Cary Property Records Lookup
Cary property records are filed at the Wake County Register of Deeds. Cary does not have its own Register of Deeds office. Instead, all property recordings go through the Wake County office in Raleigh. Cary is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in North Carolina, with about 180,000 residents. The town sits mostly in Wake County with a small portion in Chatham County. Wake County property records for the Cary area date back to 1771 when the county was formed.
Cary Quick Facts
Where to Find Cary Property Records
Cary uses the Wake County Register of Deeds for all property recordings. There is no separate office in Cary. The Wake County office records deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other land documents for all municipalities in the county, including Cary.
| Office | Wake County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 S. Salisbury St Raleigh, NC 27601 |
| Phone | (919) 856-5460 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
A small part of Cary extends into Chatham County. If your Cary property is in the Chatham County portion, your records are filed at the Chatham County Register of Deeds instead. Most Cary properties are in Wake County. Check your tax bill or deed to see which county your property falls in. The Town of Cary Planning and Development office works with Wake County on property and land use matters but does not record deeds or other instruments.
How to Search Cary Property Records Online
Wake County offers BooksWeb for searching recorded documents. BooksWeb is free and runs all day, every day. You can search by grantor name, grantee name, book and page, or recording date. The system covers all recorded documents for properties in Cary and across Wake County.
When you find a result in BooksWeb, you can view the document image on your screen. This lets you read the actual deed, lien, or other instrument without visiting the office. Many Cary residents use BooksWeb to look up their deed or check for liens before refinancing. The system is simple to use. Enter a name or parcel detail and review the matching results.
The image below shows the Wake County BooksWeb system used for Cary property searches.
Wake County also provides iMaps for parcel-level data. With iMaps you can click any lot in Cary to see its owner, tax value, lot size, zoning, and more. The map layers include flood zones, school districts, and municipal boundaries. This makes iMaps a great starting point for property research in Cary.
Cary Deed Property Records
Deeds are the foundation of property records in Cary. Every property sale creates a new deed. The deed names the buyer and seller, describes the property, and states the type of transfer. Once recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds, the document is a permanent public record.
Cary has grown from a small railroad town to one of the largest municipalities in North Carolina. That growth is reflected in the property records. Early deeds cover large tracts of farmland. Later recordings show those farms divided into subdivisions and commercial parcels. Today, Cary continues to add new recordings as development expands in all directions. Revenue stamps on recorded deeds show the excise tax paid, which reflects the sale price. This data helps researchers and appraisers track how Cary property values have changed over the years.
Property Liens in Cary
Liens against Cary properties are recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds. Common types include deeds of trust for mortgages, tax liens from unpaid property taxes, and mechanic's liens from unpaid construction work. Judgment liens from court orders are also recorded.
Before buying a home in Cary, a title company runs a title search. The search reviews all recorded deeds, liens, and judgments in the chain of title. A clean title means no unresolved claims exist. If a lien is found, the seller must clear it before closing. Most mortgage lenders in Cary require title insurance to protect against hidden claims that the search might miss. Title insurance gives the buyer and lender added security after the sale is complete.
Cary Property Tax Records
Wake County sets property values for all parcels in Cary. Tax records show assessed value, land value, building details, and taxes owed. You can look up tax records through the county tax office or iMaps. These records are public.
Cary property owners pay Wake County taxes and Town of Cary taxes. The combined rate is set during the annual budget process. Property values are reassessed on a regular cycle per Chapter 105 of the NC General Statutes. If you think your value is too high, you can file an appeal with the county. The deadline is on your tax notice. Missing the deadline may mean waiting until the next revaluation to contest your assessment. Unpaid taxes create a lien on the property.
Recording Documents for Cary Properties
To record a property document for a Cary property, you go to the Wake County Register of Deeds in Raleigh or use eRecording. Electronic recording lets title companies and attorneys submit documents online. This avoids the drive from Cary to Raleigh. The office charges recording fees under Chapter 161 of the General Statutes and collects excise tax on transfers.
Documents must be properly formatted per Chapter 47 of the General Statutes. This means correct margins, clear text, and valid notarization. The office reviews each document before recording. Documents that do not meet standards are returned. Call (919) 856-5460 to ask about current fees and requirements before submitting a document for a Cary property.
Cary Growth and Property Records
Cary is one of the fastest-growing towns in the state. Rapid growth creates a large volume of new property records. Each new subdivision generates plats, easement agreements, and covenants that are recorded at the Wake County Register of Deeds. These documents shape how land is used and developed in Cary.
The Town of Cary Planning and Development department reviews new projects and coordinates with Wake County on land records. While the town does not record deeds, it does manage zoning, permitting, and land use planning. Developers work with both the town and the county to bring new projects from plan to completion. The resulting property records document every step of that process, from the initial plat to the final deed for each lot sold in Cary.
Historical Property Records for Cary
Wake County has records from 1771 that cover the Cary area. Cary was incorporated in 1871, but the land was part of Wake County long before that. Early records show farms and rural tracts where modern Cary now stands. The NC State Archives holds original Wake County documents from the colonial period.
Old deeds and plats reveal how Cary transformed from farmland to a suburban town. The railroad played a key role in early growth. Property records from the late 1800s and early 1900s show lots near the train station and the original downtown area. The NC Association of Registers of Deeds can help point you to the right resources for historical property searches in the Cary area. These records serve genealogists and historians as well as property owners who need to establish a full chain of title.
Wake County Property Records
Cary is in Wake County. All property recordings for Cary go through the Wake County Register of Deeds in Raleigh. The county also serves Raleigh, Apex, Holly Springs, and other municipalities. For full details on the county office, fees, and additional resources, visit the Wake County property records page.