Bulletin: NC2025002

Dear Associates:

As of February 2, 2025, after a review by the North Carolina Geodetic Survey, the county line between Catawba and Lincoln counties shifted south approximately 500 feet, to be more in line with the original line between the counties that had shifted over the years. This shift results in approximately 385 parcels shifting from Lincoln County to Catawba County, approximately 86 parcels shifting from Catawba County to Lincoln County and another approximately 334 parcels that will be split between the two counties.

Stewart Requirements:

For all properties that shifted from Lincoln County to Catawba County, (a) the chain of title must be examined in Lincoln County up until the time a new deed or deed of trust affecting the property is recorded in Catawba County. The chain of title must also be examined in Catawba County from February 2, 2025, forward, (b) the new deed or deed of trust should only be recorded in Catawba County, and in the derivation clause reference should be made to the previous deed recorded in Lincoln County, and (c) judgments, liens, civil indexes and taxes should be checked in both counties for the statutory period.

For all properties that shifted from Catawba County to Lincoln County, (a) the chain of title must be examined in Catawba County up until the time a new deed or deed of trust affecting the property is recorded in Lincoln County. The chain of title must also be examined in Lincoln County from February 2, 2025, forward, (b) the new deed or deed of trust should only be recorded in Lincoln County, and in the derivation clause reference should be made to the previous deed recorded in Catawba County, and (c) judgments, liens, civil indexes and taxes should be checked in both counties for the statutory period.

For all properties that are now located in both counties: (a) the chain of title must be examined in the county where the property was previously located prior to the shift up until the time a new deed or deed of trust affecting the property is recorded, and (b) chain of title must be examined in the new county where the property is now located in based on the line shift from February 2, 2025, forward, (c) the new deed or deed of trust must be recorded in both counties, and (d) judgments, liens, civil indexes and taxes must be checked in both counties for the statutory period.

Commitment Requirements:

The following requirements for properties all or a portion of which have shifted from either Lincoln County or Catawba County to the other county:

1. The chain of title must be examined in the county the property was originally located in up until the time the new deed or deed of trust is recorded in the new county based upon the line shift, and if any portion of the property remains in the previous county the chain of title must be examined in both counties for all future transactions.
2. The chain of title must be examined in the new county based on the line shift from February 2, 2025, through the closing date.
3. Liens, judgments, and civil indexes must be examined in both counties.
4. Taxes must be checked in both counties.
5. Deed and/or deed of trust must be recorded in the county or counties in which all or any portion of the property is located based on the line shift.

If you have any questions relating to this or other bulletins, please contact a Stewart Title Guaranty Company underwriter.

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