Brunswick County Property Records Parcels, Taxes, Deeds, Maps

How to Look Up Land in Brunswick County

In Brunswick County, one office handles both values and bills: the Tax Office in Bolivia appraises property, keeps ownership records and collects taxes. Deeds are recorded by the Register of Deeds. The county GIS viewer and flood zone viewer show the land itself.

The links below are the official county pages. After them is a step by step guide for landowners: find the parcel number, read the property record card and tax bill, check for unpaid taxes, find the deed, and check flood zones and wetlands. The last part explains what the assessed value means.

Step 1: Find your parcel number

Go to the county's Search Property and Tax Records page and open the property and tax information search. Search by owner name, address, parcel number or account number. The county suggests starting with less, such as the owner's last name only.

If you only know where the land is, open the GIS Data Viewer, zoom in and click the lot. Write down the parcel number. The county says searching by parcel number is more reliable than by address.

• Vacant lots often have no address, so use the owner name or the map.
• Lots inside a town such as Leland, Shallotte or Boiling Spring Lakes are still in the county tax search, but the town handles zoning.
• Call the Tax Office at 910-253-2829 if you cannot find a parcel.

Step 2: Read the property record card

The property record card shows the owner and mailing address, parcel number, location, land and building data, assessed value and a map. Check the mailing address first, because tax bills and foreclosure notices go there.

Look at the land size and the legal description or deed reference. Compare them with your deed. If the acreage looks wrong, the Tax Office can explain how it was mapped.

Step 3: Read the tax bill and check whether taxes are owed

Brunswick County mails bills in mid-August. Taxes are due September 1 and can be paid without interest through January 5. From January 6, interest starts at 2 percent, then adds 3/4 of 1 percent each month. The bill is sent in the name of the owner as of January 1, so a bill can show the prior owner after a sale.

Search your parcel in the property and tax information search and look at every year. You can view past bills in the tax bill image viewer. For a payoff amount on a delinquent account, contact Collections through the tax bills and payments page.

• Unpaid real property taxes are advertised in the spring after they go delinquent.
• The county can then start a tax foreclosure. Costs and attorney fees are added.
• Our Brunswick County back taxes guide covers the full timeline.

Step 4: Find the deed and confirm ownership

Deeds are recorded by the Register of Deeds. Open the online records search. Recordings from September 1939 to today can be searched by grantor (seller), grantee (buyer), document type, date range, and book and page. Searching and viewing online are free.

The grantee on the most recent deed is the owner. If the owner died, an estate file or a court step may be needed before heirs can sell. The real estate records page lists copy fees: 25 cents a page for uncertified copies, and $5 for the first page and $2 for each added page for certified copies.

Step 5: Check flood zones, wetlands and zoning

Brunswick County is coastal and has a lot of low land. Use the county Flood Zone Viewer and search your address. The state NC Flood Risk Information System has the official flood maps too. The floodplain administrator can be reached at 910-253-2046.

For a first look at wetlands, use the National Wetlands Inventory mapper. It is a planning map, not a legal wetland line. Zoning questions for unincorporated land go to county Planning.

What the assessed value means

North Carolina appraises property at market value as of the county's reappraisal date. Brunswick County's last reappraisal was in 2023, and the next one takes effect January 1, 2027. Between reappraisals the value usually stays the same, even if the market moves.

So the assessed value on your card can be out of date. Land prices may have risen or fallen since 2023, and mass appraisal does not see every detail, such as wetlands, a flood zone or a missing septic permit. A sale price can be above or below the tax value. To dispute a value, contact the Tax Office about its review and appeal process.

Selling your Brunswick County land

Our Brunswick County land guide covers the local market and building rules. Our back taxes guide covers selling when taxes are owed.

EasyLotBuyer makes a cash offer within 24 hours, charges no fees or commissions, pays the closing costs and can close in as few as 7 days. We buy lots with back taxes, liens, title problems or no road access, and from heirs. Back taxes are paid at closing from the sale. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm dates, amounts and rules with the county office.