Frequently Asked Questions

• Search your immediate area where missing person was last seen to include the entire house or business
• Call a friend or neighbor for support and aid
• Check with family, friends, co workers and people who know your missing person to determine if they have seen the person
• Call local law enforcement or go to your nearest sheriff or police department and file a report. Generally, a report should be filed in the jurisdiction where the person was last seen

• Physical description of the missing person including distinguishable features and clothing description
• A recent photograph of the missing person
• A list of scars, tattoos, any artificial limbs, etc.; photographs of tattoos are helpful
• Where and when the person was last seen or heard from
• A list of places the missing person may visit and any addresses he/she may have lived in the past
• Dental records or contact information for the missing person's dentist
• A list of any medical problems or medications the person may need
• Medical records and contact information for his/her doctor
• Names and contacts of family and friends associated with the person and their addresses and contact information
• Description of travel: direction headed, the means of travel
• Vehicle description including make, model, color and registration number
• Cell phone number of the missing person
• Bank records of the missing person
• Habits and unusual behaviors of the missing person
• Romantic relationships involving the missing person
• Any suspicious persons in the area or having contact with the missing person to include physical description
• A list of articles on the person, examples include braces, headgear, jewelry, glasses, lenses, hat, belt, purse, wallet, money, ID credit cards, etc.
• A listing of items missing from the residence such as a suitcase, personal items, etc.
• A total account of the situation surrounding when the person became missing, including accurate places, times and dates
• A hairbrush, toothbrush or other personal item that may contain DNA of the missing person

• Obtain the name and contact information of the investigating officer
• Obtain a copy of the public record report and the report number
• Contact law enforcement with any follow up information or leads you may have obtained during the course of the investigation
• Keep in contact with the investigating agency
• Assist the investigating agency throughout the investigation with all requests for information and records
• Check with the local law enforcement agency about what information can be released to the media

All accommodations within the County subject to sales tax imposed by the State under G.S. 105-164.4(a)(3) are subject to Occupancy Tax of six percent (6%) of the gross receipts derived from the rental of accommodations. This occupancy tax is in addition to state and local sales tax, and is based on gross room sales.

You can contact the NC Department of Revenue at 1-877-252-3052 or www.dornc.com.

Fill out the new Remitter Form and send to the Carteret County Finance Department as indicated on the form.

Occupancy Tax remittance and forms must be delivered in person, emailed or postmarked on or before the 20th of every month for the previous month of sales. For example, Occupancy Tax for the month of July (1st-31st) is due on or before August 20th. If the 20th falls on a weekend, the due date will be the following Monday.

Currently payments are accepted in the form of online pay and cash, check or money order physically delivered or mailed to the Carteret County Finance Department.

The property owner is responsible for ensuring that Occupancy Tax is collected and remitted to Carteret County for all applicable sales and fees. Some online services will collect the Occupancy Tax at the time of the reservation. Some of the online services will also remit the tax on the owner’s behalf, while some choose to send the tax collected to the owner for remittance. It will be the responsibility of the property owner to communicate with the online service and be clear on the extent of their involvement.

If a third party is collecting AND remitting Occupancy Tax for sales at your establishment, you will not need to remit any tax for those particular sales.

Please note, in the event of an audit, the property owner would be required to produce documentation showing that a third party had remitted Occupancy Tax for any sales that the owner did not pay tax on.

An accommodation rented to the same person for a period of 90 or more continuous days is not subject to Occupancy Tax. The tax collected from any person prior to the accumulation of such 90 continuous days of occupancy by said person shall be refunded to such person by the establishment. An establishment making any such refund of tax which has been paid to the County shall be entitled to claim a credit for the tax so refunded on the return due to the County for the month in which the refund occurred.

Complete the N.C. State Voter Registration Form . New registrations and party change requests must be returned to the Elections Office no later than 25 days prior to Election Day to be applicable for the election. Note: The original form must be submitted in-person or by mail for new registrations. Same-day registration is available during One-Stop voting only after the deadline (where voters can register and vote the same day.)

A Voter Information Card will be mailed to you once your registration application has been processed. This card provides your proof of registration and also provides useful information like your precinct number and assigned polling location for Election Day. This card also displays what jurisdictions you vote in. Please retain this card as it may be used to change your address, name, or party affiliation within Carteret County. It can also be used to cancel your Carteret County registration should you move out of the county. This card is not required on election day in order to vote.

A citizen of the United States (if convicted of a felony, citizenship rights must be restored). A legal resident of Carteret County for 30 days by the date of the next election. A person 18 years of age, or a person 17 years of age can register and vote in the primary if they will be 18 by the date of the General Election.

The voter registration form (also used for changes) is available at the Board of Elections Office, and downloadable here.

