North Carolina Property Records

Early hunters and gatherers settled in North Carolina 10,000 years ago. Many Native Americans, like the Cherokee, Woodland, and Mississippian tribes, call North Carolina home. More than 10,698,000 live in the Tar Heel State. With close to 11 million residents, local and state governments must maintain millions of property records.

North Carolina property records are vital if you own property in the state or are buying or selling property. There are many different types, each with different information. You can find public property records in a few different places.

This guide will inform you about North Carolina property records, the various types and information on them, where to file them, where to find them, and how to keep them updated or amend incorrect records.

What Are Property Records in North Carolina?

Property records in North Carolina are legal documents that contain information about real property and the owners. They serve different functions. For example, deeds transfer ownership of property and define its boundaries and its location.

What are the Components of Property Records in North Carolina?

Property records contain a lot of information about the property itself and the owner. Some of the types of things you can learn when examining property taxes are:

Property Address
Detailed Legal Property Description
Current Owner's Name and Address
Historical Owners
Deeds
Liens
Tax Records
Mortgage Records
Bankruptcies
Foreclosures
Plat Maps
Surveys
Easements / Conveyances
Property Details
Parcel ID
Zoning
Boundary Lines

This is a short list, so you may find much more details when reviewing the actual records.

Sources of Property Records in North Carolina

Property records are created by individuals, companies, attorneys, real estate agents, title companies, and the courts. They are filed, stored, and maintained by a few different agencies. For example, deeds may be filed with the county register of deeds or with the Superior Court clerk's office. Tax records may be found with the county tax assessor.

The Role of the County Register of Deeds

Each county register of deeds is responsible for filing property records, and they can provide them to you (for a small fee) upon request. The most common records you'll find there are deeds that transfer ownership of property.

How Property Records are Maintained in North Carolina

Property records in North Carolina are stored and maintained by the agency affiliated with them. That includes the county register of deeds offices, the Superior Court clerks, the county tax assessor, and other government offices. You need to know which agency holds records whenever you need to change or amend records.

Accessing Records at the Registry of Deeds in North Carolina

North Carolina property records are public records accessible by anyone for any reason. You may visit any of the offices during regular business hours, or you can sometimes find copies of these records online.

Registry of Deeds Locations in North Carolina

North Carolina has 100 counties. However, finding the proper county you need is easy. The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds has created a website where you can click on your county and see all the information you need. Some examples are:

Your search results will show you the following:

Name and Address
Phone
Fax
Email
Website
District
Other County Details

Types of Property Records

Property records consist of various types of documents. The most common types are listed below, and a short description of what they are used for and why is provided.

Deeds and Conveyance Records

Deeds transfer ownership of real property. They are most often used in real estate transactions, foreclosure sales, and family transfers of property without any money changing hands. Regardless of why they are used, all parties must sign to agree with the transfer. A notary will also execute the document to ensure its legality.

Deeds contain a lot of helpful information, such as:

Name of the Seller/Grantor and Buyer/Grantee.
A detailed description of the property.
Maps and plats along with boundaries and sometimes surveys showing the acreage and edges of the property.
Conveyance language explaining the ownership transfer from one person or entity to another.
Notarization and execution are at the bottom, where everyone signs to make it legal.

Liens, Encumbrances, and Property Records in North Carolina

Encumbrances are burdens on real property. A good example is a lien. Some liens are voluntary, like a mortgage or home equity loan lien. Others are involuntary and can negatively affect the property, decrease its value, and make it harder to sell. Liens can also lead to foreclosure and losing your home.

Voluntary Liens

Mortgage Liens

Mortgages are self-explanatory. Anyone who cannot afford to pay cash for their homes will have a mortgage. Mortgages allow people to purchase property and pay over time. When you take out a mortgage, you agree to pay interest on the loan along with your monthly payments. You must also keep homeowners insurance current on the property and pay for an appraisal and title insurance.

Along with these things, you must also allow the lender to put a lien on your property until the loan is paid off. If you default on the loan (do not pay it back), the lender can foreclose on your property and sell it at auction to get their money back. Your home is collateral to support the loan.

Mortgage records contain the following information:

Loan Amount - The mortgage paperwork specifies the principle loan amount borrowed from the lender. It may also include the interest rate, repayment terms, and unique loan restrictions or limitations.
Mortgage Terms - The section details the terms and circumstances of the mortgage, such as provisions for late payments, default, prepayment penalties, and other pertinent terms agreed upon by both parties.
Security Interest - The property is designated as collateral for the loan in the mortgage document. It specifies that the lender has a security interest in the property, which implies that the lender can foreclose on the property.
Parties - The mortgage paperwork names the parties involved, which include the borrower (mortgagor) and the lender (mortgagee). In most cases, their legal names and addresses appear in the document.
Property Description - The mortgaged property appears in the document and may include the address, legal description, and a link to a survey or plat map.

