Hoke County, NC Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps
Home to the renowned Carolina Horse Park, Hoke County forms part of the Sandhills region of North Carolina. It is home to over 28,000 individual parcels across about 391 square miles of land. If you need to access these records, start with the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration Department. These offices maintain and provide access to land records in accordance with the state’s Public Records Law.
In Hoke County, the time needed to close on a home ranges from 12 to 56 days. The local economy is influenced by key economic drivers such as agriculture, military-related employment, healthcare, retail trade, and services. Single-family detached homes make up a large portion of the housing stock in communities such as Raeford, Rockfish, Silver City, Dundarrach, and Ashley Heights.
Recent housing records reveal the factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of {median_home_value}, a median rent of {median_rent}, alongside a median household income of {median_household_income}, and a median real estate tax of {median_real_est_tax} expressed as a percentage of the property's assessed value.
How to Look Up Hoke County Property Records
Hoke County property records are accessible to the public through designated online portals:
If you need … | Use this office … | Free online portal |
|---|---|---|
A deed, deed of trust, plat, or lien | Hoke County Register of Deeds | |
Ownership and assessed value | Hoke County Tax Assessor | |
A tax bill or to pay taxes | Hoke County Tax Collector | |
A parcel map or GIS layer | Land Records and GIS Mapping | |
Foreclosure or estate records | Clerk of Superior Court |
Who Keeps Hoke County Property Records?
In Hoke County, multiple county agencies maintain property records. These documents are open to the public for inspection and copying in accordance with North Carolina’s Public Records Law.
The Register of Deeds is the legal office that records, indexes, and preserves documents concerning real property in Hoke County. It handles documents that include deeds, deeds of trust, liens, easements, and plats. North Carolina's Registration of Instruments statute empowers the Hoke County Register of Deeds to process qualified land documents for recording purposes. However, the office cannot provide legal advice or perform title searches.
The Hoke County Tax Office maintains ownership records, parcel identification numbers (PINs), assessed values, tax listings, property characteristics, and other assessment-related data. You can use these records to verify ownership, review assessments, and obtain parcel information.
The Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records related to foreclosure proceedings, estates, special proceedings, and other matters affecting real property. Be aware that power-of-sale foreclosure hearings are handled through the Clerk of Superior Court's Office. Nonetheless, deeds, deeds of trust, and other land records are recorded and preserved by the Register of Deeds.
How to Search Hoke County Property Records Online
To search Hoke County property records online, kindly visit the official portals. You can take the following steps to view the desired documents:
Start with the county's Real Property Search webpage. You can typically search using the property’s address, owner's name, parcel identification number (PIN), or account number. The system allows anyone access to ownership information, assessed values, tax history, acreage, property characteristics, and parcel details.
Next, search the Register of Deeds Index Search webpage. Anyone can look up the recorded documents using details such as the owner's name, instrument number, recording date, document type, or book and page reference. Available records may include liens, plats, easements, releases, deeds, and deeds of trust.
Once you obtain the recorded deed from the Register of Deeds, review the most recent transfer of ownership. Then, trace the property’s chain of title through earlier recorded deeds and transfers. If the grantor’s name listed on one deed matches the grantee’s name shown on the previous deed, it is a great match. Otherwise, you must perform an additional title search through a title company.
You can also check the same portal for any outstanding liens, mortgages, or judgments recorded against a property. Avoid confusing the excise tax stamp with the actual sales price of a parcel. The stamp’s value corresponds to the actual consideration reported for the property transfer.
Finally, confirm the tax status of your property through the Tax Search Bill portal. Under NCGS 105-355 and NCGS 105-362, a property tax lien attaches to real property on January 1 of each tax year. The lien remains in effect until all taxes, penalties, interest, and related charges have been paid.
Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats
The Register of Deeds is an elected official who records all land records in the county. The office indexes land documents such as warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, easements, plats, deeds of trust, liens, and other related documents related to real estate transactions. Be aware that deeds of trust are the primary security instrument for real estate financing in Hoke County.
The Register of Deeds maintains historical and current land records dating back to 1911. The online records system includes document images dating back to 1911 and property records searchable from 1992 to the present.
Register of Deeds | |
|---|---|
Address | 113 Campus Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376 |
Mailing | 113 Campus Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376 |
Phone | (910)875-2035 |
Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Search portal | |
Search by | Grantor, Grantee, document type, recording date, or book and page. |
Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data
The Hoke County Tax Assessor’s Office identifies, lists, and values all taxable real and personal property within the county.
