Transylvania County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Transylvania County in 2026
TransylvaniaRecords.us aggregates publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking official documentation may access records spanning court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, tax assessments, and law enforcement logs through a combination of county offices, state repositories, and authorized online portals. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the maintaining agency, the nature of the document, and applicable state law.
Record categories available through official channels include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Transylvania County Register of Deeds maintains a searchable online index for recorded land documents, including deeds and deeds of trust. The North Carolina Courts portal provides access to civil and criminal case information through the eCourts system. No registration is required to conduct basic searches on most county portals, though certified copies require a formal request.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records during regular business hours. Staff at each office can assist with locating documents and processing copy requests. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification when requesting certified copies.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond promptly to public records requests. Mailing addresses for each principal office are listed in the contact section below.
Phone/Email:
- Transylvania County Register of Deeds: (828) 884-3162
- Transylvania County Clerk of Superior Court: (828) 884-3114
What Are Public Records in Transylvania County?
Public records in Transylvania County are defined by state law 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. This definition is established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1, which governs public records statewide.
The following record types are maintained by specific county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Birth and death certificates | NC Vital Records / Register of Deeds |
| Marriage records | Register of Deeds |
| Property tax records | Tax Administration Office |
| Business licenses and permits | County Planning & Development |
| Zoning and land use records | Planning & Community Development |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Manager's Office |
| Voter registration records | Board of Elections |
| Law enforcement records | Transylvania County Sheriff's Office |
The Transylvania County official website provides department-level contact information and links to available online records for each of these categories.
Is Transylvania County an Open Records County?
Transylvania County fully complies with North Carolina's open records framework. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, every custodian of public records is required to permit public records to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision. The statute further provides that certified copies of public records shall be furnished upon request.
As the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources notes in its guidance to agencies: "Public records are the property of the people of North Carolina. They must be kept safe and made available to the public." This principle underlies the county's approach to records access across all departments.
Transylvania County does not maintain a separate county-level open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All requests are processed in accordance with Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes, which serves as the primary legal authority governing public records access throughout the state. The North Carolina Attorney General's office publishes guidance on open records rights that applies uniformly to all counties, including Transylvania.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Transylvania County?
The cost to obtain public records in Transylvania County varies by record type and the office maintaining the document. Inspection of records is available at no charge. Fees apply when copies or certified documents are requested.
Standard Copy and Certification Fees:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copy (per page) | $0.05–$0.25 |
| Certified copy of recorded document | $5.00 (first page) + $2.00 (each additional page) |
| Certified copy of vital record (birth/death/marriage) | $10.00 per copy |
| Electronic copy (where available) | Varies by office |
| Search fee | No charge for standard searches |
Fees for Register of Deeds documents are set pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-10, which establishes the schedule of fees applicable to recorded instruments statewide. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers are not broadly available under current law, though certain agencies may waive fees for indigent requestors on a case-by-case basis.
Does Transylvania County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at all principal county offices during regular business hours. Members of the public are not required to pay any fee to view records in person, provided the inspection occurs under reasonable supervision as required by state law.
Free online access is available through several official portals:
- The Transylvania County Register of Deeds provides a searchable index of recorded land documents at no cost.
- The North Carolina Courts eCourts portal allows free searches of civil and criminal case records.
- The Transylvania County Tax Administration offers free online access to property assessment and tax records.
- The North Carolina State Board of Elections provides free access to voter registration data and election results.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records carries no charge, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above. Certain records, such as voter registration information provided in bulk, may carry additional fees established by the relevant state agency.
Who Can Request Public Records in Transylvania County?
Any person may request public records in Transylvania County. Under current North Carolina law, requestors are not required to be residents of the state, to provide identification for inspection purposes, or to state the reason for their request. As the North Carolina Attorney General's office affirms in its open government guidance, the right to inspect public records belongs to any person, regardless of citizenship or residency status.
Specific considerations apply in the following circumstances:
- Identification: Not required for inspection; may be required when requesting certified copies or records involving personal information.
- Purpose: Requestors are not obligated to disclose the purpose of a records request for standard public records.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history or vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, a notarized authorization.
- Requesting records about others: Certain record types, including sealed court records and juvenile records, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
- Non-residents: Non-residents hold the same rights as residents under Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
Restrictions on access apply to specific categories of confidential records, which are addressed in the following section.
What Records Are Confidential in Transylvania County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from public access. The following records are currently withheld from public inspection under state and federal law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations are exempt from disclosure.
- Social Security numbers and financial account data: Personal identifying information is redacted from publicly released documents.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the Department of Social Services.
- Personnel records: Employee personnel files are exempt from disclosure, with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Withheld to protect public safety.
The sex offender registry maintained by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation is a public record subject to specific acceptable use requirements. Members of the public may search the North Carolina sex offender database in accordance with the registry's terms of use.
Additionally, information submitted through the North Carolina burn permit system is subject to the N.C. Public Records Law and may be disclosed upon request, as noted by the N.C. Forest Service.
Exemptions from public disclosure are governed primarily by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1, which enumerates confidential communications and other protected categories. Agencies apply a balancing standard when a record contains both public and confidential information, redacting exempt portions while releasing the remainder.
Transylvania County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Transylvania County Register of Deeds
22 West Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3162
Transylvania County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Transylvania County Clerk of Superior Court
12 East Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3114
Transylvania County Clerk of Superior Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Transylvania County Tax Administration
101 South Broad Street, Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3200
Transylvania County Tax Administration
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Transylvania County Sheriff's Office
201 East Morgan Street, Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3168
Transylvania County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (administrative); patrol operations are continuous.
Transylvania County Board of Elections
175 East Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712
(828) 884-3109
Transylvania County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM