Richmond County Deed Records Lookup

Richmond County deed records are kept by the Register of Deeds office in Rockingham, North Carolina. Kimberly M. Roberts serves as the Register of Deeds. The office is at 114 E. Franklin Street, Room 101, Rockingham, NC 28379. All information in the office is public record. You can search deed records online or visit during office hours. Richmond County records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other real estate instruments. The office also supports eRecording for electronic document submission, making it easier for attorneys and title companies to file documents remotely.

Richmond County Register of Deeds Office

The Richmond County Register of Deeds is at 114 E. Franklin Street, Room 101, Rockingham, NC 28379. Kimberly M. Roberts is the Register of Deeds. You can reach the office at 910-997-8250 or email kimberly.roberts@richmondnc.com.

Office hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Recording hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. E-Recording hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Marriage licenses are issued from 8:00 AM to 4:15 PM. These different cutoff times matter if you plan to file or pick up documents late in the day.

All records in the office are public. Anyone can view deed records, search indexes, or request copies. The filing fee is $26.00 for up to 15 pages, with additional pages costing $4.00 each.

The Richmond County Register of Deeds website has full details on services, fees, and office procedures.

Below is the Richmond County Register of Deeds page with office hours and contact information.

Check this page before your visit to confirm current hours.

Searching Richmond County Records Online

Richmond County provides free online access to deed records through a web-based search system. The Richmond County online records search lets you look up documents by name, book and page, document type, or recording date. Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge is recommended. A screen resolution of 1024 by 768 or higher works best.

The online system is for informational use and convenience only. The Richmond County Register of Deeds makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of online records. Official records are kept at the office. For legal matters, always get a certified copy from the Register of Deeds.

This search tool covers a range of document types. It is a good starting point for title research, genealogy, or general property inquiries in Richmond County.

Recording Deeds in Richmond County

Documents filed in Richmond County must meet North Carolina format standards. Under G.S. 161-14, paper must be 8.5 by 11 inches or 8.5 by 14 inches. The first page must have a three-inch top margin. Other margins need at least half an inch. Text must be black ink on white paper, in a font of 9 points or larger. Print on one side only.

Richmond County charges $26 for the first 15 pages of a standard deed. Each extra page costs $4. Deeds of trust and mortgages cost $64 for the first 35 pages. A nonstandard document adds $25. Satisfaction instruments are filed for free. These fees come from the schedule in G.S. Chapter 161.

Richmond County also supports eRecording. Electronic submissions must meet the same standards as paper documents. The NCARD recording fees page has the complete statewide fee schedule.

Richmond County and the Conner Act

The Conner Act, G.S. 47-18, makes North Carolina a race to record state. In Richmond County, the first person to record a deed at the Register of Deeds is the legal owner. This rule applies to deeds, contracts to convey, options to purchase, and leases of more than three years.

Priority is set by the time of filing. The Register of Deeds stamps each instrument with the date and hour it was received. Documents filed at the same time are ranked by document number. This system gives buyers and lenders a clear way to establish their rights in Richmond County.

Excise Tax on Richmond County Deeds

An excise tax applies to all deeds that transfer real property in Richmond County. Under G.S. 105-228.30, the tax rate is $1 for each $500 of the sale price or any fraction of that amount. The seller pays this tax before the deed is recorded. The tax also covers timber deeds.

If a property sits in two or more counties, the tax is paid to the county holding the greater share of value. Excise tax stamps are noted on the recorded deed and become part of the public record.

Richmond County Land Record Standards

Under G.S. Chapter 47, each deed in Richmond County must be signed and acknowledged before a qualified officer. The drafter's name must appear on the first page for deeds executed after January 1, 1980. The type of instrument goes at the top of page one.

The NC Secretary of State oversees the land records management program under G.S. 147-54.3. This program works with NCARD to set minimum indexing standards for all counties. Richmond County follows these standards to ensure its deed records are indexed in a uniform way.

Electronic recording standards are also set at the state level. The Electronic Recording Council, housed within the Secretary of State's office, adopts standards that apply to all counties offering eRecording. Richmond County participates in this system.

Richmond County Historical Records

Richmond County has a long history of land transactions. Early deed books hold handwritten instruments that reference old boundary markers, creeks, and place names. These records are valuable for genealogy research and historical title chains. The Register of Deeds staff can help you read and locate older documents in the office.

For records that predate the county, check the parent county records. The county was formed from Anson County in 1779. Land transactions before that date may appear in Anson County deed books. The NCARD directory lists all 100 county Registers of Deeds in North Carolina to help you find the right office for your search.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Richmond County. Their Register of Deeds offices may hold records relevant to your search.