You may also pick up a form at any Carteret County Driver's License Office, Public assistance agency, public high school, Armed Forces recruitment office, and most post offices.

There are two ways a voter can change their information. A voter can send us their voter card with the change (new information) marked on the back or the voter can complete a voter registration/change form annotating the new information. Either form MUST be signed with the voter's original signature. By law we cannot accept emails or phone calls requesting a change.

Yes. Voters who vote by mail must include a photocopy of an acceptable ID inside the "photo ID envelope" that comes with their ballot. Or they may complete an ID Exception Form with the absentee ballot return envelope.

Yes, voters will be required to show Photo ID to vote. On April 28, 2023, the North Carolina Supreme Court reversed an injunction against implementation of photo ID legislation. As a result, photo ID laws enacted in 2018 and 2019 will be implemented moving forward, starting with the municipal elections in November 2023.

Every voter will be assigned a voting place within the precinct where they live. Your precinct will be assigned by our office. You will receive a Voter's Information Card by mail indicating the name and location of your voting place when you register or change your address.

All voting places in Carteret County are open on Election Day from 6:30 am until 7:30 pm.

If you are unable to enter your voting place due to age or physical disability, you will be allowed to vote in your vehicle. Have someone enter the voting place and inform the election officials of your desire to vote a curbside ballot. The precinct officials will bring the ballot and voting forms to your vehicle or you can request absentee ballot.

Mail your request for an absentee ballot to: Carteret County Board of Elections, Attn: Absentee Ballots, 1702 Live Oak Street, Suite 200, Beaufort, NC 28516. Please make sure to sign your request.

To vote by mail, the voter will properly complete the Absentee Ballot Request form and submit it no later than the Tuesday prior to Election Day. Upon receipt of the request, the Board of Elections will mail the voter his/her ballot. The voter will properly complete his/her ballot and return envelope and mail it back to the Board of Elections by the deadline.

During Early Voting, the voter appears in person to vote at any early voting site during the scheduled time for the election.

It is the responsibility of the voter to ensure that their information is correct on the records of the Board of Elections. If the voter shows up at a precinct on election day and the information in the voter records is incorrect or not there at all, the voter will be allowed to fill out a voter registration/change form and vote a ballot. This provisional ballot will be examined by the Board to determine if it can be counted. Under the provisions of the Voter Rights Act of 1993, failsafe voting, we will make every effort to count the provisional ballots. A voter who has moved to a different precinct more than 30 days prior to the election will be transferred to their new precinct where they will not have to vote a provisional ballot.

There are several ways to cancel your own Carteret County registration:

When you register to vote in a new county or state, you can complete the "Previous Voter Registration" section of the registration form. The county or state will notify Carteret County that you have moved, and we will cancel your Carteret County registration.

Complete the back of your voter card with the new address and county information and send the voter card to the Carteret County Board of Elections.

Click here to access a cancellation form to remove yourself from our voter registration records.

You may register with any political party recognized in the State of North Carolina. Party affiliation determines the primary in which a voter is eligible to vote. You may also register as unaffiliated. If you do not declare a party, you will be registered as unaffiliated. During a partisan primary election, an unaffiliated voter may vote only if a party authorizes unaffiliated voters to vote in their primary. If all parties authorize unaffiliated voters to vote, the voter must chose which party ballot he wishes to vote on the day of the Primary.

If mailed, the registration form must be postmarked at least 25 days prior to the election. If hand-delivered, the registration form must be received at the Board of Elections office no later than 5:00 pm on the 25th day prior to the election.

No. You must vote at the polling place for your precinct on Election Day. The precinct officials there will look for your name on a list of all of the voters in the precinct.

If you are not sure of the status of your voter registration, call the Board of Elections Office at 252-728-8460 and someone will verify your registration status. You may also search the website voter search utility to determine your registration status and voting location. The voter information there is updated daily.

Election administrators take many steps to ensure that voters only cast one ballot in an election. Voters have to be eligible to receive a ballot. Election officials keep detailed records of who has already voted, and who has already requested and received a ballot in the mail. These steps make it difficult for someone to cheat, so voting twice is both easy to catch and extremely rare. Additionally, most state laws make this type of illegal activity a felony that is punishable by time in jail, large fines, or both.

You have the right to:

• Vote privately and independently.
• Have an accessible polling place with voting machines for voters with disabilities.
• Change or correct your ballot before it is cast.
• Be provided a provisional ballot if you believe you are in the correct polling place during federal elections.

Additionally, you may:

• Seek assistance from either workers at your polling place, or you may bring someone of your choice to help you cast a ballot (except for your employer or an agent of you union).
• Request that your local election officials to tell you about any accessible equipment, aids, or procedures that are available to help you vote.

In accordance with G.S. 163-227.10, absentee ballots will be made available no later than 50 days before the primary and election.

