Robeson County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Robeson County?
Public records in Robeson County are defined as documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material 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, as specified in the North Carolina Public Records Law § 132-1. These records, regardless of physical form or characteristics, are the property of the people of North Carolina.
Robeson County maintains numerous types of public records, including:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, probate, and family court cases processed through the Robeson County Courthouse
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
- Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings
- Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Robeson County Register of Deeds maintains property records, vital records, and various other official documents. Court records are maintained by the Robeson County Clerk of Superior Court, while other records may be held by specific county departments according to their functions.
Is Robeson County an Open Records County?
Robeson County adheres to North Carolina's Public Records Law, which establishes the public's right to access government records. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1(b), "The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law."
This statute establishes a presumption of openness for government records in Robeson County and throughout North Carolina. The law further stipulates that public agencies must respond to records requests "as promptly as possible" and denials must be based on specific statutory exemptions.
Robeson County government operations are also subject to North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions.
The county follows the state's guidelines for records retention and disposition as established by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. These schedules determine how long different types of records must be maintained before they can be destroyed or transferred to archives.
How to Find Public Records in Robeson County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Robeson County may follow these procedures to obtain the information they need:
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Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Robeson County government website provides information about various departments and their responsibilities.
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Submit a formal request: While some records are available online, others require a formal request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or in some cases, by email or through online portals. The North Carolina Public Records Law does not require requests to be in writing, but written requests create a clear record of what was requested.
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For court records: Visit the Robeson County Courthouse or use the North Carolina Judicial Branch's online services. Many court records can be accessed through the North Carolina Court System's public portal.
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For property and vital records: Contact the Robeson County Register of Deeds, which maintains deeds, mortgages, marriage licenses, and other official documents. Many of these records are searchable through their online portal.
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For tax records: The Robeson County Tax Assessor's Office provides access to property tax information and assessment records.
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For historical records: Some older Robeson County records are maintained by the North Carolina State Archives, which houses historical documents dating back to the county's formation.
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Be specific: When requesting records, provide as much detail as possible about the information you seek, including names, dates, and record types to facilitate a prompt response.
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Follow up: If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time, follow up with the agency. Under North Carolina law, agencies must respond "as promptly as possible."
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Robeson County?
Robeson County follows the fee structure outlined in the North Carolina Public Records Law. According to N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2(b), agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproduction for public records. The current fee structure includes:
- Paper copies: $0.10 to $0.25 per page, depending on the department and size
- Certified copies: Additional certification fees apply (typically $5-$10 per document)
- Electronic records: May be provided at no cost if records are already in electronic format and can be emailed
- Special processing: Actual cost for special processing (such as redaction or specialized reproduction)
- Media: Actual cost of CD, DVD, or other media if electronic records cannot be emailed
Specific fees for common record types include:
- Birth certificates: $24 for the first copy, $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Death certificates: $24 for the first copy, $15 for each additional copy ordered at the same time
- Marriage licenses: $60 to obtain a license, $10 for certified copies
- Deed recordings: $26 for the first page, $4 for each additional page
- Court records: $0.25 per page for copies, $5 for certified copies
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards in most offices. Some online services may require credit card payment.
It is important to note that under state law, agencies cannot charge for the time spent locating, reviewing, or redacting records, only for the actual cost of reproduction.
Does Robeson County Have Free Public Records?
Robeson County provides free access to certain public records in accordance with North Carolina law. The following free services are currently available:
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In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. This right is explicitly protected under N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a), which states that "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."
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Online access: Several types of records are available at no cost through online portals:
- The Robeson County Register of Deeds offers online search capabilities for land records
- The North Carolina Court System provides free access to basic case information through its public portal
- Robeson County's website offers access to meeting minutes, agendas, and various public documents
- Property tax information is searchable through the county's online tax portal
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Public terminals: Computer terminals are available at the courthouse and some county offices for public use in searching records databases at no charge.
While inspection is free, obtaining copies of records typically involves fees as outlined in the previous section. Additionally, some specialized or commercial users may face charges for certain types of electronic access or high-volume requests.
Who Can Request Public Records in Robeson County?
Under North Carolina's Public Records Law, any person has the right to request and receive public records from Robeson County government agencies. The law states in N.C.G.S. § 132-6(a) that records must be made available "at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person."
Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:
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No residency requirement: Requestors do not need to be residents of Robeson County or North Carolina to obtain public records.
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No purpose statement required: In most cases, individuals do not need to state the reason for their request or how they intend to use the records.
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Identification requirements: While basic public records requests do not require identification, certain records may require proof of identity or relationship, particularly:
- Vital records (birth, death certificates) may require identification to prevent fraud
- Requestors seeking their own confidential records may need to verify their identity
- Certain court records may require identification or a showing of legitimate interest
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Representatives and agents: Attorneys, researchers, and other representatives may request records on behalf of clients.
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Commercial use: Records may be requested for commercial purposes, though some specialized databases or bulk data may have different fee structures for commercial users.
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Media access: Members of the press have the same rights of access as other members of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions.
It is important to note that while anyone may request records, access may be limited for certain protected or confidential information as outlined in state statutes.
What Records Are Confidential in Robeson County?
While North Carolina law establishes a presumption of openness for public records, certain categories of information are protected from disclosure under various state and federal statutes. In Robeson County, the following types of records are generally considered confidential:
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Juvenile records: Court records involving minors under 18 are confidential pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901, with limited exceptions for certain agencies and individuals with legitimate interest.
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Social services records: Information regarding child protective services, adult protective services, and public assistance is confidential under N.C.G.S. § 108A-80.
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Health and medical information: Records containing protected health information are confidential under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
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Personnel records: County employee personnel records have limited public access under N.C.G.S. § 153A-98, which specifies what information is public (such as name, position, salary) and what remains confidential (such as performance evaluations).
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Criminal investigative records: Active law enforcement investigations are generally exempt from disclosure under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4.
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Trade secrets and proprietary information: Competitive business information submitted to government agencies may be protected under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.2.
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Attorney-client communications: Legal advice and work product between county attorneys and officials is privileged.
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Certain personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and similar sensitive personal data are protected from disclosure.
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Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
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Adoption records: These are sealed and confidential under state law.
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Certain tax information: Individual tax returns and some tax information is confidential under state and federal law.
When records contain both public and confidential information, county officials are required to provide the public portions while redacting protected information. The burden of establishing that a record is exempt from disclosure rests with the government agency.
Robeson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Robeson County Register of Deeds
500 N. Elm Street, Suite 102
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 671-3044
Robeson County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
The Register of Deeds office maintains and provides access to vital records including:
- Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Marriage licenses
- Birth and death certificates
- Military discharge papers
- Notary public commissions
- Assumed business names
Robeson County Clerk of Superior Court
500 N. Elm Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 671-3000
Robeson County Courthouse
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
The Clerk of Court maintains all court records including:
- Civil court cases
- Criminal court cases
- Traffic citations
- Estates and probate records
- Special proceedings
- Juvenile cases (access restricted)
Robeson County Tax Office
550 N. Chestnut Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
(910) 671-3000
Robeson County Government
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Lookup Public Records in Robeson County
Robeson County Judicial Records
Property and Vital Records Search
Historical Robeson County Documents