NC – Official Website