To track your absentee ballot request through BallotTrax, click here.

Visually impaired voters can request and vote with an accessible ballot through the Absentee Ballot Portal.

No. Each voter receives an absentee ballot return envelope. That envelope is specific to each voter and should be returned only with that voter's completed ballot inside.

If you are a near relative or a verifiable legal guardian you may request a ballot by completing the required request form. Power of Attorney is not the same as legal guardian. Power of Attorney does not give an individual the right to sign for another for a request or the absentee ballot.

Any registered voter may vote an absentee ballot. No reason is required.

In order to receive an absentee ballot you must first complete a request form. This form is available here on our website or through the online submission portal. It must be completed and returned in person, through our online portal, or by mail. You will not be able to receive an absentee ballot unless this required form is properly completed and signed by the voter or requester. Click here for more information.

Please click on the following link for detailed, election security information.

https://www.ncsbe.gov/election-security

Foster care is the temporary placement of children and youth with families outside of their own home due to situations such as child abuse or neglect. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment.

A foster parent is a person who cares for children/youth who are not in their custody, children and youth who have entered the foster care system. Foster parenting is an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life during a time of crisis. Foster parents care about children and are willing and able to provide care and nurturing for the duration of the child's stay in foster care. Foster family care is a temporary arrangement until a child’s permanent plan is achieved, such as return to their own families or adoption. Foster parents are asked to complete an application, submit to home assessments and attend training. Foster families must demonstrate financial and emotional stability, responsibility and a willingness to work with the agency that supervises their home.

You are encouraged to be informed.  Watch the required orientation video here.  Gather information about foster parenting, talk to other foster parents, then contact your local social services office to sign up for their next foster parent orientation session. There are a number of ways to get information about orientation schedules:

1. Contact Carteret County Social Services directly at (252) 728-3181..
2. Complete this form and we will contact you.

Should you decide that you do not have sufficient room in your home or that you are unable to provide full-time care for another child in your home, we encourage you to explore alternative ways to support foster care. 

Foster parent certification follows mandates set by Louisiana law, Bureau of Licensing requirements and agency policy. The following requirements must be fulfilled prior to an individual or couple being certified to provide care for children. Individuals or couples must:

• Complete TIPS-MAPP pre-service training.
• Be cleared through State Police and FBI criminal records checks. (Applies to all adults living in the home.)
• Be cleared through State Central Registry for Child Abuse and Neglect.
• Obtain a physical examination, including a tuberculosis test for all family members if you meet certain circumstances.
• Be in agreement not to use Corporal Punishment on any foster child in your care. (i.e. any physical punishment inflicted in any manner on a child ’s body.)
• Provide at least 3 references (non-relative).
• Allow all members of the family to be interviewed.
• Home must meet environmental, health and fire safety requirements.
• Have a care plan for each child placed in the home if individual/couple work outside the home.
• Participate in an individual home study.
• Agree to complete 10 hours of annual in-service training requirements working towards re-licensing.

• 21 years of age or older
• Single, married, or divorced
• Have adequate space for a child
• Have an income adequate for own family/to be financially stable
• Own or rent adequate housing that is not directly beside a body of water
• Have adequate transportation
• Good physical and mental health
• Ability to work as a team with agency social workers, child’s family and other service providers
• Ability to understand and support the child’s parents

Although foster care regulations vary from state to state, there are some universal requirements:

• Age 21 or older
• Criminal background check
• Family stability
• Character references
• Regular source of income
• Home safety inspection
• Family home study/assessment

Yes. You will have to work with the child’s birth parent(s) when it is deemed safe. This is called shared parenting.  The Department of Social Services Foster Parent Program is comprised of a team of persons working together to do what is in the best interest of children. Foster Parents are critical members of that team. The goal for a child placed in the Department of Social Services custody is to achieve safety and permanency as soon as possible, which includes working with the child’s parents towards reunification.

Monthly board payments are made to certified foster parents to reimburse for the cost of caring for a child. Board payments are to help meet the daily needs of the child for shelter, food, clothing, allowance and incidental expenses. Board payments are determined by the child’s age. The child’s health and dental needs are covered by Medicaid.

• For ages 0-5: $475  
• For ages 6-12: $581
• For ages 13-21: $634   

Unfortunately, no. Social workers do their best to match a foster child with a foster family who can best meet the child’s needs. Some foster parents prefer to work with teenage children, while others do better with young children. You, however, will be able to specify the age and gender of the child you prefer.

The length of time that a child stays in a foster home varies according to the plans for reunification with their biological family. Children may be in foster care for only a few days up to 12 months or more. The length of stay is influenced by the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. The goal is to seek a permanent placement for the child as quickly as possible, be it reunification with the birth parents, kinship care, or adoption. If the child cannot be reunited with their biological family, the child will be placed in a permanent home. Placement is for as long as it takes to achieve a permanent placement for the child, whether the plan be for reunification with the child's family, placement with relatives, or adoption.

