About Brunswick County
Brunswick County is located in the southeastern corner of North Carolina, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Cape Fear River to the east. Brunswick County Seat is Bolivia, a small unincorporated community that houses Brunswick County's administrative offices at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422. Established in 1764, Brunswick County includes approximately 1,050 square miles and has experienced rapid population growth, reaching over 142,000 residents as of recent census estimates, making it one of North Carolina's fastest-growing counties.
Brunswick County is renowned for its coastal communities including Southport, Oak Island, Holden Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, and Sunset Beach, which draw tourists and retirees year-round. Brunswick County is home to the North Carolina State Port at Wilmington's southern approaches and features significant historical landmarks including Fort Anderson State Historic Site, a Civil War earthwork fortification, and the ruins of Brunswick Town, North Carolina's first colonial capital. Brunswick County's economy is driven by tourism, retirement communities, commercial fishing, and marine industries.
Major geographical features include the Intracoastal Waterway, which runs through Brunswick County, and the Green Swamp Preserve, one of North Carolina's most ecologically significant wetland areas. Brunswick County Register of Deeds maintains land records at the Government Center in Bolivia, while the County Clerk's office handles court documentation and the Tax Assessor's office manages property valuations and tax collections. Brunswick County has transformed from a rural agricultural region to a vibrant coastal destination while preserving its maritime heritage and natural beauty.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
Brunswick County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety in the unincorporated areas of Brunswick County. The office is tasked with patrolling these areas, running Brunswick County Detention Center, processing arrests, and maintaining criminal records.
Police Departments
In addition to Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, several municipal police departments operate within Brunswick County. These include the Leland Police Department, Shallotte Police Department, and Southport Police Department, each responsible for law enforcement within their respective city limits. These departments work in coordination with the Sheriff's Office to address major crimes and ensure public safety across Brunswick County. They handle local ordinances, traffic enforcement, and community policing efforts, contributing to the overall law enforcement scene in Brunswick County.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
Brunswick County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2777), is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas of Brunswick County and provides detention services. g dates, charges, bond amounts, and projected release dates.
- Arrest records in Brunswick County are public records under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, the Public Records Law, and can be requested from the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office.
- Written requests should specify the individual's name and date of birth when seeking arrest records.
- Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through Brunswick County Detention Facility's online inmate search system and are considered public information unless sealed by court order.
Municipal police departments operate independently within incorporated towns including Southport Police Department, Oak Island Police Department, Shallotte Police Department, Sunset Beach Police Department, Holden Beach Police Department, Ocean Isle Beach Police Department, Calabash Police Department, and Caswell Beach Police Department, each maintaining their own arrest records and booking procedures. Citizens can request copies of incident reports and arrest records by submitting written requests to the Records Division at the Sheriff's Office, though processing times vary and some investigative records may be exempted under active investigation provisions.
Brunswick County does not have tribal law enforcement jurisdictions.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Brunswick County includes a range of records, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. To conduct a background check, residents can request information from the Sheriff's Office or use the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation's services, which provide statewide criminal records checks.
- The sex offender registry is managed by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and is available online for public viewing.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Brunswick County are maintained by Brunswick County Sheriff's Office. These records include detailed information about the arrest, charges, and booking details. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by contacting the Sheriff's Office directly. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, arrest records are generally accessible to the public, although certain restrictions may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive information.
Jail & Inmate Records
Brunswick County Detention Center is the main facility for housing individuals arrested in Brunswick County. The booking process at the detention center involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Visitation rules at the detention center require scheduling in advance, and visitors must adhere to strict guidelines regarding identification and conduct.
- The bond and bail process in North Carolina allows detainees to be released pending trial, provided they meet the conditions set by the court.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Brunswick County are taken and retained by Brunswick County Sheriff's Office during the booking process. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by request. While North Carolina does not have specific laws regarding the removal of mugshots from public records, individuals may petition for removal under certain circumstances, such as expungement of the charges.
Courts & Case Records
Brunswick County is served by North Carolina's 13th Judicial District, with Brunswick County Courthouse located at 310 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2690). The courthouse houses both the Superior Court, which handles felony criminal cases and civil matters exceeding $25,000, and the District Court, which manages misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, family law matters including divorce and custody, juvenile cases, and estate proceedings.
- The courthouse also houses magistrate offices that operate 24/7 to issue arrest warrants, set initial bail, perform marriages, and handle small claims cases up to $10,000.
