Carteret County

Carteret County is located on the Crystal Coast of North Carolina, including approximately 1,341 square miles including significant portions of the Outer Banks and coastal waters. Carteret County Seat is Beaufort, one of North Carolina's oldest and most historic coastal towns, established in 1713. As of the 2020 Census, Carteret County has a population of approximately 67,686 residents.

• The Register of Deeds office is located at Carteret County Courthouse, 1702 Live Oak Street, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Sheriff & Law Enforcement

Carteret County Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining law and order in the unincorporated areas of Carteret County. The office is tasked with patrolling these areas, executing warrants, and serving civil processes. The office is also in charge of maintaining criminal records and processing arrests.

Police Departments

Carteret County is served by several law enforcement agencies, including Carteret County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. The Morehead City Police Department, Beaufort Police Department, and Atlantic Beach Police Department are among the key municipal agencies. Each department has jurisdiction within its respective city limits, handling local law enforcement duties such as traffic enforcement, crime investigation, and community policing.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

Carteret County Sheriff's Office, headquartered at 304 Craven Street in Beaufort, NC 28516 (phone: 252-728-8400), is the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including court security, civil process, and detention operations. Carteret County Detention Center, located adjacent to the Sheriff's Office at 301 Craven Street, Beaufort, houses inmates awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences.

• Inmate searches can be conducted through the Sheriff's Office website using the Offender Search tool, which provides booking information, charges, and bond status.
• Under North Carolina General Statute § 132-1, the Public Records Law, arrest records are generally public and may be requested from the arresting agency.
• Written requests should specify the individual's name and approximate date of arrest.
• Response time for records requests varies but agencies must respond within a reasonable timeframe.
• The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Troop B also provides traffic enforcement throughout Carteret County.

Criminal Records

The criminal records ecosystem in Carteret County includes records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. Carteret County Clerk of Court maintains records of criminal cases processed through Carteret County's court system. Residents can request background checks through the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, which provides statewide criminal history reports. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation also offers fingerprint-based background checks for more full searches.

Arrest Records

Arrest records in Carteret County are maintained by Carteret County Sheriff's Office. These records provide detailed information about the circumstances surrounding an individual's arrest, including the charges filed, date of arrest, and arresting agency. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records by submitting a formal request to the Sheriff's Office, under the North Carolina Public Records Law. The law ensures transparency and public access to government records, allowing individuals to obtain information pertinent to arrests made within Carteret County.

Jail & Inmate Records

Carteret County Detention Center, located in Beaufort, is the primary facility for housing individuals arrested within Carteret County. The booking process at the detention center involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the arrestees. Visitation rules are specific to the facility, requiring visitors to schedule appointments and adhere to security protocols.

• In North Carolina, the bond or bail process allows individuals to be released from custody pending trial, with specific conditions set by the court.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

In Carteret County, mugshots are taken and retained by Carteret County Sheriff's Office during the booking process at the detention center. These booking photos are part of the public record and can be accessed through the Sheriff's Office website or by submitting a request to the office. While North Carolina does not have specific laws governing the removal of mugshots from public records, individuals seeking removal may need to pursue legal avenues or negotiate with third-party websites that host such images.

Carteret County's judicial system operates through the North Carolina 3rd Judicial District, with Carteret County Courthouse Complex located at 1702 Live Oak Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 (phone: 252-728-8500). The courthouse houses both District Court and Superior Court operations. District Court handles misdemeanors, traffic violations, domestic matters including child custody and support, civil cases up to $25,000, estates, and special proceedings. Superior Court has jurisdiction over felonies, civil cases exceeding $25,000, and appeals from District Court.

• The public terminal access is free, though remote access through NCAOC requires registration and fees.
• Certified copies of court documents cost two dollars per page plus a three-dollar certification fee.
• The magistrate's office, open extended hours, issues arrest and search warrants, conducts initial appearances, sets bail, and handles small claims up to $10,000.
• Marriage licenses are issued through the Register of Deeds office, not the Clerk, under North Carolina law.
• Online access to detailed case documents requires in-person visits or formal written requests to the Clerk's office for many records.

Carteret County Register of Deeds, located at 1702 Live Oak Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 (phone: 252-728-8474), maintains all land records including deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, easements, rights-of-way, plat maps, military discharge papers (DD-214s), and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings. Register of Deeds Chrissy Peterson's office provides online access to recorded documents through Carteret County website at carteretcountync.gov, with searchable databases dating back to the early 1900s for most document types.

