Recording Documents

The Register of Deeds Office records and maintains public land records, real estate conveyances and various miscellaneous documents.

Wills, Divorces and Estates are filed in the Clerk of Court office.

Types of Documents Recorded

• Deed
• Deed of Trust, Mortgages
• Notice of Foreclosure
• Satisfaction
• Assumed Business Name
• Right-of-Way
• Plat (Map)
• Lease, Covenant Agreement
• UCC
• Affidavits
• Separation Agreement
• Prenuptial Agreement
• Power of Attorney
• Living Will

Real Estate instruments are recorded during the hours of 8am - 5pm Monday thru Friday. Documents can be recorded in the office, by mail, or E-file. If recording via mail, business checks, money orders, or cashier’s checks are accepted for payment. Send the exact amount for the recording fees. Make payable to the Forsyth County Register of Deeds. Do not send cash. A self-addressed stamped envelope is required for all Real Estate transactions if you want the document to be returned by mail. If you are recording in person, the document will be returned to you at that time. Copies are available to purchase for $.25 per page.

Electronic Recording

Effective 10-1-2019

Maps or instruments that are recorded electronically are not required to have the name and address of the person to whom the map or instrument is to be returned. The register is not required to return the map or instrument recorded electronically unless the register undertakes to do so in the authorizing agreement.

Most documents are accepted for Electronic Recording (E-File). Maps are not included. Before a document can be recorded electronically, an Electronic Recording Submitter Agreement must be filed with an authorized E-Recording provider and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) completed. NCGS 47-14 (al)(5).

Authorized E-File Vendors

CSC - Corporation Service Company - 770-643-9920
EDL - Electronic Document Logistics, Inc - 919-341-4101
EPN - Electronic Partner Network - 888-325-3365
IGS - Indecomm Global Services - 651-766-5126
Simplifile - 800-460-5657

Electronic Recordings (E-Files) must be received in the office Monday through Friday no later than 4:30pm of the business day, except for holidays. Documents must be submitted and received in the office before the deadline to ensure recording of the record.

The Register of Deeds office acts as a recording office only. North Carolina General Statute prohibits the Register of Deeds and staff from practicing law or giving legal advice. We do not advise how to draft a document. Consult an attorney if you have legal questions about the preparation of a document.

Recording Standards

• Documents presented for recording should have original signatures in the acknowledgement.
• Documents submitted for recording should be the original instrument or a certified copy of the original.
• A Deeds should have a current mailing address for the Grantee on document
• A Deed of Trust prepared in North Carolina should have the draftsman name on the front page of the document.
• Documents that do not meet the required recording standard will be charged an additional fee of $25.00 for non-standard document. GS 161-10(a)(I9).

Document Format

All documents must meet the following recording standards. GS 161-14(b)

• Paper size 8.5 x 11 or 8.5 x 14
• Have a 3 inch blank margin at top of first page
• Minimum side margins on instruments ½ inch.
• Black type on white paper
• Font size 9 points or larger
• Single sided typed or printed text
• Type of instrument at top of first page below blank margin