Document Recording Standards
Standards
Documents recorded must meet the following North Carolina General Statute 161-14 (b) requirements:
- Be 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14
- Have a 3 inch blank margin at the top of the first page and ½ inch blank margin on remaining sides of the first page and on all sides of subsequent pages
- Be typed on white paper
- Have a font size no smaller than 9 points. Blanks in an instrument may be completed in pen and corrections to an instrument may be made in pen.
- Have text typed or printed on one side of the page only
- State the type of instrument at the top of the first page
If an instrument does not meet these requirements, the Register of Deeds shall register the instrument after collecting the $25.00 fee for nonstandard documents as required by G.S. 161-10(a)(18a) in addition to all other applicable recording fees. However, if an instrument fails to meet the requirements because it contains print in a font size smaller than 9 points, the Register of Deeds may register the instrument without collecting the fee for nonstandard documents if, in the discretion of the Registrar, the instrument is legible.
