Robeson County Property Records
What Is Robeson County Property Records
Property records in Robeson County constitute official documentation that establishes legal ownership, transfers, and encumbrances affecting real property within county boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative source for determining property ownership history and rights. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 47-18, all conveyances of land, contracts to convey, options to purchase, and leases must be recorded to be effective against third parties.
The primary functions of Robeson County property records include:
- Establishing legal chain of title and ownership
- Providing public notice of property interests and encumbrances
- Protecting property rights through official documentation
- Facilitating real estate transactions and property transfers
- Supporting property tax assessment and collection
The Robeson County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of these vital records. This office maintains comprehensive documentation of property ownership, transfers, and related legal instruments affecting real property throughout the county.
Robeson County Register of Deeds
500 N. Elm Street, Suite 102
Lumberton, NC 28358
910-671-3044
Robeson County Register of Deeds
Are Property Records Public Information In Robeson County?
Property records in Robeson County are public information and accessible to all citizens under North Carolina law. The North Carolina Public Records Act, codified in North Carolina General Statutes § 132-1, establishes that public records shall be the property of the people and that the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies of these records. Additionally, North Carolina General Statutes § 47-14 specifically addresses the recording and indexing of property instruments.
The legal basis for public access to property records includes:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public accessibility to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or reason
The Robeson County Tax Administration Office maintains property tax records that are also available to the public. These records contain valuable information about property values, tax assessments, and ownership details.
Robeson County Tax Administration Office
500 N. Elm Street, Suite 103
Lumberton, NC 28358
910-671-3000
Robeson County Tax Administration
How To Search Property Records in Robeson County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Robeson County may utilize several methods currently available through county offices. The following procedures outline the standard process for conducting property record searches:
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Determine the specific information needed (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
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Gather identifying information about the property:
- Property owner's name (current or previous)
- Property address
- Parcel identification number (PIN)
- Legal description
- Book and page number (if known)
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Select the appropriate search method:
- Online search through the county's official property records portal
- In-person visit to the Register of Deeds office
- Written request submitted by mail
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For in-person searches, visit the Register of Deeds office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM)
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Complete any required request forms, which are available at the office or through the Robeson County online services portal
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Pay applicable fees for searches or document copies (fees vary based on document type and number of pages)
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Review the retrieved records for the information needed
For specialized searches or complex inquiries, county staff are available to provide guidance on navigating the records system effectively.
How To Find Property Records in Robeson County Online?
Robeson County provides comprehensive online access to property records through its digital portal. The following step-by-step process enables efficient online searches:
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Navigate to the Robeson County online services website
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Select "Property Records Search" from the available options
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Choose the appropriate search method based on available information:
- Name search (for current or previous property owners)
- Address search (using the physical property address)
- Parcel ID search (using the county's unique property identifier)
- Book and page search (for known recorded documents)
- Instrument number search (for documents with assigned numbers)
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Enter the required search criteria in the designated fields
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Review the search results, which typically include:
- Property ownership information
- Document recording dates
- Document types (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
- Book and page references
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Select specific documents to view detailed information
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Download or print documents as needed (fees may apply for certain document types)
The online system provides access to records dating back several decades, though the most comprehensive digital records are available for more recent transactions. For historical records predating digital conversion, users may need to contact the Register of Deeds office directly.
Robeson County Information Technology Department
500 N. Elm Street
Lumberton, NC 28358
910-671-3000
Robeson County Online Services
How To Look Up Robeson County Property Records for Free?
Robeson County offers several no-cost options for accessing property records. Members of the public may utilize these free resources to obtain basic property information:
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Public access terminals at the Register of Deeds office:
- Available during regular business hours
- No fee for on-site viewing of records
- Staff assistance available for search guidance
- Only printing and certified copies incur fees
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Robeson County Public Library resources:
- Public computers with internet access
- Assistance from library staff for basic searches
- Access to certain historical property records
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Basic online property search functions:
- The county's property tax information portal offers free basic searches
- Property ownership information
- Property tax valuation data
- Property characteristics and improvements
- Tax payment status
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GIS mapping system:
- Free access to the county's geographic information system
- Visual property location and boundary information
- Basic property details linked to map parcels
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In-person assistance at the Tax Administration office:
- Staff can provide basic property ownership information
- Tax assessment records available without charge
While these free options provide substantial information, certain specialized searches or document copies may still require payment of statutory fees. The North Carolina Department of Revenue also provides general property tax information and forms that may assist in property research through their property tax resources.
What's Included in a Robeson County Property Record?
Robeson County property records encompass a comprehensive collection of documents and information pertaining to real property within county boundaries. These records are maintained by multiple county offices, primarily the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration Office. In accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 105-303, property records must contain specific elements to establish legal ownership and facilitate proper taxation.
