Tyrrell County Historic Deed Records

Tyrrell County is one of the oldest counties in North Carolina. It was formed in 1729 from Chowan County. The county seat is Columbia, a small town on the Scuppernong River. Land records for Tyrrell County date back to 1732, though a courthouse fire in 1837 destroyed many early documents. What survives forms a critical record for property research and genealogy in this part of the Inner Banks. The Register of Deeds office in Columbia handles all deed filings and searches. This page covers how to work with Tyrrell County deed records and what rules apply.

Tyrrell County Register of Deeds

The Tyrrell County Register of Deeds office is in Columbia. It files deeds, trust deeds, plats, and other land instruments. The office also keeps vital records including births, deaths, and marriages. Marriage records from 1732 are among the oldest in the state.

Contact the office through the NCARD county directory. That page lists the address, phone number, and hours for every county in North Carolina. Tyrrell County staff can help with searches and copies during regular business hours.

Tyrrell is a small county. The office handles a lower volume of filings than larger counties, which means staff often have more time to help with individual requests.

Impact of the 1837 Courthouse Fire

A fire in 1837 destroyed many early Tyrrell County records. This gap affects title searches that need to go back before that date. Some land grants and early deeds were lost. Others survived because copies existed elsewhere.

Researchers working on pre-1837 records may need to check state archives, early land grant files, and genealogical collections. The FamilySearch Tyrrell County page offers genealogical resources tied to land records.

For records after 1837, the chain is more complete. Title companies factor the fire into their searches and may use alternative sources to fill gaps.

Tyrrell County Deed Recording Fees

Recording fees in Tyrrell County follow the statewide schedule set by G.S. 161-10. A standard deed costs $26 for the first 15 pages. Each page after that adds $4. Trust deeds and mortgages are $64 for the first 35 pages, then $4 per page. Plats cost $21 per sheet.

Documents that do not meet the format rules in G.S. 161-14 get a $25 nonstandard fee. Satisfaction instruments are free. The NCARD fee schedule has the full breakdown for all document types.

Tyrrell County Deed Filing Rules

Every deed filed in Tyrrell County must meet North Carolina's recording standards. The document must be signed and notarized. Under G.S. 47-17, the grantor must acknowledge the deed before a notary or have the signature proved by a witness. The name of the person who drafted the deed must appear on the first page.

Paper must be 8.5 by 11 or 8.5 by 14 inches. Use white paper and black ink. The font needs to be at least 9 points. Leave a 3-inch margin at the top of the first page and half-inch margins elsewhere. Print text on one side only. State the type of instrument at the top of page one.

These rules come from G.S. 161-14. If any rule is missed, the register adds a $25 nonstandard fee to the base charge.

Race to Record in Tyrrell County

North Carolina is a race-to-record state. Under the Conner Act (G.S. 47-18), a deed is not valid against later buyers or creditors until it is recorded in the county where the land sits. The first person to file gets priority.

In Tyrrell County, the register stamps the date and time on each document. That time stamp sets the priority. Record your deed as soon as it is ready. Any delay puts your claim at risk.

The Conner Act is the foundation of North Carolina's recording system. It applies to all conveyances, contracts to convey, options, and leases of more than three years.

Below is a reference image for the Conner Act and its role in North Carolina deed recording.

Read the full text of the Conner Act at the NC General Assembly site.

This statute governs priority for every deed filed in Tyrrell County and across the state.

Tyrrell County Excise Tax

Property transfers in Tyrrell County are subject to the state excise tax. Under G.S. 105-228.30, the tax is $1 for every $500 of the sale price. The transferor pays it to the Register of Deeds before the deed is recorded.

The excise stamp on a recorded deed is public. It gives a rough picture of the sale price. Timber deeds and contracts for standing timber are taxed the same way.

Tyrrell County Land Records and Genealogy

Tyrrell County land records are a key resource for family history research. Early land grants and patents show who first claimed parcels in this part of North Carolina. Despite the 1837 fire, genealogists have pieced together much of the county's early land history.

The North Carolina Association of Registers of Deeds supports all 100 county offices. The Secretary of State's land records management program, under G.S. 147-54.3, promotes uniform practices across every county, including Tyrrell. This helps ensure records are indexed and stored in a consistent way.

The Register of Deeds also keeps marriage records from 1732. These overlap with land records in many family research projects, since property often passed through marriage and inheritance.

Tyrrell County Deed Records Image

Here is a look at Tyrrell County property records and deed filing resources.

Contact the office in Columbia for help with searches, certified copies, or new filings.

Nearby Counties

Tyrrell County is surrounded by several coastal plain counties. These offices may hold records for properties near the border.