Wake County

Wake County, North Carolina, is the most populous county in the state and is the heart of the Research Triangle region. Established in 1771, Wake County was named after Margaret Wake, the wife of colonial Governor William Tryon. Wake County seat is Raleigh, which also is the state capital of North Carolina. Wake County includes approximately 857 square miles and is home to over 1.1 million residents as of the most recent census estimates, making it a rapidly growing metropolitan area. Wake County includes the municipalities of Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wendell, Zebulon, and Knightdale. Major landmarks include the North Carolina State Capitol, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, William B. Umstead State Park, Falls Lake, and the historic Mordecai House. Wake County Register of Deeds office is located at Wake County Justice Center, 301 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Wake County Clerk of Superior Court operates from the same Justice Center facility. Wake County Tax Administration office, serving assessor functions, is located at 301 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Wake County is distinguished by its exceptional educational institutions, including North Carolina State University, and its thriving technology and research sectors anchored by Research Triangle Park. Wake County has transformed from an agricultural region into one of the nation's premier destinations for innovation, education, and economic development.

• Wake County Register of Deeds office is located at Wake County Justice Center, 301 South McDowell Street, Raleigh, NC 27601.

Wake County North Carolina Court is located at 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. It is a unified court system that handles civil, criminal, family, and juvenile cases. It is part of the North Carolina Judicial Branch.

Wake County North Carolina court jurisdiction is the judicial branch of the government of Wake County, North Carolina. It is responsible for the administration of justice in the area. The court has jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases, including family law, juvenile law, probate, and traffic violations.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Mugshots and booking photos are typically included in arrest records and can be accessed through the detention center's online inmate search or by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person.
• Processing fees may apply for certified copies of arrest records.

Arrest Records

• The process for obtaining these records involves submitting a request to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

• Wake County District Court has jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal cases, civil cases up to $25,000, domestic relations matters, juvenile cases, estate administration, and small claims disputes up to $10,000.
• The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides online access to civil and criminal court calendars, case information, and selected documents through the North Carolina Court System website.
• The fee schedule for court records includes $2.00 per page for standard copies and $5.00 for certified copies, with a $3.00 search fee.
• Online case searches are available free of charge through the statewide eCourts portal, though detailed document retrieval may require in-person or mail requests.

• The Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded documents through the Real Estate Document Search portal on Wake County website, with digitized images available for documents recorded from 1968 to present.
• Certified copies of recorded documents cost $5.00 for the first page and $2.00 for each additional page, with mail requests accepted with payment.
• Same-day service is typically available for in-person requests.

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

• Processing time is typically 1-2 weeks for mail requests and same-day for walk-in requests if the record is on file.
• Death certificates follow the same fee structure and can be obtained from the same office.
• Marriage licenses are issued by Wake County Register of Deeds, with both parties required to appear in person with valid photo identification and Social Security numbers.
• The marriage license fee is $60.00, and there is no waiting period or blood test required.
• Divorce records and decrees are maintained by Wake County Clerk of Superior Court, not the Register of Deeds.

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

• The Raleigh-Wake County Economic Development office at www.raleigh-wake.org provides business assistance and resources.