Perquimans County Historical Deed Records

Perquimans County holds some of the oldest deed records in North Carolina. Land records here date back to 1681, making them among the earliest in the state. The Register of Deeds office in Hertford serves as the official keeper of these documents. Jacqueline S. Frierson leads the office as Register of Deeds. The office handles land transaction documents, marriage licenses, notary oaths, military discharges, cemetery records, plats, and genealogy data. Whether you need a recent deed or a record from the colonial era, Perquimans County deed records are open to all.

Perquimans County Register of Deeds Office

The Perquimans County Register of Deeds is at 128 N. Church Street, Hertford, NC 27944. The mailing address is P.O. Box 74. Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. You can call 252-426-5660 or fax 252-426-7443.

Register of Deeds Jacqueline S. Frierson leads the office. Assistant Register of Deeds Donna H. Phelps and Deputy Register of Deeds Kristen S. Myers provide support. The staff serves both the professional community and the general public. They handle land transaction documents, issue marriage licenses, administer notary oaths, and retain military discharges. The office is committed to proper enforcement of all NC General Statutes that govern its duties.

The Perquimans County Register of Deeds website has full contact details and service descriptions.

Below is the Perquimans County Register of Deeds page with office information and online search tools.

This page also provides links to the online records search portal and vital records request forms.

Searching Perquimans County Land Records

Online access to Perquimans County deed records is available through the county search portal. You can look up documents by grantor or grantee name, book and page number, or document type. The system covers records from recent filings back through the historical index. No account is needed for basic searches.

For older records, Perquimans County has an extraordinary resource. Historical deed books from 1681 to 1919 are available at FamilySearch. A General Index covering 1681 to 1940 is also online there. These records are invaluable for genealogy research and tracing colonial-era land ownership in one of North Carolina's oldest counties.

Online records are unofficial copies. You will need a certified copy for court proceedings or legal matters. Contact the office for certified copy fees and procedures.

Perquimans County Vital Records

Beyond deed records, the Perquimans County Register of Deeds maintains vital records. These include marriage records, birth records, death records, and delayed birth records.

Uncertified copies of vital records cost $0.25 each. Certified copies cost $10.00 each. Certified copies can only be issued to certain people. The list includes the applicant, a spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, or a step-parent or step-child. People seeking information for the legal determination of personal or property rights may also request certified copies, but proof of that need is required.

The Perquimans County vital records page has full details on who can request certified copies and what forms are needed.

Recording Documents in Perquimans County

All deeds filed in Perquimans County must meet North Carolina format standards. G.S. 161-14 sets the rules. Paper must be 8.5 by 11 or 8.5 by 14 inches. A three-inch top margin is required on the first page. Other margins need at least half an inch. Text must be black ink on white paper. The minimum font size is 9 points. Print on one side only.

Fees follow the statewide schedule. A deed costs $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each page beyond that. Deeds of trust cost $64 for the first 35 pages. Documents that fail to meet format rules incur a $25 nonstandard fee. Plats cost $21 per sheet. The NCARD recording fees page has the complete fee list.

Under G.S. Chapter 47, each deed must be signed and acknowledged before an officer with proper authority. The drafter's name must appear on the first page for deeds executed after January 1, 1980.

Perquimans County and the Conner Act

North Carolina is a race to record state. The Conner Act, G.S. 47-18, controls deed priority. The first party to record a deed at the county Register of Deeds holds the legal claim. This is true in Perquimans County and across all 100 counties.

Priority is based on when the document reaches the office. The Register of Deeds stamps each instrument with the day and hour of filing. For documents filed at the same time, the one with the lower document number takes priority. This clear rule protects buyers and lenders in Perquimans County.

Excise Tax on Perquimans County Deeds

An excise tax applies to all deeds that transfer real property in Perquimans County. G.S. 105-228.30 sets the rate at $1 for every $500 of the sale price or any part of that amount. The seller must pay this tax before the deed can be recorded. Timber deeds and contracts for standing timber also fall under this tax.

Perquimans County Historical Deed Records

Perquimans County is one of the original precincts of the Albemarle region. Its deed records reach back to 1681. That makes them older than most counties in North Carolina. These early documents cover land grants, sales, and transfers from the colonial period forward.

Researchers can find deeds from 1681 to 1919 and the General Index from 1681 to 1940 through FamilySearch. These scanned images preserve handwritten instruments that might otherwise be hard to read in person. Old deeds may use place names, boundaries, or legal terms that differ from modern usage. The office staff can help you locate and interpret older records.

The NCARD directory lists contact details for all 100 county Registers of Deeds in North Carolina, which can be helpful if your search leads to records in a neighboring county.

Nearby Counties

Deed records from these neighboring counties may be relevant if your property search crosses county lines.