Dare County

Dare County, North Carolina, is a distinctive coastal county located on the Outer Banks, a chain of barrier islands separating the Atlantic Ocean from the mainland sounds. Established in 1870, Dare County is named after Virginia Dare, the first English child born in the Americas at Roanoke Island in 1587. Dare County seat is Manteo, situated on Roanoke Island, which is the governmental and historical center. Dare County includes approximately 391 square miles of land and water, with a year-round population of around 36,000 residents that swells to over 300,000 during peak tourist season. Dare County includes several incorporated towns: Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, and Duck. Major landmarks include the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, commemorating the first powered flight in 1903; Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the nation's first national seashore; the Roanoke Island Festival Park; and the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, America's tallest brick lighthouse. Dare County's unique geography, isolated from the mainland and bordered by both ocean and sound, creates a tourism-dependent economy and specialized infrastructure challenges. Dare County Register of Deeds, located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo (252-475-5980), maintains property records. Dare County Clerk of Superior Court, also at Dare County Justice Center at 962 Marshall C. Collins Drive, handles court filings and marriage licenses. Dare County Tax Department at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive manages property assessments and tax collections. What makes Dare County truly unique is its role as both the birthplace of aviation and the site of the Lost Colony, combined with its vulnerable position on shifting barrier islands constantly reshaped by Atlantic storms.

• Dare County Register of Deeds, located at 954 Marshall C.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Inmate lookup is available by calling 252-475-5980 or visiting the facility in person during business hours; Dare County does not currently offer a full online inmate roster.
• To request arrest records, citizens may contact the Sheriff's Office or the specific municipal police department that made the arrest, submit a written public records request, and pay applicable copying fees.

Criminal Records

• The sex offender registry is publicly accessible and provides information on registered offenders residing in Dare County.

• The Clerk of Superior Court, reachable at 252-475-5980, maintains court records, processes civil filings, handles estate administration, and issues marriage licenses.
• Magistrates, part of the District Court system, are available 24/7 for initial appearances, setting bail, and issuing criminal process and certain civil processes.
• The statewide eCourts portal provides access to criminal and civil case information, though some records may be restricted by law.
• Fees for certified copies are established by North Carolina General Statute § 7A-307 and typically include $3.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page of certified documents.
• The Clerk's office can provide fee schedules and information about accessing specific case types.

• Certified copies of tax records can be requested from the Tax Department for a fee.
• Property ownership changes must be recorded with the Register of Deeds to be legally effective and reflected in tax records.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time is typically immediate for walk-in requests if the record is on file.
• Death certificates for deaths occurring in Dare County are also available through the Register of Deeds office for the same fees: $24.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for additional copies.
• Marriage licenses must be obtained from Dare County Register of Deeds office.
• The marriage license fee is $60.00, and there is no waiting period in North Carolina.
• Collins Drive (252) 475-5970), not by the Register of Deeds.

Business records, licenses, and permits for this county are processed by the County Clerk and local government offices.

• The Secretary of State maintains a free online business registry at www.sosnc.gov where users can search for registered business entities, view formation documents, check business status, and identify registered agents.
• This database includes all businesses registered to operate in North Carolina, including those based in Dare County.