Anson County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Anson County in 2026

AnsonRecords.us provides publicly available information and data related to public records maintained by government agencies in Anson County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking official documentation may find information pertaining to the following record categories:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessments
Vital records including birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Business licenses and permits
Voting and election records
Law enforcement records, where permitted by law
Land use, zoning, and planning documents
County commission meeting minutes and financial documents

Records can be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Anson County Government website provides access to select public records, including property tax information and county commission meeting minutes. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts operates the eCourts Portal, through which members of the public may search civil and criminal court case information. Certain records are available without registration; others may require account creation.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Anson County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification when requesting certified copies. Staff at the public counter can assist in locating specific documents.

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 delivery. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Anson County Register of Deeds: (704) 694-2796
Anson County Clerk of Superior Court: (704) 694-2261
Anson County Manager's Office: (704) 694-2796

What Are Public Records in Anson County?

Public records in Anson 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. This definition is established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.

The following record types are maintained by Anson County agencies:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Deeds, mortgages, liens	Register of Deeds
Civil and criminal court records	Clerk of Superior Court
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	Register of Deeds / NC Vital Records
Property tax assessments	Anson County Tax Office
Business licenses and permits	Anson County Planning Department
Voting and election records	Anson County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas	County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents	Anson County Finance Department
Law enforcement records	Anson County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Anson County Planning Department

The North Carolina State Archives also maintains historical Anson County miscellaneous records, including bills of sale, promissory notes, canal and drainage records, shipping and fishing records, and mill records, among other documents of historical significance.

Is Anson County an Open Records County?

Anson County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework. 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. North Carolina does not have a separate Freedom of Information Act; instead, the North Carolina Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, governs access to government records statewide.

As the North Carolina Department of Justice has stated, "The Public Records Law reflects a policy that the people of North Carolina are entitled to know the business of their government." This principle applies to all county agencies in Anson County, including the Register of Deeds, the Clerk of Superior Court, the Sheriff's Office, and all other offices that create or maintain public records in the course of official business. The county does not maintain a separate local ordinance that restricts or expands upon the state's open records requirements.

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

The current fee structure for public records in Anson County is governed by state statute and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable at the time of this publication are as follows:

Service	Standard Fee
Document copies (paper)	$0.10 per page (standard)
Certified copies of deeds	$5.00 for first page; $2.00 each additional page
Certified copies of vital records	$10.00 per certified copy
Electronic copies	Varies by office; may be provided at no charge
Search fees	Not permitted for standard public records requests

Inspection fees: No fee is charged for in-person inspection of public records.
Certification fees: Fees for certified copies vary by document type and are set by the Register of Deeds and Clerk of Superior Court.
Payment methods: Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
Fee waivers: Under state law, agencies may reduce or waive fees when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Fees for copies of public records are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, which authorizes agencies to charge for the actual cost of reproducing records but prohibits charging for the time spent locating or reviewing records in response to a standard public records request.

Does Anson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Anson County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may examine records in person at no charge, consistent with the requirements of the North Carolina Public Records Law. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

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

Anson County Tax Records: Property tax and assessment records are searchable at no cost through the Anson County Tax Office.
Court Records: Basic case information is available at no charge through the North Carolina Courts online portal.
Offender Records: The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains a publicly accessible database containing current and historical offender information dating back to 1972, available at no cost. This database does not include county jail information.
Historical Records: The North Carolina State Archives provides free online access to select historical Anson County documents.

Who Can Request Public Records in Anson County?

Any person may request public records in Anson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not require requestors to be state residents, to provide identification for inspection purposes, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right reflects the state's commitment to government transparency.

Specific provisions regarding requestor eligibility include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of North Carolina retain full rights to request and inspect public records.
Identification: Not required for inspection of records. Identification may be required when requesting certified copies or when the record type involves restricted personal information.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for standard public records requests.
Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted by statute regardless of who is requesting them.
Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship.

The North Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on the rights of requestors under the state's open records framework.

What Records Are Confidential in Anson County?

Not all government records in Anson County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law or subject to restricted access. These exemptions are codified primarily in N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related statutes.

The following categories of 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 North Carolina 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 prior to disclosure.
Medical and health records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under state and federal child protection laws.
Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, 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 a government agency in confidence.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.

As the North Carolina Department of Justice has noted, "The Public Records Law contains numerous specific exemptions for particular types of records." Agencies are required to identify the specific statutory basis for any denial of a public records request.

Anson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Anson County Register of Deeds
114 N. Greene Street, Suite 103
Wadesboro, NC 28170
(704) 694-2796
Anson County Register of Deeds

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

Anson County Clerk of Superior Court
114 N. Greene Street
Wadesboro, NC 28170
(704) 694-2261
Anson County Clerk of Superior Court

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

Anson County Tax Office
101 S. Greene Street
Wadesboro, NC 28170
(704) 994-3223
Anson County Tax Office