Craven County Historic Deed Records

Craven County deed records go back to 1739, nearly three centuries of land history in eastern North Carolina. The Register of Deeds office at 226 Pollock Street in New Bern stores all land records for the county. Craven County has eight municipalities and a rich colonial past tied to the founding of New Bern. You can search records online through the Public Records Search system or visit the office in person. The phone number is 252-636-6617. Cash and credit or debit cards are accepted, but personal checks are not.

Craven County Register of Deeds

The Craven County Register of Deeds is at 226 Pollock Street, New Bern, NC. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call 252-636-6617 or fax 252-636-1937. The email is regdeeds@cravencountync.gov.

This office records deeds, deeds of trust, plats, liens, and other land instruments. Standard indexing uses book type, party name, and recording date. All records are part of the public record. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 each. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $2 per page after that. The office accepts cash and credit or debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.

The Craven County Register of Deeds website is shown below.

Visit this page for office details, online search links, and recording guidance for Craven County.

Searching Craven County Land Records Online

The Craven County Public Records Search covers records from 1739 to the present. You can search by name, book and page, document type, or recording date. The system is free and open to all. Document images are available for viewing when they are on file.

Results are unofficial. They do not replace certified copies. For court filings or title closings, get a certified copy from the office in New Bern. The online system runs around the clock with rare downtime for updates.

The Craven County Public Records Search portal is shown below.

This portal gives you direct access to nearly three centuries of Craven County land records.

Craven County Deed Recording Rules

Every deed filed in Craven County must meet state format standards. Under G.S. 161-14, paper size must be 8.5 by 11 or 8.5 by 14 inches. The first page needs a three-inch top margin. Other margins must be half an inch or more. Text must be printed in black ink on white paper at 9 points or larger. Single-sided pages only.

Deeds must be signed and notarized before filing. Under G.S. Chapter 47, the register checks for proof of acknowledgment. The drafter's name must appear on the first page per G.S. 47-17.1. These rules apply to all deeds filed in Craven County after January 1, 1980.

Craven County Recording Fees

Craven County follows the statewide fee schedule set by G.S. Chapter 161. Here are the main fees:

• Standard deeds cost $26 for the first 15 pages, plus $4 per extra page
• Deeds of trust and mortgages cost $64 for the first 35 pages
• Plats cost $21 per sheet
• Nonstandard documents add $25 to the base fee
• Satisfaction instruments are free to file

The NCARD recording fees page has the full list. Excise tax on property transfers is $1 per $500 under G.S. 105-228.30. The seller pays this tax before the deed is recorded in Craven County.

Craven County Deed Priority

North Carolina is a race to record state. The Conner Act, G.S. 47-18, says no conveyance is valid against later purchasers until it is recorded. The first deed filed at the Craven County Register of Deeds holds priority. Each document is stamped with the day and hour of arrival.

If two deeds are recorded at the same time, the one with the earlier document number takes first place. This rule protects buyers and lenders in Craven County. It also makes it important to record your deed as soon as the closing is done.

Historical Records in Craven County

Craven County records date to 1739. New Bern served as the colonial capital of North Carolina, and the county's early deed books reflect that history. Old land grants, colonial surveys, and handwritten instruments fill the earliest volumes. These records are a rich resource for genealogy, title research, and local history.

Early deeds may use old place names and boundary markers that are no longer on modern maps. Staff at the Register of Deeds can help you read and locate older documents. The NCARD directory lists contact details for Craven County and all other counties in the state.

Craven County property values reflect its coastal location. The median home value is $155,900, with a property tax rate of 0.7%. Median rent is $926, and median household income is $54,271.

Craven County Electronic Recording

North Carolina's Uniform Real Property Electronic Recording Act, G.S. 47-16.1 through 47-16.7, allows electronic documents and signatures for recording. The NCARD website tracks which counties accept eRecording. Electronic filings must meet the same format and content rules as paper documents filed in Craven County.

The Electronic Recording Council, part of the NC Secretary of State's office, sets the standards. Attorneys and title companies can submit documents without traveling to the courthouse in New Bern. The same recording fees and excise tax rates apply no matter the method of filing. Each instrument gets a time stamp to set priority under the Conner Act.

Craven County Deed Record Copies

You can get copies of Craven County deed records in person, by mail, or from the online search system. Uncertified copies cost $0.25 each at the office. Certified copies are $5 for the first page and $2 per extra page. Online copies are free but not certified. The office accepts cash and credit or debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted.

For court filings or title closings, certified copies are needed. The Craven County Register of Deeds stamps each certified copy with the official seal. Contact the office at 252-636-6617 for details on mailing requests or payment.

Nearby Counties

Land that borders Craven County may have deed records in these neighboring offices.