How can I find a property’s deed if I only know the street name but not the exact address or parcel number? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, deeds are recorded with the county Register of Deeds and can usually be found through the county’s public real estate indexes. If only the street name is known, the practical approach is to first narrow the location (county and a likely street segment), then use county GIS/tax records to identify a candidate parcel and owner name, and finally pull the deed from the Register of Deeds using the owner (grantor/grantee) indexes. Once the correct deed is located, the legal boundary typically comes from the deed’s written description and any referenced plat map.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina real estate matters, a common problem is: can a recorded deed be located when only a street name is known, but the exact street address, parcel identification number, and current owner are unknown? The key decision point is whether there is enough location information to identify the correct county and the specific piece of land on that street, because deeds are kept and indexed at the county level. The goal is to find the recorded deed that matches the correct tract so the property can be pinned down and the boundary description can be reviewed.

Apply the Law

North Carolina records most deeds in the county where the land sits, through the Register of Deeds. County registers must keep consolidated real property indexes and alphabetical indexes of the parties to recorded instruments, with references to the book and page (or other location) where the document is recorded. In practice, that means a deed search usually works best when it can be tied to at least one of these anchors: (1) the county, (2) an owner name, (3) a parcel/lot identifier from the tax/GIS system, or (4) a recorded plat reference that connects the land to a subdivision map.

Key Requirements

Right county: The deed is recorded in the Register of Deeds office for the county where the property is located, so the search has to start with the correct county (or a short list of counties).
A usable search key: Because deeds are indexed by the names of parties (and referenced by book/page or an instrument number), the search generally needs an owner name or another reliable identifier (often obtained from GIS/tax records) to pull the correct deed.
Boundary source: A deed rarely “draws” the boundary by itself; it usually describes the land (metes and bounds or lot/block) and may incorporate a recorded plat by map/book and page. The deed plus any referenced plat typically controls the boundary location.

What the Statutes Say

N.C. Gen. Stat. 161-21 (General index kept) – Requires a consolidated index of deeds and other real property documents in the register’s office.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 161-22 (Index of registered instruments) – Requires full alphabetical indexes of parties to recorded instruments and references to where the instrument is recorded.
N.C. Gen. Stat. 132-1 (Public records defined) – Defines public records and reflects North Carolina’s policy of public access to government records, which commonly includes recorded land records.

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the known fact is only the street name in North Carolina, with the exact address, parcel number, and deed details unknown. Because deed records are county-based and indexed by parties’ names, the first task is narrowing the correct county and then using a public-facing system (often GIS/tax) to convert “street name” into a likely parcel and owner name. Once a likely owner (or multiple candidates) is identified, the Register of Deeds index can be used to retrieve the recorded deed and any referenced plat information needed to evaluate boundaries.

Process & Timing

Who files: No filing is required to search. Where: Start with the county Register of Deeds office and the county’s GIS/tax listing site in North Carolina. What: Use the GIS/tax search (often by street name or map view) to identify a candidate parcel and owner name; then use the Register of Deeds real estate search (grantor/grantee index) to pull the deed image and recording reference (book/page or instrument number). When: There is usually no deadline to look up a deed, but time matters if the search ties to a closing, boundary dispute, or another pending deadline.
Narrow the candidates: If the street is long, filter by a cross street, a nearby neighborhood/subdivision name, or a visible landmark, then confirm that the GIS map selection shows one specific parcel (or a small group) on that street.
Confirm the deed matches the tract: After pulling the deed, confirm the legal description (lot number, subdivision name, or metes-and-bounds calls), and check for a referenced plat (map book/page) that can be pulled from the same Register of Deeds records.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

Wrong county: A street name can exist in multiple towns or counties. Searching the wrong Register of Deeds office often produces “no record found,” even when a deed exists.
Street name is not a legal description: Deeds generally do not index by “street name,” and older deeds may describe property without any street address at all. The search often must pivot to an owner name, subdivision name, or plat reference.
Name variations and entity owners: Deeds are indexed by parties’ names. Misspellings, middle initials, name changes, and business-entity ownership can cause missed hits unless multiple variations are searched.
Multiple parcels on the same street: A GIS street-name search can return many parcels. Pulling the wrong deed can happen if the parcel is not verified on the map or by comparing acreage/lot number and adjoining calls.
Boundaries may require more than the deed: A deed can reference an old plat, prior deed, or a survey. For boundary pinpointing, the deed description and the referenced plat matter, and a survey may still be needed to locate lines on the ground.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, the most reliable way to find a deed with only a street name is to identify the correct county, use the county GIS/tax records to narrow the search to a specific parcel and owner, and then retrieve the deed from the county Register of Deeds using the grantor/grantee indexes and recording references. The deed’s legal description and any referenced plat usually provide the boundary framework. The next step is to run a county GIS street-name search to identify a candidate parcel and owner, then pull that owner’s deed from the Register of Deeds records.

Talk to a Real Estate Attorney

If a deed search is stuck at only a street name or the goal is to confirm the correct tract and boundary description, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help sort out the available public records, identify the right documents to pull, and flag timing issues tied to a transaction or dispute. Call us today at (919) 341-7055.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about North Carolina law based on the single question stated above. It is not legal advice for your specific situation and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws, procedures, and local practice can change and may vary by county. If you have a deadline, act promptly and speak with a licensed North Carolina attorney.