Property records typically include the following components:
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Ownership Documents
- Warranty deeds
- Quitclaim deeds
- Special warranty deeds
- Trustee deeds
- Executor's deeds
- Administrator's deeds
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Financial Encumbrances
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfaction of mortgage documents
- Assignments of mortgages
- Home equity lines of credit
- Construction liens
- Mechanics' liens
- Tax liens
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Property Description Information
- Legal description of the property
- Parcel identification number
- Property boundaries
- Lot size and dimensions
- Subdivision information (if applicable)
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Tax Assessment Data
- Property valuation
- Tax rate information
- Payment history
- Exemptions or special classifications
- Appeal records
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Additional Property Documents
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Homeowners association documents
- Plat maps and surveys
- Zoning classifications
- Building permits and certificates of occupancy
The North Carolina Department of Administration's State Property Office provides additional guidance on property documentation standards that apply to properties throughout the state, including those in Robeson County.
How Long Does Robeson County Keep Property Records?
Robeson County maintains property records in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention Schedule. This schedule, authorized under North Carolina General Statutes § 121-5, establishes mandatory retention periods for various public records, including property documents.
The retention periods for key property records in Robeson County are as follows:
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Permanent Retention (Indefinite)
- Deeds and conveyances
- Plats and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Annexation records
- Original tax maps
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Long-Term Retention (20+ years)
- Property tax records (minimum 10 years after settlement)
- Special assessment records (10 years after final payment)
- Building permits (permanent for commercial; 6 years after completion for residential)
- Zoning variance records (permanent)
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Medium-Term Retention (5-20 years)
- Tax appeals (10 years)
- Building inspections (6 years after completion)
- Temporary easements (6 years after expiration)
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Short-Term Retention (Less than 5 years)
- Routine correspondence regarding property (3 years)
- Permit applications (3 years)
- Temporary use permits (3 years after expiration)
The Register of Deeds office has implemented digital preservation systems to ensure the long-term accessibility of these vital records. Historical records dating back to the county's formation in 1787 have been preserved through various conservation methods, including digitization of older documents.
For specific retention information about particular document types, interested parties may contact the Register of Deeds office directly or consult the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Management Program.
How To Find Liens on Property In Robeson County?
Locating liens on property in Robeson County requires a systematic search of official records maintained by various county and state offices. Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. The following procedure outlines the process for conducting a comprehensive lien search:
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Register of Deeds Search
- Visit the Robeson County Register of Deeds office or access their online records portal
- Search by property owner name, property address, or parcel identification number
- Review the grantor-grantee index for any recorded liens
- Examine documents categorized as:
- Mechanics' liens
- Judgment liens
- Tax liens
- Mortgage liens
- HOA liens
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Tax Administration Office Search
- Check for outstanding property tax liens through the Robeson County Tax Administration
- Verify current and past tax payment status
- Identify any delinquent tax amounts that may constitute a lien
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Clerk of Superior Court Search
- Visit the Robeson County Courthouse
- Search judgment dockets for any judgments recorded against the property owner
- Review civil case records that may have resulted in property liens
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State Tax Liens
- Check with the North Carolina Department of Revenue for state tax liens
- These liens may be filed at both the county and state level
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Federal Tax Liens
- Search for federal tax liens at the Register of Deeds office
- These are typically recorded at the county level but originate from federal tax authorities
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Utilities and Municipal Liens
- Contact the City of Lumberton and other municipalities within Robeson County
- Verify any outstanding utility bills or special assessments that may constitute liens
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Homeowners Association Liens
- If the property is within a subdivision or planned community, contact the homeowners association
- Verify any unpaid HOA dues or assessments that may have resulted in liens
For the most comprehensive results, many real estate professionals recommend combining personal searches with professional title searches when conducting due diligence on property transactions.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Robeson County?
The Property Owner Rule in Robeson County refers to the legal framework governing property ownership rights and responsibilities as established by North Carolina state law and local ordinances. This rule encompasses several key principles that affect property owners within the county.
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 47-18, the "race-notice" recording statute establishes that the first person to record a valid deed at the Register of Deeds office generally has superior legal rights to the property. This fundamental principle forms the basis of property ownership rules in Robeson County.
Key components of the Property Owner Rule include:
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Recording Requirements
- All property transfers must be properly recorded with the Register of Deeds
- Unrecorded deeds are valid between parties but may not be enforceable against third parties
- Documents must meet specific formatting and content requirements to be accepted for recording
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Property Tax Obligations
- Property owners are responsible for paying annual property taxes
- Tax liens have priority over most other liens and encumbrances
- Failure to pay property taxes can result in foreclosure proceedings
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Boundary and Survey Regulations
- Property boundaries must be clearly established through legal descriptions
- Boundary disputes are resolved according to established legal principles
- Adverse possession claims require 20 years of open, notorious, and continuous possession
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Land Use Restrictions
- Property use is subject to zoning regulations and land use ordinances
- Restrictive covenants may impose additional limitations on property use
- Historic district designations may place special requirements on property modifications
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Disclosure Requirements
- Sellers must disclose known material defects to potential buyers
- Residential property disclosure statements are required for most residential transactions
- Failure to disclose may result in legal liability
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Eminent Domain Provisions
- Government entities may acquire private property for public use with just compensation
- Procedural requirements must be followed for valid condemnation
Property owners seeking specific guidance on these rules should consult with the appropriate county offices or seek legal counsel for their particular circumstances.
Lookup Property Records in Robeson County
Robeson County Register of Deeds property records
Robeson County Tax Administration property information
Robeson County online property services portal