Gaston County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Gaston County?
Public records in Gaston County are defined according to the North Carolina Public Records Law, specifically under § 132-1, which states that public records include "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."
Gaston County maintains numerous types of public records that are accessible to citizens. These records include:
- Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court documents maintained by the Gaston County Courthouse
- Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the Register of Deeds
- Vital Records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious name registrations
- Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records maintained by the Gaston County Tax Department
- Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Board of Elections
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board meetings, and other public bodies
- Budget and Financial Documents: County financial records, expenditures, and budget information
- Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
The Gaston County government maintains these records through various departments, with the Register of Deeds office serving as the primary custodian for property and vital records, while the Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records.
Is Gaston County an Open Records County?
Gaston County fully adheres to North Carolina's open records laws as established under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1. This statute clearly establishes that "the public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people."
Under § 132-6(a), the law further stipulates 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."
The City of Gastonia, as the county seat and largest municipality in Gaston County, has established specific procedures for public records requests in compliance with state law. These procedures ensure transparency and accessibility while maintaining necessary protections for confidential information.
Gaston County also complies with North Carolina's Open Meetings Law (§ 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18), which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for closed sessions. This commitment to transparency extends to all county departments and agencies, ensuring citizens have access to information about governmental operations.
How to Find Public Records in Gaston County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Gaston County may utilize several methods to access the information they need. The county currently provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:
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Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the North Carolina Judicial Branch website
- Property records are accessible via the Register of Deeds online portal
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data is available through the Gaston County GIS portal
- County financial information and meeting minutes are posted on the official county website
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In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records: Gaston County Courthouse
- For property records: Register of Deeds Office
- For tax records: Tax Department
- For vital records: Register of Deeds or Health Department
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Written Requests: Submit a formal written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Specific description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (electronic or paper)
- Date range of records (if applicable)
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Electronic Requests: Many departments accept requests via email or through online submission forms available on the county website.
For records not readily available online, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains the records. Under current North Carolina law, agencies must respond to requests "as promptly as possible" but are not bound by a specific timeframe.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Gaston County?
Gaston County follows fee guidelines established under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.2, which permits agencies to charge only the "actual cost" of providing copies of public records. The current fee structure for obtaining public records in Gaston County includes:
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Paper Copies:
- Standard black and white copies: $0.10 per page
- Color copies: $0.25 per page
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
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Electronic Records:
- Records provided via email: No charge for transmission (copying fees may apply)
- Records provided on CD/DVD: $1.00 per disc plus copying fees
- Records requiring specialized formatting or extraction: Actual cost of staff time may apply
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Certified Copies:
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): $10.00 per copy
- Certified court documents: $2.00-$6.00 depending on document type
- Certified property records: $5.00 per document
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Search and Retrieval Fees:
- Standard searches: No charge for the first 30 minutes
- Extensive searches requiring more than 30 minutes: Actual cost of staff time may apply
Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards at most departments. Some online services may require credit card payment.
It is important to note that under § 132-6.2(b), agencies may not charge for the inspection of records, only for copies. Additionally, if a request requires extensive use of information technology resources or extensive clerical or supervisory assistance, the county may charge a special service charge based on the actual cost incurred.
Does Gaston County Have Free Public Records?
Gaston County provides several avenues for accessing public records at no cost to citizens:
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In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, all public records may be inspected free of charge during regular business hours. Citizens may visit the appropriate county office to view records without incurring any fees, provided the inspection occurs under reasonable supervision.
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Online Resources: The county offers numerous free online resources for accessing public information:
- The Gaston County GIS portal provides free access to property maps, parcel data, and land records
- The Gaston County website offers free access to meeting agendas, minutes, budgets, and other county documents
- The North Carolina Judicial Branch website provides free access to court calendars and basic case information
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Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county facilities, including the Register of Deeds office and the public library, allowing citizens to search for records without charge.
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Historical Records: Some historical records, including Gaston County estate records, are available through the North Carolina State Archives at no cost.
