Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Johnston County Register of Deeds
About the Johnston County Register of Deeds
Land records in Johnston County are recorded by the Register of Deeds. The office is held by Craig Olive.
Since October 1, 2009, the office covers up social security and driver's license numbers on online documents without a request. Plain copies can be emailed at no extra charge.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: G.S. 161-10 Uniform fees of registers of deeds · Identity Theft Prevention and Legislation
Recording Fees
These government fees are separate from any Deeds.com service fees. Confirm current charges with the recorder's office.
| Deeds and other conveyances | $26.00 for the first 15 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Instruments in general) |
|---|---|
| Mortgages and deeds of trust | $64.00 for the first 35 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Deeds of trust and mortgages) |
| Releases and satisfactions | $0.00 flat (Satisfaction or cancellation of deed of trust or mortgage) |
| Other standard documents | $26.00 for the first 15 pages, $4.00 each additional page (Instruments in general) |
Other charges
| Document that does not meet the formatting standards | $25.00 per document when Document not in compliance with the recording standards adopted under G.S. 161-14(b), in addition to all other applicable recording fees |
|---|---|
| Additional names indexed | $2.00 each beyond the 20 included (Per party listed in excess of 20) |
| Additional references or marginal notations | $10.00 each beyond the 1 included (Assignments of more than one security instrument, per additional reference) |
| Copies, per page | $0.10 |
| Certification | $5.00 |
Fee schedule effective October 1, 2016.
StatewideFees are uniform throughout the State and are complete and exclusive. A document consisting of multiple instruments is charged an additional $10.00 for each additional instrument; a deed of trust or mortgage containing additional instruments is charged $10.00 for each additional instrument. Certified copies are $5.00 for the first page plus $2.00 for each additional page. Plats are $21.00 per sheet or page. Uncertified copy fees are set by each register of deeds and must be uniform and prominently posted. Fees are collected prior to filing or registration.
Documents received by mail that require refunds are not refunded if the amount is $1.00 or less; refunds greater than $1.00 are mailed as a check from the Johnston County Finance office.
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check, Credit card, Debit card |
|---|
ApplePay and GooglePay accepted. Checks are not accepted for vital records but may be used in the real estate department.
Transfer tax
Excise tax on instruments conveying real property. One dollar ($1.00) on each five hundred dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof of the consideration or value of the interest conveyed. The tax is collected when the document is recorded. (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 105-228.30(a))
StatewideThe excise tax is paid to the register of deeds of the county in which the real estate is located before recording the instrument of conveyance; for a parcel lying in two or more counties, it is paid in the county in which the greater part of the real estate with respect to value lies. The tax applies to timber deeds and contracts for the sale of standing timber. Some counties levy their own land transfer tax under local acts; those are stated on the local office's page.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: G.S. 161-10 Uniform fees of registers of deeds · G.S. 105-228.30 Imposition of excise tax · Fee Schedule · Recording Fees · FAQs
Document Requirements
Confirm current requirements with the recorder's office before submitting documents.
| Paper size | 8.5 x 11 inches or 8.5 x 14 inches (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(1)) |
|---|---|
| First page top margin | 3 in (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(2)) |
| Other margins | 0.5 in (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(2)) |
| Minimum type size | 9 pt (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(3)) |
| Ink and paper | Typed or printed in black on white paper in a legible font; blanks may be completed and corrections made in pen (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(3)) |
| Single sided pages required | Yes (statewide, N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)(4)) |
| Prepared-by statement required | Yes |
| Grantee address required | Yes |
StatewideThe type of instrument must be stated at the top of the first page. Instruments presented on paper that do not meet the standards are registered after collection of the nonstandard document fee; a register of deeds may waive that fee for print smaller than 9 points if the instrument is legible. The standards do not apply to instruments conforming to G.S. 25-9-521 or certified copies of court-filed documents.
An original map attached to a deed must be reviewed and signed by a Johnston County Map Review Officer and measure 8.5" x 14" or 8.5" x 11"; an attached drawing or copy of a map must contain the Map Legend language from G.S. 47-30(n)(2).
Submitting documents
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| eRecording through Deeds.com | Available for this office |
| How recorded documents come back | Documents are immediately returned to the submitter once indexed and completed; eRecorded documents are returned to the submitter electronically. |
| Processing time | eRecorded documents are recorded and returned to the submitter in a matter of seconds. |
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: G.S. 161-14 Registration of instruments · Fee Schedule · Land Record Information · Real Estate
Deeds.com Resources & Services
Using Deeds.com is optional. Contact the recorder's office directly for its services and submission options.
How to Get a Copy of Your Deed
Read Deeds.com's guide to requesting document copies from the recorder's office.
Deeds.com eRecording
Available through Deeds.com
Use Deeds.com's paid service to submit documents electronically to the recorder's office. Deeds.com service fees are separate from government recording fees and taxes.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Johnston County Register of Deeds
Deeds.com Forms
Blank legal forms sold by Deeds.com, not by the recorder's office.
Supplemental Document Resources
Recording-related forms and instructions for reference. Confirm which documents apply with the recorder's office.
Deeds.com Customer Care
For help with Deeds.com products, services, or your account. This does not contact the recorder's office.
Contact Deeds.com