Durham County Recorder of Deeds: Search Property Records, Copies & Office
Need to find a deed for a house in Durham, check an old deed of trust, locate a subdivision plat or obtain a certified copy? In North Carolina, the official recording office is called the Durham County Register of Deeds, rather than a separate Recorder of Deeds.
The county provides an online Self Service Web records system that supports deed searches by document number, book and page, party names, dates and available legal-description fields. You can also start from Durham County’s property-tax database when you know a street address but not the deed reference.
This guide explains the actual county search workflow, including older grantor-grantee indexes, unusual historic plat-book references, certified copies, recording fees, fraud notifications and the downtown Durham office.
Where Do You Search Durham County Recorded Deeds?
Use the Durham County Online Public Records Search page. Click Start Your Search to open the Register of Deeds Self Service Web system. Accept the official disclaimer, then choose Real Estate Records Online Search and Copies.
Search Recorded Deeds
Find instruments using grantor, grantee, both names, document number, book/page or other available record-search fields.
Search by Property Address
Use Durham County Tax Administration’s property-record database first. Find the parcel, owner and deed reference, then return to the Register’s document search.
Get Certified Records
Online document images can support research, but an official certified copy should be requested from the Register when certification is required.
How to Search Durham County Recorder of Deeds Records Online
The official search interface has more search options than a simple owner-name lookup. Use this workflow to locate the correct instrument without confusing property assessments with recorded documents.
Open the Official Self Service Web
Visit Durham County Register of Deeds Self Service Web. Read and acknowledge the official database disclaimer.
Select Real Estate Records Online Search and Copies from the service options.
Choose a Search Field
The county’s real-estate search supports document references and indexed information, including:
- Document Number
- Book Type, Book and Page
- Recording Date Start and End
- Both Names
- Grantor
- Grantee
- Legal-description information and document types
Use the available fields shown in the current interface.
Search by Grantor or Grantee
The grantor is generally the person or entity transferring a property interest. The grantee is generally the person or entity receiving that interest.
For a house recently purchased in Durham, begin with the buyer and seller names. The portal also has a Both Names option that can search grantor and grantee indexes together.
Use Book and Page When Available
If you already have the deed book and page from the Durham County property database, enter them into the appropriate Book/Page fields.
Book/page is often the more precise starting point when researching one particular property because several unrelated documents may involve people with the same name.
Review the Search Results
Compare the document type, recording date, indexed parties and recording reference. Check whether the instrument is a deed, deed of trust, satisfaction, assignment or another filing.
Do not assume a result belongs to your parcel simply because the surname matches.
Open the Document Image
For documents available online, open the corresponding image or copy option. Review the legal description, parties and recording information. Some historic or specialty records may require separate index research or an office visit.
Save the Recording Reference
Keep the complete book/page or document number, recording date, document type and party names. These details help with certified-copy requests and searches for related instruments.
Request Certification if Needed
Contact the Register of Deeds at (919) 560-0480 or visit the office at 201 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Durham. Ask for a certified copy using the recording reference you found.
Find a Durham County Deed Using a Street Address or Parcel Record
The county’s tax records and deed records answer different questions. The tax database is often the easier place to start if you have a street address but no deed book or page.
Open the County Real Property Search
Visit the official Durham County Tax Administration Real Property Search.
Search for the property using the available owner, address or parcel fields.
Verify the Property Record
Choose the correct parcel and confirm its address, ownership and identification. Durham’s property database also provides assessment information and associated GIS information.
Find the Deed and Plat References
Look for the deed book/page and, where applicable, plat book/page associated with the parcel. Durham County’s Land Record/GIS guidance specifically directs users to its property records for these references.
Return to the Register’s Search
Open Self Service Web, choose Real Estate Records, enter the book/page reference and inspect the matched recording.
Durham County Deed Search by Name, Book/Page and Legal Description
| Information You Have | Best Starting Point | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Property street address | Durham Tax Administration property search | Correct parcel, owner and deed reference |
| Grantor name | Recorder’s Grantor search | Transferor, recording date and document type |
| Grantee name | Recorder’s Grantee search | Recipient, date and matching instrument |
| Party name but uncertain role | Both Names search | Matches indexed as grantor or grantee |
| Book and page | Book/Page fields | Book type, number, page and actual document |
| Document number | Document Number search | Exact recorded reference |
| Subdivision or lot | Available Legal fields | Subdivision, lot and other indexed legal details |
| Historical plat | Historical or specialty plat records | Correct plat book, including A/B designation where applicable |
Durham County Historical Deeds and the Plat Book A/B Problem
Durham County maintains historical grantor/grantee indexes and older specialty recording books. The Self Service Web includes guidance explaining that historic plat books may use an alphabetic suffix that is essential to locating the correct page.