While inspection is free, fees may still apply for obtaining copies of records or for certified documents as outlined in the fee schedule. Additionally, certain specialized searches requiring extensive staff time or resources may incur service charges as permitted by state law.
Who Can Request Public Records in Gaston County?
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6, any person has the right to request and receive public records from Gaston County government agencies. The statute specifically states that records must be made available to "any person" without regard to:
- Residency status (non-residents have the same rights as residents)
- Citizenship
- Age (though minors may face practical limitations)
- Purpose or motivation for the request
Requestors are not legally required to:
- Identify themselves
- Provide identification
- State the purpose of their request
- Sign any forms
- Submit requests in writing (though written requests are recommended for clarity)
However, certain exceptions apply to specific record types:
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Vital Records: Birth, death, and marriage certificates have restricted access. Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct interest in the estate may obtain these records. Identification is required.
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Criminal Justice Records: While basic information is public, detailed criminal investigative records may be restricted to parties involved in the case or their legal representatives.
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Personnel Records: Under § 160A-168 for municipalities and § 153A-98 for counties, personnel records have limited public access. Only certain information about government employees is public, such as name, age, date of employment, current position, and salary.
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Medical Records: Protected by both state law and HIPAA, medical records require patient authorization for release.
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Juvenile Records: Under § 7B-3000, juvenile court records are confidential and accessible only to authorized individuals involved in the case.
For records with restricted access, requestors may need to provide identification and documentation establishing their legal right to access the information.
What Records Are Confidential in Gaston County?
While North Carolina law establishes a presumption of openness for public records, North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1.2 and other specific statutes exempt certain records from public disclosure. In Gaston County, the following record types are confidential:
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Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, and other personal financial information are protected from disclosure under § 132-1.10.
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Medical Records: Patient records and health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws.
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Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors under § 7B-3000, including delinquency proceedings and child welfare cases.
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Personnel Records: Under § 153A-98, county employee personnel records are confidential except for specific information (name, age, date of employment, position, salary, and date of separation).
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Criminal Investigation Records: Active criminal investigation records that would jeopardize an investigation or reveal confidential informants under § 132-1.4.
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Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and communications between county attorneys and officials.
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Economic Development Records: Information about industrial/business recruitment until public announcement under § 132-6.1.
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Tax Records: Individual tax information beyond property ownership and valuation.
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Social Services Records: Client information and case files maintained by the Department of Social Services.
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Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by judicial order, including certain domestic violence, adoption, and expungement records.
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Security Information: Building plans, infrastructure details, security protocols, and emergency response plans that could compromise public safety if disclosed.
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Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county that qualifies as trade secrets under § 132-1.2.
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Competitive Bid Documents: Sealed bids prior to bid opening and certain procurement information during active solicitations.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, county officials must redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by § 132-6(c).
Gaston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Gaston County Register of Deeds
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Suite 1013
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 862-7687
Gaston County Register of Deeds
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
The Register of Deeds office serves as the official custodian of vital records and property documents in Gaston County. Services provided include:
- Recording deeds, mortgages, and other land records
- Issuing marriage licenses
- Providing certified copies of birth and death certificates
- Maintaining military discharge records
- Processing notary public applications
Gaston County Clerk of Superior Court
325 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 852-3100
Gaston County Courthouse
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
The Clerk of Superior Court maintains all court records, including:
- Civil court filings
- Criminal case records
- Probate and estate documents
- Special proceedings
- Juvenile court records (confidential)
Gaston County Tax Office
128 W. Main Avenue
Gastonia, NC 28052
(704) 866-3158
Gaston County Tax Department
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: Closed
The Tax Office maintains property tax records, including:
- Property ownership information
- Tax assessments and valuations
- Tax payment history
- Tax maps and parcel information
Lookup Public Records in Gaston County
Gaston County court records and judicial information
Official Gaston County government records and services
Public records request procedures for Gastonia