In order to record a document in the office of the Register of Deeds, the document will need to be prepared, executed, and notarized prior to recording. Our office is strictly prohibited by NC General Statutes from giving legal advice or preparing deeds or other documents. You may seek the advice of an attorney for any legal questions and preparation of documents.

 

Before a deed or deed of trust prepared in North Carolina may be recorded, it must reflect the name of the draftsman on the first page.  The first page should contain a “Return to” name and address along with a self addressed stamped envelope. Deeds must contain the grantees mailing address for the Tax department. The excise or revenue stamp must be reflected on the front of a Deed. The calculation of excise tax is $2.00 per $1,000.00 or $1.00 for each $500.00 or a fraction thereof the purchase price of the property. The excise or revenue stamp must be included with the filing fee. Please see Fee Schedule for recording fees.

 

Other recording requirements include Recording Standards. NC Recording Standards for information regarding recording standards for all documents.

NC Recording Standards Effective July 1, 2002 - Updated 10/01/2011 {G.S. 161-14 (b)}

*If the acknowledgement date in the notary certificate is PRIOR to July 1, 2002, no

additional non-standard fee shall be charged.

 

• 8.5”x11” or 8.5”x14” (Letter or Legal)

• Blank margin of 3 inches at the top of the first page
• Blank margins of ½ inch on remaining sides of first page and on all side of subsequent pages.

• Typed or printed in black on white paper in a legible font.
• A font size no smaller than 9 pts shall be considered legible.
• Blanks in an instrument may be completed in pen and corrections to an instrument may be made in pen.

• One sided only (Single sided)

• Must have type of instrument stated at the top of the first page.

If the above requirements are not met, the Register of Deeds shall record the document

after collecting the non-standard fee of $25.00 in addition to the recording fee. If the

instrument is non-standard due to the font size being smaller than 9 pts, the Register of

Deeds has the discretion of not charging the Non-Standard fee if legible.

 

UCC’s prepared on the standard National form are exempt from the recording

standards.

 

Satisfactions are also exempt from the recording standards.