Guilford County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Guilford County?

Public records in Guilford 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 established under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public.

Guilford County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, traffic, and family court cases are maintained by the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court. These include judgments, orders, pleadings, and case dispositions.
Property Records: The Guilford County Register of Deeds maintains real estate transactions including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and easements dating back to the county's formation.
Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and military discharge papers (DD-214) are maintained by the Register of Deeds office.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and assumed name certificates (doing business as) are available through various county departments.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps are maintained by the Guilford County Tax Department through their property search database.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports are maintained by the Guilford County Board of Elections.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and public hearings are maintained by the Clerk to the Board.
Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, budgets, expenditures, and audits are available through the Finance Department.
Law Enforcement Records: Certain police reports, arrest logs, and incident reports are maintained by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, with some information available through their inmate search portal.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and planning documents are maintained by the Planning and Development Department.

Each record type is maintained by its respective department, with the Guilford County Clerk of Superior Court and Register of Deeds serving as the primary custodians for many of the most frequently requested records.

Is Guilford County an Open Records County?

Guilford 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, public records are defined 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."

The law explicitly states that "the public records and public information of this State and its political subdivisions are the property of the people." This fundamental principle guides Guilford County's approach to records management and public access.

North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6(a) further specifies 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, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law."

Guilford County complies with these state mandates and maintains transparency in government operations through adherence to North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (N.C.G.S. § 143-318.9), which works in conjunction with the Public Records Law to ensure government accountability.

The county has implemented policies to facilitate public access to records while maintaining compliance with state laws regarding confidential information. These policies are designed to balance the public's right to know with privacy protections established by state and federal law.

How to Find Public Records in Guilford County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Guilford County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county maintains a multi-channel approach to records access, accommodating both in-person and digital requests.

For court records, individuals may:

Visit the Guilford County Courthouse in person to access public terminals.

Guilford County Courthouse - Greensboro
201 S. Eugene Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-412-7300
North Carolina Judicial Branch

Guilford County Courthouse - High Point
505 E. Green Drive
High Point, NC 27260
336-822-6700
North Carolina Judicial Branch
Access the North Carolina Court System's online portal for searchable court records.
Submit a written request to the Clerk of Superior Court specifying the records sought.

For property and vital records, requestors may:

Visit the Register of Deeds office in person.

Guilford County Register of Deeds
400 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-641-7556
Guilford County Register of Deeds
Use the online search tools available through the Register of Deeds website for property records.
Submit requests by mail with appropriate identification and fees for vital records.

For tax and property assessment records:

Access the Guilford County Property Search database online.
Visit the Tax Department in person.

Guilford County Tax Department
400 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-641-3363
Guilford County Tax Department

For law enforcement records:

Submit a request to the Guilford County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Guilford County Sheriff's Office
400 W. Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-641-3355
Guilford County Sheriff's Office
Check the inmate search portal for current detention information.

For general county records:

Submit a public records request through the county's online portal or in writing to the specific department maintaining the records.
Contact the County Manager's Office for assistance in locating the appropriate record custodian.

Guilford County Manager's Office
301 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-641-3400
Guilford County Manager

When making requests, individuals should provide specific information about the records sought, including names, dates, case numbers, or property addresses to facilitate efficient processing.

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

Guilford County assesses fees for public records in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge only the actual cost of reproduction. The current fee structure for various record types is as follows:

General Document Reproduction Fees:

Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
Certified copies: $5.00 for the first page, $2.00 for each additional page
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
Electronic records sent via email: No charge for transmission (though copy fees may apply for preparation)

Register of Deeds Specific Fees:

Recorded documents: $2.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page
Certified copies of vital records: $10.00 per certificate
Marriage licenses: $60.00
Notary public oath: $10.00
UCC filings: $38.00 for the first 2 pages, $45.00 for 3+ pages

Court Records Fees:

Copies of court documents: $0.25 per page
Certified court documents: $5.00 per document
Criminal background checks: $25.00 per name search

Tax Department Fees:

Property record copies: $0.25 per page
Tax maps: $5.00 per map
Custom data requests: $50.00 per hour for staff time (minimum 1 hour)

Payment methods accepted by most Guilford County offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Personal checks
Money orders
Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fees in some departments)
Electronic payments for certain online services

Special service fees may apply for expedited requests or extensive research requiring significant staff time. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2(b), "if the request is such as to require extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance by personnel of the agency involved, or if producing the record in the medium requested results in a greater use of information technology resources than that established by the agency for reproduction of the volume of information requested, then the agency may charge, in addition to the actual cost of duplication, a special service charge, which shall be reasonable and shall be based on the actual cost incurred for such extensive use of information technology resources or the labor costs of the personnel providing the services, or for a greater use of information technology resources that is actually incurred by the agency or attributable to the agency."

Fee waivers are not explicitly provided for in North Carolina law, though some departments may reduce or waive fees for certain governmental entities or nonprofit organizations at their discretion.

Does Guilford County Have Free Public Records?

Guilford County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, which guarantees the right to inspect public records without charge. The following free options are currently available:

Free In-Person Inspection:

Any member of the public may inspect public records during normal business hours at the office where such records are maintained, at no charge.
Self-service computer terminals are available at the Guilford County Courthouse for searching court records without a fee.
The Register of Deeds office provides public terminals for searching property records and indexes without charge.
The Tax Department offers terminals for researching property tax information at no cost.

