Requesting Public Records

DEQ is committed to transparency and providing access to public documents for citizens, organizations and media.

To request a record, simply send your request to the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the related division.  If you aren’t sure which division holds the records you are interested in, any of the PIOs can help direct your request to the appropriate division.

DEQ does its best to fulfill records requests in the order they are received. Please include as much specific information as possible (dates, addresses, specific keywords, permit numbers, etc) to help expedite your request. Please allow additional time for large requests or requests that require additional review.

We will provide electronic copies when possible, however, in some cases a physical file review may be necessary.  An appointment is required for physical file review.   In most cases, there is no fee for public records. 

Under North Carolina public records law, DEQ is required to redact certain personal or confidential information.  DEQ will make every effort to fulfill requests as promptly as possible.

Many public records are already available online.  DEQ's ArcGIS resources, like the Community Mapping System, include links to permits and associated documents for most regulated facilities.