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Frequently Asked Questions
The Catawba County Register of Deeds office does not render legal opinions. We can answer questions about the recording of the document only!
What are real
property documents?
They
are documents that primarily deal with land in
Can the Register of Deeds add or delete names from a deed?
No.
A deed is a legal document establishing property ownership. The Register of
Deeds and staff are prohibited by the state of
Can the Register of Deeds conduct a title search of my property?
No. The Register of Deeds and staff are prohibited by law to do any more than record your document, get you a copy of the document you are requesting, and show you how or in what book to locate the information you are needing, whether it is a real estate document or vital record. You will only find some of the real property exceptions in the Register of Deeds. Other types of liens such as Judgments, State and Federal Tax Liens are maintained in the Catawba County Clerk of Superior Court Office (828) 466-6100 and / or the Catawba County Tax Department (828) 465-8420
Can I use an address to verify property information including ownership?
No. This office records land documents that only refer to land using a legal description including boundary, lot, block and acreage information. To search by address you will need to contact the Tax Department at (828) 465-8420 or go online to www.catawbacountync.gov ;under Quick Links click real estate maps.
Can anyone access the land records maintained by the Register of Deeds?
Yes.
All of the records maintained by the Register of Deeds are public records
except Military Discharges. You may go online and search the real estate index
and images back to January 1, 1993. We
are in the process of converting our microfilmed images to digital along with
indexing further on back to at least 30 years as each year passes. Land records in the office go back to the
foundation of the county, 1842. Prior to
that you would need to go to
Is there a fee for recording documents?
Yes. Most of our real estate documents (deeds, deeds of trust, power of attorneys) are $14.00 for the first page and $3.00 for each additional page. The current real estate revenue stamp is $2.00 for every $1,000.00 paid for the property. For a more detailed fee schedule click here or feel free to call the office.
I see many abbreviations used in connection with Real Estate documents. Where can I go to
find out what they mean?
Abbreviations are commonly found in all Real Estate documents. The North Carolina
Association of Register of Deeds publishes a list of approved abbreviation codes for
role/status designations, instrument types, and property descriptions. A
listing of these codes can be found
here
If I was born
in
No.
Will I find
my Birth Certificate in
No. All Birth Certificates are registered in the County and State in which you were born.
What if a birth certificate was never filed on me?
You
will need to come down to the Register of Deeds Office and fill out a Delayed
Birth Certificate form, which we will send to the State Office in
What if something is incorrect on my Birth Certificate?
You
will need to come down to the Register of Deeds Office and fill out an
Amendment form, which will send to the State Office in
What if the one of the parents name is not on the Birth Certificate?
There are many different ways to correct this. Therefore, the best thing to do is to come down or call our office so we can explain why or how this happened. We might be able to help, but if not we will inform you to contact an attorney for further assistances.
Who may obtain a Certified Copy of a Birth Certificate?
According to NCGS 130A-93(c) & 130A-99 the certificate must be for:
1) Self
2) Spouse
3) Parent/Step-parent
4) Brother/Sister, Step-brother/Sister
5) Child/Step-child/Grandchild
6) Grandparent/Step-Grandparent
7) Funeral Services
8) Any person seeking information for legal determination of personal/property rights (proof required)
9) An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the applicant (proof required)
What is the cost of a Birth Certificate?
Certificates are $10.00 per certified copy. Uncertified copies are $0.50 if you come into the office or $1.00 by mail. We accept checks and money orders by mail and made payable to Catawba County Register of Deeds. Cash is only accepted when a request is made in person.
How can I obtain a Birth Certificate?
To obtain a Certified Birth Certificate by mail, submit your written request, which must include the full name of the person named on the certificate, the date of birth, father's full name and mother's full maiden name to:
Catawba
Only the person named on the birth certificate or immediate family members may request birth certificates (see above). Requestor must sign the request, provide relationship to the person named on the certificate, send a copy of a picture ID and send a self addressed stamped envelope. To obtain a Certified Certificate in person, you must fill out a form and present a valid ID. You may also contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services at (919) 733-3526 or http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/index.html
What are the acceptable forms of identification?
