Pitt County Property Records
What Is Pitt County Property Records
Property records in Pitt County are official documents that establish and track the ownership, transfer, and encumbrances of real property within county boundaries. These records serve as the authoritative documentation of property ownership and interests throughout Pitt County, North Carolina. The primary purpose of maintaining these records is to establish legal ownership through a documented chain of title, provide public notice of property interests, protect property rights, and facilitate real estate transactions.
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 47-18, all conveyances of land, contracts to convey, options to convey, and leases of land must be recorded in the county where the property is located to be valid against lien creditors or purchasers for value. This statutory requirement establishes the legal framework for Pitt County's property recording system.
The Pitt County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of these records, maintaining a comprehensive repository of property-related documents dating back to the county's establishment. These records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and various other instruments affecting real property interests within the county.
Are Property Records Public Information In Pitt County?
Property records in Pitt 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, explicitly states that public records "shall mean all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, artifacts, or other documentary material, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received pursuant to law or ordinance in connection with the transaction of public business by any agency of North Carolina government or its subdivisions."
The legal basis for public access to property records rests on several principles:
- Property ownership is fundamentally a matter of public record
- Recording statutes require public access to provide constructive notice
- Transparency in land ownership serves the public interest
- Public access facilitates real estate transactions and property research
Any member of the public may access property records without demonstrating a specific interest or providing a reason for their request. This open access policy supports transparency in government operations and facilitates informed decision-making in real estate transactions.
How To Search Property Records in Pitt County in 2026
Members of the public seeking to search property records in Pitt County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains comprehensive systems for both in-person and online research.
For in-person searches, individuals may visit:
Pitt County Register of Deeds
1717 W. 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27834
(252) 902-1900
Pitt County Register of Deeds
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county holidays.
The search process involves the following steps:
- Determine the specific information needed (deed, mortgage, lien, etc.)
- Gather identifying information such as:
- Property owner's name
- Property address
- Parcel identification number (PIN)
- Book and page number (if known)
- Request assistance from staff at the public counter
- Use the public access terminals to search electronic records
- Request copies of relevant documents (fees may apply)
For property tax records, individuals may contact:
Pitt County Tax Administration
1717 W. 5th Street
Greenville, NC 27834
(252) 902-3400
Pitt County Tax Administration
The Tax Administration maintains records related to property valuations, tax assessments, and payment history. These records complement the ownership documents maintained by the Register of Deeds.
How To Find Property Records in Pitt County Online?
Pitt County offers comprehensive online access to property records through several digital platforms. The county's commitment to technological advancement has resulted in user-friendly systems that allow for efficient property research from any location with internet access.
To access real estate records online, follow these steps:
- Visit the Pitt County Register of Deeds website
- Navigate to the "Real Estate Records" section
- Select the appropriate search method:
- Name search (grantor/grantee)
- Property address
- Book and page number
- Document type
- Recording date range
- Enter the relevant search criteria
- Review the search results
- Select specific documents to view or download
For property tax and parcel information, the Online Parcel Information System (OPIS) provides a geographic information system (GIS) interface that allows users to:
- Search by owner name, address, or parcel number
- View property boundaries on interactive maps
- Access property card information including:
- Current ownership
- Property characteristics
- Building details
- Valuation history
- Tax information
Additionally, the Personal Property Search portal enables users to research non-real estate assets subject to taxation in Pitt County.
These online systems operate in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 132-6.1, which addresses electronic data-processing records and public access requirements.
How To Look Up Pitt County Property Records for Free?
Pitt County provides several no-cost options for accessing property records, ensuring that financial constraints do not impede public access to this essential information. These free resources include both digital and in-person options.
The following free search methods are available:
-
Public Access Terminals: Located at the Register of Deeds office, these terminals provide free on-site access to the county's electronic record system. Staff members are available to assist with navigational questions.
-
Online Property Record Portal: The county maintains a comprehensive online system that allows free searching and viewing of basic property information. While viewing basic information is free, downloading or printing official copies may incur fees.
-
GIS Mapping System: The county's OPIS platform provides free access to property boundaries, ownership information, and basic property characteristics through an interactive mapping interface.
-
Tax Records Search: The Personal Property Search system allows free access to tax assessment information, which often includes valuable property details.
-
myPittCounty Portal: The county's official payment and information portal provides access to property tax information at no cost, though payment processing fees may apply for transactions.
While basic searches are free, certain specialized services may incur fees as established by North Carolina General Statutes § 161-10, which authorizes counties to charge reasonable fees for copies and certified documents.
What's Included in a Pitt County Property Record?
Property records in Pitt County encompass a diverse range of documents and information related to both real property (land and permanently attached structures) and personal property (movable assets subject to taxation). These records are maintained by multiple county offices, primarily the Register of Deeds and the Tax Administration.
