North Carolina Public Records Law
How to Request Body Camera Footage in North Carolina
You can ask a North Carolina police department for body-worn camera and dash camera video under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). Response timeline: Most records must be provided as promptly as possible (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). POLICE BODY CAMERA AND DASH CAMERA RECORDINGS ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORDS in North Carolina (N.C.G.S. 132-1.4A). A person shown in a recording, or their representative, can ask the agency to let them view it. Getting a copy requires a petition to the superior court in the county where the recording was made, and only a court order can release it.. Be as specific as you can about the date, place, and people involved, and ask for electronic copies.
Last reviewed October 7, 2026. Statute: N.C.G.S. Chapter 132 (opens in a new tab).
Write your North Carolina request
Search for the department to start your letter. CopFax is not a law firm and this is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get body camera footage from a North Carolina police department?
- You can request body-worn camera and dash camera video under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). Some records may be withheld or redacted under exemptions in the law, for example for open investigations or privacy.
- What should I include in a request for body camera footage?
- Name the department, describe the records as precisely as you can (date, time, location, officer name or badge number, case number), ask for electronic copies, and ask for a fee estimate first.
- How long will it take?
- The response timeline under the North Carolina Public Records Law (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132) is: Most records must be provided as promptly as possible (N.C.G.S. Chapter 132). POLICE BODY CAMERA AND DASH CAMERA RECORDINGS ARE NOT PUBLIC RECORDS in North Carolina (N.C.G.S. 132-1.4A). A person shown in a recording, or their representative, can ask the agency to let them view it. Getting a copy requires a petition to the superior court in the county where the recording was made, and only a court order can release it.. Large video requests can take longer if the agency needs to review or redact footage.