Yes. Single persons and married couples are generally accepted as foster parents.

Each family or child is assigned a case manager who is responsible for providing support to each family. Supportive services (respite care, training, crisis lines, etc.) are provided by the licensing agency. Support is also available through state and local associations.

Foster children are eligible for Medicaid cards which cover medical, dental and counseling services.

Yes.  For families where both parents work full time day-care can be provided.

Foster parents receive a reimbursement which is intended to cover the cost of food and clothing. In addition, each child will receive a $200 clothing stipend 2 times per year.

No.

In most cases, foster children can share a bedroom with another child of the same sex.  Each foster child must have their own bed and dresser.

The first goal is to reunify a child with his/her family. In the event that the child cannot return home or be placed with other relatives, foster parents have first consideration as adoptive parents.

Many families are interested in both fostering and adopting. They agree with the agency that the needs of the child come first. In most cases, this means that they help prepare children for reunification with their birth family or toward a relative or kinship placement. When termination of parental rights is in the child’s best interest and adoption is the child’s plan, then foster parents who have cared for the child will be given the opportunity to apply for adoption.

Every case we work begins as a reunification case.  Due to this, our licensed homes must be open to fostering.  After some time, a child’s case plan could change to adoption and the foster parents are given the first opportunity to adopt the child.  If you cannot see yourself fostering, we would recommend contacting Children’s Home Society about your desire to adopt.  You may visit their website here: https://www.chsnc.org/ 

Yes, with permission of the child's social worker.

Please make checks payable to County of Carteret. Mail payments to:

PO Box 96264
Charlotte, NC 28296-6264

Carteret County Tax Administration office is open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday except for County holidays.

North Carolina General Statutes (Chapter 105) are all laws associated with taxation for the state of North Carolina.

The last day to pay your taxes on real and personal property (not registered motor vehicles) is January 5. Taxes paid after January 5 are delinquent and subject to interest. If January 5 falls on a weekend, the next business day is the last day to pay before interest accrues.

A list of tax rates within Carteret County can be found by clicking here.

Carteret County Tax Administration Office is located on the ground floor of the Court Services Administrative Building at 302 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516.

Change of address requests must be made in writing and must specify the account number and name. Click here to submit your change of address request electronically. Requests can also be emailed to taxhelp@carteretcountync.gov or mailed to our office at 302 Courthouse Square, Beaufort, NC 28516.

We recently installed new software and it did create this change.  The software is an asset-based system without the ability to tie this directly to your real property.  We have discussed with the new software options in the future they may be able to do this.  You however do not need to write two checks to pay when mailing in your payment.  You can include both bottom coupons with one check in one envelope.  

Our office began utilizing a service through our local bank that allows for processing our mail payments.  This ensures the county can process your tax payments more efficiently using a service that specializes in high-speed processing equipment.  This also ensures that we can utilize our staff differently by assisting citizens who need face-to-face or telephone assistance with fewer wait times. 

You should see a property key that is either your listing number or parcel number to use for payment.  This new process ensures that we are processing payments in our office, check payments processed electronically, or those who wish to pay via our website using a credit card that your payment is posted to the asset you have attempted to pay.

There is no longer a tax rate charged for the water district, however, that is the official name of the district.  The only taxes you have been charged are for county, fire, and rescue. 

If you live within city/town limits you will receive a tax bill for both the city/town taxes and County taxes. The County collects for the following towns: Beaufort, Bogue, Cedar Point, Peletier, Cape Carteret, Emerald Isle, and Morehead City. If you live in one of the towns the County collects for, then you will receive one tax bill including both city/town and County taxes. If you live in a town/city that the County does not collect for, then you will receive two separate bills; one from Carteret County for County taxes and one from the town/city in which you live for their taxes.

July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and represent what is owned as of January 1, 2025.

Visit www.carteretcountync.gov/1076/Forms-and-Publications and click on Personal Property Appeal Link.

Based on the timing of when this approval was made, and for what year the approval was granted, this can occur and will require the appraisal technician to review and resolve. 

If your personal property was sold after January 1, 2025, you are still responsible for the full 2025 tax bill.

Visit www.carteretcountync.gov/1076/Forms-and-Publications and click on Personal Property Appeal Link.

Visit our website at www.carteretcountync.gov/1076/Forms-and-Publications and click on Personal Property Appeal Link. You have 30 days from the date of the bill to appeal the value. Once you have submitted your appeal someone from our office will be in contact.

The tax assessor is required to assess personal property at 100% market value annually.  If you feel your property has not been assessed at market value we encourage you to complete the appeal form. You must complete the appeal form within 30 days of the date of the notice. Visit our website at www.carteretcountync.gov/1076/Forms-and-Publications and click on Personal Property Appeal Link. Once you have submitted your appeal someone from our office will be in contact.

