Davidson County, NC Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps
You may find Davidson County property records with the Register of Deeds and the Tax Assessor's Office. These two county offices hold documents concerning real estate and provide access to them in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Act. Available property records date back to 1822 and cover about 552 square miles of land across major municipalities like Lexington and Thomasville.
An average home in Davidson County lists within 44 to 52 days, placing it within the range for homes across North Carolina. Single-family detached homes make up most of the housing stock in the county, with a mix of townhouses, manufactured homes, farmland, and commercial developments.
Recent records highlight the underlying factors shaping the local real estate market. The area features a median home value of {median_home_value} and a median rent of {median_rent}. Similarly, the median household income stands at {median_household_income}, with a median real estate tax rate of {median_real_est_tax} serving as a percentage of the property's assessed value.
How to Look Up Davidson County Property Records
Two county offices, with different responsibilities, handle property records in Davidson County:
If you need… | Use this office | Free online portal |
|---|---|---|
A deed, deed of trust, plat, or lien | Davidson County Register of Deeds | |
Ownership and assessed value | Davidson County Tax Office | |
A tax bill or to pay taxes | Davidson County Tax Office | |
A parcel map or GIS layer | Lands Records Department | |
Foreclosure or estate records | Clerk of Superior Court |
Who Keeps Davidson County Property Records
If you wish to access property records in Davidson County, you may do so in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law. The responsibilities are shared among the following offices in the county:
The Davidson County Register of Deeds handles documents affecting real property ownership. These records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, liens, releases, powers of attorney, restrictive covenants, and other land documents concerning property transactions. Under NCGS § 161-14, the Register of Deeds Office can handle official land records. It cannot perform title searches or provide legal advice.
The Davidson County Tax Assessor's Office appraises all property in the county. Likewise, it assigns parcel identification numbers (PINs), administers property tax listings, prepares annual tax bills, and collects property taxes.
The Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court coordinates foreclosure proceedings and estate files. While a power-of-sale foreclosure hearing is conducted through the Superior Court Clerk, deeds of trust and other land instruments are recorded with the County Register of Deeds.
How to Search Davidson County Property Records Online
The most reliable way to research a Davidson County property is to use both offices’ portals and cross-check what each one says:
Start at the Davidson County Real Estate Search Portal. You can search the system using the property's address, owner's name, zoning, parcel identification number (PIN), or account number. Using this portal, you will find the assessed value, property characteristics, and sales history.
Move to the Davidson County Register of Deeds portal. Search the portal using the owner’s name, party type, entity type, book and page, page suffix, recording date, or property description to locate recorded documents. Such documents include deeds, deeds of trust, releases, and plats.
Walk back the chain of title from the most recent recorded deed. The grantor’s name on each older deed must match the grantee listed on the deed that comes after it. Any break in this sequence is a red flag, which may require additional title research.
You can search the Register of Deeds index for outstanding deeds of trust, judgments, liens, restrictive covenants, easements, and related documents that may affect ownership or use of the property. Keep in mind that the excise stamp typically provides a rough estimate of the consideration paid for the property transfer. It does not reflect the last sales price of the property.
Finally, you may check the property’s tax status through the Davidson County Tax Assessor's portal. Under North Carolina statutes 105-355 and 105-362, a property tax lien attaches to real estate on January 1 of each tax year and remains effective until the taxes, interest, and costs are fully paid.
Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats
The Davidson County Register of Deeds is the recording authority that deals with title documents affecting real estate property ownership. Keep in mind that North Carolina uses deeds of trust rather than mortgages as the primary security instrument for real estate financing. The Register of Deeds oversees certain records in Davidson County, including warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, assignments, satisfactions and releases, easements, restrictive covenants, plats, powers of attorney, liens, and other instruments relating to real estate. These records establish the legal chain of title and provide public notice of interests affecting a property.
Historical records dating back to the county’s establishment in 1822 are also available through the Register of Deeds. However, the availability of these records varies depending on the document's recording date, with the county’s online records system covering records from 1984 to the present. You may need to pay an in-person visit to the Register of Deeds to access older records.