Historical Grantor and Grantee Indexes
Use the separate historical index option when the standard online real-estate search does not cover the period you need. Historic indexes can identify a deed’s book/page reference even when its full document image is not available in the ordinary online viewer.
For a chain-of-title search, work backward through successive transfers and compare each legal description.
Plat Books 1A and 1B
Durham’s official search disclaimer explains that some historic plat books numbered 1–31 were split into separate lettered books.
For example, Plat Book 1A contains pages 1–130, while Plat Book 1B contains pages 131–261.
Entering Book 1 without the proper A/B designation may prevent the correct historical reference from being found.
Durham County Register of Deeds Recording Fees
The current Durham County fee schedule distinguishes ordinary real-estate instruments from deeds of trust, plats, satisfactions and certified copies. These are statutory recording and service charges, not property-tax rates.
| Service | County-Listed Fee | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary deed / instrument | $26 first 15 pages | $4 per additional page after page 15 |
| Deed of trust / mortgage | $64 first 35 pages | $4 per page beyond page 35 |
| Plat recording | $21 each sheet | Separate map and formatting requirements |
| Nonstandard document | Additional $25 | When statutory nonstandard-document fee applies |
| Multiple instruments as one | $10 per applicable additional instrument | Subject to the county’s fee rules |
| Satisfaction instrument | No recording fee | Qualifying satisfaction documents |
| Additional subsequent index reference | $10 each | Where applicable |
| Certified copies | $5 first page | $2 for each additional page unless another law provides otherwise |
| Uncertified copies | Cost as posted | Check the current public copy service |
Estimate a Durham County Basic Recording or Certified-Copy Fee
This tool applies the county’s published base fee formulas. It does not calculate real-estate excise tax, all special document charges, vendor fees or transaction-specific legal costs.
Ordinary deed: first 15 pages included.
This calculator is informational. Use the official county fee schedule for a final recording or certified-copy payment amount.
How to Request a Certified Durham County Deed Copy
An online image may be enough for personal research, but some courts, lenders, government offices and title-related transactions require a certified copy issued by the Register of Deeds.
Find the Record
Use the county’s Self Service Web to locate the correct deed. Save its book/page or document number, names and recording date.
Confirm the Copy Method
Call (919) 560-0480 or contact regdeeds@dconc.gov. Ask whether the requested record is available for your preferred ordering or delivery method.
Pay for Certification
The county lists $5 for the first certified page and $2 per additional page, unless a special statute applies.
For example, a four-page certified deed has a basic certification-copy charge of $11.
How to Record a Real-Estate Document in Durham County
The Register records documents presented for filing but does not decide which deed type is legally appropriate. North Carolina recording standards and Durham County’s processing cutoff are important before submission.
Prepare the Appropriate Document
For a transfer, use a deed prepared in accordance with North Carolina law. Obtain qualified legal guidance where needed, especially for estates, trusts, marital transfers or disputed ownership.
Check the Paper Size and Margins
Durham County’s published standards require documents to be on 8.5 × 11-inch or 8.5 × 14-inch white paper, with a 3-inch blank margin at the top of the first page and half-inch margins elsewhere.
Check the Heading and Legibility
State the instrument type at the top of the first page. Text generally must be typed or printed on one side only and use at least 9-point type, subject to the statutory provisions described by the county.
Check Signatures and Required Information
Ensure the legal description, execution and acknowledgments required for the particular instrument are complete. If a transaction requires excise tax or supporting documents, verify those requirements before submission.
Choose the Recording Method
Durham County accepts recording transactions at the Register of Deeds office and offers electronic recording through approved e-recording vendors.
For in-person service, go to 201 East Main Street, Administration Building II, Durham.
Submit Before the Recording Cutoff
The county lists real-estate document recording hours as 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Retain the Recording Reference
After the instrument is accepted and indexed, keep its recording details. Check the public index when the new record becomes available and contact the Register about any indexing issue.