Any evidence you have that would help support the value you feel is market value of your personal property, should be submitted along with the appeal form.  If the appraiser needs additional information in the review process they will make contact with you during their review.

The bill format provides limited space and without the ability to provide the entire list of the assets listed, the Department of Revenue recommendation is to use a generic description to ensure there is no misrepresentation of the value listed on the bill to a partial list of assets.

If you provide your email address, the County can email you a copy of what we have listed in your name.

The 2025 tax bill due date is September 1, 2025 however, interest and penalties do not apply until January 6, 2026.

No, there is no discount for paying county taxes early.

No, not if the tax bill is paid on or before January 5, 2026. Interest begins on January 6, 2026, with a 2% interest rate for the first month and ¾ % for every month thereafter until paid.

Tax bills are sent to the taxpayer and not the mortgage company.  It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to notify their mortgage company.

Mortgage companies usually send their payments in November and December.  You can call our office to verify payment has been received or check our website at www.carteretcountytax.com/taxes to see if your bill has been paid.

Yes, if you pay by credit card, you will pay a convenience fee.  The amount of the fee is 2.5% plus a .30 per transaction fee.  To avoid convenience fees, you may send a check by mail or pay with a check or cash in person. Please do not mail cash to our office.

The statutes of NC do not allow the tax collector to accept less than the face value of the bill.  Most citizens do not realize the acceptance of credit cards involves an agreement to have this fee removed from the amount and then submitted.  Therefore this would violate the statutes.

Yes, a flat fee of $1.50.

No, the coupons are voluntary, not mandatory. They are included to help taxpayers who wish to make payments over a period of time rather than pay the entire tax bill all at once. You have the option to make payments or pay the bill in full with one payment.

You will be refunded any overages unless you want them applied to your 2026 bill as a prepayment.

Please make checks payable to County of Carteret. Mail payments to:

PO Box 96264
Charlotte, NC 28296-6264

The Carteret County GIS Division is responsible for assigning addresses to improved properties within the unincorporated areas of Carteret County, North Carolina, and any incorporated areas included through inter-local agreement. You can call 252-728-8506 Option #2 or submit an online form for an address request. For properties within municipal limits, we can coordinate with the appropriate department to have an address assigned for you.

We locate each site via GIS mapping and generally measure the distance from the adjacent address to the entrance of the proposed property, assigning 1 number for each 25-feet in rural areas and 5-feet in urban areas. We try to numerically balance in order to reduce potential address changes in the future.

Requirement of a 911 address is a NC Statute as well as a county ordinance. Posting your house number is crucial to emergency responders in locating you in your time of need. Remember, Enhanced 911 only tells the 911 Telecommunicators where you are. This information has to then be relayed to the responding units. Posting your house numbers makes you much easier to find during an emergency.

Every owner of improved property shall purchase and display official address numbers so that they may be visible from the street on which the property fronts. If a building is more than 75 feet from any road, the address number shall be displayed on a sign attached to a fence, gate, lawn stake, mailbox (except when the mailbox is on the opposite side of the road from the structure), etc., adjacent to the road right-of-way in a manner that clearly identifies the entrance to a property. Please see Sec 16-11 of the Carteret County Road Naming and Addressing Ordinance for additional posting requirements.

We make every effort to avoid address changes, yet sometimes there may be an issue with your address and there has been difficulty in locating the house or business. Seconds count in an emergency, and accurate addressing enables rapid emergency response, utilities to be connected, outages to be located and repaired and efficient delivery of mail and packages. If you don’t change your address, you are putting yourself, your family and neighbors at risk in an emergency.

Notify any company that sends you bills, magazines, or other important information, such as mortgage, financial, and insurance documents. Contact your letter carrier or the local post office about a change of address notification. Update your driver's license or DMV ID card at a local office or online at www.ncdot.org/dmv. Carteret County will send an update to the E911 system and tax office. Keep the letter that you received from Carteret County with your important papers. If you misplace it and need a copy, contact our office.

No. Your property deed is based on the legal description, not the E911 address. You do not need to change the deed to your property.

Currently Enhanced 911 (E911) call routing relies on tabular data in order to send 911 calls to the correct 911 dispatch center, which then generates location information of the call. Now counties all over North Carolina are converting to a state-mandated internet protocol-based network to enable citizens to make voice, text and video calls from any communications device. Carteret County GIS will be providing the state with the GIS data needed to populate the system for Carteret County Communications. With the Next Generation 911 (NG911) system, call routing and location information will be relying on GIS data, primarily street centerlines and 911 address point data. This will also allow for a seamless transition to a backup 911 location should communications ever face a significant failure or disaster. The change from E911 to NG911 highlights the importance of accurate addressing!

