~STANDARDS~
Document Formatting Standards
Effective in NC July 1, 2002
(G.S. 161-14)
Changes effective October 1, 2019 - Session Law 2019-117(SB594)
In addition to all other statutory and locally adopted prerequisites, all documents executed on paper after July 1, 2002 and presented for registration after that date must meet the following requirements:
✓ Be presented on 8 ¼ x 11 or 8 ¼ x 14 paper
✓ Contain blank margins
- At least 3" at the top of the first page
- At least ½" on three other sides of first page
- At least ½" on all sides of subsequent pages
✓ Be typed or printed in black on white paper
✓ Be in a legible font no smaller than 9 points
- Blanks in an instrument may be completed in pen
- Corrections to an instrument may be made in pen
✓ Text must be typed or printed on one side of a page only
✓ Type of instrument must be stated at the top of the first page, below the margin
*If an instrument does not meet these requirements, the register of deeds will record the instrument after collecting the $25 fee for non-standard documents.*
Exception to non-standard document fee: If an instrument fails to meet the filing requirements solely because it contains print in a font size smaller than 9 points, the register of deeds may register the instrument without collecting the fee for non-standard documents if,
at the discretion of the register of deeds, the instrument is legible. In order to avoid rejection, all documents should comply with 9 point font requirement.
Formatting Standards apply to all documents for which a fee is collected under GS 161-10(a):
- Instruments in General
- Deeds of Trust and Mortgages
(There is no fee for cancellation of Deeds of Trust and Mortgages in NC)
- Uniform Commercial Code filings
(National Standard forms are exempt from the document formatting standards)
- Torrens Registration
- Master Forms