Can You E-Record a Deed in Durham County?
Yes. Durham County accepts electronic submission of eligible real-estate documents through participating vendors. This service is commonly used by title companies, legal professionals and other frequent recording submitters.
How the E-Recording Workflow Works
- Open the county’s Electronic Recording Vendors page.
- Review the participating vendors.
- Contact a vendor about an account, document eligibility and fees.
- Prepare and submit the instrument through the chosen service.
- Keep the county’s returned recording reference and confirmation.
County Processing Guidance
Durham County states that electronic submissions received by 4:45 PM are processed and returned to the submitter the same business day under its published procedure.
This is not a promise that every submission will be accepted; an instrument that fails recording requirements can still require correction.
What Types of Durham County Land Records Can You Find?
Warranty or Other Conveyance Deed
Documents the transfer of a real-property interest. Review the grantor, grantee, legal description, recording reference and any warranty language.
Deed of Trust
Typically records a security interest related to a property loan. It is not the same as a deed transferring ownership to a buyer.
Satisfaction or Release
May document the discharge of a previously recorded deed of trust or another security instrument. Match the original instrument reference carefully.
Plat, Easement or Restriction
May identify subdivision arrangements, recorded access rights, utility interests or land-use restrictions. A complete title search often requires reviewing multiple record types.
Durham County Recorder of Deeds Address, Phone and Hours
Durham County Register of Deeds
201 East Main Street
2nd Floor, Administration Building II
Durham, NC 27701
Telephone: (919) 560-0480
Fax: (919) 560-0497
Email: regdeeds@dconc.gov
Register of Deeds: Sharon A. Davis
Regular office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM
Recording cutoff: 4:45 PM
Open Office Directions ↗Prepare for Your Visit
- Bring the book/page or document number if you need a specific deed.
- For historical records, note the names and approximate recording period.
- Ask about certified-copy payment and turnaround before traveling.
- Arrive ahead of the 4:45 PM recording cutoff for original instruments.
- Confirm current holiday closures and accessibility arrangements.
The Register of Deeds is in Administration Building II, not simply at the county’s general administrative mailing address.
Map shows Durham County Administration Building II. Check the county website for current access, parking and holiday information.
Durham County Register of Deeds vs. Tax Administration
| Your Question | Office or System | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Where is my deed recorded? | Register of Deeds | Search real-estate recorded documents |
| How can I obtain a certified deed? | Register of Deeds | Request certified document copy |
| Who appears as the assessed owner? | Tax Administration | Search real property database |
| What is my parcel’s deed book/page? | Tax Administration property search | Find the associated recording reference |
| Where is the parcel on a map? | Land Record/GIS | Review geographic parcel data |
| How much is the property assessed at? | Tax Administration | Review assessment record |
| How do I pay a property-tax bill? | County tax collection service | Review tax bill/payment options |
| Does a parcel have clear title? | Qualified attorney or title professional | Obtain a title examination |
Why Your Durham County Deed Search May Not Find a Match
No Results for the Owner Name
- Try searching both grantor and grantee.
- Try the name of a prior owner.
- Look for a trust, LLC or other entity name.
- Remove unnecessary middle names or initials.
- Expand the date range.
- Use book/page from the county property record.
The Plat Book Does Not Open
Some historic plat books require the proper A/B designation. For example, Book 1A and Book 1B cover different page ranges.
Check the Self Service Web disclaimer and historical index instructions rather than repeatedly entering the same incomplete reference.
The Document Is Too Old
Historical records and specialty books may not appear in the ordinary online images. Use the historical index option or contact the Register of Deeds for access to its certified or archived records.
The Recorded Document Has a Typo
Durham County can address certain indexing mistakes, but the Register cannot rewrite the contents of a recorded deed. Ask a qualified North Carolina professional whether a corrective instrument is necessary.
Durham County Fraud Guard: Receive Recording Notifications
Durham County links to a Fraud Guard / Recording Notification service that lets users register for email alerts when documents matching their registered names are recorded.
Open the County’s Real Estate Records Page
Visit Durham County Real Estate Records.
Select the Recording Notification Service option.
Review Registration Requirements
Follow the official service’s account or registration process. Use the names under which your property interests are recorded.
