23 CAR § 204-114 – Minimum search requirements

(a)
1. (1) The title insurance report or policy shall be based upon a search of the title from the evidence prepared from a title plant or from the records of the clerk or the ex-officio recorder of the land records of the county that maintains records relating to real estate.
2. (2) No title insurance policy shall be issued until the title insurer or title insurance agent has caused to be made a determination of insurability of title in accordance with the title insurer’s underwriting practices.
(b) The search must include a review of all matters affecting title to the property or interest for a continuous period of no less than the preceding thirty (30) years.
(c) Evidence upon which the search is based may include:
1. (1) Any policy upon which the title insurance agent is willing to rely, subject to a determination of insurability of title in accordance with the title insurer’s underwriting practices;
2. (2) Abstracts of title;
3. (3) Title plant records;
4. (4) County records of the ex-officio recorder; or
5. (5) Any combination thereof that cover a continuous period of no less than the immediately preceding thirty (30) years.