Frequently Asked Questions

Certified copies will be issued to:

• The applicant
• The applicant's spouse
• The applicant's parent / step-parent
• The applicant's brother, sister, step-brother, step-sister
• The applicant's child / step-child
• The applicant's grandparent / grandchild
• Any person seeking information for legal determination of personal or property rights
• An authorized agent, attorney or legal representative of the applicant

Identification is required from all who request a certified vital record. Uncertified copies of all vital records are open to public inspection.

Payment of recording fees, tax parcel ID number, payment of the real estate excise tax (for deeds), name of draftsman (for deeds), grantee (buyer) address, and acknowledgment (notarization). Any documents conveying property require tax certification from the county tax office effective March 1, 2019. Statute GS: 161-31 Tax Office number 336-242-2160.

Almost all instruments presented for recordation first must be acknowledged (notarized) before the Register of Deeds can record the instrument. Notary Publics are authorized by North Carolina law to perform this duty.  

North Carolina law allows you to prepare a Deed of Conveyance for any real property to which you have legal title. However, the conveyance of real property is a legal matter that should be given under and with the advise of legal counsel.  

Yes. However, one should consult an attorney-at-law before doing so.

No. Instruments presented for recordation can be made by anyone. The person who presents the instrument can be a party to the instrument, but it is not required by law.

Yes. Basically, all documents recorded are public records that are protected by the public records law. However, you first must provide the necessary fees for such before obtaining any copies.

The Register of Deeds is authorized by law to certify a true copy of any instrument that has been recorded in the public registry. However, the necessary fee for such first must be paid by such person requesting said instrument.  

Real estate excise tax, also known as revenue stamps, is imposed by North Carolina law, and collected by the Register of Deeds at the time of recording. The tax is levied on conveyances of an interest in real estate by all persons and organizations except federal, state, county, and municipal governments and their instrumentalities. The transferor (grantor, seller) buys the tax stamp from the Register of Deeds of the county in which the land that is being sold lies. The rate of tax is $1 on each $500, or fractional part thereof, on the consideration or value of the interest or property conveyed. 

It is a misdemeanor for any transferor or his agent to willfully and knowingly fail to pay the correct amount of the tax, or for anyone to aid, abet, or direct any other persons to fail to pay.

Yes. The following are some of the other instruments recorded in the Register of Deeds.

• Armed forces discharges
• Assessments of water and sewer authorities
• Assumed name certificates
• Bankruptcy records
• Corporation records (prior to July 1, 1990)
• Exemption orders
• Farm names
• Farmland districts
• Grave removals
• Historic landmarks
• Historic properties
• Inheritance and estate tax waiver
• Land titles (torrens)
• Limited partnerships
• Mortgages in lieu of bonds
• Official bonds
• Strays
• Timber marks
• Waste disposal
• Will renunciations

Yes. However, the necessary fee first must be paid before this service can be provided (copy fee).

Certified Birth, Death, or Marriage:  $10.00
Uncertified via mail Must send self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning request; :  $1.00
Uncertified in person:  $.0.25
Marriage License: $60.00; $10 additional for certified copy

No.  Adoption records are not available at the Davidson County Register of Deeds office.  You can further assistance by contacting NC Vital Records.

NC Vital Records
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC  27699

Born inside the United States:  Birth certificates are maintained by each state for the people who are born in that state.  Contact the county or state vital records in the state where you were born to get a copy of your birth certificate.  There is a Web site that can help you find out where you should write for vital records across the United States.  Born outside the United States:  If you were born outside the United States and your parents were United States citizens at the time of your birth, you can write to--

US Department of State
Washington Passport Agency
1111 - 19th Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20522-1705

Contact the Clerk of Court

Contact the Special Proceeding Division of Clerk of Court

A state or federal issued photo ID (example, driver's license or passport).

First, the license must be purchased in North Carolina.  The license is valid in any county in the State of North Carolina, but must be returned to the county in which it was issued.  The license is valid for sixty (60) days.  A religious officiate or a magistrate may perform the ceremony.

The Register of Deeds office does not provide legal advise; it is advisable to see an attorney.  A separation agreement may be filed in our office once the document is complete and properly notarized.

