Sampson County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Sampson County?

Public records in Sampson County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes § 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. Sampson County agencies generate and maintain a broad range of records that members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of under current law.

The following record types are available through various Sampson County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats) — maintained by the Sampson County Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Vital Records office
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Register of Deeds and Sampson County Planning Department
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Sampson County Tax Administration office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Sampson County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and advisory boards) — maintained by the Sampson County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Sampson County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Sampson County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Sampson County Planning and Inspections Department

The Sampson County Register of Deeds serves as the primary custodian for recorded land instruments and vital records, while the Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all judicial records filed within the county.

Is Sampson County an Open Records County?

Sampson County fully complies with North Carolina's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption of public access to government documents. Under N.C.G.S. § 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 furnish copies of public records upon payment of the prescribed fees.

North Carolina's open records law operates alongside the state's open meetings law, codified at N.C.G.S. Chapter 143, Article 33C, which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that minutes be maintained as public records. Sampson County government agencies are bound by both statutes and do not impose additional local restrictions on access beyond those authorized by state law. No county-specific ordinance currently narrows the scope of access granted under state statute. Members of the public seeking records from Sampson County may rely on the protections afforded by Chapter 132 without demonstrating a particular need or purpose for the request.

How to Find Public Records in Sampson County in 2026

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

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county agency maintains the record in question. Property and vital records are held by the Register of Deeds; judicial 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 an in-person request. Visit the appropriate office during regular business hours. Staff will assist in locating the record and providing copies upon payment of applicable fees.
Submit a written or email request. Many offices accept written requests by mail or email. Requestors should identify the record with as much specificity as possible, including names, dates, and document types.
Use online portals where available. The Sampson County Register of Deeds provides online access to recorded land instruments through its public search portal. The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides guidance on how to obtain court records and conduct background checks through the court system's online resources.
Request certified copies when required. For vital records and recorded instruments intended for legal use, requestors must specify that a certified copy is needed and provide any required identification or authorization.
Follow up on delayed responses. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, agencies must respond within a reasonable time. If a response is not received promptly, requestors may follow up in writing with the agency head.

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

Current fees for public records in Sampson County vary by record type and the office maintaining the record. North Carolina law authorizes agencies to charge reasonable fees for the actual cost of reproducing records, as outlined under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Photocopies: Typically $0.05 to $0.10 per page for standard black-and-white copies, consistent with state guidelines
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time, per North Carolina Vital Records fee schedule
Register of Deeds recorded documents: $0.25 per page for standard copies; certified copies carry an additional certification fee
Court records: Fees are set by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts and vary by document type
Electronic records: Agencies may charge for the actual cost of providing records in electronic format, including staff time for compilation where applicable

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests in North Carolina, though agencies retain discretion to waive fees in limited circumstances, such as when the request serves a clear public interest and the cost of collection would exceed the fee amount.

Does Sampson County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Sampson County, as required by state law. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting a public record; fees apply only when copies are requested. Members of the public may review records in person at the custodial office at no charge during regular business hours.

Several categories of records are also accessible at no cost through official online resources:

Recorded land instruments may be searched and viewed through the Sampson County Register of Deeds online index at no charge
Court case information is available through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's eCourts portal for case lookup purposes
Historical estate records for Sampson County, including documentation of the disposition of deceased persons' property, are accessible through the Sampson County estate records collection maintained by the State Archives of North Carolina
Property tax and assessment data may be searched through the Sampson County Tax Administration's online portal
Meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the Sampson County government website at no charge

Who Can Request Public Records in Sampson County?

Any person may request public records in Sampson County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's open records law does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.

Specific provisions governing requestor eligibility include:

Residency: Not required. Non-residents of Sampson County and North Carolina retain full rights to request public records under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.
Identification: Generally not required for standard public records requests. However, certain record types — such as certified vital records — require the requestor to demonstrate a direct and tangible interest or provide proof of identity and relationship to the subject.
Purpose: Agencies may not condition access to public records on the requestor's stated purpose, except where a specific statutory exemption applies.
Requesting records about oneself: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be entitled to access records that would otherwise be restricted to the subject, such as certain personnel or law enforcement records, upon providing appropriate identification.
Requesting records about others: Access to records containing personal identifying information, juvenile records, or sealed documents is subject to statutory restrictions regardless of who is making the request.

Organizations, businesses, attorneys, and members of the media hold the same rights as individual members of the public under current North Carolina law.

What Records Are Confidential in Sampson County?

Certain categories of records maintained by Sampson County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1 and related statutes identify the following as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under N.C.G.S. Chapter 7B
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would compromise the investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from public records prior to release
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 through a court order or the North Carolina Adoption Registry
Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Sampson County Department of Social Services
Personnel records: Employee personnel files held by county agencies are generally confidential, with limited exceptions for certain information such as an employee's name, position, and compensation
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies in confidence and exempt from disclosure
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under North Carolina's public records framework.

Sampson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Sampson County Register of Deeds serves as the primary recorder of official documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, plats, assumed name certificates, and vital records. Members of the public may inspect records and obtain copies during regular public counter hours.

Sampson County Register of Deeds 126 W. Elizabeth St., Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-8026 Sampson County Register of Deeds

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state and county holidays.

Sampson County Clerk of Superior Court 126 W. Elizabeth St., Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-5161 Sampson County | North Carolina Judicial Branch

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Sampson County Tax Administration 126 W. Elizabeth St., Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-7081 Sampson County Tax Administration

Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sampson County Sheriff's Office 112 Rowan Rd., Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-4141 Sampson County Sheriff's Office

Sampson County Board of Elections 406 County Complex Rd., Suite 100, Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-6308 Sampson County Board of Elections