Durham County
HomeAbout Public Records
All official records are public records and may be viewed or copied for anyone. North Carolina Statute governs the prices charged for recording documents. The public can find documents at the Durham County Register of Deeds office in the vault area.
Once a document's book and page are assigned, the public can view the actual document and/or make paper copies. If you need help filing or obtaining a copy of a recorded document, clerks are available to assist you.
Why Record Documents?
Documents are recorded in the county's official records to publicly declare their existence and enactment. Anyone can research these records to identify property ownership and liens placed against property.
What Documents Are Recorded?
The following list indicates the types of documents that are recorded in the official Register of Deeds
records:
There are several steps which occur before any document is recorded.
When a document is recorded in the Official Records of Durham County Register of Deeds, it can be retrieved by anyone. This can be done by visiting our office at 201 East Main Street, in downtown Durham, or by writing or calling us with a request. A minimum processing fee will be charged.
Once a document's book and page are assigned, the public can view the actual document and/or make paper copies. If you need help filing or obtaining a copy of a recorded document, clerks are available to assist you.
Why Record Documents?
Documents are recorded in the county's official records to publicly declare their existence and enactment. Anyone can research these records to identify property ownership and liens placed against property.
What Documents Are Recorded?
The following list indicates the types of documents that are recorded in the official Register of Deeds
records:
- Deeds
- Deeds of Trust
- Mortgages (including Assignments, Modifications, and Satisfactions of Mortgages)
- Uniform Commercial Codes (UCCs)
- Military Discharge Documents
- Marriage Licenses
- Assumed Names (Companies and Corporations)
- You may come to our office at 201 East Main Street, Administration Bldg. 2 in downtown Durham between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:45 PM, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Parking is available in the city parking deck adjacent to our building. There is also very limited metered and unmetered parking on Main and surrounding streets.
- You may also send documents to our office by mail to be recorded if proper fees are included. Please call our office for more details or assistance.
There are several steps which occur before any document is recorded.
- Your document is reviewed to make sure that it meets the state-mandated and local recordation rules.
- The appropriate fees and taxes are collected.
- Identifying numbers are assigned to the document.
- The names contained in the document are added to the index.
- Your document is archived and verified.
- The original document is then sent back to you or your agent.
When a document is recorded in the Official Records of Durham County Register of Deeds, it can be retrieved by anyone. This can be done by visiting our office at 201 East Main Street, in downtown Durham, or by writing or calling us with a request. A minimum processing fee will be charged.