Editor’s note:This is the first in a series of monthly columns from department heads in Rowan County government, arranged by County Commissioner Raymond Coltrain.
By John Brindle
For the Salisbury Post
I am your register of deeds of Rowan County. I am writing this in hopes you will gain insight into what the Register of Deeds Office offers you as a citizen.
The register of deeds is the custodian and manager of public records and subject to the laws governing the care and maintenance of these records and the access to them. The office exists primarily to enable the owner of an interest in property to give “public notice” of that ownership.
The general statutes of North Carolina govern the register of deeds. We are responsible for maintenance, integrity and safe-keeping of all public records for which we are legally entrusted. Our office is committed to proper enforcement of these laws as we strive to bring to you the highest level of customer service.
The Register of Deeds is responsible for the recording, indexing and storage of records including births, deaths, marriages, discharges and land record documents.
While serving Rowan County citizens in 2008, the Register of Deeds office processed 39,398 certified and regular copies of vital records and land records. The staff issued 745 marriage licenses and gave oaths to 390 notaries. Recordings included 23,510 land records, 1,056 birth records, 1,234 death records, 17 birth amendments and 27 military discharges.
We are pleased to record military discharges (DD214) at no charge for our service men and women.
We are often asked to give advice on how to prepare documents for recording. Unfortunately, the register of deeds, assistants, and deputies are prohibited by N.C. General Statute 84-2 from practicing law, which says, in part: “The practice of law includes preparing or helping prepare deeds and or legal documents for others, abstracting or advising on land titles, or giving opinions as to the legal rights of any person, whether or not the service is rendered for compensation.”
The records in this office date back to the 1700s. Deed Book 4 Page 195 and Deed Book 5 Page 450 reference an American legend, Daniel Boone.
The well-trained staff of the Register of Deeds Office participates in district, state and national organizations which promote and provide training opportunities, investigate legislative proposals, lobby for legislative priorities and investigate new technology. These courses are offered at the UNC Chapel Hill School of Government and other training sites throughout North Carolina.
Citizens can log on to the Register of Deeds Web Page via the county’s web site at www.co.rowan.nc.us to find frequently asked questions and answers about the office and gain access to the Land Records Index.
I invite you to see your Register of Deeds Office in person at 402 N. Main St. We have a wall dedicated to our service men and women. If you have a picture of a loved one who is serving in the military or will be deploying soon, send it to us or bring it by the Register of Deeds Office and we will gladly include it with others already on our wall. Remember to pray for the safe return home of all our service men and women.