Buncombe County Land Deed Records

Buncombe County deed records provide a full history of land ownership across the Asheville area and surrounding communities. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds keeps these records at the county courthouse. Property buyers, title agents, and researchers use these records to track how land has changed hands over the years. You can search Buncombe County deed records online or visit the office in person. The records go back to the 1700s. They cover deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, and many other real estate filings. This guide walks through how to find and use Buncombe County deed records.

Buncombe County Register of Deeds Office

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds is at 205 College Street in Asheville, NC. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can call the office at 828-250-4302. The fax number is 828-250-4333. Staff can help you find deed records and other property filings in person.

The office sits in Room 226 of the Buncombe County Courthouse at 35 Woodfin Street in Asheville, NC 28801. Walk-in visitors can search records on public terminals. Staff members will guide you through the process. You can also send an email to register@buncombecounty.org with questions about Buncombe County deed records or copy requests.

Note: The office does not accept walk-in requests after 4:30 PM on most days.

Search Buncombe County Deed Records Online

Buncombe County offers a free online records search that lets you look up deeds from your home or office. The system holds records from the 1700s to the present. You can search, view, download, and print records at no cost. The search tool lets you look up records by name, property type, book and page, file number, or date range.

The Buncombe County online search is a good first step for title research. You can pull up a deed in minutes. Each record shows the grantor, grantee, recording date, and book and page number. Images of the full documents are available for most records. If you need a certified copy, you must request one through the office.

The screenshot below shows the Buncombe County online records search page.

You can explore the Buncombe County online records portal to begin your search.

This portal is one of the most complete in western North Carolina.

Types of Buncombe County Property Records

The Register of Deeds records many types of documents. Real estate conveyances are the most common. Deeds of trust and mortgages also go through this office. Separation agreements, road maintenance agreements, and plats are filed here too. Each document is indexed so you can find it by name, date, or book and page.

Buncombe County deed records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and special warranty deeds. A warranty deed gives the buyer the strongest protection. It says the seller owns the land free and clear. A quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the seller has. It does not promise clear title. Under G.S. 47-18, North Carolina is a race to record state. The first person to record a deed has priority. This makes it vital to file your deed fast after closing.

The image below shows Buncombe County property record details.

Visit the NCARD directory for Buncombe County Register of Deeds contact details.

These records are useful for buyers, sellers, and anyone researching land ownership.

Recording Fees in Buncombe County

Recording fees in Buncombe County follow state law. Under G.S. 161-10, the fee for most instruments is $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each page after that. Deeds of trust and mortgages cost $64 for the first 35 pages plus $4 per extra page. A nonstandard document fee of $25 may apply if your paperwork does not meet formatting rules.

Certified copies of Buncombe County deed records cost $5 for the first page and $2 for each page after. Non-certified copies are $0.25 per page. Certified plats cost $5 and uncertified plats are $1.50. The NCARD fee schedule lists all current fees.

Under G.S. 105-228.30, the excise tax on real property transfers is $1 for every $500 of the sale price. The transferor must pay this tax before the Register of Deeds will record the instrument. Satisfaction instruments carry no fee.

Note: Plat fees and map fees may differ from standard document fees.

Buncombe County Deed Document Standards

All documents filed in Buncombe County must meet state formatting rules. Under G.S. 161-14, papers must be 8.5 by 11 inches or 8.5 by 14 inches. The top of the first page needs a 3-inch blank margin. Other margins must be at least half an inch. Text must be in black ink on white paper in a font no smaller than 9 points.

Documents must be typed or printed on one side only. The type of instrument must appear at the top of the first page. Under G.S. 47-17.1, deeds executed after January 1, 1980, must show the drafter's name on the first page. These rules help keep Buncombe County deed records clear and easy to read for years to come.

The image below shows the Buncombe County Register of Deeds official page.

The Buncombe County Register of Deeds website has more details on document requirements.

Staff can answer questions about formatting before you submit your documents.

How to Record a Deed in Buncombe County

Recording a deed in Buncombe County starts with proper preparation. The deed must be signed by the grantor. It must be notarized or acknowledged before an officer with authority to take acknowledgments, as required by G.S. 47-14. The document must meet all formatting standards.

Bring the deed to the Buncombe County Register of Deeds at 205 College Street in Asheville. Pay the recording fee and any excise tax due. The staff will stamp the document with the date and time it was presented. Under state law, the register must immediately record all instruments that meet the requirements. Your recorded deed will be indexed by the names of the grantor and grantee.

Electronic recording is also available. Many closing attorneys use eRecording to file deeds in Buncombe County. The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds keeps a list of counties that accept electronic filings.

Buncombe County Land Records Research

Researchers often use Buncombe County deed records to trace property history. The records go back to the 1700s. This makes them a rich source for genealogy and historical research. You can find old land grants, family property transfers, and boundary changes in these files.

The electronic index lets you search by grantor, grantee, book type, date range, and more. You can look up consolidated real property records, deeds of trust, financing statements, marriages, and plats through the Buncombe County online search system.

The NCARD directory has contact details for all 100 North Carolina county Registers of Deeds. Use it to find offices near Buncombe County if your research spans multiple counties.

Note: Certified copies are needed for legal proceedings and cannot be obtained online.

State Laws Governing Buncombe County Records

Several state statutes shape how Buncombe County deed records work. The Conner Act makes North Carolina a race to record state. Priority goes to whoever records first. This rule protects buyers who file their deeds quickly.

Under G.S. 161-22, the Register of Deeds must keep full alphabetical indexes of all recorded instruments. These indexes list the names of all parties, cross-referenced for easy lookup. The Secretary of State oversees the land records management program. This program sets standards for indexing and recording across all 100 counties.

The state image below shows the NCARD recording fees schedule that applies to Buncombe County and all other North Carolina counties.

These fees are set by statute and are the same in every county.

Nearby Counties

If your property search extends beyond Buncombe County, these neighboring counties also maintain deed records through their own Register of Deeds offices.