Robeson County, NC Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

If you are researching property records in Robeson County, start with the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration Office. Most property records in Robeson County are open to the public under the state's Public Records Law. In Robeson County, which spans about 951 square miles, available property records date back to 1877.

Homes in Robeson County typically go pending in about 35 to 63 days. The local housing market benefits from a diverse economy led by healthcare, manufacturing, government services, and transportation. Single-family detached homes make up a significant portion of the housing market in communities such as Lumberton, Pembroke, Red Springs, and Saint Pauls.

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How to Look Up Robeson County Property Records

Property records in Robeson County are handled by two main offices, each with a different role:

Who Keeps Robeson County Property Records

In North Carolina, property records are managed at the county level under the Public Records Law. If you wish to access these documents in Robeson County, two offices share the responsibilities, with each handling different parts:

• The Robeson County Register of Deeds manages documents such as warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, liens, releases, and other land records. These records affect the transfer and ownership of real property in the county. In accordance with NCGS 161-14, the Register of Deeds' Office serves as the custodian of recorded real-estate documents. However, it cannot perform title searches or provide legal advice.

• Whether you are verifying property ownership, checking an assessed value, reviewing a parcel map, or paying property taxes, the Robeson County Tax Administration Office can help. This office maintains ownership records, administers property assessments, prepares tax bills, assigns parcel identification numbers (PINs), and collects property taxes.

• The Robeson County Clerk of Superior Court manages court files involving foreclosure proceedings and estate files. While a power-of-sale foreclosure hearing is handled through the Superior Court Clerk, deeds and other land documents are recorded with the County Register of Deeds.

How to Search Robeson County Property Records Online

The best way to research a property in Robeson County is to compare information from both offices’ portals. Using these systems will help you confirm ownership, property details, and any recorded documents that may affect the property:

1. To begin with, start at the OneSearch portal. You can search the webpage using the property’s address, owner's name, parcel identification number (PIN), or account number. The system allows you to view property ownership, assessed values, and tax information.

2. Continue with the Register of Deeds' Online Lookup webpage. Search the platform using the owner's name, book and page, instrument number, recording date, or document type. You can locate deeds, deeds of trust, plats, easements, releases, and other recorded instruments through the portal.

3. Walk back the chain of title from the most recent recorded deed. The grantor's name on one deed must match the grantee listed on the previous deed. Any missing link in the chain of title may signal potential problems, which may require additional title research.

4. Also, you can check the Register of Deeds portal for outstanding deeds of trust, judgments, liens, easements, restrictive covenants, releases, and other documents that can affect the use or ownership of a property. While the excise tax stamp may reveal the rough estimate of the reported value for a property transfer, it does not necessarily reflect what the property was last sold for.

5. In conclusion, you can verify the property tax’s status using the Tax Administration portal. Pursuant to North Carolina laws 105-355 and 105-362, a tax lien attaches to real estate on January 1 of each tax year and remains effective until the taxes and other related charges are fully paid.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The Robeson County Register of Deeds is the official recording office for real estate documents. It is worth noting that North Carolina typically uses deeds of trust rather than mortgages to secure real-estate loans. The office oversees documents that affect the ownership of properties. These records include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, deeds of trust, releases, easements, restrictive covenants, plats, powers of attorney, liens, and other documents relating to real estate. These records establish the public chain of title and provide notice of interests that may affect a property's ownership or use.

You can search historical and current land records through the Register of Deeds' online portal, with records dating back to 1787.

Tax Assessor: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

The Robeson County Tax Administration’s Office is responsible for valuing every property and assigning parcel identification numbers (PINs) that link the records system together. You can use the Tax Administration’s OneSearch portal to find the current property owner, mailing address, assessed values, parcel number, property characteristics, and other assessment-related documents.

Tax Collector: Tax Bills and Payments

The Robeson County Tax Administration Office also handles property tax billing and collection. Like other North Carolina counties, property taxes in Robeson County are billed annually. A bill runs on a fiscal year from July 1 through June 30, which is not a calendar year.

Property Tax in Robeson County: Rates, Exemptions, and Appeals

In Robeson County, the Tax Administration Office sets each property’s assessed value, and the tax rates adopted by the Board of Commissioners and any municipalities. To estimate the total annual tax, divide the assessed value by 100 and multiply it by the combined tax rate (municipal and special district rates). Finally, subtract any eligible exemptions from the final amount to lower the tax.

Homestead and relief programs

North Carolina offers several statutory relief programs that lower property taxes for qualifying homeowners. Applicants can submit their application form to the Robeson County Tax Administration’s Office by June 1.

Appealing your value

If you think your property’s assessed value is too high or otherwise inaccurate, you may first contact the Robeson County Tax Administration Office for an informal review. Providing documents such as recent sales information, appraisals, photographs, or corrected property information may help support your case. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file an appeal with the Robeson County Board of Equalization and Review (BOER). Further appeals may be made to the North Carolina Property Tax Commission as permitted by state law. Following the commission's decision, you may escalate the matter to the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

Robeson County provides online mapping tools that allow anyone to view parcel boundaries and property information. The ROKMAPS webpage connects each parcel to its ownership and assessment records. Using this portal, you may find property information such as boundaries, subdivision, aerial imagery, soil layers, voting district boundaries, zoning, and FEMA flood zones.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

If your property taxes remain unpaid, the Robeson County Tax Administration Office can initiate foreclosure proceedings against your parcel. This is the first step toward selling the property at public auction to collect the delinquent taxes.

Power-of-sale foreclosures

Most residential foreclosures in Robeson County are conducted by a deed of trust’s trustee under a power of sale and are heard by the Clerk of Superior Court. The local sheriff's office executes the public auction at the courthouse. Be aware that successful bids remain open during a 10-day upset-bid period 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 in accordance with NCGS 45-21.27.

Property-tax foreclosure

Robeson County also forecloses on properties with delinquent taxes. This is done in accordance with NCGS 105-374 or the in rem process under 105-375. Be aware that Robeson 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

Under NCGS 161-10 and NCGS 105-228.30, anyone seeking to record instruments or obtain copies of property records in Robeson County is required to pay certain fees. The following fees typically apply in Robeson County:

How to Record a Document

If you want to record a property document in Robeson County, you must comply with the North Carolina recording requirements. Then, follow these steps to get started:

• Prepare the Documents: Ensure the document is prepared with a 3-inch top margin on the first page. Then, the document should include a legal description of the property, the owner's full name, original signatures, notary acknowledgment, required margins, and the grantee’s mailing address on the first page. Keep in mind that if your document fails to meet the standard requirement, you will be fined $25, in addition to the standard recording fee.

• Calculate Recording Fees: The basic recording fee for a new deed is $64 for the first 35 pages and $4 for each additional page. Anyone recording an amendment to a deed of trust must pay $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each additional page. An excise tax of $1 per $500 of the sale price or consideration (paid by the seller) may be included. Also, make checks payable to the Robeson County Register of Deeds. You can check the recording fee schedule or contact the Register of Deeds' Office at (910) 671-3040 if you are unsure which fees apply.

• Submit the Document: You may submit the completed documents to the Robeson County Register of Deeds in person, by mail, or online through approved e-recording vendors such as Simplifile and CSC. After submission, the Register of Deeds reviews the document, collects recording fees, and assigns a recording number.

• Obtain a copy of the Recorded Document: After recording, you may view and download a copy of the recorded land document through the land records portal. Also, you may visit the Register of Deeds' Office to obtain a certified copy of the recorded document.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Robeson County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals