Recording Standards

Recording standards effective July 1, 2002: (NC G.S. 161-14)

All instruments executed on or after July 1, 2002, shall meet the following requirements:

1. Be presented on 8 1/2 x 11 inch or 8 1/2 x 14 inch paper.
   
2. Have a 3 inch blank margin at the top of the first page and a 1/2
   inch margin on the remaining sides of the first page and on all
   sides of subsequent pages.
   
3. Be typed or printed in black on white paper in a legible font
   that is not smaller than 10 points in size. Blanks in an instrument
   may be completed in pen and corrections to an instrument may
   be made in pen.
   
4. Have text typed or printed on one side of a page only.
   
5. State the type of instrument at the top of the first page.
   (below the margin)

If an instrument does not meet these requirements, the register of deeds shall record the document after collecting the Non-standard document fee of $25.00 along with the Recording fee. If the instrument is non-standard due to the font size being smaller than 10 points, the register of deeds has the discretion of considering it legible and not charge the non-standard fee.