You can submit a Sign Request or Call Public Works at 252-648-7878. This is for County areas ONLY; not for roads covered in Municipal limits.

Check the Official Records using the Records Search to see what documents are recorded under your name and sign up for the Carteret County Register of Deeds free Recording Notification Service for automated email alerts when your name or names are added to the Official Records index.

If your property is vacant, check often to make sure it is not occupied illegally.

Ask someone you trust to look after your property if you are away for an extended period of time.

Do not let mail pile up when out of town.

Make sure the Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices have the correct mailing address for you or the person who should receive notices about your property.

Recording Notification Service is a free service offered by the Carteret County Register of Deeds that alerts citizens via email when a document is recorded in their name.

On the Recording Notification Service sign up page, you may enter up to ten name variations per email address. When a document is recorded into the Official Records of Carteret County with a name that is being monitored, an email will automatically be sent to the provided email address.

The Recording Notification Service alerts you to newly recorded documents only, i.e. documents recorded after you have signed up for the service. To search documents already recorded under your name, click here.

To edit the names you are monitoring, you can select the "Update Subscription" on the Recording Notification Service Page and enter your changes to the listed names.

Yes, email addresses and names used in registrations for the Recording Notification Service are subject to public disclosure per North Carolina public records law.

Yes, you can unsubscribe at any time by selecting the "Unsubscribe" link on the Recording Notification Service page and entering registered email address.

The Register of Deeds must record all documents that meet the requirements outlined in the North Carolina Statutes. The Register of Deeds has no authority to refuse to record a properly prepared document, even if it may be fraudulent.

No document can be removed from the Official Records without a court order. Therefore, citizens are urged to contact law enforcement and/or an attorney for prompt, appropriate action if fraud is suspected.

Contact the Carteret County Sheriff's Office at (252) 728-8400 and/or your attorney or legal advisor.

Neither the Register of Deeds, nor Tax Administrator offices can take legal action on your behalf to reverse the fraudulent activity.

No, the service only alerts subscribers of documents being recorded in the Carteret County Official Records.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin^®), hydrocodone (Vicodin^®), codeine, morphine, and many others. All opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain. Opioid pain relievers are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused (taken in a different way or in a larger quantity than prescribed, or taken without a doctor’s prescription). Regular use—even as prescribed by a doctor—can lead to dependence and, when misused, opioid pain relievers can lead to addiction, overdose incidents, and deaths. For more information on (SOURCE: https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/opioids#summary-of-the-issue)

Opioids are a class of drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from the plant directly, and others are made by scientists in labs using the same chemical structure. Opioids are often used as medicines because they contain chemicals that relax the body and can relieve pain. Prescription opioids are used mostly to treat moderate to severe pain, though some opioids can be used to treat coughing and diarrhea. Opioids can also make people feel very relaxed and "high" - which is why they are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. This can be dangerous because opioids can be highly addictive, and overdoses and death are common. Heroin is one of the world's most dangerous opioids, and is never used as a medicine in the United States.

Popular slang terms for opioids include Oxy, Percs, and Vikes.

• Hydrocodone (Vicodin^®) oxycodone (OxyContin^®, Percocet^®)
• Oxymorphone (Opana^®)
• Morphine (Kadian^®, Avinza^®)
• Codeine
• Fentanyl

In the short term, opioids can relieve pain and make people feel relaxed and happy. However, opioids can also have harmful effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Slowed breathing

Opioid misuse can cause slowed breathing, which can cause hypoxia, a condition that results when too little oxygen reaches the brain. Hypoxia can have short- and long-term psychological and neurological effects, including coma, permanent brain damage, or death. Researchers are also investigating the long-term effects of opioid addiction on the brain, including whether damage can be reversed.

Prescription opioids used for pain relief are generally safe when taken for a short time and as prescribed by a doctor, but they can be misused. People misuse prescription opioids by:

• Taking the medicine in a way or dose other than prescribed
• Taking someone else's prescription medicine
• Taking the medicine for the effect it causes-to get high

When misusing a prescription opioid, a person can swallow the medicine in its normal form. Sometimes people crush pills or open capsules, dissolve the powder in water, and inject the liquid into a vein. Some also snort the powder.

Opioids bind to and activate opioid receptors on cells located in many areas of the brain, spinal cord, and other organs in the body, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure. When opioids attach to these receptors, they block pain signals sent from the brain to the body and release large amounts of dopamine throughout the body. This release can strongly reinforce the act of taking the drug, making the user want to repeat the experience.

Older adults are at higher risk of accidental misuse or abuse because they typically have multiple prescriptions and chronic diseases, increasing the risk of drug-drug and drug-disease interactions, as well as a slowed metabolism that affects the breakdown of drugs. Sharing drug injection equipment and having impaired judgment from drug use can increase the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV and from unprotected sex.