Complete application for vital record and:
Return the signed application, along with $10 fee, a copy of your picture ID and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Davidson County Register of Deeds
PO Box 464
Lexington, NC 27293

You may obtain information on obtaining a certified copy of a vital record from the Vital Records Division
at the State Center for Health Statistics web site:
http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/requests/

Yes. However, you first must remit the necessary information required by law.

The Register of Deeds office does not provide legal advise; it is advisable to see an attorney. A separation agreement may be filed in our office once the document is complete and properly notarized.

Born inside the United States

Birth certificates are maintained by each state for the people who are born in that state. Contact the county or state vital records in the state where you were born to get a copy of your birth certificate. There is a website that can help you find out where you should write for vital records across the United States. 

Born outside the United States

If you were born outside the United States and your parents were United States citizens at the time of your birth, you can write to:

U.S. Department of State
Washington Passport Agency
1111 19th Street NW

Suite 300
Washington, DC 20522-1705

Complete application for vital record and return the signed application, along with $10 free and a copy of your picture ID to:
Davidson County Register of Deeds
P.O. Box 464
Lexington, NC 27293

You may obtain information on obtaining a certified copy of a vital record from the Vital Records Division at the State Center for Health Statistics website.

Contact the Clerk of Court.

Contact the Special Proceeding Division of Clerk of Court.

No. Adoption records are not available at the Davidson County Register of Deeds Office. You can contact North Carolina Vital Records at:
1903 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699

A state or federal issued photo ID (example, driver's license or passport).

• Certified Birth, Death, or Marriage: $10.00
• Marriage License: $60.00
• Uncertified in Person: $.0.25
• Uncertified Via Mail: $1.00

First, the license must be purchased in North Carolina. The license is valid in any county in the State of North Carolina, but must be returned to the county in which it was issued. The license is valid for 60 days. A religious officiate or a magistrate may perform the ceremony.

"The term `incompetent adult' means an adult or emancipated minor who lacks sufficient capacity to manage the adult's own affairs or to make or communicate important decisions concerning the adult's person, family, or property whether the lack of capacity is due to mental illness, mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, inebriety, senility, disease, injury, or similar cause or condition." [G. S 35A-1101(7)]

Anyone (individual, agency, residential or medical facility, et al.) may file a guardianship petition with the Clerk of Superior Court.

Less restrictive means to protect the disabled adult should be considered before a guardianship petition is filed. Needs may be met by a representative payee, an attorney-in-fact, a health care agent acting under a durable power of attorney or family and friends.

The preferred priority for guardian is:

• An individual (family member, friend or other person)
• A corporation or organization whose charter permits appointment of guardian of the person
• A disinterested public agent (e.g. Departments of Social Services)

A guardian is not required to contribute financially toward the support of the ward and is not liable for the ward's debts. However, the ward's own resources should be used wisely for the needs of the ward.

If so, you need to list your mobile home on a Personal Property Listing form in January each year. For questions please call 336-242-2179

If so, you need to list your mobile homes with the Business Listing Office. They can be reached by calling 336-242-2160.

If so, your mobile home is automatically listed as real property and you will need to contact the appraiser for your township for any questions at 336-242-2160.

NCDOT is committed to repairing potholes on state-maintained roads within two business days when they are reported using the online pothole reporting system.

To report a road draining issue, contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation at: drainage issues

The North Carolina Department of Transportation can help you with road debris or a dead animal pick up.  Contact them at their NCDOT website.

When it comes to clearing roadways, NCDOT's first priority is interstates and four-lane divided primary routes (N.C. and U.S. routes) that are essential to the movement of intrastate and regional traffic.  After these roads are clear, the priority moves to clearing lower-volume primary roads, high-volume secondary roads, lower-volume secondary roads and then subdivision streets.  

NCDOT crews have designated snow and ice removal routes that they must follow. Trucks traveling on roadways but not treating them are likely headed to their designated route.  NCDOT does not remove snow and ice from sidewalks, nor does it clear driveways.  (more information)

DCTS utilizes GMV Syncromatics to track our buses along the routes.   Click here to select your Route and Bus.

There is no cost to ride DCTS. All transfers are also free.

Yes. Children are to be properly restrained in an age, weight, and height appropriate restraint.

Yes, all vehicles are wheelchair accessible.

DCTS will deviate up to 1/4 mile off of the bus route for passengers. Please call 336-883-7278 an hour in advance to make a request or check if your stop is in deviation range.