Yadkin County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Yadkin County in 2026
Members of the public seeking public records in Yadkin County, North Carolina may access publicly available information through YadkinRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates publicly available data related to county records. Yadkin County maintains a variety of official records that are accessible through government offices, online portals, and public access terminals in accordance with North Carolina law. The information available may include, but is not limited to, the following record categories:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family)
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and tax assessments)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement records (where permitted by law)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access: The Yadkin County Government website provides access to select public records, including property tax information and county meeting documents. The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the eCourts portal, which allows members of the public to search civil and criminal court records. Some records require registration or payment of applicable fees before digital access is granted.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Yadkin County Register of Deeds or the Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. Offices are located at the Yadkin County Courthouse, 101 South State Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office and must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, agencies are required to respond to public records requests as promptly as possible.
Phone/Email:
- Yadkin County Register of Deeds: (336) 679-4225
- Yadkin County Clerk of Superior Court: (336) 679-4226
What Are Public Records in Yadkin County?
Public records in Yadkin County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 132 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 following record types are currently maintained by Yadkin County agencies:
| Record Type | Maintaining Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Superior Court |
| Property deeds, mortgages, liens | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage) | Register of Deeds / NC Vital Records |
| Business licenses and permits | County Planning & Development |
| Property tax and assessment records | Tax Assessor's Office |
| Voting and election records | Board of Elections |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Manager's Office |
| Law enforcement records | Yadkin County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning & Development Department |
The Yadkin County Register of Deeds maintains property and vital records, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains court-related documents. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services maintains certified copies of statewide vital records.
Is Yadkin County an Open Records County?
Yadkin County follows North Carolina's statewide open records framework, which mandates broad public access to government records. Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, public records are the property of the people, and any person may obtain copies of public records from any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions.
As stated in the statute, "The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people." This foundational principle establishes that access to government records is a right, not a privilege, subject only to specific statutory exemptions.
Yadkin County operates in compliance with the North Carolina Public Records Law, which functions as the state's equivalent of a freedom of information act. The county does not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. The North Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on open records compliance for all counties, including Yadkin County.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Yadkin County?
The current fee structure for public records in Yadkin County varies by record type and the office maintaining the records. Under North Carolina law, agencies may charge fees that reflect the actual cost of reproducing records.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies (per page) | $0.05 – $0.25 |
| Certified copies of deeds | $5.00 (first page) + $2.00 per additional page |
| Certified vital records (birth/death/marriage) | $10.00 per copy |
| Electronic records (where available) | Varies by record type |
| Certification fee | Included in certified copy fee |
- Inspection of records at a public counter is available at no charge.
- Fees for court records are governed by the North Carolina Court Costs and Fees Chart maintained by the Administrative Office of the Courts.
- Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for records requested for specific governmental purposes, subject to the discretion of the maintaining office.
The North Carolina Register of Deeds fee schedule is established by state statute and applies uniformly across all counties.
Does Yadkin County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available in Yadkin County. North Carolina law requires that agencies permit any person to inspect public records during regular business hours at no charge. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while members of the public may view records without cost, fees apply when copies or certified documents are requested.
The following resources currently provide free access to certain Yadkin County records:
- Yadkin County Government Website: Property tax records and county meeting minutes are accessible online at no charge through the Yadkin County official website.
- NC Courts eCourts Portal: Basic civil and criminal case information is searchable at no cost through the North Carolina Courts online services.
- NC State Archives: Historical records and select county documents are available for free inspection through the North Carolina State Archives.
- Board of Elections: Voter registration records and election results are available for public inspection at no charge through the Yadkin County Board of Elections.
Who Can Request Public Records in Yadkin County?
Any person may request public records in Yadkin County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on the requester's identity or affiliation. Requesters are not required to be residents of Yadkin County or the state of North Carolina.
Under current law, requesters are not required to:
- Provide identification (for general inspection)
- State the purpose of the request
- Demonstrate a legal interest in the records
However, certain record types carry additional requirements. Certified copies of vital records, for example, may require the requester to demonstrate a direct and tangible interest in the record, as governed by North Carolina vital records statutes. Requesters seeking their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity and protect personal information.
Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the North Carolina Public Records Law. Restrictions on access apply only where specific statutory exemptions exist, not based on the identity of the requester. The North Carolina Attorney General's open government resources provide additional guidance on requester rights.
What Records Are Confidential in Yadkin County?
Certain records maintained by Yadkin County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. The following categories of records are currently designated as confidential or restricted:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles are confidential under North Carolina Juvenile Code provisions.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt from disclosure where release would compromise the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from public records.
- 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 court-ordered 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.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
As noted in the North Carolina Public Records Law, agencies must balance the public's right to access information against the need to protect individual privacy and public safety. Agencies are required to provide access to any non-exempt portions of a record even when portions are withheld.
Yadkin County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Yadkin County Register of Deeds
101 South State Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Phone: (336) 679-4225
Yadkin County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Yadkin County Clerk of Superior Court
101 South State Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Phone: (336) 679-4226
North Carolina Judicial Branch – Yadkin County
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Yadkin County Tax Assessor's Office
213 East Elm Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Phone: (336) 849-7903
Yadkin County Tax Administration
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Yadkin County Sheriff's Office
210 East Elm Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Phone: (336) 679-4244
Yadkin County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Yadkin County Board of Elections
101 South State Street, Suite 1, Yadkinville, NC 27055
Phone: (336) 679-4225
Yadkin County Board of Elections
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM