FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

LAND RECORDS
  

  1. What are real property land records?

  2. Can the Register of Deeds add or delete names from a deed?

  3. What if I find an error on my deed?

  4. Can the Register of Deeds conduct a title search of my property?

  5. Can I use an address to verify property information including ownership?

  6. Can anyone access the land records maintained by the Register of Deeds?

  7. Is there a fee for recording documents?

  8. What standards are used in connection with indexing real estate records?

  9. Where do I obtain a copy of my divorce?

  10. Where do I obtain a copy of a will or information in an estate?

  11. Where do I find information on types of liens such as Judgments, State and Federal Tax Liens, and personal and real property taxes?

  12. I sent a check to my bank to pay off my note and deed of trust and have not received my deed yet?

1. What are real property land records?

They are documents that primarily deal with land in Rockingham County. For a listing of common document types, click here.

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2. Can the Register of Deeds add or delete names from a deed?

No.

A deed is a legal document establishing property ownership. The Register of Deeds and staff are not attorneys and are prohibited by the State of North Carolina from practicing law. Therefore, we do not prepare or alter legal documents. If you have a document that needs to be revised, we recommend you consult an attorney.

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3.  What if I find an error on my deed?

You should contact your attorney for his legal advice.

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4. Can the Register of Deeds conduct a title search of my property?

No.

All real estate documents filed in this office are public record and are available for public inspection at our office between the hours of 8am-5pm Monday thru Friday, excluding holidays.  We are a recording agency. We cannot assist you in completing forms or in performing a title search, as we are prohibited from the unauthorized practice of law under North Carolina general statutes. You should contact an attorney for legal assistance.

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5. Can I use an address to verify property information including ownership?

No.

This office records land documents that refer to land using a legal description such as boundary, lot, block and acreage information. To search by address, you will need to contact the Tax Department at 336.342.8305 or go to www.co.rockingham.nc.us to find the link for the tax department to search online.

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6. Can anyone access the land records maintained by the Register of Deeds?

Yes.

All of the land records maintained by the Register of Deeds are public records, except for Military Discharges which have restricted access. You may go online to search the real estate index and images for the time period indicated on the site at www.rockinghamcountyregisterofdeeds.org or, you may visit our office to search the records in person.

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7. Is there a fee for recording documents?

Yes.

See our link for Fee Schedule for a breakdown of our fees.

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8. What standards are used in connection with indexing real estate records?

"Minimum Standards for Indexing Real Property Instruments" is published by the NC Department of the Secretary of State, Land Records Management Division and registers use this publication as a resource. It sets out minimum standards and registers often have variations to these minimum standards which are posted in their respective offices. This publication has undergone several revisions: Revised December 1, ,1996 - effective January 1, 1997; revised/effective September 13, 2004; revised March 12, 2006 - effective October 1, 2006.

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9. Where do I obtain a copy of my divorce?

If you were granted a divorce in Rockingham County, check with the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court at 336.342.8700.

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10. Where do I obtain a copy of a will or information in an estate?

Check with the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court at 336.342.8700, Estates Division, to see if they have this information.

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11. Where do I find information on types of liens such as Judgments, State and Federal Tax Liens, and personal and real property taxes?

For judgments and tax liens, contact the Rockingham County Clerk of Superior Court at 336.342.8700. For tax information, contact the Rockingham County Tax Department at 336.342.8305.

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12. I sent a check to my bank to pay off my note and deed of trust and have not received my deed yet?

Deeds (ownership of title) are usually mailed to the Grantee (buyer) by the attorney once the loan closing has occurred and the documents have been recorded in the Register of Deeds office. If you had to borrow money to purchase your home, the Deed of Trust (which is security for the note/indebtedness) is usually returned to the lender after it has been recorded in the Register of Deeds office. The Register of Deeds office does not keep original documents; they are returned to the person indicated on the document.

Once you have satisfied your debt to the lender, the lender usually mails the satisfaction documents directly to our office and we return the recorded document to the person indicated on the document.

You can visit our website at www.rockinghamcountyregisterofdeeds.org to see if your deed of trust has been satisfied of record, visit our office, or contact the lender/noteholder. We do not provide search information over the telephone; we are a recording agency. If you are unsure if your deed of trust has been satisfied of record, you should contact an attorney for assistance.

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©2008 Rockingham County Register of Deeds