This page helps you handle a Property Search in Durham County, North Carolina by pointing you to the official county tools for parcel, ownership, tax, and real property details.

Start with the Durham County Property Search when you need owner, address, REID, parcel, or related real property record information. Use Land Record/GIS or Tax Administration contacts when a record needs review or clarification.

The main public search tool for Durham County real property records is the Durham County Property Search. It supports several search paths, so use the detail you already have.

  • Last name, first name, or business name
  • Street number
  • Street name, without street type or directions
  • REID parcel identification number

For address searches, keep the street name simple. Do not include items such as “Rd,” “Dr,” “W,” or “West” in the street name field.

  • Choose the search field that matches the information you have.
  • Enter the owner name, address detail, or REID.
  • Review the returned property record for parcel and ownership details.
  • Use Land Record/GIS or Tax Administration if the result needs correction or staff review.

Real property database and downloadable files

Durham County also provides a Real Property Database for real estate billing files covering Durham County. The files are published in CSV format and are updated twice yearly.

Important: the database is a static file. Because of Durham County’s 2025 general reappraisal, appeal-related valuation and bill adjustments may not be reflected there as appeals are processed.

The county lists a 2025 Real Property Database file, Land Use Codes, and an Outside Request Form on that database page.

Land Record/GIS parcel records

Land Record/GIS is part of Durham County Tax Administration. It maintains real property ownership records for listing and taxation purposes and maintains the GIS real property map layer.

Use Land Record/GIS resources when you need help with ownership identification, GIS parcel mapping, parcel boundaries, acreage calculations, or exemption application processing.

The office notes that deed book and page, plat book and page, legal description, and acreage information can be found through the real property record search tools.

Older map books and owner ledger records

The Property Search tool also includes older record image searches. These are useful when a current parcel search does not answer an older ownership or mapping question.

Record option Coverage Search detail
Map Book Old large map books constructed in 1952 and updated until 1988 Enter a block and use the Show Map Book option
Owner Ledger Parcel ownership maintained in the Owner Ledger beginning in 1988 until January 1, 2004 Enter a block and use the Show Owner Ledger option
Register of Deeds records Real estate documents, with listed exceptions for some historical indexes and books Use the Register of Deeds self-service system for deed information

Tax bill and permit-related parcel searches

For tax bill details, Durham County provides a separate Tax Bill Search. It allows searching by full or partial address, full or partial owner name, bill number, receipt number, parcel number, or account number.

The City of Durham parcel search can help when the property question is tied to a building permit number, parcel ID, parcel PIN, address, or owner name.

Reappraisal, values, and appeals

Durham County assesses real property at 100% market value for its most recent general reappraisal. The current reappraisal was effective January 1, 2025, and the next reappraisal is listed for January 1, 2029.

Property owners can review property details, compare similar properties, and file a formal appeal through the county’s Tax Help resources. For 2026, appeals must be filed by 5:00 p.m. on June 17, 2026.

A concern about affordability or the final tax amount is not listed as a basis for a value appeal; the appeal should focus on whether the appraised value reflects the property’s January 1, 2025 market value.

Durham County Tax Administration contacts

Use these contacts when an online property record needs staff help, a property detail needs review, or you need guidance on real property, Land Record/GIS, exemptions, or appeals.

Common questions

Where do I search for Durham County property records?

Use the Durham County Property Search to search by owner name, address details, or REID parcel identification number.

Enter the street number and street name only. Do not include street types such as “Rd” or “Dr,” and do not include directions such as “W” or “West.”

Who maintains Durham County ownership and GIS parcel records?

Land Record/GIS, a division of Durham County Tax Administration, maintains real property ownership records for listing and taxation purposes and the GIS real property map layer.

How can I find deed book, page, or plat information?

Durham County Land Record/GIS directs users to the real property record search for deed book and page, plat book and page, legal description, and related parcel details.

Are older ownership records available online?

Yes. The Property Search tool includes Map Book images for old large map books constructed in 1952 and updated until 1988, plus Owner Ledger images for parcel ownership maintained from 1988 until January 1, 2004.

Where can I search for a Durham County tax bill?

Use the county’s Tax Bill Search for bill-related lookups by address, owner name, bill number, receipt number, parcel number, or account number.

What office should I contact if a property record looks wrong?

Contact Durham County Tax Administration at (919) 560-0300. For parcel mapping or ownership record questions, Land Records/GIS can also be reached through the Tax Administration contacts.