Hoke County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Hoke County?

Public records in Hoke County are defined under North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1 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 by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions. The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various Hoke County offices:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters) — maintained by the Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments) — maintained by the Hoke County Register of Deeds and Tax Administration Office
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — maintained by the Hoke County Register of Deeds and the North Carolina Vital Records Office
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the Hoke County Register of Deeds and the Planning and Inspections Department
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the Hoke County Tax Administration Office
Voting and election records — maintained by the Hoke County Board of Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (county commission and advisory boards) — maintained by the Hoke County Manager's Office
Budget and financial documents — maintained by the Hoke County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted by law) — maintained by the Hoke County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the Hoke County Planning and Inspections Department

Members of the public seeking court records in Hoke County may access civil, criminal, and probate case information through the North Carolina Judicial Branch, which provides centralized access to case records across all 100 counties.

Is Hoke County an Open Records County?

Hoke County fully complies with North Carolina's statewide open records framework, which establishes a broad presumption of public access to government documents. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-6, every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person. The statute further provides that the custodian shall furnish copies of public records upon payment of the prescribed fees. North Carolina's open records law applies to all state and local government agencies, including Hoke County departments, boards, and commissions. The county operates in accordance with the North Carolina Open Meetings Law, codified at N.C.G.S. § 143-318.9 through § 143-318.18, which requires that official meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that advance notice be provided. At present, Hoke County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all requests are processed in accordance with Chapter 132 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

How to Find Public Records in Hoke County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Hoke County public records through several channels, depending on the record type sought.

In person: Visit the relevant custodial office during regular business hours. The Hoke County Courthouse, located at 304 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376, houses the Clerk of Superior Court, Register of Deeds, and other county offices. The Hoke County Courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
By mail: Submit a written request to the appropriate custodial office, identifying the records sought with sufficient specificity to allow retrieval. Include a return address and, if copies are requested, a check or money order for applicable fees.
Online: Certain records are accessible through official online portals. Civil and criminal case information may be searched through the North Carolina Judicial Branch's eCourts system. Property and deed records may be available through the Hoke County Register of Deeds online portal. The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction maintains public records online for correctional records dating back to 1972.
By telephone or email: Requestors may contact the relevant office directly to inquire about record availability and submission procedures.

No formal written request form is mandated by state law for most public records; however, submitting a written request is advisable to create a clear record of the inquiry. Agencies are generally required to respond promptly, and unreasonable delays may constitute a denial subject to legal challenge.

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

Standard fees apply to the reproduction of public records in Hoke County, consistent with the cost-recovery framework established under N.C.G.S. § 132-6.2. Current fees vary by office and record type:

Photocopies: Typically $0.05 to $0.25 per page, depending on the custodial office
Certified copies of vital records: The Register of Deeds currently charges $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time
Deed and land record copies: Fees are assessed per page; certified copies carry an additional certification fee
Court record copies: The Clerk of Superior Court charges fees established by the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts
Electronic records: Fees for electronic copies may reflect the actual cost of reproduction and transmission

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, and money order. Some offices may accept credit or debit card payments. Fee waivers are not broadly established by statute for standard public records requests; however, agencies retain discretion to waive fees in appropriate circumstances, such as when the request serves a demonstrable public interest.

Does Hoke County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to members of the public under North Carolina law, which requires custodians to permit on-site inspection of records at no charge. The following government resources currently provide free access to certain Hoke County records:

On-site inspection: Any person may inspect public records at the relevant county office during regular business hours without charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
North Carolina Judicial Branch: Civil and criminal case information, including court records and background check resources, is accessible online at no cost through the eCourts public portal.
NC Department of Adult Correction: The department provides a free criminal offender search tool that allows members of the public to search for current and historical information on state prisoners, probationers, parolees, and registered offenders. This database contains records back to 1972 but does not include county jail information.
Hoke County Board of Elections: Voter registration records and election results are available for public inspection at no cost.
NC Vital Records: Index information for vital records may be reviewed at no charge; fees apply only to certified copy issuance.

Who Can Request Public Records in Hoke County?

Any person may request public records in Hoke County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. North Carolina's public records law does not restrict access based on the identity or affiliation of the requestor. Specifically:

Residency: Requestors are not required to be residents of Hoke County or the State of North Carolina.
Identification: Custodial offices generally do not require requestors to provide identification as a condition of access, except in limited circumstances involving records with restricted access.
Purpose: Requestors are not required to state the reason for their request under current law. Agencies may not condition access on disclosure of the requestor's purpose.
Non-residents: Non-residents retain the same rights of access as residents under N.C.G.S. § 132-1 et seq.
Requesting one's own records: Individuals seeking records pertaining to themselves, such as criminal history or personnel files, may be subject to identity verification requirements to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
Restrictions for specific record types: Certain categories of records, including juvenile records, sealed court files, and records protected by federal law, are subject to access restrictions regardless of the identity of the requestor.

What Records Are Confidential in Hoke County?

Not all government records in Hoke County are subject to public disclosure. North Carolina law identifies numerous categories of records that are exempt from public access. Under N.C.G.S. § 132-1.1 and related statutes, the following records are currently treated as confidential or restricted:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juveniles in delinquency or dependency proceedings are confidential under N.C.G.S. § 7B-3000.
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled for the purpose of detecting or investigating crime are exempt to the extent that disclosure would harm the investigation or endanger individuals.
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from publicly disclosed records.
Medical and health records: Records protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy statutes are not subject to public disclosure.
Adoption records: Adoption proceedings and related records are sealed by statute.
Child welfare and protective services records: Records maintained by the Hoke County Department of Social Services relating to child abuse, neglect, or dependency are confidential.
Personnel records: State employee and local government employee personnel files are generally confidential, with limited exceptions for certain information such as name, position, and compensation.
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies may be withheld.
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Records the disclosure of which would jeopardize public safety or security are exempt from disclosure.

Where a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodian is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing principles recognized under North Carolina public records law.

Hoke County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Hoke County Register of Deeds serves as the principal recorder of official documents, including deeds, mortgages, liens, vital records, and assumed name certificates. The Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records for all civil, criminal, probate, and special proceedings filed in Hoke County.

Hoke County Register of Deeds 304 N. Main Street, Suite 1, Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-2004 Hoke County Register of Deeds Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court 304 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-2190 Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hoke County Tax Administration Office 227 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-8751 Hoke County Tax Administration Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hoke County Sheriff's Office 425 E. Central Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-5111 Hoke County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hoke County Board of Elections 227 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 875-8751 Hoke County Board of Elections Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.