Cherokee County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Cherokee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Cherokee County, North Carolina may access a range of publicly available information through official county offices, state repositories, and online portals. The directory at CherokeeCountyRecords.us provides a starting point for locating record sources, though the completeness and currency of any individual record depends on the maintaining agency. Cherokee County residents and non-residents alike may find records pertaining to property ownership, vital events, court proceedings, tax assessments, and more, subject to applicable state law and individual record availability.

Online Access:

The Cherokee County government website provides county online services including access to recorded deeds, plats, and other public data compiled by the Register of Deeds.
Property tax records are searchable through the county's property tax search portal, which draws from recorded deeds and public data. No registration is required to conduct a basic search.
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts maintains the eCourts Portal for civil and criminal case information.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Register of Deeds or the Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court to inspect records in person. Staff at the public counter can assist with locating documents. Requestors should bring identifying information relevant to the record sought, such as a party name, parcel number, or document date range.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office by mail, identifying the record type, the subject of the record, and the relevant time period. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, agencies are required to provide access to public records within a reasonable time.

Phone/Email:

Cherokee County Register of Deeds: (828) 837-2935
Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court: (828) 837-2510

What Are Public Records in Cherokee County?

Public records in Cherokee County are defined under North Carolina law as 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. This definition is established under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-1.

The following categories of records are maintained by Cherokee County agencies:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law) — maintained by the Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats) — maintained by the Cherokee County Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — filed with the Register of Deeds and the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics
Business records (assumed name filings, UCCs) — filed with the Register of Deeds
Tax records (property tax assessments, payment history) — maintained by the Cherokee County Tax Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Cherokee County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas — maintained by the Cherokee County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents — available through the Cherokee County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted) — maintained by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Cherokee County Planning Department

Is Cherokee County an Open Records County?

Cherokee County operates in full compliance with the North Carolina Public Records Law, which establishes a broad presumption of public access to government records. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 132-6, every custodian of public records is required to permit public records to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person.

As the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources states, "Public records are the property of the people. Custodians of public records shall permit them to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision." This principle applies to all Cherokee County departments and offices.

The state's open records framework does not require a requestor to provide a reason for seeking records, nor does it limit access based on residency. Cherokee County does not maintain a separate county-level public records ordinance that supersedes state law; the provisions of Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes govern all public records requests submitted to county offices.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cherokee County?

The cost to obtain public records in Cherokee County varies by record type and the office maintaining the record. The following fee structure reflects current standard charges:

Record Type	Fee
Standard paper copies	$0.05 per page (black and white, letter/legal size)
Certified copy of deed or land record	$5.00 for first page, $2.00 each additional page
Birth certificate (certified)	$10.00 per copy
Death certificate (certified)	$10.00 per copy
Marriage certificate (certified)	$10.00 per copy
UCC filing search	$15.00 per debtor name
Electronic records	Actual cost of reproduction

Under North Carolina law, agencies may charge only the actual cost of reproducing the record and are not permitted to charge for staff time spent locating or retrieving records in most circumstances. Fees for certified vital records are set by the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. Accepted payment methods at the Register of Deeds include cash, check, and money order; credit card acceptance varies by office.

Fee waivers are not broadly mandated under state law, though individual agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances.

Does Cherokee County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available at Cherokee County government offices during regular business hours. Members of the public may examine records in person without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested. This right to free inspection is established under state law and applies to all custodial offices within the county.

The following resources provide free access to Cherokee County public records:

The county's property and deed records portal allows free online searching of recorded land documents and tax data without registration.
The Cherokee County property tax search provides free access to assessment and payment records compiled from public data.
The North Carolina Courts' eCourts system provides free online access to certain civil and criminal case information.
The North Carolina State Archives provides free online access to historical vital records and other digitized government documents through its digital collections.

The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while any person may view records at no cost, obtaining a physical or electronic copy may incur the reproduction fees described above.

Who Can Request Public Records in Cherokee County?

Any person may request public records in Cherokee County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's Public Records Law does not restrict access based on who the requestor is or why the records are sought. Requestors are not required to provide identification to inspect records, though identification may be required for certain certified copies of vital records where the requestor's relationship to the subject must be verified.

Specific provisions apply to the following situations:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage): Certified copies are available to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 130A-93.
Court records: Most court records are open to the public; sealed records require a court order to access.
Law enforcement records: Arrest and incident records are accessible to the public subject to exemptions for ongoing investigations.
Personnel records: Access is limited under state law, with specific exceptions for certain categories of information.

Non-residents of North Carolina retain the same rights of access as residents under the state's open records framework.

What Records Are Confidential in Cherokee County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under North Carolina law. The following records are not subject to public inspection:

Sealed court records — including expunged criminal records and records sealed by judicial order
Juvenile records — protected under Chapter 7B of the North Carolina General Statutes
Ongoing criminal investigation records — exempt while an investigation is active
Personal identifying information — including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data embedded in otherwise public documents
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute
Child welfare and protective services records — confidential under Chapter 7B
Personnel records — with limited exceptions for certain public employee information such as name, position, salary, and dates of employment
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — exempt when submitted to government agencies under confidentiality protections
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

As the North Carolina Attorney General's Office notes, "The Public Records Law contains numerous specific exemptions. When in doubt about whether a record is public, the custodian should consult with legal counsel." Exemptions are enumerated throughout Chapter 132 and related chapters of the North Carolina General Statutes. The burden of demonstrating that a record is exempt rests with the custodial agency.

Cherokee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Cherokee County Register of Deeds
75 Peachtree Street, Suite 105
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2935
Cherokee County Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Register of Deeds maintains land records, vital records, military discharge records (DD-214), UCCs, survey plats, and notary certifications. Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records are available at the public counter during regular business hours.

Cherokee County Clerk of Superior Court
75 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2510
North Carolina Courts – Cherokee County

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

The Clerk of Superior Court maintains civil, criminal, estate, and special proceedings records for Cherokee County.

Cherokee County Tax Office
75 Peachtree Street
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2421
Cherokee County Government

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

The Tax Office maintains property tax assessment records and payment histories, which are also searchable through the county's online tax portal.

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office
828 W. US Highway 64 Bypass
Murphy, NC 28906
(828) 837-2589
Cherokee County Sheriff's Office

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (records division)