What is a Real Estate Excise Tax, and who is responsible for the payment of such?

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.

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1. Who may obtain a certified copy of a birth, death, or marriage certificate?
2. What are the prerequisites to registration?
3. Does an instrument need to be notarized before it can be recorded?
4. Can I prepare my own deed and have it recorded?
5. Can a minor's name be put on a deed?
6. Do I have to be present in order to record a instrument?
7. Can I get copies of my neighbors or other person deeds and other recorded instruments?
8. If I lose or misplace my deed, how do I replace it?
9. What is a Real Estate Excise Tax, and who is responsible for the payment of such?
10. Does the Register of Deeds office record instruments that are not real property, personal property, or vital records?
11. Can I request that a copy of an instrument be mailed to me?
12. Can I get copies of birth and death records? Yes. However, you first must remit the necessary information required by law. What is the cost?
13. If I was born in Davidson County and was adopted, can I obtain a copy of my birth record in Davidson County?
14. How do I get a birth certificate if I was not born in North Carolina?
15. How do I obtain a copy of my divorce record?
16. How do I obtain a legal name change?
17. What are the acceptable forms of identification?
18. What steps do I take to get married?
19. How do I file separation papers?
20. How do I obtain a certified copy of vital record by mail?