Involuntary Liens

Mechanic's Liens

Mechanic's liens are legal tools contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers, landscapers, and laborers use to collect an unpaid debt. If someone works on the home and the homeowner fails to pay them, they can put a lien on the property to get paid. With enough time, they can foreclose on the home and force the owner to sell it to liquidate assets to pay them.

Tax Liens

Every North Carolina resident must pay taxes. If a homeowner fails to pay their annual taxes, the county can put a tax lien on their property. That tax lien can also lead to foreclosure, and the county can sell the home at auction. Tax liens are very serious.

Judgment Liens

Creditors and others with unpaid debts can use judgment liens to get paid. If the homeowner does not pay them what they owe, the creditor can take them to court, and if the judge rules in the creditor's favor, the homeowner can proceed with foreclosure and sell the house to recoup their losses.

The Process of Property Liens in North Carolina

The following is a breakdown of how to file a construction lien in North Carolina:

The claimant must send a 'Notice to Lien' within 15 days from the first furnishing of labor and/or materials.

Next, the property owner may fill the lien form with information about the owner, the property, work done or supplies provided, dates of work, and their details. Claimants must input the information correctly as the state does not allow amendment of lien documents.

The next step is filing the lien with the county Office of the Clerk of Superior Court, serving a copy to the owner and the general contractor if the claimant is a subcontractor. The filing deadline is 120 days from the last work/supply date.

Before enforcing the lien, the claimants must send a Notice of Intent to Foreclose to warn the owner.

North Carolina Titles

North Carolina property titles represent an owner or owners' rights on a property. Like other types of land records, titles in North Carolina are under the County Register of Deeds. Property titles in North Carolina contain the following information:

Chain of Ownership - The record should show the chain of ownership from the earliest to the current owner.
Full Legal Description - The document should contain a full legal description of the property.
Zoning Laws - The document may outline any zoning laws applying to the property and how they affect users.
Property Value - The document may show the most recent property value determined by a local assessor.
Liens - The record may show any lines affecting the property.

Property Tax Records

No one likes taxes, but property taxes are a fact of life. Anyone who owns property in North Carolina must pay annual taxes on it. The average effective property tax rate in North Carolina is 0.70%. That figure is well below the national average of 0.99%. However, property taxes vary by county. For example, Edgecombe has the highest rate at 1.28%, and Jackson has the lowest at 0.40%. For a complete list of all the property tax rates by county, check this page.

Property taxes supply the county with much-needed funds to pay for schools, emergency services, and government wages. If you do not pay your property taxes, the local tax assessor can foreclose on your property and sell your home.

They contain information such as the following:

Payment History - The document may outline any payments the owner has made so far and the dates of payments.
Owner Identification - The document should name the property owner, their address, and sometimes contacts.
Property Description - The record should describe the property by address, lot number, and legal description if required. The property description may also note any improvements made on the property.
Tax Rates - The document should outline the tax rate for the property. Each jurisdiction has a different property tax rate, so the specific one used to calculate taxes should appear in the document.
Tax Exemptions - The tax record may indicate the exemptions applying to the property.
Tax Calculations - The document may include a breakdown of tax calculations based on the various taxing authorities.

How Often is Property Tax in North Carolina Assessed?

North Carolina law requires assessors to reassess property values every eight years. Reassessment is the responsibility of the County Assessor's office. The assessment process goes as follows:

Valuation - The first step is valuing the property. Local assessors use approved methods of valuing the property, including comparable sales of properties within the area. Assessors must account for differences between the properties to make an accurate assessment.
Notification - Once the assessor has the correct property value, they prepare and send a document containing the assessed value. The document may have information about the applicable property tax rate and any notices by the assessor about the assessment.
Appealing - The third step is the appeal. Every property owner in North Carolina can appeal a property assessment value if they think it is unfair. The first step in the process can be contacting the tax office informally to resolve the matter. However, if the parties cannot resolve the matter informally, the owner may appeal to the local Board of Equalization and Review. Because it is a formal plea, the property owner has a set timeline to present the case before the board decides. When a property owner is unsatisfied with the decision of the board, they have the option to appeal to the State Board of Equalization and Review, also known as the Property Tax Commission. However, appealing to this board means entering a trial-like state where the owner must prove their claim. Based on the evidence provided, the commission delegates a decision within a short time. The decision is final.

Easements and Covenants

Another thing you will find in property records is easements. These are most often included in deeds. They describe any third-party rights to the property, such as a wireless company with towers installed on a person's private land. The wireless company can access the property whenever needed to maintain the towers without asking the owner. Easements like these are passed along from owner to owner.