Real property records typically include:
- Deeds (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Satisfactions and releases
- Easements and right-of-way agreements
- Restrictive covenants
- Plats and surveys
- Condominium declarations
- Foreclosure documents
- Tax liens and releases
- Judgments affecting title
- Powers of attorney related to real estate
Personal property records generally cover:
- Business equipment and fixtures
- Mobile homes (when classified as personal property)
- Boats and watercraft
- Aircraft
- Farm equipment
- Heavy machinery
The detailed information contained in these records typically includes:
- Legal description of the property
- Names of all parties to the transaction
- Consideration paid (purchase price)
- Date of transaction
- Recording information (book/page or instrument number)
- Notarial acknowledgments
- Property tax identification numbers
- References to related documents
- Encumbrances and restrictions
These comprehensive records are maintained in accordance with North Carolina General Statutes § 161-14, which establishes requirements for the recording and indexing of instruments.
How Long Does Pitt County Keep Property Records?
Pitt County maintains property records in perpetuity, with documentation dating back to the county's establishment in 1760. This permanent retention policy ensures the continuous chain of title necessary for property ownership verification and legal certainty in real estate transactions.
The retention of property records is governed by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' Records Retention Schedule, which mandates permanent retention for:
- Deeds and conveyances
- Plats and surveys
- Mortgage and deed of trust records
- Indexes to real property records
- Condominium and townhouse plats
- Highway right-of-way maps
- Easement records
Other property-related records have specific retention periods:
- Tax scrolls and abstracts: Permanent
- Property tax receipts: 5 years
- Tax foreclosure records: Permanent
- Building permits: 6 years after completion
- Zoning variance records: Permanent
- Subdivision records: Permanent
The Register of Deeds has implemented comprehensive preservation measures for historical records, including climate-controlled storage, digital conversion, and security protocols. These measures comply with North Carolina General Statutes § 161-11, which requires registers of deeds to "provide and keep suitable indexes of all the records required to be kept by them."
How To Find Liens on Property In Pitt County?
Liens represent legal claims against property that must be satisfied when the property is sold. Pitt County maintains comprehensive records of various liens that may affect real property within its jurisdiction. Members of the public seeking to identify liens on specific properties have several research options available.
To conduct a lien search in Pitt County:
-
Register of Deeds Search: Visit the Register of Deeds office in person or access their online portal to search for:
- Tax liens
- Judgment liens
- Mechanics' liens
- Homeowners association liens
- Child support liens
- Federal tax liens
-
Clerk of Superior Court: Contact the Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court for:
- Judgment liens
- Lis pendens notices
- Execution liens
Pitt County Clerk of Superior Court
100 W 3rd Street
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 695-7100
Pitt County Clerk of Court -
Tax Administration: Check with the Pitt County Tax Administration for:
- Property tax liens
- Special assessment liens
-
Online Resources: Utilize the county's OPIS system to identify potential tax liens and assessments.
A comprehensive lien search typically requires checking multiple sources, as different types of liens are recorded with different agencies. For complex properties or transactions, professional title search services may be advisable to ensure all encumbrances are identified.
Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 44A-12, mechanics' liens must be filed within 120 days after the last furnishing of labor or materials to be enforceable, highlighting the time-sensitive nature of certain lien records.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Pitt County?
The Property Owner Rule in Pitt County refers to the set of regulations and legal principles governing property ownership, transfer, and rights within the county. These rules are derived from North Carolina state law and local ordinances that establish the framework for real property interests.
Key components of the Property Owner Rule include:
-
Recording Requirements: Pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes § 47-18, all instruments affecting title to real property must be recorded in the county where the property is located to be effective against third parties. This "race recording" statute gives priority to the first properly recorded instrument.
-
Ownership Forms: Pitt County recognizes various forms of property ownership including:
- Fee simple (individual ownership)
- Tenancy in common
- Joint tenancy with right of survivorship
- Tenancy by the entirety (married couples only)
- Corporate and partnership ownership
- Trust ownership
-
Property Tax Responsibility: Property owners are legally responsible for paying annual property taxes based on assessed value. Failure to pay property taxes may result in liens and eventual foreclosure under North Carolina General Statutes § 105-374.
-
Disclosure Requirements: Sellers of residential property must provide a Residential Property Disclosure Statement to potential buyers, disclosing known material defects.
-
Adverse Possession: Under North Carolina law, a person may claim ownership of property through adverse possession after 20 years of open, notorious, exclusive, continuous, and hostile possession (reduced to 7 years if under color of title).
-
Easement Regulations: Property owners must respect recorded easements that grant specific rights to others to use portions of their property for designated purposes.
-
Riparian Rights: Properties adjoining waterways have specific rights and limitations regarding water usage and access.
These rules are administered and enforced through various county departments, including the Register of Deeds, Tax Administration, and Planning Department, in accordance with state law and local ordinances.
Lookup Property Records in Pitt County
Register of Deeds Official Records