Union County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Union County?

Public records in Union County, North Carolina, 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. Union County, as a political subdivision of the state, is fully subject to this definition and maintains a broad range of records available to members of the public.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Union County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records are maintained by the Union County Clerk of Superior Court, which serves as the official custodian of all trial court documents filed in the county.
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are recorded and maintained by the Union County Register of Deeds. Assessment records are held by the Union County Tax Assessor's Office.
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Section. Marriage licenses are issued and maintained by the Union 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 Union County Register of Deeds and the Union County Planning Department.
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Union County Tax Administration Office.
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Union County Board of Elections.
Meeting minutes and agendas — Minutes and agendas for the Union County Board of Commissioners and other public boards are maintained by the Union County Clerk to the Board.
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are maintained by the Union County Finance Department.
Law enforcement records — Arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law, are maintained by the Union County Sheriff's Office.
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Union County Planning Department.

Is Union County an Open Records County?

Union 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. The statute further provides that the custodian shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies of public records upon payment of the prescribed fees.

North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, applies uniformly to all counties, municipalities, and state agencies. Union County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; rather, all county offices operate in accordance with the statewide framework. The county also complies with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, codified at N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18, which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained and made available.

How How to Find Public Records in Union County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Union County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process for submitting a records request:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county department or agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court; tax records are held by Tax Administration; and law enforcement records are held by the Sheriff's Office.
Submit a written or in-person request. Requests may be submitted in person at the relevant office during public counter hours, by mail, or by email where the office accepts electronic requests. North Carolina law does not require a formal written request form, though many offices provide one for convenience.
Access online portals. Union County and the North Carolina Judicial Branch currently provide online access to certain records. Members of the public may search for civil and criminal court records through the North Carolina court records portal maintained by the Judicial Branch. Property and deed records may be searched through the Union County Register of Deeds online index.
Allow reasonable processing time. Custodians are required to respond as promptly as possible. If a large volume of records is requested, the custodian may require additional time to compile the materials.
Pay applicable fees. Upon notification that records are available, the requester must pay any applicable copying or certification fees before receiving copies.

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

Current fees for public records in Union County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. North Carolina law permits custodians to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of reproducing records. Standard fees currently in effect include:

Paper copies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the office and document size.
Certified copies of deeds and recorded instruments: The Union County Register of Deeds currently charges $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page of a certified copy.
Certified copies of vital records: Marriage certificates issued by the Register of Deeds are subject to a statutory fee. Birth and death certificates obtained through the state Vital Records office are subject to fees set by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Court record copies: Fees for copies of court documents are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and are subject to change by administrative order.
Electronic records: Where electronic copies are provided, fees may reflect the cost of the storage medium or staff time required to compile the records.

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and, in some offices, credit or debit card. Fee waiver provisions are not broadly established under North Carolina's Public Records Law; however, custodians retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, particularly for records inspection that does not require reproduction.

Does Union County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Union County, as required by state law. Members of the public may inspect original public records at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the custodian. No fee may be charged solely for the act of inspection; fees apply only when copies are requested.

Several categories of records are currently available at no cost through official online portals:

Court records: Basic case information and docket entries for civil and criminal matters filed in Union County Superior and District Courts may be accessed at no charge through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's court records search.
Property and deed records: The Union County Register of Deeds provides a free online index of recorded instruments, including deeds, deeds of trust, and plats, through the county's official website.
Tax and assessment records: The Union County Tax Administration Office makes property tax and assessment data available for free public inspection through the county's online GIS and tax search tools.
Election records: Voter registration data and election results are available at no charge through the Union County Board of Elections and the North Carolina State Board of Elections online portal.
Meeting minutes and agendas: Current and archived minutes and agendas for the Union County Board of Commissioners are posted at no charge on the county's official website.

Who Can Request Public Records in Union County?

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

Residency is not required. Non-residents of Union County and non-residents of North Carolina have the same right of access as county residents.
Identification is generally not required. Custodians may not condition access to public records on the requester providing identification, except in limited circumstances where the nature of the record requires verification of identity (such as requests for one's own sealed or restricted records).
Purpose need not be stated. Requesters are not required to explain why they are seeking a public record. Custodians may not deny access based on the requester's perceived purpose.
Requesting records about oneself vs. others: Members of the public may request records pertaining to themselves or to other individuals, subject to applicable exemptions. Certain records, such as personnel files or records containing personal identifying information, may be partially redacted before release regardless of who is requesting them.

Specific record types, such as juvenile court records, adoption records, and certain law enforcement investigative files, are subject to statutory restrictions that limit access regardless of the requester's identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Union County?

Not all government records in Union County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from the Public Records Law or subject to restricted access. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related statutes, the following categories of records are currently treated as confidential or exempt from routine public disclosure:

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 from disclosure.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records prior to release.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption files are sealed by statute and accessible only under specific court order.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Union County Department of Social Services relating to child abuse and neglect investigations are confidential.
Personnel records: State employee and county employee personnel files are generally exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain information such as the employee's name, position, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to a government agency may be exempt from disclosure.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records relating to the security of public buildings, facilities, or infrastructure are exempt to the extent that disclosure would jeopardize public safety.

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

Union County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Union County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of official documents in Union County, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, assumed business names, and marriage licenses. The office is open to the public during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Union County Register of Deeds 500 N. Main St., Suite 502, Monroe, NC 28112 (704) 283-3843 Union County Register of Deeds