Tax Office | |
|---|---|
Address | 227 N. Main Street in Raeford, NC 28376 |
Mailing | P.O. Box 1557, Raeford, NC 28376 |
Phone | (910) 875-8751 |
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 Hoke County Tax Administration Department is responsible for billing and collecting real and personal property taxes. Property taxes in Hoke County are billed annually. You may pay your tax bills online, by mail, or in person through the Tax Office.
Tax bills and payments | |
|---|---|
Payment portal | |
Phone | (910) 875-8751 |
Delinquent after | January 5, following the July billing |
Interest | 2% for January and 0.75% for each additional month |
Property Tax in Hoke County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals
In Hoke County, the Tax Office is responsible for assessing property values, while the county and local taxing authorities adopt tax rates. To calculate property taxes, divide the property's assessed value by 100 and multiply it by the combined tax rate (municipal and district rates). Afterward, any eligible exemptions may reduce the taxable value of the property before the final tax amount is calculated.
Homestead and relief programs
North Carolina offers different property tax relief programs that lower property taxes for qualifying homeowners. Application forms are generally submitted by eligible applicants to the Hoke County Tax Office by June 1.
Program | What it does |
|---|---|
Elderly or Disabled Exclusion | Qualified homeowners who are at least 65 years old or permanently disabled may qualify for a property tax exclusion. The program excludes the greater of $25,000 or 50% of the appraised value of the permanent residence from taxation. Also, applicants must meet an income cap ($38,800 for 2025 income) and ownership requirements in accordance with NCGS 105-277.1. |
Builders Inventory Exclusion | In accordance with NCGS 105-277.02, builders may qualify for an exclusion on increases in property value resulting from subdivision, site improvements, or eligible new construction. The exclusion remains in effect while the builder continues to hold the property for sale. For residential property, the exclusion generally applies for up to three years after the property first becomes taxable. In addition, the exclusion may continue for up to five years for qualifying commercial property. The benefit ends earlier if a building permit is issued or the property is sold. Keep in mind that you can only apply for this exclusion once using Form AV-65. |
Circuit Breaker Deferment | This program limits the amount of property taxes owed on a permanent residence for qualifying elderly or disabled homeowners. Pursuant to NCGS 105-277.1B, the gross income of applicants must not exceed $58,200. For a homeowner in 2025, taxes are limited to 4% of income if it does not exceed $38,800. For those earning more than $38,800 but not more than 150% of the income eligibility limit, taxes are capped at 5% of income. Likewise, all homeowners must have owned and occupied the residence for at least five years. Homeowners must apply for the program each year. |
Disabled Veteran Exclusion | According to NCGS 105-277.1C, qualifying veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability may receive a property tax exclusion of up to $45,000 of the appraised value of their permanent residence. Surviving spouses who have not remarried may qualify if the veteran's death was service-related or occurred in the line of duty. In addition, unmarried joint owners may qualify based on their ownership interest in the property. Once approved, you cannot reapply unless the disability or benefit status has changed. |
Present Use Value | Agricultural, horticultural, and forestry land may qualify for property tax valuation based on its current use rather than its market value. You can submit a complete application to the Tax Office and can only apply for one relief program. |
Appealing your value
You can protest your property assessment via an informal review with the Hoke County Tax Office. If the issue is not resolved, you may file a formal appeal with the Hoke County Board of Equalization and Review (BOER). Should you disagree with the Board’s decision, you may further appeal to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission. After the commission’s decision, you may escalate the matter to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.
GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer
Hoke County hosts its Geographic Information System (GIS) and land descriptions on the GIS Viewer portal. It provides an interactive map viewer that allows anyone to view detailed property information, zoning information, flood zones, boundaries, and aerial imagery.
Foreclosure and Tax Sales
In Hoke County, foreclosure processes typically fall into two categories, namely power-of-sale foreclosures and property tax foreclosures.
Power-of-sale foreclosure
In Hoke County, residential foreclosures are processed through the power-of-sale contained in a deed of trust. Foreclosure hearings are conducted before the Clerk of Superior Court to determine whether foreclosures may proceed. If approved, the property may be sold at a public auction by the local county sheriff. After the auction, a 10-day upset bid period begins, during which you may submit higher bids through the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office. If no upset bids are filed, the sale becomes final, and ownership may be transferred to the successful bidder. In accordance with NCGS 45-21.27, the highest bidder is typically required to provide a deposit at the time of the sale.
