Lee County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Lee County in 2026
LeeNCRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Lee County, North Carolina. Members of the public seeking property documents, court filings, vital records, or tax data may locate those materials through a combination of official county portals, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online databases. The availability and completeness of specific records may vary depending on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law.
Record categories that members of the public may search include:
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax assessment and property tax records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access:
Members of the public may conduct property searches through the Lee County Tax Administration real estate portal, which provides parcel data, assessed values, and ownership information without requiring registration. The Lee County Register of Deeds office maintains recorded land documents that are searchable online. General public records requests may be submitted electronically through the county's public records request portal.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Lee County Register of Deeds at 1300 South Horner Blvd., Sanford, NC 27330, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Court records are available through the Lee County Clerk of Superior Court, located at the Lee County Courthouse, 45 Wicker Street, Sanford, NC 27330.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include a description of the records sought, the requester's contact information, and the preferred format for delivery. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests as promptly as possible.
Phone/Email:
The Lee County main line is (919) 718-4688. Individual department contacts are listed on the official county website at leecountync.gov.
What Are Public Records in Lee County?
Public records in Lee County are defined by North Carolina 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 by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. This definition is established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.
The following record types are currently maintained by Lee County agencies:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Civil, criminal, probate, family court records | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Birth and death certificates | NC Vital Records / Register of Deeds |
| Marriage and divorce records | Register of Deeds / Clerk of Court |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Administration |
| Business licenses and permits | Lee County Planning & Development |
| Voting and election records | Lee County Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Manager's Office |
| Budget and financial documents | County Finance Department |
| Law enforcement records | Lee County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning & Development Department |
Is Lee County an Open Records County?
Lee County operates in full compliance with North Carolina's open records laws, which establish a broad public right of access to government documents. 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 by any person. North Carolina's Public Records Law, codified in Chapter 132 of the General Statutes, reflects the state's foundational commitment to government transparency.
As stated in the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources guidance, "The public records law of North Carolina provides that all records made or received by government agencies in the course of conducting public business are public records unless otherwise provided by law." The Lee County government currently maintains a dedicated public records request process administered through the County Manager's Office, consistent with state sunshine law requirements. No county-specific ordinance restricts access beyond the exemptions already established under state law.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Lee County?
The fee structure for public records in Lee County is governed by state statute and individual agency schedules. Inspection of public records is provided at no charge. Fees apply when copies are requested.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Service | Standard Fee |
|---|---|
| Black-and-white paper copies (letter/legal) | $0.05–$0.10 per page (varies by office) |
| Certified copies of recorded documents | $5.00 for the first page; $2.00 each additional page (Register of Deeds) |
| Electronic copies | Varies; some records provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted for standard public records requests under state law |
The Register of Deeds fee schedule is established pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-10, which sets uniform statewide fees for recorded document copies and certifications. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by department. Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under current state law, but agencies retain discretion to waive fees in certain circumstances, such as requests from other government entities.
Does Lee County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available to any person under North Carolina law, and no fee may be charged solely for the act of reviewing records in person. Several categories of records are accessible at no cost through official online platforms.
Members of the public may access the following at no charge:
- Property and tax records — The Lee County Tax Administration real estate search provides free online access to parcel data, ownership history, and assessed values.
- Recorded land documents — The Lee County Register of Deeds offers online index searches at no cost.
- Meeting minutes and agendas — County commission and board meeting records are posted publicly on the Lee County website.
- In-person inspection — Any member of the public may inspect original records at the custodial office without charge during regular business hours.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or certified copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Lee County?
Any person may request public records in Lee County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not require requesters to be state residents, to provide identification, or to explain the reason for their request. This broad access right applies to individuals, organizations, businesses, and members of the media equally.
Certain record types carry additional access requirements. For example, obtaining a certified copy of a birth certificate from the North Carolina Vital Records office requires proof of eligibility, such as a direct familial relationship to the subject. Requests for one's own records may require identity verification to ensure the correct record is released. Law enforcement records involving ongoing investigations may be withheld pending case resolution, consistent with statutory exemptions.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under current state law. No provision of Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes limits access based on the geographic location of the requester.
What Records Are Confidential in Lee County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the general public access requirement. As noted in the North Carolina Attorney General's guidance on public records, "The Public Records Law contains numerous specific exemptions for particular types of records, and other statutes also make certain records confidential."
Records currently exempt from public disclosure in Lee County include:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled during active investigations are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- 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 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 employment-related information such as salary and job title.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Withheld to protect public safety.
These exemptions are codified primarily under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.1 and related provisions throughout the General Statutes. When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Lee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Lee County Register of Deeds
1300 South Horner Blvd.
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4663
Lee County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Lee County Manager's Office (Public Records Requests)
1300 South Horner Blvd.
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4688
Public Records Request – Lee County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lee County Tax Administration
1300 South Horner Blvd.
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4662
Lee County Tax Administration – Real Estate Property Search
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Lee County Clerk of Superior Court
45 Wicker Street
Sanford, NC 27330
(919) 718-4900
North Carolina Courts – Lee County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM