Hyde County Deed Records

Hyde County deed records span nearly three centuries of land ownership in eastern North Carolina. Formed in December 1705 from Bath County, Hyde County is one of the oldest counties in the state. Land records on file go back to 1736. The Register of Deeds office in Swan Quarter maintains every deed, deed of trust, plat, and lien recorded in the county. Marriage records date to 1850 and birth records start in 1913. Hyde County deed records are searchable online and in person. This page covers everything you need to know about accessing these records.

Hyde County Register of Deeds

E. "Merita" Lewis-Spencer serves as Hyde County Register of Deeds. The office is at 30 Oyster Creek Rd., Room 112, Swan Quarter, NC 27885. Call 252-926-4182 for help. The fax number is 252-926-3710. The Hyde County government portal has more details about county offices and services.

Hyde County was incorporated in December 1705. It is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina. Land records date to 1736. Marriage records go back to 1850. Birth records begin in 1913. All of these records are kept by the Registrar of Deeds.

Search Hyde County Deed Records Online

Hyde County provides an online search tool for deed records. You must accept a disclaimer before searching. The system notes that records are for informational use and convenience only. Official records are kept at the Hyde County Register of Deeds office.

Per GS 132-1.8(g), social security numbers and personal identification information are prohibited in recorded documents. This rule protects the privacy of people named in Hyde County deed records.

The image below shows the Hyde County property records system.

Begin your search at the Hyde County online records portal.

This tool gives you a quick way to look up land records without visiting Swan Quarter.

Hyde County Recording Fee Schedule

Hyde County publishes a detailed fee schedule on its website. The fees match the statewide rates set by G.S. 161-10. Here are the key rates for Hyde County deed records:

• Deeds and general instruments: $26 for the first 15 pages, $4 each extra page
• Deeds of trust and mortgages: $64 for the first 35 pages, $4 each extra page
• Plats: $21 per sheet
• Nonstandard document: $25 surcharge
• Uncertified copies: $0.10 per page
• Certified vital records: $10 each

Marriage licenses in Hyde County cost $60, which includes a $35 state fee. A notary oath costs $10. The state excise tax on real estate conveyances is $2 per $1,000, or $1 per $500 as stated in G.S. 105-228.30.

How to Record in Hyde County

Recording a deed in Hyde County follows the same state rules as every other county. The grantor must sign the deed. A notary or authorized officer must acknowledge the signature per G.S. 47-14. The document must comply with format rules in G.S. 161-14.

Paper must be 8.5 by 11 or 8.5 by 14 inches. The first page needs a 3-inch top margin. Other margins require half an inch. Use black ink on white paper with a font no smaller than 9 points. Print on one side. State the instrument type at the top.

Take your deed to the Hyde County Register of Deeds at 30 Oyster Creek Rd. in Swan Quarter. Pay all fees and the excise tax. The register stamps the date and time. Under G.S. 47-18, the first to record has priority in North Carolina. File your deed without delay.

Hyde County Land Records Research

Hyde County deed records are a treasure for researchers. With land records stretching back to 1736, the county holds some of the oldest property documents in North Carolina. Genealogy researchers can trace family land ownership across nearly 300 years.

Marriage records from 1850 add another layer of family history. Combined with deed records, these documents paint a detailed picture of life in eastern North Carolina over the centuries. The office in Swan Quarter welcomes researchers during business hours.

Hyde County is one of the least dense counties in the state, and much of its land sits near the coast or along the sounds. The low volume of new filings means the staff can spend more time with walk-in visitors. If you need help reading an old deed or want to trace a chain of title back to the 1700s, the office has the books and the knowledge to guide you. Hyde County deed records from the colonial era are rare finds. Very few North Carolina counties can match the depth of this archive. Certified copies from the Hyde County office cost $10 each for vital records, while uncertified deed copies are just 10 cents per page. These low costs make it cheap to build a full set of copies for a title or genealogy file.

The NCARD directory lists Hyde County and every other county office. If your research spans multiple counties, the directory helps you find each office. The Secretary of State sets uniform standards for land records across the state.

State Laws for Hyde County Records

North Carolina statutes control how Hyde County deed records are maintained and accessed. The Conner Act makes North Carolina a race to record state. Whoever records first has priority. This has been the rule since the statute was enacted.

Under G.S. 161-22, the register must keep full alphabetical indexes of all parties in recorded documents. The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds supports all 100 county offices. NCARD provides resources on recording standards, fees, and electronic recording options.

The image below shows the NCARD recording fees schedule.

These fees apply in Hyde County and every other North Carolina county.

Nearby Counties

Hyde County sits along the coast of eastern North Carolina. These neighboring counties also keep deed records at their Register of Deeds offices.