Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Orange County Register of Deeds
About the Orange County Recorder's Office
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 (Each additional subsequent instrument index reference) |
| Copies, per page | $0.50 |
| Certification | $5.00 |
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.
Plats are $21 per page; acceptable sizes 18x24, 21x30, 24x36. Certified plat copies are $5 per page; uncertified plat copies are $3 per page. Right of way plans / highway maps are $21 for the first page and $5 for each additional page. Non-Standard Documents (Multiple Document fee): $10, in addition to recording fee.
Paying the office
| Accepted | Cash, Check, Money order, Cashiers check, Credit card, Debit card |
|---|---|
| Card fee | Orange County uses a secure online payment system that does not charge for the use of the service. |
Debit and credit cards accepted excluding American Express and ApplePay.
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 · Fees | Orange County, NC · Recording & Real Estate | Orange County, NC
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)) |
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.
Submitting documents
| In person | Accepted |
|---|---|
| By mail | Accepted |
| Electronic recording | Accepted |
| Processing time | Electronically submitted documents are processed and returned the same business day if received before 4 p.m. |
Walk-in and mail recording 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; e-recording 8:00 am to 4:00 pm; plat map recording 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Checked October 2026 against official publications. Sources: G.S. 161-14 Registration of instruments · Office Hours | Orange County, NC · E-Recordings | Orange County, NC
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
Not available through Deeds.com
Deeds.com does not currently offer eRecording in Orange County. Contact the recorder's office about its submission options.
Recorder Office
Contact the recorder's office directly for its records, copies, and recording requirements.
Orange 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