Register of Deeds Responds to Coronavirus with Modified In-Person Services

In an effort to promote social distancing to slow the spread of Coronavirus: COVID-19 during the State of Emergency, the Register of Deeds office will be amending all in-person services.

The CDC and local health authorities recommend the use of social distancing strategies to slow the spread of this pandemic. They recommend employers establish policies such as telecommuting and online services to increase the physical distance among employees and their clients. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office will be closed to in person services but will have all office functions available to residents and law offices online. 

Modified In-Person Services Include:

Recording Real Estate Documents

Currently 56% of documents that are processed in Buncombe County are electronically recorded (meaning the real estate attorney never comes into the ROD office). The other documents are either mailed in or brought in person. During this State of Emergency, we strongly encourage all documents to be electronically recorded.

In an effort to help with this transition our eRecording vendor, Simplifile, has agreed to waive all startup fees and annual costs throughout the State of Emergency. 

For those who want to record documents in person, they must use the new drop box outside of the office. For those who mail in documents or eRecord will not see any change in operations. 

Birth, Death, and Marriage Certificates

Throughout the declared State of Emergency all certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates will be available for purchase online only. The Buncombe County Register of Deeds office will charge you only the regular cost of the certificate, $10. There will be no surcharge for our online service or for mailing you the certificate, thus keeping you safer and us safer from spreading germs to each other. To purchase a certificate go to buncombecounty.org/birth. 

Marriage Licenses

Throughout the State of Emergency, marriage licenses and notary oaths will be available daily by appointment only. Since these services must be in person because we have to verify each person’s identity and see them sign, we ask that you only come in at your scheduled time and only if you are not sick. We also promise that only non-sick staff are allowed to serve you. Appointments can be made online at the new Marriage License and Notary Oaths Calendar.

We are committed to providing services in a safe yet effective way for the duration of this situation. These plans are subject to change as the situation evolves. For the most up to date information on all Buncombe County services, please go to our user-friendly website at BuncombeCounty.org.