Union County Land Deed Records

Union County sits southeast of Charlotte and is one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina. Monroe is the county seat. The Register of Deeds office there holds land records dating to 1842. It files deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, plats, and UCCs. The office also keeps vital records and offers a property fraud alert service. With online records going back to 1985, Union County provides strong access for buyers, title firms, and researchers. This guide covers how to search, file, and understand deed records in Union County.

Union County Register of Deeds

Elizabeth W. Pippins serves as the Register of Deeds for Union County. The office is at 500 N Main St, Monroe, NC 28112. Call 704-283-3794 or email epippins@co.union.nc.us. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The office records deeds, trust deeds, mortgages, plats, and UCCs. It keeps vital records from 1913 and marriage records from 1842. eRecording is available for most document types, which lets attorneys and title companies submit filings online. The office also runs a fraud alert service that notifies property owners when a document is recorded against their name.

Visit the Union County Register of Deeds website for forms, fee info, and links to the online search tool.

Searching Union County Deed Records

The online search tool covers Union County records from 1985 to the present. You can search by name, date, book and page, or document type. Access is free.

Results show basic filing details. Click on a record to see more. Online copies are unofficial and meant for research only. For a document you can use in court or at a closing, request a certified copy. The office in Monroe handles those requests in person, by mail, or through the Union County record request portal. That portal requires ID verification and charges a service fee.

For records before 1985, visit the office. Staff can pull documents from the physical deed books going back to 1842.

Union County Recording Fees

Union County follows the statewide fee schedule under G.S. 161-10. Standard deeds cost $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 per extra page. Trust deeds and mortgages are $64 for the first 35 pages, plus $4 for each page after that. Plats cost $21 per sheet.

A nonstandard document fee of $25 applies if the filing does not meet format rules. Satisfaction instruments carry no recording fee. The NCARD fee schedule covers all document types and fees across the state.

How to Record a Deed in Union County

Recording a deed in Union County requires several steps. The deed must be signed by the grantor and notarized. Under G.S. 47-17, acknowledgment or proof of signature is needed before a deed can be filed. The drafter's name must appear on the first page for deeds made after January 1, 1980.

The document must meet the format standards in G.S. 161-14. Paper must be 8.5 by 11 or 8.5 by 14 inches, white, with black ink. Font size must be 9 points or larger. The first page needs a 3-inch top margin. Other margins must be at least half an inch. Text goes on one side only.

Bring the document and the correct fee to the office. The register will stamp it with the date and time. That time stamp sets your priority under the Conner Act.

Union County Deed Records and Priority

The Conner Act (G.S. 47-18) makes North Carolina a race-to-record state. A deed is not valid against later buyers or creditors until it is on file. The first to record has the stronger claim. In a fast-growing county like Union, where new homes and subdivisions go up every month, prompt recording is key.

The register assigns a time stamp and a document number to every filing. If two documents arrive at the same time, the lower document number has priority. This system removes guesswork and gives each filing a clear place in line.

Here is a look at the Union County Register of Deeds and its property records resources.

Visit the Union County Register of Deeds for current hours and filing details.

The county website includes forms, contact info, and a link to the fraud alert signup.

Union County Excise Tax

An excise tax is due on every real property transfer in Union County. Under G.S. 105-228.30, the rate is $1 for each $500 of the sale price or any part of $500. The seller pays the tax to the Register of Deeds at the time of recording.

The excise stamp on the deed is public record. It provides a way to estimate the sale price. Timber deeds and contracts for standing timber fall under the same tax. If property crosses county lines, the tax goes to the county where the greater share of value sits.

Union County Fraud Alert Service

Union County offers a property fraud detection notification service. When someone records a document under your name, the system sends an alert. This helps catch unauthorized filings early.

To sign up, visit the Register of Deeds website or contact the office directly. The NCARD website lists which counties offer this service. Union County is one of them. The alert does not prevent fraud, but it gives property owners a heads-up so they can act fast.

Union County Title Searches

Title searches in Union County can trace ownership back to 1842. The Register of Deeds maintains full alphabetical indexes as required by G.S. 161-22. These indexes cover all parties to all instruments. Cross-indexing ensures a complete search.

Tax certification may be required. Under G.S. 161-31, the county commissioners can direct the register to refuse a deed unless the tax collector confirms no delinquent taxes are owed. A closing attorney can handle this with a statement on the deed.

The Secretary of State runs the state's land records management program under G.S. 147-54.3. This program promotes uniform recording and indexing across all 100 counties, including Union.

Nearby Counties

Union County shares borders with several Piedmont counties. Check these offices if your property is near the line.