Cary Land and Deed Records
Cary deed records are maintained by the Wake County Register of Deeds. Cary is one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina and sits within Wake County. The Wake County Justice Center at 300 S. Salisbury St., Suite 1700, in Raleigh houses the register of deeds office. Every Cary property deed, lien, and trust document is filed there. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cary residents can search deed records online or visit the Raleigh office in person to request copies of recorded documents.
Cary Deed Records Quick Facts
Cary Deed Records at Wake County
The Wake County Register of Deeds is the sole authority for Cary deed records. State law assigns all deed recording duties to county offices. The town of Cary does not keep deed records, issue copies of deeds, or manage any part of the land records system. Everything goes through Wake County.
North Carolina operates as a "race to record" state. The Conner Act, found at G.S. 47-18, says no conveyance of land is valid against a buyer who paid value until the deed is registered in the county where the property sits. For Cary homes and land, that means Wake County. Priority goes to whoever records first. This rule makes prompt recording critical for every Cary property transaction.
The Wake County Register of Deeds records many types of documents. These include deeds, deeds of trust, subdivision plats, survey maps, highway maps, nuptial agreements, and restrictive covenants. The office also issues marriage licenses and provides birth and death certificates. Its mission is to record, preserve, and provide access to records in an efficient way.
Searching Cary Property Records Online
Wake County provides strong online tools for searching Cary deed records. The Wake County iMAPS system lets you look up properties by owner name, address, place of interest, or street intersection. The system was developed jointly by Wake County GIS and Raleigh GIS. It provides maps, parcel data, and links to property information.
The Wake County property records portal shown below provides access to deed information for all Cary properties.
iMAPS data can be downloaded in spreadsheet or GIS format for further analysis.
Wake County began accepting eRecording on September 1, 2021. Electronic plat and subdivision maps, as well as condominium maps, can now be recorded digitally. The office also launched new land records software on April 21, 2026, which improved search speed and data accuracy for Cary deed lookups.
Cary Deed Recording Costs
Fees for recording Cary deed records are set by state law and are the same across North Carolina. The NCARD recording fees page lists all current rates. Standard deeds cost $26 for the first 15 pages. Each page after that adds $4. Deeds of trust and mortgages start at $64 for the first 35 pages with the same $4 per added page.
Other costs include $21 per sheet for plats and a $25 surcharge for nonstandard documents. If you file multiple instruments as a single document, each one carries a $10 charge. Satisfaction instruments have no fee. These rates come from G.S. 161-10.
Cary Property Tax and Deed Links
The Wake County Tax Administration office works closely with the register of deeds. Real estate in Wake County is permanently listed, and the tax lien attaches to each parcel on January 1 of each year. Appraisers visit Cary properties to verify characteristics. Annual tax bills are normally mailed in July.
Under G.S. 161-31, county commissioners may require the register of deeds to check for delinquent taxes before accepting a deed. If the county has adopted this rule, the tax collector must certify that no past-due taxes are a lien on the property. A closing attorney can bypass this step by including a specific statement in the deed.
The Wake County Tax Administration office is at 301 S. McDowell St., Suite 3800, Raleigh, NC 27601. The property tax phone number is 919-856-5400. Their hours match the register of deeds office: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cary Deed Document Standards
All Cary deed records must comply with the format standards in G.S. 161-14. Paper size must be 8.5 by 11 inches or 8.5 by 14 inches. A three-inch blank margin is required at the top of the first page. All remaining margins need at least half an inch of space. Documents must be typed or printed in black on white paper using a font of at least 9 points.
Text goes on one side of each page only. The document type must appear at the top of page one. For deeds made after January 1, 1980, the drafter's name must show on the first page. Documents that do not meet these rules get hit with a $25 nonstandard fee on top of the normal recording charge.
This NCARD image shows the recording standards that apply to all Cary deed filings.
The NCARD website offers full details on recording standards and eRecording options across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Cary Transfer Tax Details
An excise tax is due on each Cary deed that transfers property for value. G.S. 105-228.30 sets the rate at $1 per $500 of the purchase price or any part of that amount. The seller must pay this to the Wake County Register of Deeds before the deed is filed. A Cary home that sells for $400,000 would owe $800 in excise tax.
The excise tax also covers timber deeds and contracts for standing timber. It applies to every instrument that conveys a real property interest in Cary. If a parcel spans two counties, the tax goes to the register of deeds in the county where the greater part of the property value lies.
Consumer Alert for Cary Buyers
Wake County warns Cary residents to avoid paying unnecessary fees for official property documents. Some third-party services charge high prices for copies of deeds that the county provides at standard rates. Always go directly to the Wake County Register of Deeds for certified copies. The NCARD directory can help you find the right contact for any county in the state.
Wake County Deed Records
All Cary deed records are handled by the Wake County Register of Deeds at the Wake County Justice Center in Raleigh. The county office records, indexes, and stores every property document for the town of Cary. Visit the county page below for full details on the Wake County register of deeds office, online search tools, and recording services.