(SOURCE: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids)

Reappraisal is the process of updating real property values to reflect their current market value. Market value is the most probable price a property would bring in an open and competitive market.

North Carolina law requires all counties to reappraise or revalue real property at least once every eight years. The purpose of a reappraisal is to reestablish equity among all properties and to equalize the tax burden among all classes of property. A reappraisal ensures property owners are paying their fair share of taxes for services rendered by local governments. Carteret County's previous revaluation took effect in 2020.

The last reappraisal in Carteret County was effective January 1, 2020.

Periodic reappraisals help ensure a fair distribution of the tax burden among taxpayers. The more frequent appraisals will recognize the fact that different properties increase or decrease in value at different rates. The more frequently a reappraisal is held, the more equitable the tax burden among property owners since these properties that appreciate or depreciate at different rates are appraised at their current market value more often.

Additional Reasons to Advance the Reappraisal Cycle

It generally will reduce “sticker shock” for taxpayers. Values for residential properties are not apt to rise or fall as rapidly in a four-year cycle versus an eight-year cycle. The level of assessment between personal property and real property remains more equitable by conducting more frequent reappraisals. Personal property is required by law to be appraised at 100% of its market value every year; whereas, real property is only at 100% on the year of reappraisal. The more years between reappraisals, the more distorted the values become, therefore creating an inequity of the tax burden among taxpayers.

North Carolina law says all counties have to do this at least every eight years. Think of it like updating the value of your home. Doing it more often actually helps prevent a big jump in your property taxes all at once – what we call "sticker shock."

No. North Carolina counties have to do property reappraisals regularly. This isn't done to get more funding; it's something they're required to do by law, and the budget process is separate with its own rules and public meetings.

Carteret County is required to develop and use standards, rules and procedures that are applied equitably to similar types of properties. These standards are developed based on market value transactions that have occurred within the county, construction costs and analysis of conditions affecting our local market prior to the date of the most recent countywide reappraisal. 

The assessed value of your property, established as a result of the revaluation, should represent the price a typical buyer would be willing to pay for the property in its condition on January 1 of the year of the most recent countywide reappraisal, which will be January 1, 2025.

Depending upon the data available and the type of property being appraised, there are several methods an appraiser may use to determine value such as the sales comparison approach, the cost approach and the income approach.

Sales Comparison Approach – This method, which is the most commonly used approach, compares your property with similar properties that have sold recently.

Cost Approach – This method determines how much it would cost to replace your property with a similar one less any depreciation.

Income Approach – This method determines the value of income-producing properties, such as apartments, based upon the amount of income the property or properties generate.

What is "fair market value"? According to North Carolina General Statute 105-283: "The price estimated in terms of money at which the property would change hands between a willing and financially able buyer and a willing seller, neither being under any compulsion to buy or to sell, and both having reasonable knowledge of all uses to which the property is adapted and for which it is capable of being used."

We have ways to estimate your home's value accurately by looking at the outside and using other information. While we don't typically go inside every home, if you believe the inside is very different from the outside, you can tell us during the review process so we can consider it.

Real property appraisers from the Carteret County Property Appraisal Office are responsible for the appraisal and assessment of all Carteret County real estate. The office maintains records on over 62,000 parcels of land and any accompanying buildings or improvements. All appraisers are required to be certified by the Local Government Division of the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

Reappraisal is a lengthy process that takes multiple years to complete. As part of the process, appraisers review information currently in the tax records about each property and then visit the property to verify accuracy. The appraiser may or may not actually drive onto your property and come to your door, depending upon whether he or she sees a discrepancy in our current listing data.

The reappraisal determines the assessed value of your property. The tax rate for Carteret County is set by the Carteret County Board of Commissioners and is established by June 30 of each year. Your tax bill is calculated by taking the assessed value of your property, dividing that value by 100 and then multiplying the result by Carteret County's current tax rate.

Let's clarify! The 90% figure you saw refers to the overall change in the total value of all real properties in the county. Think of it like the total pie getting bigger. Now, the county needs to decide how to slice that pie – that's the tax rate. They haven't done that yet. They have until June 30th to create their budget and set the tax rate. So, while the total property value has changed, your individual tax bill depends on the rate they eventually choose.

The total tax base numbers we share with the county, towns, and special districts show the overall change in real property values. This doesn't mean every individual property owner will see the same increase (or decrease) in their taxes. Your specific tax change could be higher or lower than the overall average.

When the county reassesses property values, it can cause property taxes to change, sometimes going up even if you've lived in your home for a long time. If you're an older adult, have a disability, or are a totally and permanently disabled veteran, there are programs that could help lower your property tax bill. You can find more information and application forms on the Carteret County website. Go to carteretcountync.gov, click on "Tax Help," then "Forms and Publications," and look for "Property Tax Relief Applications." You can also email us at taxhelp@carteretcountync.gov or call our office at (252) 728-8485.