Register of Deeds | |
|---|---|
Address | 110 West Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292 |
Mailing | P.O. Box 464, Lexington, NC 27293 |
Phone | (336) 242-2150 |
Hours | Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. |
Search portal | |
Search by | Grantor, Grantee, document type, recording date, or book and page. |
Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data
The Davidson County Tax Assessor’s Office is responsible for valuing every property and assigning a parcel identification number (PIN) that links the records system together. You can use the Real Estate Search platform to find the current property owner, mailing address, parcel number, assessed values, property characteristics, and other assessment-related records.
Tax Department | |
|---|---|
Address | 913 Greensboro Street, 3rd Floor Suite 303, Lexington, NC 27292 |
Mailing | P.O. Box 1617, Lexington, NC 27293 |
Phone | (336) 242-2160 |
Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Search portal | |
Search by | Address, account number, PIN, owner’s name |
Tax Collector: Tax Bills and Payments
The Davidson County Tax Office also takes charge of all records related to tax bills in the county. In Davidson County, a bill runs on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, which is not a calendar year. A bill mailed in July 2025, for example, covers July 2025 through June 2026.
Tax bills and payments | |
|---|---|
Payment portal | |
Phone | (336) 242-2160 |
Delinquent after | January 5, following the July billing |
Interest | 2% for January and 0.75% for each additional month |
Property Tax in Davidson County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals
In Davidson County, the Tax Office determines each property's assessed value, and the tax rates are set each year by municipalities and the Board of Commissioners. To calculate the total annual tax, divide the assessed value by 100 and multiply it by the combined tax rates (municipal and special district rates). Then, the final amount is subject to eligible exemptions, which will lower the tax.
Homestead and relief programs
North Carolina offers three statutory relief programs that lower property taxes for homeowners. Applicants can submit their application form to the Davidson County Tax Assessor’s Office by June 1.
Program | What it does |
|---|---|
Elderly or Disabled Exclusion | Homeowners who are 65 years old and older or permanently disabled can get $25,000 or up to 50% off their home value, whichever is greater. They must meet an income cap ($38,000 for 2025 income/2026 tax year) and ownership requirements with regard to NCGS 105-277.1. Be aware that this is a one-time application. |
Circuit Breaker Deferment | An applicant must be 65 years of age or permanently disabled as of January 1 to obtain this exemption. Concerning NCGS 105-277.1B, the gross income of both an applicant and spouse cannot exceed $58,200. For a homeowner in 2025, taxes are limited to 4% of income if it does not exceed $38,800, or 5% if it exceeds $38,800. Additionally, all homeowners must have owned and occupied the residence for at least five years. Homeowners must apply every year for this program. |
Disabled Veteran Exclusion | Under NCGS 105-277.1C, this program excludes $45,000 of appraised value of the permanent residence of a veteran who has a permanent disability that is service-connected. Once approved, you cannot reapply unless the disability or benefit status has changed. Similarly, there is no age or income limitation on this program. |
Present Use Value | This is a property tax deferment program that allows land used for agricultural, forestry, or horticultural purposes to be taxed on its use rather than its market value. You can submit a complete application to the Tax Department, and you can only apply for one relief program. |
Appealing your value
If you believe your property's assessed value is inaccurate, you may start with an informal review through the Tax Office, where you submit comparable sales or corrected property details. If the matter is not resolved, appeal to the Davidson County Board of Equalization and Review (BOER). If you are still not satisfied with the Board's decision, you may further appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission in accordance with state law. After the commission’s decision, you may escalate the matter to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer
Davidson County GIS maps and property data are hosted on the Esri parcel viewer and NC OneMap. These portals link each parcel to its ownership and assessment record. You can find property information, such as boundaries, subdivision, aerial imagery, zoning, voting district boundaries, soil layers, and FEMA flood zones.
Foreclosure and Tax Sales
The Davidson County Department of Tax Office dockets foreclosure judgments in court for unpaid property taxes on real estate. This is an initial step toward selling the property at public auction to satisfy the tax lien.
Power-of-sale foreclosure
Most residential foreclosures run through the deed of trust’s trustee under a power of sale and are heard by the Clerk of the Superior Court. The Sheriff’s office executes the public auction at the courthouse. Successful bids remain open for 10 days to allow for the submission of upset bids with the Clerk of Superior Court. After the auction, the successful bidder must make a cash deposit of 10% of the bid according to NCGS 45-21.27.
Property-tax foreclosure
When property taxes remain unpaid, the county forecloses the tax lien through courts according to NCGS 105-374 or the in-rem process under 105-375. Davidson County does not sell tax lien certificates. Once the sale is confirmed and the deed is issued, there is no right of redemption.
