Register of Deeds FAQs
| ASSUMED NAME CERTIFICATES |
| How do I record a business name under an assumed name? You must complete and record the appropriate form. Forms are available at www.nccommerce.com. |
| DOCUMENT SEARCH |
| What records are available on the website? All indexes and images for land records since 2/22/1985 are on this site. You may search by name or book/page. For documents recorded prior to 2/22/1985 you must know the book/page of the document you are looking for. |
| Why are documents recorded in both Deed Books and Book of Records? What is the difference? Effective 1/1/1995, all land records were consolidated into Book of Records starting with Book 1. Prior to this time, deeds were recorded in Deed Books and Deeds of Trust in Deed of Trust Books. |
| Are there specific indexing guidelines? Yes. Effective 1/1/1995 North Carolina implemented indexing standards. Copies of these standards are available in the Watauga County Register of Deeds office. Click here for words always abbreviated in Watauga County since 1/1/1995. |
| Are plats located on the website? Yes. All recorded plats may be searched by book/page or by subdivision or property owner name as grantor, regardless of recording date. |
| What is the “detailed information” option located on the name search screen? Detailed information contains complete indexing information including revenue stamp amount, face amount of deed of trust and the book/page of any subsequent documents referenced. |
| LAND RECORDS |
| How do I find out who is the owner of a particular piece of property? You will need to contact the Watauga County Tax Mapping Department at 828-265-8026. |
| How do I find out if there are any liens or judgments on real property? You must call the Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court at 828-265-5364. |
| Are Wills filed in the Register of Deeds office? No. Wills are filed in the Watauga County Clerk of Courts office. |
| Can I obtain a copy of my separation agreement and divorce in the Register of Deeds office? Separation agreements can be obtained in the Register of Deeds office, but divorces are filed in the Clerk of Courts office. |
| Can anyone obtain information on file at the Register of Deeds office? All records filed in the Register of Deeds office are public records with the exception of military discharges that have been on file less than 50 years. |
| Does a deed have to be recorded? After a deed has been drawn up, it should be recorded as soon as possible. Failure to record a deed could render the transfer or mortgaging of the property impossible to prove and create legal difficulties. |
| Can I make my own deed? The answer to this is yes, you can. However, it is highly recommended that you retain the services of an attorney. |
| How do I remove a name from or add a name to my deed? You will need a new deed drawn up and filed. It is recommended that you consult an attorney. Forms are not available in the Register of Deeds office. Click Here for recording standards effective July 1, 2002. |
| MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION |
| How do I obtain a marriage license? Download information from Marriage Licenses. |
| What if I do not have a social security number and am not eligible for one? You must complete the Affidavit of Ineligibility and have it properly notarized. You may then present this form and proceed with the marriage license application. You must obtain this form either from our office or download from the Forms section of this website. |
| Are there any blood tests or a physical required for a marriage license? No, there are no medical tests required for a marriage license. |
| I am unable to locate my social security card, will you accept any other proof of social security number? Yes, any computer-generated form with your name and social security number on it will suffice. Examples would include paycheck stub, W-2, bank statement. |
| Do I need to make an appointment to apply for a marriage license? No, marriage licenses are issued between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Applicants should be in our office by 4:30 p.m. |
| If I obtain my marriage license in Watauga County, do I have to be married in Watauga County? Licenses issued in Watauga County may be used anywhere in North Carolina, but must be returned to the county where issued. |
| How long is a marriage license valid? The license is valid 60 days from the date it is issued. |
| What is the youngest age one can marry in North Carolina? G.S. 51-2A states the requirements for marriages of persons 14 & 15. Please call our office at 828-265-8034 for specific details. |
| What is the cost of a marriage license in North Carolina? The cost is $60.00. The breakdown of this fee is: $5.00 Children's Trust Fund $30.00 Domestic Violence Center $25.00 Watauga County Portion |
| MILITARY DISCHARGES |
| How can I obtain a copy of a military discharge? Effective January 1 2004, G.S. 47-113.2(b)(1), restricts access to military discharge records filed in the past 50 years to all but authorized persons. Specific questions regarding this should be directed to either the local Veterans Services Office 828-265-8066 or the Register of Deeds staff 828-265-8034. Questions can also be directed to the Division of Veterans Affairs in Raleigh 919-733-3851. |
| NOTARY PUBLIC COMMISSIONS |
| How can I contact the Secretary of State? You may go to the Secretary of State's website at www.sosnc.com. Click on Notary Public Section. |