No. The county's role is to determine the value of all properties (the appraisal). We, on the other hand, only send tax bills to the cities and towns that have a contract with us. It's important to remember that each city and town manages its own budget and decides on its own tax rates.

Property values change based on what people are willing to pay when buying and selling homes. As Carteret County becomes more popular, values can increase. We understand this can be a concern, and North Carolina offers programs to help homeowners with their property taxes. To see if you qualify for tax relief, go to carteretcountync.gov, click on "Tax Help," then "Forms and Publications," and choose "Property Tax Relief Applications." You can also reach us at taxhelp@carteretcountync.gov or (252) 728-8485.

That's a common thought, but it's not the whole story. The county needs to fund various services, and the tax rate is set to cover those costs. They look at all their income sources, not just property values, to figure out what the tax rate needs to be. Your property value helps determine how much of that total cost you contribute.

Not necessarily. While the county might calculate a "revenue-neutral rate," which is a way to compare the old and new tax rates for the whole county, your individual property tax bill could still go up, down, or stay the same after the property value reappraisal. Think of it this way: the revenue-neutral rate is about the total tax money the county collects, not what happens to each person's bill. The actual tax rate that affects your bill is decided later during the county's budget process, usually around the end of June.

We'll mail out your "Notice of 2025 Real Estate Assessed Value" in March 2025. This notice tells you the value used to calculate your property taxes.

Property tax bills will be mailed to property owners in August 2025. Property taxes are due Sept. 1 of each year and are payable without interest through January 5, 2026. An interest charge of 2% is assessed as a penalty on delinquent property tax bills received on or after January 6, 2026.

The Carteret County Commissioners and the local governments in your city or town decide on the tax rates in the late spring as part of their yearly budget planning. They actually encourage people to share their thoughts before the budget is finalized, usually around the end of June. The new tax rate that will be used to calculate your property tax will be set in the late spring and will start on July 1st, 2025.

Real property assessments can be appealed each year for the current tax year. Valuation appeals can be considered based on the January 1, 2025, fair market value. Appeals must be made prior to the date that the Carteret County Board of Equalization and Review adjourns for the year. (North Carolina General Statute 105-287).

• Check your property details: Look at the tax office's information about your home (like size, features, etc.). Make sure it's all correct. 
• Compare with recent sales: See what similar properties in your area have sold for recently. Our website has the sales information used for the latest property value updates. 
• Consider what you could sell it for: If you don't think you could have sold your property for the tax value on January 1, 2025, you have the right to appeal.

• Your appeal will be given to a certified property expert (appraiser) to review. 
• The appraiser will look at your appeal and see if others in your neighborhood have also appealed, which might give them more information to consider. 
• The appraiser might contact you to schedule a visit to your property or to talk with you about your appeal and any other details that could affect the value. 
• Once they've reviewed everything, the appraiser will send you a notice explaining if your property value will change or stay the same. This notice will also give you a chance to agree with the value or request a hearing. 
• If you disagree, you'll receive a letter with the date of your hearing where you can present your case to the Board of Equalization and Review.

You can appeal to the state, but the rules are the same at both the state and local levels. Appealing to the state usually takes much longer – it could take up to two years. For quicker help with things like incorrect information or outdated details about your property, it's best to work with us here in Carteret County. Our team is ready to help you fix, update, or check your property information easily.

North Carolina has rules about how long property owners have to appeal their tax assessment. For most years, the recommended time is shorter. However, because property values have been fully reviewed this year, the state suggests giving property owners at least four weeks to file an appeal, which is what we've done.

Be careful! You don't have to pay to appeal your property tax assessment. If a company tells you there's a cost to file an appeal, that's not accurate. Any fee they charge goes directly to them, not to the county. Also, it's too early to know if your property taxes will actually increase. Tax rates for the county and towns aren't set until June 2025, so the letter's claim might be misleading.

Absolutely. The people who conduct these assessments, whether they work for the county or are contractors, are officially certified by the state of North Carolina. This certification requires them to complete specific education and pass a thorough test. They also have to continue learning to stay up-to-date. You can be confident in their expertise.

Yes, the company we hired is a North Carolina business that specializes in property appraisals. Importantly, most of the team who worked on our county's reappraisal are your neighbors – they live in Carteret County, own homes here, and are active in our community. They understand what makes our county unique.

If there are significant changes, like new buildings being constructed or changes in how the land can be used (zoning), the county may update your property's value. When they do, they'll use the same pricing guidelines they established during their last general review. For example, a house built in 2027 on land that was vacant in 2025 would be valued based on the 2025 market prices.