Unemployment insurance (UI) information is usually confidential, but it may be shared in certain situations. The N.C. Division of Employment Security (DES) can release information when the requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 96-4(x), Title 4, Subchapter 24A, Sections .0200 and .0500 of the North Carolina Administrative Code, and 20 C.F.R. Part 603 are met.

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Certain information will be disclosed to:

  • Claimants, employers, or their legal representatives
  • Subpoena requests in a proceeding involving child support
  • The State Controller

Certain information may be disclosed to:

  • Agencies or public officials as allowed by law
  • Certain people or groups as allowed by law

You must send all requests for information in writing and include the reason that you want the information.

Detailed information can be found on our Unemployment Information Records page.

You may have to pay for information depending on the reason you want it and if your request falls under Title 4, Subchapter 24A, Section .0200 or Title 4, Subchapter 24A, Section .0500 of the North Carolina Administrative Code.

  • Documents related to your appeals hearing
  • A digital recording of the appeals hearing
  • A transcript of the appeals hearing

NOTE: Legal representatives can request this information for you.

How to Submit Your Request

You can include your request with your appeal letter or send a separate letter to the Legal Services Section of DES. Make sure to follow instructions to make sure your request complies with Title 4, Subchapter 24A, Section .0500 of the N.C. Administrative Code.

NOTE: If your case will be heard in N.C. Superior Court, you do not need to request records. DES will send you a copy of the transcript and documents that the judge will review if the petition for judicial review meets all requirements.

Yes, individuals and employers can request their own information without having a pending case. Legal representatives can also request records for their client.

Individuals, employers, legal representatives, and other third parties must send requests by subpoena or court order to DES’s Division Counsel.

You may also send a signed document to Legal Release waiving confidentiality that allows DES to share your information with a third party.

Detailed information can be found on our Unemployment Information Records page.

Before asking for UI data, you should review N.C. Gen. Stat. § 96-4(x) and 20 C.F.R. 603.5 to see if you fall within one of the exceptions. You can request UI data; however, DES may decline to disclose UI information. If DES decides to provide the data, you must sign an agreement called a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or similar agreement. This agreement will explain the rules to get the unemployment data.

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