Are Mecklenburg County Records Public?

Yes. The general public may access government records kept by Mecklenburg County government organizations since they are considered public records. Access to public records in Mecklenburg County is governed by the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). It states that the people own the public data and records collected by North Carolina government agencies or their subdivisions. Therefore, copies of public papers and information may be obtained for free or for a minimal price unless otherwise stated by law.

Public records in Mecklenburg County are documents produced or obtained following laws or ordinances about the public business conducted by any North Carolina government agency or its subdivisions. Public records may be papers, letters, documents, maps, books, pictures, videos, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material. These records include Mecklenburg County court records, vital records, criminal records, and property records.

What is Exempted Under the North Carolina Public Records Act?

North Carolina has a policy of providing the public with access to information on government operations. Although the people own the information and public records produced by North Carolina government agencies or their subdivisions, the public records law exempts some materials from the mandatory disclosure requirements. By doing this, the government balances the right of individuals to access documents and the necessity of confidentiality or nondisclosure in pertinent circumstances.

Below are examples of records or information that may be exempt from public disclosure:

• State tax information (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1)
• Trade secrets (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.2)
• Certain lawsuit settlements (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.3)
• Criminal investigation records N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4)
• Records involving specific correspondence between attorneys and their government clients
• Records related to industrial expansions (N.C.G.S. § 132-6(d))
• Personal information such as a Social Security number or a portion thereof, or a driver’s license number.

Even though general disclosure may be restricted, certain persons may have access to exempt records, such as the subjects of the records, their legal representatives, or government personnel for an official purpose.

Mecklenburg County Public Records Search

Individuals who desire to search for public records in Mecklenburg County must first identify the kind of record or document sought and the primary custodian of the record. Doing this will prevent needless difficulty or denial of the request. After this, the requestor may contact the agency and submit a request. The procedures for requesting public records are often described on agency websites or obtained by calling the agency.

The Mecklenburg County Public Information Department provides members of the public with records request options. One may browse through the various listed categories and choose the one relating to the public record sought. To complete a search, fill in information such as the name of the subject of the record and other required information.

If the record sought does not fall into any of the listed categories, one may use the online Public Records Request Portal to request County records.

Follow these best practices when requesting public records:

• Describe the record where the name of the record is unknown to facilitate the search.
• Ensure that the email address provided is valid as it is required to access a record.
• Remove personal information, such as a social security number from a public record request.
• Describe the records being requested as precisely as possible, including names, dates, keywords, and other information that will speed up the processing of the request.

Find Public Records For Free in Mecklenburg County

Public documents are available for free search by individuals who visit the custodian's office during business hours. People may also have access to records at no cost by using additional free viewing options offered by the relevant government agency.

As another option, the public can use the online services offered by third-party websites, which are independently owned. They compile several public records from sources like government agencies. One can start searching for public records through these websites due to their large databases, which facilitate remote searches.

These search portals may require the user to provide the first and last name of the record subject to conduct a free search; those who opt to perform an exhaustive search, however, may need to pay for a subscription. Users are also advised to confirm the accuracy and completeness of the records they obtain from these websites, as the accuracy and completeness of the records may vary.

How to Remove Information From Public Records Free

A person in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, may request that personal information, including Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers, be removed from a public record under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10(f) for the redaction of personal information. Personal identifying information that may be redacted includes social security number, employer taxpayer identification, driver's license, state identification, checking account, savings account, passport, credit/debit card, and others.

To request that personal identifying information or records be redacted, download, fill, and submit the state's Request Form to the Mecklenburg County Clerk of Superior Court. Additionally, following Article 5 of Section 15A of the North Carolina General Statutes, certain eligible individuals may petition the court for the expungement of their criminal or arrest records.

Who Can Access Mecklenburg County Public Records in North Carolina?

Public records and information collected by North Carolina government agencies or their subsidiaries are considered to be public property under the North Carolina Public Records Law. As a result, anybody in North Carolina has the right to access, examine, and receive copies of public records without providing their identity or justification. The law does not outline a process, nor does it provide a particular public record request form.

What Happens if I Am Refused a Public Records Request?

Anyone in North Carolina may access, view, and obtain public information. However, Mecklenburg County government entities may refuse or reject a public record request for several reasons:

• The request is too vague and fails to adequately describe the records sought.
• The request was addressed to the wrong agency.
• The requested record is nonexistent.

Persons who have their requests denied may file a direct appeal with the custodian or obtain a court order. Per N.C.G.S. § 132-9, the appropriate court is required to set an immediate hearing for a public records suit and give hearings of these cases priority over other cases. Where the court determines that the individual requesting the records has a right to them, it may mandate that the agency permit access or provide duplicates.