Feb122026
Real Estate Q&A Series

How do I find the legal description for a tract of land if it doesn’t have a street address? – North Carolina

Short Answer

In North Carolina, a tract of land can be identified without a street address by locating its recorded deed and any recorded plat (map) referenced in that deed. The legal description is usually found in the deed’s “legal description” section, often using metes-and-bounds calls (courses and distances) or by reference to a recorded subdivision plat. A county parcel identifier (PIN/Parcel ID) and the county tax GIS map are often the fastest way to find the correct deed and then confirm the legal description in the Register of Deeds records.

Understanding the Problem

In North Carolina real estate, the question is how to locate the correct legal description for a tract when there is no street address to search. The usual decision point is whether the tract can be tied to a county parcel identifier (often called a Parcel ID or PIN) or whether the search must start from older deed references and boundary descriptions. The key task is matching the correct tract in a particular county to the deed and any recorded map that legally defines its boundaries.

Apply the Law

In North Carolina, the legal description that controls is typically the description contained in the recorded deed (and any recorded plat or survey the deed incorporates by reference). Deeds and other title papers affecting land are recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds in the county where the land lies, and legal descriptions may be stated by metes and bounds (courses and distances) or by reference to recorded maps. Counties also commonly use parcel identifiers in their land records and tax systems, which can help connect a tract on a map to the recorded deed that contains the legal description.

Key Requirements

  • Identify the correct tract: Use the county and the best available location clues (road name, nearby landmarks, adjacent owners) to narrow down which parcel is being discussed.
  • Find the controlling recorded instrument: Locate the most recent deed (and sometimes earlier deeds) in the county Register of Deeds records for that tract.
  • Extract the legal description as written: Pull the full description from the deed, including any “being the same property conveyed in Deed Book __, Page __” references and any plat book/page references.

What the Statutes Say

Analysis

Apply the Rule to the Facts: Here, the property is made up of tracts and does not have a traditional street address, and the only location information is a road name and a county in North Carolina. That usually means the fastest path is (1) use the county tax GIS to identify likely parcels along that road and capture the Parcel ID/PIN, then (2) use that Parcel ID/PIN (or the owner name shown in GIS) to locate the recorded deed in the county Register of Deeds. Once the deed is located, the legal description is taken directly from the deed, including any plat book/page references or prior deed book/page references that the deed uses to define the tract.

Process & Timing

  1. Who searches: The person trying to identify the tract (or a real estate attorney or title professional). Where: The county Register of Deeds office (online search portal if available) and the county tax office/GIS mapping site. What: Start with the county GIS parcel map to find a Parcel ID/PIN; then pull the most recent recorded deed image and any referenced plat map. When: As soon as the tract needs to be bought, sold, divided, financed, or insured for title, because the legal description must match the recorded documents.
  2. Confirm the description matches the tract: Compare the deed’s calls (metes and bounds) or plat reference to the GIS outline and to any referenced adjoining owners. If the deed says “being the same property conveyed in Deed Book __, Page __,” pull that earlier deed too, because the newer deed may shorten the description by reference.
  3. If the description is unclear: Obtain a copy of the referenced recorded plat (Plat Book and Page) or a recorded survey if one exists. If the deed is metes-and-bounds and the boundaries are still uncertain, the practical next step is often hiring a licensed land surveyor to locate the lines on the ground and prepare a survey that can be used for transactions or boundary clarification.

Exceptions & Pitfalls

  • GIS is not the legal description: County GIS maps are helpful for finding a parcel and Parcel ID/PIN, but the deed and recorded plat control the legal description.
  • Multiple tracts and partial conveyances: A deed may convey only part of a larger parcel or multiple non-contiguous tracts. Missing one tract description (or mixing tracts) is a common error when there is no street address.
  • “Short form” descriptions by reference: Many deeds do not restate the full metes-and-bounds description and instead refer back to earlier deed book/page or a plat. Skipping the referenced documents can lead to an incomplete legal description.
  • Road-name-only searches can mislead: Roads can run through multiple parcels and may have similar names. Cross-check using adjacent owners, parcel acreage, and deed references.
  • Image quality and indexing issues: Older deed images or scans may be hard to read, and name indexing can vary. If online images are unclear, obtaining certified copies or viewing originals at the Register of Deeds office may be necessary.

For more context on related title-record searches, see confirm who owns a tract of land when there’s no listed address and figure out who legally owns the property and what the title shows.

Conclusion

In North Carolina, the legal description for a tract without a street address is usually found in the recorded deed and any recorded plat the deed references. The practical path is to identify the parcel on the county GIS map, note the Parcel ID/PIN and owner name, then pull the most recent deed (and any referenced prior deed or plat) from the county Register of Deeds. Next step: obtain the deed image and copy the full legal description exactly as written, including all book/page and plat references.

Talk to a Real Estate Attorney

If you’re dealing with a tract of land that has no street address and need the correct legal description for a deed, survey, or transaction, our firm has experienced attorneys who can help you understand your options and timelines. 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.

Category: Real Estate Q&A Series

Author: Pierce Law

Pierce Law Group is a North Carolina law firm focused on probate administration, real estate partition matters, and surplus funds claims across North Carolina. We know these situations often come with stress, family dynamics, and time-sensitive decisions—so we prioritize clear communication, steady guidance, and a practical plan from day one. Our goal is to make a complicated process feel manageable, while protecting what matters most to you.