A valid Drivers License with photograph or State issued Identification Card. Passport, Military Identification Card with photograph, or a current School Identification Card with photograph and birth date. Agents, attorneys or legal representatives must also furnish documentation of authority in order to receive a certified certificate for an individual.
Marriage License
What are the hours we can apply for the license?
The Register of Deeds Office issues
marriages licenses 8:00am until 5:00pm or between 7:30am – 8:00am and 5:00pm –
5:30pm by appointment each business day at the
What is the cost of a Marriage License?
The fee for a marriage license is $50.00. This fee is payable by cash ONLY.
Can we apply for
a marriage license in
Yes. The marriage ceremony can be
performed in any
Is a premarital physical required?
No. A physical examination is no longer required.
How long is the license valid?
It is valid as soon as it is issued and remains valid for sixty days from the date of issue.
What are the requirements to obtain a marriage license?
All Ages:
· Both BRIDE and GROOM must personally appear at the Register of Deeds office. This should be done together, but if for some reason either party is unable to appear, you will need to contact our office for further instructions.
· Both BRIDE and GROOM must present a valid picture ID card (driver's license, State ID or Valid Passport– it must include your date of birth).
· Both BRIDE and GROOM must provide a valid Social Security Number by presenting your Social Security Card or a permanent record showing your social security number (Example: W-2, Tax Return or Insurance card) or a notarized affidavit that indicates that you are not eligible for a SS# an additional ID will need to be provided. If you are unable to present a Social Security Number along with the Affidavit you will need to present a Certified Birth Certificate
· Both BRIDE and GROOM will need to provide written proof of the date of divorce or death of a previous spouse, if the death occurred or divorce became final within the last 90 days. If more than 90 days has passed, you will only have to provide month and year.
· Hospital records or photocopies of required documents will not be accepted in place of original documents.
If you are 16 or 17 years of age, in addition:
· You must present a certified Birth Certificate.
· The parent or legal guardian must also be present and present legal documentation to prove that they are the parent or legal guardian. You may be required to produce certified copies of court orders.
If you are 14 or 15 years of age, in addition:
· You are required to have a court order authorizing us to issue a marriage license
What is the cost of a Marriage Certificate?
Certificates are $10.00 per certified copy. Uncertified copies are $0.50 if you come into the office or $1.00 by mail. We accept checks and money orders by mail and made payable to Catawba County Register of Deeds. Cash is only accepted when a request is made in person.
Who may obtain a Certified Copy of a Marriage Certificate?
According to NCGS 130A-93(c) & 130A-99 the certificate must be for:
1) Self
2) Spouse
3) Parent/Step-parent
4) Brother/Sister, Step-brother/Sister
5) Child/Step-child/Grandchild
6) Grandparent/Step-Grandparent
7) Funeral Services
8) Any person seeking information for legal determination of personal/property rights (proof required)
9) An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the applicant (proof required)
How can I obtain a Marriage Certificate?
To obtain a Certified Marriage Certificate by mail, submit your written request, which must include the full name of the groom, the full maiden name of the bride and the wedding date. Only the person named on the marriage certificate or immediate family members may request marriage certificates (see above). Requestor must sign the request, provide relationship to the person named on the certificate, send a copy of a picture ID and send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Catawba
To obtain a Certified Certificate in person, you must fill out a form and present a valid ID. You may also contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services at (919) 733-3526 or http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/index.html
What are the acceptable forms of identification?
A Drivers License with photograph or State issued Identification Card. Passport, Military Identification Card with photograph, or a current School Identification Card with photograph and birth date. Agents, attorneys or legal representatives must also furnish documentation of authority in order to receive a certified certificate for an individual.
For incorrect or missing information on a Marriage Certificate, please contact our office to find out what documents are needed to correct the Certificate. This can be corrected through our office.
Will I find
my loved one’s Death Certificate in
No. All Death Certificates are registered in the County and State in which the deceased died.
What is the cost of a Death Certificate?