- Probate matters, including wills and estate administration, are processed through the Clerk of Superior Court's Estate Division.
- Brunswick County Clerk's office provides a public terminal for in-person searches during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding court holidays.
The Clerk of Superior Court office, located in the courthouse, maintains all civil and criminal court records and is the custodian of estate files and special proceedings. North Carolina provides online access to court records through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's public access system at www.nccourts.gov, where users can search civil and criminal case information by party name, case number, or attorney. While basic case information is available online at no charge, certified copies of court documents require in-person or mail requests to the Clerk's office with fees of $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page as established by North Carolina General Statute § 7A-307.
North Carolina General Statute § 132-1.1 establishes the framework for public access to court records, with certain exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile records, and matters involving protected information.
Property & Public Records
Brunswick County Register of Deeds, located at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2610), maintains land records dating back to Brunswick County's establishment in 1764. The office records and indexes deeds, mortgages, deeds of trust, releases, easements, rights-of-way, mechanic's liens, plat maps, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings as required by North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 161.
- Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page.
- The Register of Deeds office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and provides scanning services for large document orders.
Brunswick County provides free online access to land records through the Register of Deeds website at www.brunswickcountync.gov/register-of-deeds, where the public can search by grantor/grantee name, book and page, or instrument number for documents recorded from the 1980s to present, with ongoing digitization of historical records. Brunswick County Tax Assessor's office, located in the Government Center at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2944), maintains property tax records, assessment values, ownership information, and property characteristics. Brunswick County offers a full online GIS mapping system and property search tool at https://webapps3.brunswickcountync.gov/publicweb/ where users can search by owner name, parcel identification number, or address to view current tax values, sales history, property sketches, and digital tax maps.
The Tax Collector's office handles property tax payments and issues tax receipts. Real property records are public under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, though social security numbers and some personal identifying information are redacted from online displays.
Vital Records
Vital records for Brunswick County, North Carolina, are maintained at both Brunswick County and state levels under North Carolina General Statute Chapter 130A, Article 4. Birth and death certificates occurring in Brunswick County from October 1913 forward are available through Brunswick County Register of Deeds Vital Records Division at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2610).
- Death certificates cost $24.00 for the first copy and $15.00 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously, with similar identification requirements.
- Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate during business hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, while mail requests take approximately two to three weeks.
- The North Carolina State Vital Records Office in Raleigh maintains statewide vital records and can be reached at 1903 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1903 (phone: 919-733-3526).
- Online ordering is available through the state's vendor VitalChek at www.vitalchek.com with additional service fees.
- Copies of marriage licenses cost $10.00 for certified copies, while divorce decree copies follow the court's fee schedule of $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 per additional page.
Birth certificates cost $24.00 for a certified copy, and applicants must provide valid photo identification and demonstrate a direct and tangible interest as defined by North Carolina law, generally limited to the person named on the certificate, immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with court orders. Marriage licenses are issued by Brunswick County Register of Deeds office with both parties present, requiring valid government-issued photo identification and Social Security numbers; the fee is $60.00 and there is no waiting period in North Carolina. Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court at Brunswick County Courthouse as part of civil case files.
Individuals seeking divorce decrees should contact the Clerk's office at 910-253-2690.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Brunswick County operates through multiple governmental levels. Brunswick County Inspections and Permits Department, located at 30 Government Center Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2880), handles building permits, zoning compliance, and certain business occupational licenses required for operating within unincorporated areas of Brunswick County.
- The Secretary of State maintains a free online business entity search at www.sosnc.gov where users can look up corporation filings, registered agents, annual reports, and business status information.
- Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce, Shallotte, NC 28470 (www.brunswicccountychamber.org), provides business development resources and economic information.
Brunswick County Register of Deeds office records assumed name certificates (doing business as or DBA filings) and trade name registrations as required by North Carolina General Statute § 66-68, with filing fees of $26.00 for the first page and $4.00 for each additional page. Formal business entity formation, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofit organizations, must be filed with the North Carolina Secretary of State's Business Registration Division in Raleigh. Individual municipalities within Brunswick County, including Southport, Shallotte, Oak Island, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Calabash, and Caswell Beach, maintain their own business licensing requirements for operations within town limits, and prospective business owners should contact the respective town clerk's office.