Covenants, on the other hand, dictate how the land can be used. You often find these in condo developments and communities with shared expenses or services. Covenants are included with closing documents and specify things you can and cannot do. For example, you cannot have a pet in some condo developments. If you violate these rules, you could be fined, or the condo association could foreclose on your property, sell your home out from under you, and evict you.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are both types of maps showing real property boundaries. Plats include the boundaries of other neighboring properties, but surveys focus only on the property in question. Surveys are also used in boundary disputes and other situations where actual, legal boundaries are needed.

The following are types of surveys individuals may get in North Carolina:

Construction Staking Survey - A construction staking survey is carried out throughout the project's construction phase. It guarantees that construction activities are carried out per the approved plans and specifications.
Boundary Survey - A boundary survey defines a piece of land's property lines and corners. They are frequently used in real estate transactions, settling disputes, and defining new boundaries.
Mortgage Survey - A mortgage survey, also known as a loan survey or plot plan, is a simplified survey performed to suit the needs of a mortgage lender. It focuses on the property boundaries, improvements, and any encroachments or easements that may influence the value or usage of the land.
Topographical Survey - A topographical survey maps and describes a certain area's natural and artificial characteristics. It entails measuring and documenting elevations, contours, slopes, vegetation, water bodies, and other geographical features. Topographic surveys are frequently used for site planning, engineering design, construction projects, and other purposes.

Historical Property Records

Historical property records can be handy, especially if you want to find out who owned your home in the past. The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has a specific website where you can learn all about your house's genealogy.

How Can I Search for Property Records?

Property records assist many different people in doing their jobs. Realtors, investors, attorneys, title companies, and even home buyers can glean enormous amounts of information from property records, giving them a complete picture to make an informed decision. Property records come in very handy during a real estate transaction and can help avoid disaster. Some ways you can search for property records include:

Online Property Record Search

The first way you will want to look for property records is through an online search. You can use Google to enter the property address and see what comes up. You can also use a specific resource geared towards property records or related information.

How to Search Property Records by Address

The best way to search is by using the property address. Enter the full address, including state and zip code, into the search tool and see what comes up.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Some search portals allow you to find property records using the owner's name. It's less common and may return inconsistent results, but it's worth trying. Enter the owner's name in the search bar if you know the owner's name.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can always visit the local county register of deeds office or the Superior Court clerk in person for property records. When visiting in person, you may have to pay a small fee and wait for service.

Using Property Record Indexes

You will find dozens of property record indexes online to help you find records. However, these sources may not be updated or have the most current information. Be careful when using these services.

Utilizing Commercial Services

One of the best ways to find millions of nationwide property records is using a commercial service like PropertyChecker. You have access to unlimited searches and can find everything you need in one place instantly, which is a great way to save time.

Understanding Property Ownership in North Carolina

North Carolina has 4,673,933 housing units, and 4,034,684 of them are occupied. Of that figure, 65.94% are homeowner occupied. Owning a home in North Carolina is a point of pride for many. However, it comes with responsibilities like paying mortgages and taxes. Property records are public, and owner information is also exposed in these records.

Identifying Property Owners

There are many reasons why you need to identify as a property owner. Investors often cold-call homeowners and offer them a deal to purchase the house. Many property records are connected to the property and owner.

What is a Chain of Title?

The chain of title refers to the complete list of all historical owners of the property. Someone owned it at all times. When researchers find a break in the chain of title, they must find out who the proper owner was during that time. Before the sale of real estate, title professionals run title searches to identify any title defects and breaks in the chain of title.

Ownership History and Transfers

Sometimes, the property is handed down from one family member to another. Deeds tell the whole story, whether it changes hands through a transfer or a real estate sale. A deed documents how the property transfers, when, and all parties involved.

How to Get Property Owner Information

It's entirely legal for you to request property records. You may find owner names and addresses or even additional information. Visit the county register of deeds to request copies. Some homeowners may have some of their personal information redacted.

Property Descriptions and Boundaries in North Carolina

Property descriptions are vital information found in property records. The legal property description clearly defines where the property is and how to find it. It may include things like landmarks, bodies of water, and other defining characteristics.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys are vital for determining the exact boundaries and land measurements of a piece of real property. You have probably seen surveyors out in your area with strange equipment.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Surveys come in very handy during boundary disputes. Many disputes end up in court, and a judge must hear both sides, including expert witness testimony from surveyors, to determine the outcome.