Costs to Access Property Records
Concerning NCGS 161-10 and NCGS 105-228.30, applicants seeking to record instruments or obtain copies of property records in Davidson County are required to pay certain fees. Depending on the preferred method of collection, these fees include:
Service | Fee |
|---|---|
Online record search and images | Free |
Uncertified copy | $0.25 per page (varies by request method) |
Certified copy | $5 for the first page and $2 for each additional page |
Recording a new deed or deed of trust | $64 for the first 35 pages and $4 for each additional page |
Each page over 15 | $4 per page |
Excise tax (revenue stamps) | Seller must pay $2 per $1,000 of sale price for deeds recorded from August 1, 1991, to the present. |
How to Record a Document
Under Chapter 47 of the state’s statutes, you can follow these steps to record a property document in Davidson County:
Prepare the documents: Ensure the document is prepared with a 3-inch top margin on the first page. The document should include the property legal description, the owner’s full names, notary acknowledgment, original signatures, legible margins, and the grantee’s address on the first page. Be aware that if your documents fail to meet the standard criteria, you will pay a penalty of $25 in addition to the standard recording fee.
Calculate fees: The basic recording fee for a new deed/trust is $64 for the first 35 pages and $4 for each additional page. If you are recording an amendment to a Deed of trust, you will pay $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each additional page. This may include an excise tax of $1 per $500 of the sale price or consideration (this fee is paid by the seller). Make checks payable to the Davidson County Register of Deeds. To confirm the exact recording fees for your document type, check the recording fee schedule, or contact the Davidson County Register of Deeds by phone at (336) 242-2150.
Submit to the Clerk: Submit the completed documents to the Davidson County Register of Deeds in person, by mail, or online through approved e-recording vendors, such as CSC, Simplifile, and ePN. Once submitted, the Register of Deeds reviews the document, collects recording fees, and assigns a recording number.
Obtain a copy of the Recorded Document: Visit the Online Record Search System to view and print a copy of the recorded land document. Also, you may visit the Register of Deeds Office to obtain a certified copy of the recorded document.
FAQs
Yes. Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, most property records maintained by the Davidson County Register of Deeds and the Davidson County Tax Office are open to any person. You can search property records online, request them by mail, or visit the appropriate offices.
If you want to find out who the current owner of a property is, visit the Real Estate Search. You can search the portal using details such as property address, owner name, or parcel number.
Yes. You can search Davidson County property records by using the property address on the Real Estate Search and the Avineon viewer.
You can access digital copies of Davidson County property records filed from 1984 to the present. These records are available to the public through the Online Records System portal.
To find out the real selling price of a property in Davidson County, check the Real Estate search platform. You can find the actual sale price recorded during the transfer of ownership, which is different from the tax-assessed value, on the portal. Similarly, you may contact the Register of Deeds Office for inquiries.
Quick Reference: Your Davidson County Property Records Checklist
If you want to … | Use this … |
|---|---|
Verify ownership | Search for a property with its address at the Tax Office’s Real Estate Search portal. Check the parcel records and confirm ownership with the most recent deed recorded by the Register of Deeds. |
Pull a deed copy | If you have remote access, search the Real Estate LookUp to obtain a copy of a deed. You can request an uncertified or certified document from the Register of Deeds Office for a nominal fee. |
Check the tax bill | View your tax bill at the Davidson County Tax Portal. |
Appeal your value | Request an informal review, then appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review. |
File a homestead exclusion | Submit the appropriate application form to the Tax Office by June 1. |
Record a new document | Prepare the documents in the right format. Pay the recording fees and the excise tax. Submit the completed documents to the Office of the Register of Deeds. |
Key Contacts and Official Portals
Office | Details |
|---|---|
Davidson County Register of Deeds | 110 West Center Street, Lexington, NC 27292, (336) 242-2150, Register of Deeds Portal |
Davidson County Tax Assessor | 913 Greensboro Street, 3rd Floor, Suite 303, Lexington, NC 27292, (336) 242-2160, Assessor’s Portal |
Davidson County Clerk of Superior Court | Davidson County Courthouse, 110 West Center St, Lexington, NC 27292, nccourts.gov |
Davidson County GIS | |
NC Dept. of Revenue, Property Tax |