Document Recording Standards
Standards
Documents recorded must meet the following North Carolina General Statute 161-14 (b) requirements:
- Be 8 ½ x 11 or 8 ½ x 14
- Have a 3 inch blank margin at the top of the first page and ½ inch blank margin on remaining sides of the first page and on all sides of subsequent pages
- Be typed on white paper
- Have a font size no smaller than 9 points. Blanks in an instrument may be completed in pen and corrections to an instrument may be made in pen.
- Have text typed or printed on one side of the page only
- State the type of instrument at the top of the first page
- Plat maps must be 18 x 24
If an instrument does not meet these requirements, the Register of Deeds shall register the instrument after collecting the $25.00 fee for nonstandard documents as required by G.S. 161-10(a)(18a) in addition to all other applicable recording fees. However, if an instrument fails to meet the requirements because it contains print in a font size smaller than 9 points, the Register of Deeds may register the instrument without collecting the fee for nonstandard documents if, in the discretion of the Registrar, the instrument is legible.
