Durham County Recorder Information

About Durham County Recorder

The register of deeds is responsible for recording and maintaining records related to real property in Durham County.

Recording Fees

Deeds of Trust and Mortgages-$64 for the first 35 pages, $4 for each page thereafter

Instruments/Documents in General (except Deeds of Trust/Mortgages) $26 for the first 15 pages, $4 for each page thereafter

Plats-$21 per sheet

Non-Standard Document-$25 in addition to other applicable recording fees

Multiple Instruments as One-$10 for each additional instrument, in addition to the recording fee.

Each Additional Deed of Trust Reference on Assignments-$10

Excessive Recording Data N.C.G.S. 161-10(a)(1)-$2 for each additional index entry (party name) in excess of 20.

Satisfaction Instruments-No Fee

In addition, excise tax must be included with the filing fee for a deed. Excise stamps are $1 on each $500 or fraction thereof of the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed, exclusive of the value of any lien or encumbrance remaining on the property at the time of sale.

Fees for Oath of Notary: $10.00

Certified Copies of Real Estate Instruments-$5 for the first page, $2 for each additional page
Non-Certified Copies in Person-25 cents per page
Non-Certified Copies by Mail-$1 per page
Map Copies in person-$1 per page
Map Copies by Mail-$2 per page

Certified Copy of Death Certificate-$10 per certified copy

Acceptable Payment Methods:
1. Cash-Accepted in person

2. Check/Money Order (Please make checks payable to "Durham County Register of Deeds." There is a $35 processing fee for any check returned unpaid).Accepted in person or by mail.

3. Credit/Debit Card (MasterCard, Visa and Discover)-Accepted by mail or in person

4. Escrow (Escrow accounts may be used to pay for copies and recording fees in person by authorized account users).- Accepted in person

Document Formatting Requirements

* Submit documents on 8.5 x 11 inch white paper or 8.5 x 14 inch white paper.

* At the top of the first page, include a blank 3-inch top margin. All other margins should be at least 1/2 of an inch.

* Immediately below the 3 inch top margin, include a document title.

* Black type, in a minimum font size of 9 point, on white paper is required. Blanks in an instrument may be completed in pen. Printing should be one-sided only.

* The grantor must sign the document and must have his/her signature notarized.

* On the first page, provide the name and address of the person who drafted the instrument.

* The grantee's name and address must appear on the deed for tax billing purposes.

* Under the new indexing standards (to take effect July 1, 2012), names will be entered into the database as they appear on the document.

* A legal description of the real property must be included. Legal descriptions can be obtained from the Durham County Tax Administration website or from a deed.