Certificates are $10.00 per certified copy. Uncertified copies are $0.50 if you come into the office or $1.00 by mail. We accept checks and money orders by mail and made payable to Catawba County Register of Deeds. Cash is only accepted when a request is made in person.
Who may obtain a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate?
According to NCGS 130A-93(c) & 130A-99 the certificate must be for:
1) Self
2) Spouse
3) Parent/Step-parent
4) Brother/Sister, Step-brother/Sister
5) Child/Step-child/Grandchild
6) Grandparent/Step-Grandparent
7) Funeral Services
8) Any person seeking information for legal determination of personal/property rights (proof required)
9) An authorized agent, attorney, or legal representative of the applicant (proof required)
How can I obtain a Death Certificate?
To obtain a Certified Death Certificate by mail, submit your written request, which must include the full name of the deceased person named on the certificate and the date of death. Only the immediate family members may request death certificates (see above). Requestor must sign the request, provide relationship to the person named on the certificate, send a copy of a picture ID and send a self addressed stamped envelope to:
Catawba
To obtain a Certified Certificate in person, you must fill out a form and present a valid ID. You may also contact the NC Department of Health & Human Services at (919) 733-3526 or http://vitalrecords.dhhs.state.nc.us/vr/index.html
What are the acceptable forms of identification?
A Drivers License with photograph or State issued Identification Card. Passport, Military Identification Card with photograph, or a current School Identification Card with photograph and the birth date. Agents, attorneys or legal representatives must also furnish documentation of authority in order to receive a certified certificate for an individual.
For incorrect or missing information on a Death Certificate, please contact our office to find out what documents are needed to correct the Certificate. Most of them can be corrected through our office.
Is there a cost
for filing my Military Discharge?
No. There is no fee for filing a military discharge. Certified copies of
military discharge documents are free to military veterans.
What do I need
to record a Military Discharge?
The entire original DD214 is required and a Drivers License with photograph,
State issued Identification Card, Passport
or Military Identification Card with photograph.
Are the Discharges viewable to the public?
No. NCGS 47-113.2 does not allow these documents to be out for viewing if they are less than 50 years old and there are restrictions on who may have a copy of the Discharges. Authorized parties are:
a. The subject of the document.
b. Agents and representatives of the subject authorized in writing:
1. by the subject or subject's widow or widower in a notarized authorization,
2. by a court to represent subject, or
3. by the subject's executor acting on behalf of a deceased subject.
c. Authorized agents of the Division of Veterans Affairs, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense or a court official with an interest in assisting the subject or the deceased subject's beneficiaries to obtain a benefit
d. Agents or representatives of the North Carolina State Archives
Can the
register of deeds supply a copy of a discharge record or respond to requests
for specific information from a discharge record when requested via
No. Registers should not comply with a request for a copy or request for information by mail, fax or e-mail for discharges that have been on record less than 50 years if it comes from anyone not associated with the Division of Veteran's Affairs. Registers should comply if a request is made by the Division of Veteran's Affairs, and an Authorization Form issued by NC Dept. of Administration accompanies the request form. Veterans who live outside of NC contact the Veterans Service Officer in their county/state and ask that they contact the NC DVA for assistance. Requests for copies must be in writing. Registers should not supply any specific information from a discharge record in response to phone requests.
Notary Public
What are
the requirements for becoming a Notary Public?
Upon completion of a course, the
instructor will issue applications.
· An applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age and reside or by employed in this state.
·
An
applicant must satisfactorily complete a course of study that is approved by
the Secretary of State consisting of not less than three hours nor more than
six hours of classroom instruction provided by a community college in
· An applicant must submit an application containing no significant mis-statement or omission of fact.
· An Applicant must pay a non-refundable fee of $50.00 to the Secretary of State and $10.00 fee to the Register of Deeds when receiving the Oath.
·
Any person
who has been found guilty of treason or any other felony against this State,
the
You may also obtain information on becoming or renewing your commission as a Notary Public from the Secretary of State at (919) 807-2131 or http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/notary/