• Online searches are free, though document images may require a subscription or per-page fee.
• Certified copies cost five dollars for the first page and two dollars for each additional page.
• Property tax records are maintained by Carteret County Tax Department, located at the Administrative Annex, 3900 Bridges Street, Morehead City, NC 28557 (phone: 252-728-8474).
• The Register of Deeds office also maintains vital records including birth and death certificates for events occurring in Carteret County, as detailed in the vital records section.

Birth and death certificates for events occurring in Carteret County are maintained by both Carteret County Register of Deeds at 1702 Live Oak Street, Beaufort, NC 28516 (252-728-8474) and the North Carolina State Vital Records Office in Raleigh. Under North Carolina General Statute § 130A-93, birth certificates are confidential for 100 years and available only to the registrant (if 18 or older), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives with proper identification. Death certificates are public records after the initial registration period.

• Birth certificate copies cost twenty-four dollars each, and death certificates cost twenty-four dollars for the first copy and fifteen dollars for additional copies ordered simultaneously.
• Processing time for in-person requests is typically immediate if the record is on file; mail requests take two to three weeks.
• The North Carolina Vital Records website at vitalrecords.nc.gov offers online ordering through VitalChek with expedited shipping options available for additional fees.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from Carteret County Register of Deeds office, with both parties present, providing valid identification and Social Security numbers.
• The marriage license fee is sixty dollars and includes the ceremony if performed by the Register of Deeds.

Business licensing and registration in Carteret County involves multiple jurisdictions depending on the business type and location. Fictitious name registrations (assumed business names or DBAs) are filed with Carteret County Register of Deeds at 1702 Live Oak Street, Beaufort, NC 28516, with fees of twenty-six dollars for the first five years and eleven dollars for each subsequent five-year renewal. These records are public and searchable at the Register of Deeds office.

• All business entities including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and nonprofits must register with the North Carolina Secretary of State's office, accessible online at sosnc.gov.
• The Secretary of State's business registry provides free searchable databases showing entity names, registered agents, formation dates, and status.
• The Crystal Coast Chamber and Economic Development Council at 3409 Arendell Street, Morehead City (252-726-6350, crystalcoastcc.org) provides business resources, networking, and county economic development information.
• Alcoholic beverage permits are processed through the North Carolina ABC Commission with local zoning approval required from municipal or county planning departments.

Carteret County Board of Elections, located at 1702 Live Oak Street, Suite 101, Beaufort, NC 28516 (phone: 252-728-8500, website: carteretcountync.gov/elections), administers all federal, state, and local elections within Carteret County. The board consists of members appointed by the State Board of Elections based on recommendations from political parties. North Carolina voters can register online at ncsbe.gov/registering, by mail, or in person at the Board of Elections office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or participating agencies.

• The Board of Elections website provides a voter lookup tool showing registration status, assigned precinct, and sample ballots.
• Absentee by-mail ballots may be requested through the State Board of Elections website at ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail, by written request to Carteret County Board of Elections, or in person at the elections office.
• Civilian absentee ballot requests must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the Tuesday before Election Day; military and overseas voters have extended deadlines under the MOVE Act.
• Citizens may request copies of precinct results, absentee ballot statistics, and voter history records under North Carolina public records law.
• The Board of Elections maintains records of candidate filings, protest proceedings, and board meeting minutes as public records available upon request.

Carteret County's economy is fundamentally maritime-based with commercial fishing, boat building, port operations, and coastal tourism comprising the primary economic drivers. The North Carolina State Ports Authority operates the Morehead City Port, one of only two deepwater ports in North Carolina, handling bulk cargo, breakbulk, and roll-on/roll-off shipments, particularly phosphate fertilizer, wood products, and project cargo.

• The median household income in Carteret County is approximately $61,000 according to recent Census estimates, slightly above the North Carolina median.

Court Records: Yes: Online Portal | Property: Yes: Free Online Search | Arrest/Jail: Yes: Online Inmate Lookup | Vital Records: Limited: In-Person or Mail Required | Business: Yes: Online (State/County) | Elections: Yes: Online | Overall Score: 8.5/10, Carteret County provides excellent digital access to property records, court case searches, inmate information, and election data; vital records require traditional request methods but processing is efficient.

Explore public records for 16 cities and communities in Carteret County, North Carolina.