What Riverlink is and who uses it
Riverlink is a payment system run by local governments in North Carolina to let residents and businesses pay bills, fees, and taxes online. You use it to pay property taxes, utility bills, court fines, business licenses, and other local government charges without writing a check or going to an office in person.
Each city or county in North Carolina that offers Riverlink sets up its own account on the platform. That means the fees, payment methods, and which bills you can pay through Riverlink depend on which local government you are paying. Some municipalities use Riverlink; others use different payment systems.
Riverlink is free to set up an account. The platform may charge a fee if you pay by credit card or debit card — this fee goes to Riverlink, not to your local government — but paying by bank transfer (ACH) usually has no fee.
Key Takeaways
- Riverlink lets you pay local government bills online through your city or county's Riverlink account, and you can set up a free account in a few minutes with your bill number and email address.
- Payment methods include bank account transfer (ACH), credit card, and debit card, though credit and debit cards usually charge a processing fee that you pay.
- Payments typically post within one to three business days, but you should allow extra time if you are close to a due date.
- You can set up automatic recurring payments for bills that are the same amount each month, or make one-time payments whenever you choose.
- If your local government does not use Riverlink, you will need to check their website or call their office to find out which payment system they offer.
How to create a Riverlink account
Go to the Riverlink website and select your city or county from the list. Each municipality has its own Riverlink portal, so you must start from the correct one — searching "Riverlink" alone will not take you to your local government's page.
Click "Create Account" or "Register" (the exact wording varies by municipality). You will need your bill number, which appears on your paper bill or in your local government's online billing system. Enter your email address, create a password, and confirm your identity by answering security questions or entering information from your bill.
Once your account is set up, you can add one or more bills to it. If you have multiple properties or accounts with the same local government — for example, a property tax bill and a water bill — you can link them all to one Riverlink account and pay them together or separately.
Payment methods and fees
Riverlink accepts three main payment methods: bank account transfer (ACH), credit card, and debit card. The fees differ by method.
Bank account transfer (ACH) is usually free or costs a small fee set by your local government (typically under $2). You provide your bank routing number and account number, and the payment is drawn directly from your checking or savings account. ACH payments take one to three business days to post.
Credit card and debit card payments usually charge a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount, paid by you at the time of payment. This fee goes to Riverlink's payment processor, not to your local government. The payment posts within one to three business days.
Before you choose a payment method, check whether your local government's Riverlink page lists the exact fees. Some municipalities absorb the credit card fee; others pass it to you. The fee structure is posted on your municipality's Riverlink portal before you complete the payment.
Making a one-time payment
Log into your Riverlink account and select the bill you want to pay. Enter the amount you want to pay — you can pay the full balance, a partial amount, or more than the balance if you want to prepay.
Choose your payment method (ACH, credit card, or debit card) and enter the payment details. Review the amount, due date, and any fees before you submit. Once you submit, you will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email.
Keep the confirmation number. It proves you made the payment and is useful if you need to contact your local government about the transaction. Payments typically post within one to three business days, but do not count on this if you are paying close to a due date — allow at least five business days for safety.
Setting up automatic recurring payments
If you have a bill with the same amount every month — such as a utility bill with a fixed charge — you can set up automatic payments through Riverlink so you do not have to log in each month.
In your account, find the option for "Recurring Payment," "Auto Pay," or "Scheduled Payment" (wording varies by municipality). Select the bill, the amount, the payment method, and the day of the month you want the payment to go out. You can set it to run indefinitely or end on a specific date.
You can change or cancel a recurring payment at any time by logging into your account. If your bill amount changes — for example, your utility bill goes up in winter — you will need to update the recurring payment amount manually, or switch to one-time payments until the amount stabilizes.
What to do if a payment fails or does not post
If your payment is rejected, Riverlink will send you an email explaining why. Common reasons include insufficient funds in your bank account, an incorrect routing or account number, or an expired credit card.
Log back into your account, correct the payment information, and try again. If the problem persists, contact your local government's billing office directly — they can see whether the payment reached them and help you troubleshoot. Do not assume the payment went through just because you received a confirmation number; check your bill online or by phone to confirm the payment posted.
If you paid by credit or debit card and the payment was rejected, you may have been charged a processing fee even though the payment did not go through. Contact Riverlink support through your municipality's portal to request a refund of the fee.
Finding your local government's Riverlink portal
Not every North Carolina city and county uses Riverlink. To find out whether yours does, go to the main Riverlink website and look for your municipality in the list of available portals. If your city or county is not listed, check your local government's website directly — they will have a link to their payment system, whether it is Riverlink or another platform.
If you cannot find your municipality online, call your local government's billing or finance office. They can tell you which payment methods they accept and direct you to the correct portal or payment system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay someone else's bill through Riverlink?
No. Riverlink accounts are tied to a specific bill number, and you must have that bill number to set up an account or make a payment. If you want to pay someone else's bill, they must give you permission and their bill number. Some municipalities allow you to add another person's bill to your account if you have their authorization, but policies vary.
What happens if I pay more than I owe?
The overpayment becomes a credit on your account. Your local government will either explore it to your next bill automatically or refund it to you. Check your municipality's Riverlink page or call their billing office to find out which applies to you.
Is Riverlink safe?
Riverlink uses encryption and security measures standard for online banking. Your bank account and card information are not stored on Riverlink's servers after the transaction completes. That said, always make sure you are on your municipality's official Riverlink portal — check the web address carefully — and never share your password with anyone.
Can I get a receipt or proof of payment?
Yes. Riverlink sends a confirmation email when ready after you submit a payment, and you can log into your account anytime to view your payment history. Print or save the confirmation email as proof. Your local government's billing system will also show the payment once it posts.
What if I need to pay by phone or mail instead?
Contact your local government's billing office directly. They can tell you whether they accept phone payments (usually by credit card) or mail payments, and provide the mailing address or phone number. Some municipalities charge a fee for phone payments but not for online payments through Riverlink.