132-3. Destruction of records regulated.
(a) Prohibition. - No public official may destroy, sell, loan, or otherwise dispose of any public record, except in accordance with G.S. 121-5 and G.S. 130A-99, without the consent of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Whoever unlawfully removes a public record from the office where it is usually kept, or alters, defaces, mutilates or destroys it shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and upon conviction only fined not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(b) Revenue Records. - Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and G.S. 121-5, when a record of the Department of Revenue has been copied in any manner, the original record may be destroyed upon the order of the Secretary of Revenue. If a record of the Department of Revenue has not been copied, the original record shall be preserved for at least three years. After three years the original record may be destroyed upon the order of the Secretary of Revenue.
(c) Employment Security Records. - Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and G.S. 121-5, when a record of the Division of Employment Security has been copied in any manner, the original record may be destroyed upon the order of the Division. If a record of that Division has not been copied, the original record shall be preserved for at least three years. After three years the original record may be destroyed upon the order of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. (1935, c. 265, s. 3; 1943, c. 237; 1953, c. 675, s. 17; 1957, c. 330, s. 2; 1973, c. 476, s. 48; 1993, c. 485, s. 39; c. 539, s. 966; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-309, s. 12; 2001-115, s. 2; 2011-401, s. 3.16; 2015-241, s. 14.30(s).)
Structure North Carolina General Statutes
North Carolina General Statutes
§ 132-1 - "Public records" defined.
§ 132-1.2 - Confidential information.
§ 132-1.4A - Law enforcement agency recordings.
§ 132-1.6 - Emergency response plans.
§ 132-1.7 - Sensitive public security information.
§ 132-1.7A - Alarm registration information.
§ 132-1.8 - Confidentiality of photographs and video or audio recordings made pursuant to autopsy.
§ 132-1.9 - Trial preparation materials.
§ 132-1.10 - Social security numbers and other personal identifying information.
§ 132-1.11 - Economic development incentives.
§ 132-1.13 - Electronic lists of subscribers open for inspection but not available for copying.
§ 132-1.14 - Personally identifiable information of public utility customers.
§ 132-1.23 - Eugenics program records.
§ 132-2 - Custodian designated.
§ 132-3 - Destruction of records regulated.
§ 132-4 - Disposition of records at end of official's term.
§ 132-5.1 - Regaining custody; civil remedies.
§ 132-6 - Inspection, examination and copies of public records.
§ 132-6.1 - Electronic data-processing and computer databases as public records.
§ 132-6.2 - Provisions for copies of public records; fees.
§ 132-7 - Keeping records in safe places; copying or repairing; certified copies.
§ 132-8 - Assistance by and to Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
§ 132-10 - Qualified exception for geographical information systems.