The year 2022 has been one when the Guilford County Register of Deeds office went through a lot of changes – for the most part very good ones.
In the pandemic years, the deeds office – like many county departments – underwent a massive transformation in the way services were delivered. Now, Guilford County Register of Deeds Jeff Thigpen is taking a look back at the past 12 months and pointing to a return to normalcy.
“This year has been a transition from the COVID pandemic to a ‘new’ normal,” Thigpen stated in a year-end newsletter summing up the deeds office’s activity in 2022.
With COVID on the decline, the department was able to interact more directly with its clients this year. For instance, the Register of Deeds Office reopened its walk-in passport office and held the first public passport fairs since the pandemic began – including ones at NC A&T State University and Bennett College.
The department, according to Thigpen’s summary, also did the following:
- Hired new staff.
- Undertook a major renovation project to house real estate and vitals books in the county-owned Truist building in downtown Greensboro, where the Greensboro deeds office is located. Deeds staff was aided by the county facilities department in the move.
- Partnered with and supported Operation Greenlight for Veterans through Thank a Vet and Suicide Awareness by fielding a Team at the Triad Out of the Darkness Walk. Ever since Thigpen was elected register of deeds over a decade and a half ago he’s worked to implement programs to help veterans. For instance, he came up with a program that issues special cards to veterans allowing them discounts at many local businesses. That program has been copied by other counties.
- Continued e-recording efforts in Land Records and returned to normal customer contact in Vital Records.
Thigpen added, “This season reminds us we are human in a time the weight of this world can be especially heavy. There can be stress and anxiety, overwhelming hard times, those in physical or mental recovery, and/or we just get worn down from it all. In my successes and failure, I approach these days with deep gratitude. I’ve become more knowledgeable, respectful, and committed to public service through the gift of relationships with so many people. For me, all of you are the ‘Reason for the Season!’”
Thigpen concluded his cheery year-end message, “I thank our staff and the support from our local property records partners along with you–the People of Guilford County for our success!”