Professional and occupational licenses for trades such as contractors, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians are regulated by the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors and other state boards. Sales tax permits are issued by the North Carolina Department of Revenue. Zoning and land use permits for commercial development are administered by Brunswick County Planning & Development Department.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Brunswick County are administered by Brunswick County Board of Elections, located at 35 Referendum Drive NE, Bolivia, NC 28422 (phone: 910-253-2850, website: www.brunswickcountync.gov/elections). Voter registration in Brunswick County is available through multiple methods: online registration via the North Carolina State Board of Elections website at www.ncsbe.gov/registering, in-person registration at the Board of Elections office, by mail using a voter registration application, or through designated voter registration agencies including the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Same-day registration during the early voting period is available, allowing eligible citizens to register and vote simultaneously at early voting sites.
- Senate races depending on the cycle, North Carolina state legislative seats, county commissioners, sheriff, register of deeds, and various municipal offices.
- Early voting, also called One-Stop voting in North Carolina, typically begins 17 days before Election Day and allows voters to register, vote, and make address changes at early voting sites.
North Carolina law requires registration at least 25 days before an election for voters to be eligible to participate in that election. Brunswick County voters can locate their assigned polling place by visiting the State Board of Elections website and using the voter search tool, calling the local Board of Elections, or checking their voter registration card mailed after registration. Brunswick County operates numerous Election Day precincts across its municipalities and townships, with precinct assignments based on residential address.
Election records that are public in North Carolina include voter registration lists (with some personal information redacted under NCGS § 163-82.10), campaign finance reports filed with the State Board of Elections, candidate filing information, and precinct-level election results. Brunswick County Board of Elections publishes unofficial results on election night and certified results following the canvass period. In the November 2024 general election, Brunswick County recorded a voter turnout of approximately 71% of registered voters, reflecting Brunswick County's high civic engagement, particularly among its retiree population, significantly above the state average.
The next major election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House of Representatives races for North Carolina's congressional districts, potential U.S. Absentee voting by mail is available to all registered Brunswick County voters who submit an absentee ballot request to the County Board of Elections; requests can be made online through the State Board of Elections portal, by mail, or in person.
Military and overseas voters have additional protections under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Brunswick County operates multiple early voting locations during election periods. North Carolina General Statute Chapter 163 governs election administration and public access to election records.
Citizens can request copies of precinct results, absentee ballot statistics, and voter history files through public records requests to the Board of Elections, though certain voter information is protected from disclosure. Brunswick County has invested in modern voting equipment and maintains backup paper records to ensure election security and auditability.
Economy & Demographics
Brunswick County's economy has transformed dramatically over the past three decades from primarily agricultural and fishing-based to a diverse economy centered on tourism, retirement services, healthcare, and real estate development. Brunswick County consistently ranks among North Carolina's fastest-growing counties, with population increases driven largely by retirees attracted to coastal communities and affordable living compared to northeastern states.
- The median household income in Brunswick County is approximately $57,000, slightly below the North Carolina state average, though this figure is influenced by the large retiree population with fixed incomes.
- The North Carolina State Port at Wilmington, while located in neighboring New Hanover County, provides substantial economic impact through logistics and shipping jobs for Brunswick County residents.
Major economic sectors include hospitality and tourism, which generates hundreds of millions annually from visitors to Brunswick County's beach towns; healthcare services, anchored by Novant Health Brunswick Medical Center in Bolivia and Dosher Memorial Hospital in Southport; construction and real estate development; and retail trade. Significant employers include Brunswick County Schools, Brunswick County government, Novant Health, Walmart, Food Lion, and numerous hospitality enterprises. Commercial fishing and aquaculture remain economically significant, particularly in Calabash, which markets itself as the "Seafood Capital of the World," and Southport, home to commercial fishing fleets.
Brunswick County has attracted light manufacturing and distribution facilities due to proximity to Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 17. Nuclear energy matters through Duke Energy's Brunswick County Nuclear Plant near Southport, one of the state's largest electricity generation facilities and a major employer.
Economic development initiatives focus on sustainable growth, infrastructure improvements including the Cape Fear Skyway bridge completed in 2010, and workforce development. The unemployment rate typically tracks close to or slightly below the state average, fluctuating seasonally with tourism cycles.
Transparency Score
Court Records: Yes: Online | Property: Yes: Free Search & GIS | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person/Mail/VitalChek | Business: Yes: State Online Search | Elections: Yes: Online Tools | Overall Score: 9/10, Brunswick County excels in digital public records access with online property searches, GIS mapping, court case lookup, and election information systems.
Official Government Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Brunswick County
Explore public records for 15 cities and communities in Brunswick County, North Carolina.