Respond to Unexpected Alerts
If an unfamiliar filing appears, verify the reference through the Register’s official public index. Contact the recording office or qualified legal assistance as appropriate.
Durham County Recorded Deeds, Property Search and Filing Resources
1. Register of Deeds — Online Public Records Search
Official entry point for Durham County recorded-document searches.
- Click Start Your Search.
- Accept the Self Service Web disclaimer.
- Select Real Estate Records Online Search and Copies.
- Search grantor, grantee, book/page or document number.
- Save the reference before requesting a certified record.
2. Durham County Real Property Search
Use when you have the street address or tax parcel but not a deed reference.
- Search using the available address, owner or parcel fields.
- Open the matching tax property record.
- Review the deed book/page reference.
- Return to the Register of Deeds search.
3. Register of Deeds Fee Schedule
Recording and copy fees, including different rates for deeds and deeds of trust.
- Identify your document type.
- Count the document pages.
- Review any applicable special charges.
- Confirm the total before submission.
4. Document Recording Standards
Formatting rules based on North Carolina General Statute §161-14.
- Confirm paper size and blank margins.
- Check font size, document type and legibility.
- Review additional requirements for maps and plats.
- Check whether a nonstandard-document fee could apply.
5. Electronic Recording Vendors
Official e-recording service options for eligible submissions.
- Review participating vendors.
- Contact a vendor about an account and charges.
- Submit eligible documents through the selected service.
- Retain recording acceptance information.
6. Land Record/GIS Help
County explanation of owner records, deed references and parcel acreage.
- Review questions about owner information.
- Find the county’s deed and plat reference guidance.
- Understand deeded versus mapped acreage.
- Return to the recording index for the legal instrument.
Your Next Step Depends on What You Found
You Found the Correct Deed
Save its book/page, recording date and party names. Order a certified copy when required for an official transaction.
You Found a Deed Error
Determine whether the problem is merely an index entry or appears in the recorded instrument itself. An indexing issue and a defective deed require different correction procedures.
You Found a Deed of Trust
Search for satisfactions, releases or related filings. A recorded deed of trust does not by itself reveal the current loan balance or establish whether an obligation remains unpaid.
The Search Still Fails
Check the property tax database for book/page references, review historical indexes or call the Register of Deeds at (919) 560-0480.
Durham County Recorder of Deeds FAQs
What is the Recorder of Deeds office called in Durham County?
The official North Carolina office is the Durham County Register of Deeds. It records deeds, deeds of trust, plats and other land-related instruments and maintains the county’s public recording indexes.
Can I search Durham County deeds online?
Yes. Use the county’s Online Public Records Search page and open Self Service Web. Choose Real Estate Records Online Search and Copies to search by available names, document number, book/page and other indexed information.
How can I find a Durham County deed by street address?
Start with the Durham County Tax Administration Real Property Search. Locate the parcel and its deed book/page reference, then search that reference through the Register of Deeds system.
Why can’t I find a historic plat book in the online search?
Some historic plat books are in separate A/B volumes. For example, Plat Book 1A covers pages 1–130, while 1B covers pages 131–261. Historic or specialty records may also require different search procedures or office access.
What is the Durham County deed recording fee?
Durham County lists $26 for the first 15 pages of an ordinary deed or general instrument and $4 for each additional page. Special recording and transaction fees may also apply.
How much does a certified Durham County deed copy cost?
The county lists $5 for the first certified page and $2 per additional page, unless another statute provides a different fee. Confirm the method of ordering and any associated charges with the Register.
Where is the Durham County Register of Deeds office?
The office is at 201 East Main Street, 2nd Floor, Durham County Administration Building II, Durham, NC 27701. The telephone number is (919) 560-0480.
What time does document recording stop?
Durham County lists real-estate document recording hours as 8:30 AM to 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. General office hours continue until 5 PM.
Can Durham County accept electronic deed recordings?
Yes. Durham County accepts eligible electronically submitted instruments through participating e-recording vendors. The county says submissions received by 4:45 PM are processed and returned the same business day under its published procedure.
Can the Register of Deeds correct an error on my deed?
The Register can address certain indexing errors through its administrative process but cannot independently change incorrect names, parcel numbers or descriptions in the recorded instrument. A legal correction may require a properly prepared corrective document.