Free Online Resources:

The Guilford County Property Search database provides free access to property ownership, assessment, and tax information.
The Guilford County Sheriff's Office inmate search portal offers free access to current detention information.
The North Carolina Court System's public portal provides free access to basic case information.
The Guilford County Register of Deeds offers online index searches at no charge.
County Commission meeting agendas, minutes, and videos are freely available on the county website.
The county budget, financial reports, and annual audits are accessible online without charge.

While inspection is free, reproduction costs as outlined in the fee schedule may apply when copies are requested. Additionally, certain specialized searches or requests requiring extensive staff time may incur service charges as permitted by state law.

The county continually expands its digital offerings to increase free public access to government records while balancing the costs of maintaining these systems.

Who Can Request Public Records in Guilford County?

Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, public records in Guilford County are available to "any person" regardless of citizenship, residency status, age, or purpose. The law establishes a presumption of openness that applies broadly to all requestors.

Key eligibility points include:

No residency requirement: Requestors need not be residents of Guilford County or North Carolina to access public records.
No identification requirement: For most public records, requestors are not required to provide identification or state their purpose for seeking records. However, certain exceptions apply:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates) require proper identification and may have relationship requirements under N.C.G.S. § 130A-93.
- Military discharge records (DD-214) are restricted to the veteran or next of kin.
- Certain court records may require identification if they contain restricted information.
No purpose requirement: The law does not require requestors to explain why they want access to records, and agencies cannot deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the information.
Representatives: Attorneys, researchers, and commercial entities may request records on behalf of others.
Media access: News organizations have the same rights of access as any member of the public, with no special privileges or restrictions.
Incarcerated individuals: Persons in custody retain their right to request public records, though practical limitations may exist regarding inspection.

When requesting one's own records or records containing confidential information about oneself, proper identification is typically required to protect privacy and prevent identity theft. This includes requests for personal tax records, certain court records, or law enforcement records containing personal identifying information.

North Carolina law does not permit agencies to ask requestors to justify their requests or to discriminate among requestors. The only limitations on access relate to records specifically exempted from disclosure by statute, not to the identity or purpose of the requestor.

What Records Are Confidential in Guilford County?

While North Carolina's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of openness, certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal laws. Pursuant to various provisions in the North Carolina General Statutes and other applicable laws, the following record types are considered confidential in Guilford County:

Court and Law Enforcement Records:

Juvenile court records (N.C.G.S. § 7B-2901)
Adoption proceedings and records (N.C.G.S. § 48-9-102)
Grand jury proceedings and records (N.C.G.S. § 15A-623)
Records of active criminal investigations (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.4)
Information that would identify confidential informants
Search warrants and related materials until executed and returned
Criminal intelligence information compiled by law enforcement
Domestic violence protective order identifying information (N.C.G.S. § 50B-3)

Personal and Private Information:

Social Security numbers (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.10)
Driver's license numbers and state identification numbers
Financial account numbers, credit/debit card numbers
Electronic mail addresses subject to specified conditions
Medical records and protected health information (HIPAA)
Student education records (FERPA)
State and federal tax information
Trade secrets and confidential business information
Attorney-client privileged communications
Personnel records of county employees (N.C.G.S. § 153A-98), including:
- Employee evaluations
- Disciplinary actions and other personnel actions
- Personal identifying and medical information
- Salary history and other compensation information (though current salary is public)

Social Services and Health Records:

Child protective services records (N.C.G.S. § 7B-302)
Adult protective services records (N.C.G.S. § 108A-80)
Public assistance and social services records (N.C.G.S. § 108A-80)
Mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services records (N.C.G.S. § 122C-52)
Communicable disease information (N.C.G.S. § 130A-143)

Other Protected Records:

Certain economic development records prior to announcement (N.C.G.S. § 132-6.1)
Emergency response plans and security information (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.7)
Competitive bid documents prior to award (N.C.G.S. § 143-129)
Certain utility customer information (N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1)
Attorney work product and trial preparation materials

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Guilford County agencies will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by N.C.G.S. § 132-6(c).

The determination of whether information is confidential is made by the record custodian based on applicable laws. If a request is denied in whole or part, the requestor must be provided with the specific statutory basis for the denial.

Guilford County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Guilford County Register of Deeds
400 W. Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
336-641-7556
Guilford County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

High Point Office:
325 E. Russell Avenue, Suite 101
High Point, NC 27260
336-641-7556
Guilford County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Guilford County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of vital records and land records for the county. The office is responsible for recording, indexing, and preserving documents related to real property transactions and vital statistics. Services provided include:

Recording deeds, mortgages, and other land records
Issuing marriage licenses
Providing certified copies of birth, death, and marriage certificates
Processing military discharge records (DD-214)
Administering notary public oaths
Recording business names (assumed names/DBA)
Maintaining historical records dating back to the county's formation

The Register of Deeds maintains public access terminals for searching records indexes at both office locations. Many records are also available through the office's online search portal, accessible through the official website.

For questions regarding specific records or services, members of the public may contact the office directly during regular business hours.

Lookup Public Records in Guilford County

Guilford County Register of Deeds

Guilford County Court Records

North Carolina Court System Records Portal

Guilford County Property Records

Guilford County Inmate Search