Wilkes County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Wilkes County?

Public records in Wilkes 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. Wilkes County, as a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, is subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records accessible to members of the public.

The following categories of records are currently maintained by various Wilkes County offices and agencies:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court. Members of the public may access civil and criminal case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and deed of trust documents are recorded and maintained by the Wilkes County Register of Deeds. Property tax assessments are maintained by the Wilkes County Tax Administration Office.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the North Carolina Vital Records office. Marriage licenses are issued and recorded by the Wilkes County Register of Deeds. Divorce decrees are filed with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Business records — Assumed business name (fictitious name) registrations, business licenses, and permits are maintained by the Wilkes County Register of Deeds and the Wilkes County Planning and Inspections Department.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Wilkes County Tax Administration Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration records and election results are maintained by the Wilkes County Board of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas for the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners and other county boards are maintained by the Wilkes County Manager's Office and published on the county's official website.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audit reports, and financial statements are maintained by the Wilkes County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Wilkes County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use plans are maintained by the Wilkes County Planning and Inspections Department.
Historical records — Wilkes County wills and other historical county records are preserved at the State Archives of North Carolina.

Is Wilkes County an Open Records County?

Wilkes County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework, which establishes a strong presumption in favor of public 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. This provision applies to all agencies and offices within Wilkes County government.

North Carolina's Public Records Law further provides that public records are the property of the people, and that the people are entitled to access to such records. Wilkes County agencies are required to respond to public records requests promptly and without unreasonable delay. The county also operates in compliance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, which requires that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be provided. No county-specific ordinance currently restricts access beyond the exemptions established under state law.

How to Find Public Records in Wilkes County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county office or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records by Tax Administration; and vital records by the Register of Deeds or the state Vital Records office.
Submit a request in person. Members of the public may visit the appropriate office during regular business hours and request to inspect or obtain copies of records. No written request is required under state law, though some offices may ask for a written request for tracking purposes.
Submit a written or electronic request. Requests may be submitted in writing by mail, email, or through the county's official online portal where available. Requests should identify the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow the custodian to locate them.
Access court records online. Civil and criminal court records may be searched through the North Carolina Judicial Branch court records portal, which provides access to case information, background check tools, and expungement resources.
Access correctional and offender records online. The NC Department of Adult Correction public records database contains current and historical offender information dating back to 1972. Members of the public may also search the North Carolina Sex Offender Registry maintained by the State Bureau of Investigation.
Allow time for response. Agencies are required to respond promptly. If a request requires extensive research or redaction, the custodian must acknowledge the request and provide an estimated timeline.

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

Current fees for public records in Wilkes County vary by record type and the office providing the records. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6.2, agencies may charge a fee for copies of public records, provided the fee does not exceed the actual cost of reproduction. Standard fees currently applicable in Wilkes County include:

Standard paper copies: $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the office
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certified copy for birth and death certificates issued through the Register of Deeds
Register of Deeds document copies: $0.25 per page for standard documents; $5.00 for certified copies of recorded instruments
Court record copies: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may reflect the actual cost of the medium or transmission

Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly established by county ordinance; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in cases where the cost of collection would exceed the fee amount, or where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.

Does Wilkes County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under North Carolina law. Agencies are not permitted to charge for the mere inspection of records; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection: Any person may inspect public records at the custodial office during regular business hours at no charge.
Online court records: Basic case information is available at no cost through the Wilkes County court services page of the North Carolina Judicial Branch.
Offender registry: The statewide sex offender registry is freely accessible online to any member of the public.
Correctional records: The NC Department of Adult Correction provides free online access to offender records through its public database.
Historical records: Wilkes County wills and selected historical documents are accessible through the State Archives of North Carolina at no charge for online viewing.

Who Can Request Public Records in Wilkes County?

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

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Wilkes County and non-residents of North Carolina are equally entitled to request and receive public records.
Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances established by specific statutes.
Purpose need not be stated. Members of the public are not required to explain why they are seeking records, and agencies may not deny access based on the perceived purpose of a request.
Requesting records about oneself. Individuals seeking their own records, such as personal court records or vital records, follow the same process as any other requester, though additional verification may be required for certified copies of vital records.
Restrictions for specific record types. Certain records, such as juvenile records, adoption records, and sealed court files, are restricted by statute and may only be accessed by authorized parties. Law enforcement investigative records may also be subject to access limitations under applicable provisions of state law.

What Records Are Confidential in Wilkes County?

Not all government records in Wilkes County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law establishes specific categories of exempt records. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.4 and related statutes, the following records are currently exempt from public disclosure in whole or in part:

Sealed court records — Records sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under North Carolina law.
Ongoing criminal investigation records — Records compiled during active law enforcement investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are protected from disclosure.
Medical and health records — Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records — Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential.
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 — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies may be protected.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Records relating to 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 provide access to the remainder.

Wilkes County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Wilkes County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and vital records. The office is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Wilkes County Register of Deeds 115 W. Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-7350 Wilkes County Register of Deeds Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wilkes County Clerk of Superior Court 500 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-4400 Wilkes County | North Carolina Judicial Branch Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wilkes County Tax Administration 110 North Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-7337 Wilkes County Tax Administration Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wilkes County Board of Elections 110 North Street, Suite 1, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-7382 Wilkes County Board of Elections Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wilkes County Sheriff's Office 201 Curtis Bridge Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 (336) 651-4926 Wilkes County Sheriff's Office Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.