Recording a deed in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Everything you need to get a deed on file in Mecklenburg County. The office that records it, the formatting it checks, what it costs, and the three ways to submit. Deedly is not preparing North Carolina deeds at this time.
- Recording office
- Register of Deeds
- Witnesses
- Notary only
- Transfer tax
- $1 for each $500
- First-page margin
- 3″ top
- Recording fee
- $26 up to 15 pages
- E-recording
- Approved submitters
Recording a deed in Mecklenburg County
Deeds affecting property in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina are recorded with the Register of Deeds. Recording is what puts the world on notice of your ownership and fixes the priority date. An unrecorded deed can still transfer title between the parties, but it leaves you exposed to anyone who records first.
The recording rules the office applies come from N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47-18. Deeds themselves are governed by N.C. Gen. Stat. § 47-17.
What to bring
- The original signed and notarized deed. Recorders do not record photocopies handed over the counter.
- A completed notarial acknowledgment, with the date, the place where you signed, and the commission expiry all filled in.
- Any transfer tax payment or exemption statement the office asks for.
- Payment for the recording fee, $26 for up to 15 pages and $4 for each page after that. Many offices do not take personal checks.
Formatting
- North Carolina requires a blank 3-inch margin at the top of the first page, half-inch margins elsewhere, black type on white 8.5 × 11 or 8.5 × 14 paper printed one-sided, and the instrument type at the top of the first page; 9-point or larger type is deemed legible (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 161-14(b)). A document that misses these rules is still recorded, for an extra $25 fee (§ 161-10(a)(18a)).
- A legal description. A street address alone is not enough.
- A 'when recorded, return to' block so the stamped original comes back to you.
How to file
- In personTake the original to the Register of Deeds in Charlotte. This is the fastest route. You usually walk out with the recording information the same day.
- By mailSend the original with a check or money order for the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Allow one to three weeks for the stamped original to come back.
- E-recordingTitle companies, attorneys, and other approved submitters file electronically through services such as Simplifile, CSC, or ePN. Some offices accept filings from the public through those services; check the office's website. If you prepared the deed yourself, in person or by mail is usually simpler.
Confirm the address before you post anything
Offices move and hours change. Search for "Mecklenburg County North Carolina Register of Deeds" and use the official county website, not a directory listing, which is often years out of date.
Deedly is not preparing North Carolina deeds at this time
North Carolina law limits who may charge to prepare a deed for someone else. You can prepare your own deed, or a North Carolina attorney can prepare it for you.
Common questions
With the Register of Deeds, located in Charlotte. Deeds are always recorded in the county where the property sits, not where the owner lives.
$26 for up to 15 pages and $4 for each page after that. North Carolina also charges excise tax on conveyances at $1 for each $500 (or part of $500) of the consideration or value ($2 per $1,000), paid by the grantor, though whether a gift or family transfer is exempt depends on this state's exemptions. Confirm current fees with the office before you mail anything; they change.
Usually only through an approved e-recording submitter, such as a title company or attorney, using a service like Simplifile, CSC, or ePN. Some offices accept filings from the public through those services; check the office's website. Otherwise, record in person or by mail.
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Deedly is not a law firm
Its software and documents are not a substitute for the advice of an attorney. We provide self-help software and state-specific deed forms; you make your own decisions about your property. Using Deedly does not create an attorney-client relationship, and nothing here is legal advice. If your situation is complex or contested, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.