Subject: Lenoir County Court House Hey, As you all know we are having to pay 1.00 for copies of records from Lenoir County. For wills, it is 1.25 for first sheet and then .25 each sheet thereafter for that one request. All other counties charge .25. Even the State Archives only charge .25 Lenoir county probably pays less than 15.00 for a case of paper with 5,000 sheets. They make 4,985 off that case of paper . That is a awfully lot. How much will you have to spend to get the copies that you really want from Lenoir County if you pay 1.00 each? I don't know about you, but me, it is well over 100.00. Not to mention what I have already spent. With as much research as we all have to do in Lenoir and if we want copies of the records we need to voice our concerns. This is the place to do it. Send this message to people you know who are also searching Lenoir County. North Carolina Department of Justice Citizens' Rights Section P.O. Box 629 Raleigh, NC 27602-0629 Telephone: (919) 716-6780 Fax: (919) 716-6705 E-mail: agjus@mail.jus.state.nc.us According to the North Carolina Public Records Law statue 132.1 paragraph b. The public records and public information compiled by the agencies of North Carolina government or its subdivisions are the property of the people. Therefore, it is the policy of this State that the people may obtain copies of their public records and public information free or at minimal cost unless otherwise specifically provided by law. As used herein, "minimal cost" shall mean the actual cost of reproducing the public record or public information. Is Lenoir County saying that a sheet of paper cost them 1.00? They can't include the time it takes them to make the copy. We as taxpayers already pay for that. According to the North Carolina Public Records Law statue 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, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law. 132.6 (b) No person requesting to inspect and examine public records, or to obtain copies thereof, shall be required to disclose the purpose or motive for the request. How many times have you been in there to get a copy of something and have to fill out a paper stating why you want the information and how you are related to that person. Even have to show Identification.