| How do I become a Notary Public? The Watauga campus of Caldwell Community College offers the notary class that is required prior to submission of your initial appointment application. You will receive your initial appointment application from the notary instructor. Class schedules are available from Caldwell Community College at 828-297-3811. |
| How do I renew my notary and what is the cost? Applications for re-appointment must be submitted to the Secretary of State along with the $50.00 fee. The renewal process can be completed via the internet at www.sosnc.com and following the link to the online reappointment. Notaries who were commissioned after July 1991 must pass a written on-line exam. Once a new commission has been issued the Office of the Secretary of State will notify the Notary to appear in the Register of Deeds office to take their oath of office. The fee for the oath is $10.00. |
| How do I change my name and/or address? N.C. Gen. Stat. 1OB-50 & I OB-51 states that within 45 days after changing names, a notary shall notify the Secretary of State by fax, e-mail or certified mail of the change by submitting a name/address change form. If the county changes due to the address change, the notary may continue to use the seal or stamp for the previous county of commission and at the time of expiration re-apply for the county of residence. There is no fee to the Secretary of State for these changes. Once you receive notice from the Secretary of State that the change has been processed (green sheet), you must come to the Watauga County Register of Deeds office to be sworn in. The fee for administering the oath is $10.00. You may download the Application of North Carolina Notary Public Change of Name/Address from the Secretary of State's website at www.sosnc.com. |
| VITAL RECORDS |
| What is the cost of a copy of a marriage certificate? The cost is $ 10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy. Click Here to download the request form. |
| Who may obtain a certified copy of my marriage certificate? Other than the parties of the marriage, only the brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step -parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate. Proper picture identification must be presented and the appropriate form completed. |
| What vital records can I access from Watauga County? Watauga County Register of Deeds has birth and death records from 1914 and marriages from 1872. These records are for birth, death and marriages occurring in Watauga County. |
| How do I obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate? You must either come in person to our office with picture identification or submit a written request. The written request must include full name at birth, date of birth and both parents' names. You MUST SIGN your request, enclose a copy of a government issued picture ID, and give an address where we are to mail the certified copy. The fee for the certified copy must accompany your written request. The request is filled the day we receive it and it goes out in the next business day's mail. Click Here to download the request form. |
| Who may obtain a certified copy of my birth certificate? Only your current spouse, brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step-parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate. Proper picture identification must be present and the application for a certified birth certificate form completed. |
| What is the cost of a birth certificate? The cost is $10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy. Click Here to download the request form. |
| How do I obtain a certified copy of a death certificate? You must either come in person with picture identification, or submit a written request. The written request must include name of the deceased, date of death and place of death. You must sign your request, enclose a copy of a government issued picture ID, and give an address where we are to mail the certified copy. The fee for the certified copy must accompany your written request. The request is filled the day we receive it and it goes out in the next business day's mail. Click Here to download the request form. |
| Who may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate? Only the current spouse, brother/sister, child/step-child or grandchild, parent/step-parent or grandparent, authorized agent, attorney or legal representative is authorized to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate. Proper picture identification must be presented and the appropriate form completed. |
| What is the cost of a certified copy of a death certificate? The cost is $10.00 for each certified copy and .50 for each uncertified copy. Click Here to download the request form. |
| How do I obtain a certified copy of my marriage certificate? You must either come in person to our office with picture identification, or submit a written request. The written request must include the groom's name, the brides name at the time of the marriage, date of marriage and place of marriage. You must sign your request, enclose a copy of a government issued picture ID, and give an address where we are to mail the certified copy. The fee for the certified copy must accompany your written request. The request is filled the day we receive it and goes out in the next business day's mail. Click Here to download the request form. |
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