How can I combine my parcels to receive only one tax bill?
Land Records / GIS will combine parcels as long as the following criteria are met:
- The parcels of land are in the EXACT same owner(s) name
- The parcels are contiguous (they must be adjoining)
- One of the following documents is recorded
A recorded plat where the surveyor has certified to G.S. 47-30 (F)11 – d. The survey is of another category, such as the recombination of existing parcels
A recorded deed or affidavit describing the outer boundary of the combined parcels as one, along with a statement of intent to combine.
* Once a document is recorded that combines existing parcels, we create a new tax parcel in the Land Records Office. All new parcels will have to follow any subdivision rules of the Hertford County subdivision regulation if a division is ever desired.
The owner of the property is deceased. How do I remove their name from the bill?
If the deceased had a will you need to have a copy of their will recorded here in Hertford County, at the Clerk of Court’s Office. If the deceased died out of the state of North Carolina, it will need to be an Exemplified copy. If they died in the state of North Carolina, then it will need to be a certified copy. If there was not a will, the Land Records / GIS office requires an original copy of the death certificate to be presented in the office, either in person, or my mail. Originals can be returned upon request as long as they are sent with a postage paid self addressed envelope. If there is no estate file or list of legal heirs on record, the property will then be transfered to the name of the deceased, plus the word heirs. (i.e. Jane Doe, Heirs) If the heirs of the deceased want the property listed to them by name, they will have to have a signed affidavit stating they are the only heirs and have it filed in Hertford County Clerk of Courts or Register of Deeds. Once you have the will and list of heirs recorded, please notify our office and we will change the property as stated in the legal documents.
How can I change the name on the property?
The only way to change the tax ownership listing is through a recorded deed, unless the person whose name you are removing is deceased. (see question above)
There is an error on your tax maps, how do I get it corrected?
We will gladly fix any errors you may find in our tax maps. We only asked that you provide us with the legal documentation that shows where our maps are incorrect. Legal documentation could be in the form of a survey or deed, however, deeds that call for an acreage, often include the statement “more or less” and may actually be different from the amount calculated on the maps. If the property has not been surveyed, we highly recommend a survey be done to clear any boundary or acreage disputes that may arise.
Can I buy or download your GIS data?
We do not offer any of our layers for download at this time. All data can be purchased through our office by using the fee schedule / data use agreement. Our aerial photography is available for free from www.nconemap.com
How often is your GIS website updated?
We send updates to the GIS website during the first week of every month. Typically changes are reflected on the website within a month or two of recording. Deeds that require subdividing or merging properties will take longer to be reflected due to the amount of extra work involved.
Am I in a flood zone?
Our GIS website does offer the flood zone layer, however, for the most accurate data we recommend you visit FEMA’s website at www.ncfloodmaps.com.
Is my lot big enough to build on?
Any inquires about lot size and building requirements need to be addressed in the planning and zoning office. They can give you more information on the setbacks and other questions related to the restrictions on your property.
Can I get a copy of a historical map or data from your office?
No. All the maps in the Land Records / GIS office are current based upon the deeds and legal documents on record. You may check with historical societies or the Office of Archives in Raleigh for historical maps and information.
What is GIS?
GIS stands for Geographic Information Systems, and is a computer system capable of creating, storing, managing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced information. GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in mnay ways that reveal relationships patterns and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts. For more information and examples, please visit www.gis.com.