Property-tax foreclosures
When property taxes remain unpaid, Hoke County may pursue foreclosure of the tax lien through a court action, according to NCGS 105-374 and NCGS 105-375. These procedures allow the county to recover unpaid taxes, penalties, interest, and other costs associated with the property. Keep in mind that Hoke County does not sell tax lien certificates. Once a tax foreclosure sale has been completed and the deed has been properly issued, there is generally no right of redemption.
Costs to Access Property Records
Most property records in Hoke County can be searched online at no cost through county-designated websites. However, if you want to record documents or obtain copies of property records, do so in accordance with NCGS 161-10 and NCGS 105-238.30. Depending on the service requested, these fees include:
Service | Fee |
|---|---|
Online record search and images | Free |
Uncertified copy | $0.25 per page |
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) | Sellers must pay $1 per $500 of sale price for deeds recorded from August 1, 1991, to the present. |
How to Record a Document
In Hoke County, you must follow the state’s recording requirements when submitting property documents for recording. To do so, kindly follow these steps:
Prepare the Document: Before submitting a document for recording, ensure it contains the required legal description, original signatures, notary acknowledgment, and the grantee's mailing address. The first page must include a 3-inch top margin. Keep in mind that if your document fails to meet the formatting standards, you will pay a penalty of $25 in addition to the standard recording fee.
Calculate Recording Fees: The standard recording fee for most deeds and deeds of trust in Hoke County 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 includes an excise tax of $1 per $500 of the sale price or consideration (this fee is paid by the seller). Before recording, confirm the current recording fees for your document type and acceptable payment method, or contact the Hoke County Register of Deeds by phone at (910)875-2035.
Submit the Document: Submit the completed documents to the Hoke County Register of Deeds in person or by mail. You can also submit these records through the approved e-recording vendors, including Simplifile, CSC, and ePN. After submitting the document, the Register of Deeds reviews, collects recording fees, assigns a recording number, and adds the document to the county's official land records.
Obtain a Copy of the Recorded Document: After recording, you may search the Hoke County Register of Deeds portal to view available land records. You may also visit the office in person to obtain certified or uncertified copies of the recorded document.
FAQs
Yes, anyone who wants to view or download copies of property records in Hoke County can do so in accordance with the North Carolina Public Records Law.
Visit the Real Property Search portal to find out who owns a property in Hoke County. Also, you can search the webpage using information such as the property address, owner’s name, or parcel identification number.
Yes, you can look up Hoke County land records by property address through the Real Property Search and the Register of Deeds Index Search portal.
Hoke County property records date back to 1911. However, records from 1992 to the present are available online to the public.
You may be able to find a property's reported sale information through the county's property search system and recorded deed records. Keep in mind that the actual sales prices may differ from the tax assessed value. If additional information is needed, you can contact the Hoke County Register of Deeds or the Tax Administration Department.
Quick Reference: Your Hoke County Property Records Checklist
If you want to … | Use this … |
|---|---|
Verify ownership | You can search for a property with its address on the Hoke County Tax Department’s Real Property Search webpage. Also, check the records and confirm ownership by reviewing the most recent deed recorded by the Register of Deeds. |
Pull a deed copy | Search the Index Search to obtain a copy of a deed. You may request uncertified or certified copies from the Register of Deeds Office for a nominal fee. |
Check the tax bill | You can use the Hoke County Tax Department’s Tax Search Bill webpage to view your tax bills. |
Appeal your value | You can request an informal review through the Hoke County Tax Department. If the issue is not resolved, appeal to the Hoke County Board of Equalization and Review. |
File a homestead value | Submit the appropriate application form to the Hoke County Tax Department by June 1. |
Record a new document | Ensure you prepare the document in accordance with the state’s recording requirements. Then, you pay the recording fees and excise tax. Afterwards, submit the completed documents to the Hoke County Register of Deeds. |
Key Contacts and Official Portals
Office | Details |
|---|---|
Hoke County Register of Deeds | 113 Campus Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376, (910)875-2035, Register of Deeds Portal |
Hoke County Tax Office | 227 N Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376, (910) 875-8751, Tax Office’s Portal |
Hoke County Clerk of Superior Court | Hoke County Courthouse, 304 N Main St, Raeford, NC 28376, nccourts.gov |
Hoke County GIS | |
NC Dept. of Revenue, Property Tax |