Property Records and Real Estate Transactions in North Carolina

Property records come into play most often with real estate deals. Buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals use property records before, during, and after the sale. They can fill in a lot of blanks and make the sale go smoother.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying property, you must perform due diligence to ensure you are purchasing a property that is worth the cost and without any issues. Property records can teach you a lot, so you can enter the transaction confidently.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

When selling property, you must provide certain disclosures to the buyer. If you lack information about the home, you can consult property records to find missing data. You must also comply with the law and disclose any material defects you know about.

Title Searches and Insurance

When buying a home with a mortgage, the lender will require you to purchase title insurance. The title company professional will perform a property title search, looking for any title defects or other issues that could ruin the sale. Title insurance protects you and the lender if someone makes legal claims on the property after the sale.

Foreclosure and Property Records in North Carolina

Before investing or buying, you must be on the lookout for foreclosures. They can complicate a sale. Investors may be okay with it because they could pick up a property for far less than the asking price, but regular buyers may want to steer clear.

Property Records and Property Values

Property values are another crucial factor in property records. The value of properties changes frequently due to market fluctuation and other issues. Investors and homebuyers want to know the value of what they are purchasing.

The median value property value in North Carolina is approximately $324,000, noting an increase of more than 4%. The top real estate markets in the state include Asheville, Wilmington, Charlotte, Fayetteville, and Raleigh. In addition, a property spends a median of 24 days on the market.

Factors that Determine Property Values in North Carolina

The following factors can explain differences in property values in some parts of the state:

Coastal Areas - North Carolina has a vast stretch of Atlantic Ocean coastline. Coastal properties are subject to additional issues like flood zones and insurance needs. Property values in locations such as Carolina Beach, Oak Island, and Wilmington can also be influenced by proximity to the beach, waterfront access, and vistas.
Climate and Natural Disasters - North Carolina is subject to various weather patterns, including hurricanes and tropical storms, especially around the coast. Properties in disaster-prone areas such as Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, and Cape Fear may have greater insurance rates, which might reduce their value.
Rural vs. Urban - North Carolina has a mix of rural and urban areas, each with its own dynamics. Because of the availability of utilities, career possibilities, and cultural attractions, property values in urban locations such as Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh tend to be higher. On the other hand, rural locations such as Hillsborough, Blowing Rock, and Pinehurst may have more affordable residences yet provide more peaceful living.
Economic Factors - The state's economy influences property values. North Carolina's broad industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Local job markets, income levels, and economic growth in certain places can all impact property values.

Assessments and Appraisals

County tax assessors use special assessments to value pieces of property within the jurisdiction to set tax rates. Every county has its own calculation and sets its own rate for all homes in the area.

Lenders require appraisals to value a home before the closing to ensure it supports the loan. Investors and others use appraisals to make sure they are not overpaying. Appraisals compare comparable homes in the area and recent sales to derive a fair market value.

Property Records and Market Value

Examining property records and market values can educate you on a specific area and how property values are headed. In some markets, prices may be going up, and in others, they may be going down. Property records can show how a property has increased or decreased in value over time.

Privacy and Property Records

Property records are public records, and anyone can request them anytime. However, that doesn't mean they should violate anyone's privacy. You can access public property records via the methods listed above and request copies either online or in person. You may have to pay a small fee for actual paper copies.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

You cannot remove all your information from property records. Your name and address will usually show up. If, however, you find more personal details, such as your phone, email, or financial details, you can contact the office holding the records and request that they remove your sensitive information.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public for the same reason other records are. It's a system of checks and balances so that no one government agency has too much control over information. Real estate is a volatile market, and potential buyers have the right to access as much information as possible before purchasing.

Maintaining and Amending Property Records

Property records are created and maintained by humans, and people make mistakes. Additionally, things change in life, and sometimes, property records need to be corrected or updated.

Correcting Errors on Property Records

If you find an error on your deed in North Carolina, you have three options for correcting it: an affidavit of correction, AKA a scrivener's affidavit; re-recording the original deed; or using a newly-drafted correction deed to fix it.

Amending Property Records for Legal Changes

When there is a change, and your property records need to be updated, for example, if you need to update property records when someone dies, you can do so by visiting the register of deeds office or having your attorney draft up the property paperwork and submitting it to the Superior Court clerk's office.

How to Change the Name on Property Records in North Carolina

After a marriage or divorce, you may also want to change the name on your property records. You can do so by visiting the local county register of deeds, providing them with your marriage certificate or divorce decree, and requesting a change.

What Should I Consider When Buying a Property Using Property Records?

Before buying any property, you should investigate it as thoroughly as possible. It helps to review the taxes and fair market value, look for any liens or foreclosures, and other information. The best way to do this is to use PropertyChecker to find out all kinds of information. You have access to millions of records nationwide, saving tons of time.

North Carolina County Property Records