Guilford County Register of Deeds: Report on Mission and Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Core Mandate and Institutional Integrity (SDG 16)

The Guilford County Register of Deeds operates with a primary mission to ensure the integrity and accessibility of public records. This function is a cornerstone of building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, directly aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

• Statutory Mission: The office’s core responsibilities, as mandated by North Carolina General Statutes, are to record, preserve, maintain, and provide access to real estate and vital records.
• Promoting Justice and Legal Identity (Target 16.9): By managing vital records, the office plays a crucial role in providing legal identity for all citizens, a fundamental human right and a key target of SDG 16.
• Securing Property Rights: The accurate recording of real estate transactions underpins secure land tenure, which is essential for rule of law and access to justice.

Commitment to Innovation and Modern Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The organization is committed to leveraging advanced technology and innovative business practices to enhance service delivery. This strategy supports Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by modernizing public service infrastructure.

• Technological Advancement: The adoption of leading-edge technology aims to create a model public organization, ensuring efficient and resilient systems for record management.
• Service Excellence: A focus on courteous, professional, and excellent service is implemented to exceed citizen expectations and improve the citizen-government interface, fostering institutional accountability.

Socio-Economic Impact and Community Development

The functions of the Register of Deeds have a broad impact on community well-being and economic development, contributing to several SDGs.

1. Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11): Secure property records are foundational for sustainable urban planning, housing access, and secure land tenure for all residents.
2. Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8): By guaranteeing the legal status of property, the office enables citizens to leverage assets for credit and financial services, fostering economic activity and growth.
3. Gender Equality (SDG 5): The impartial recording of property ownership ensures that all individuals, regardless of gender, have their rights to economic resources and property ownership legally protected.

Analysis of SDGs in the Provided Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, which outlines the mission and commitment of the Guilford County Register of Deeds, is primarily connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most directly relevant SDG. The article describes the functions of a public institution responsible for legal records, aiming for effectiveness, transparency, and public service. The office’s mission to “record, preserve, maintain, and provide access to real estate and vital records” is a core function of a strong and just institution.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The work of the Register of Deeds supports the eradication of poverty by formalizing land and property rights. Recording “real estate” records provides legal security of tenure, which is a critical asset for economic stability and poverty reduction.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: By recording property ownership without discrimination, the office’s function is essential for ensuring women have equal rights to economic resources, including ownership and control over land.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Secure land tenure, managed through the recording of “real estate” records, is fundamental for access to adequate housing and for the effective planning and management of urban development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s description of the Register of Deeds’ mission and services, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The article directly addresses this by stating a commitment to being “the best organization,” using “innovative business practices,” and operating in an “effective and efficient manner” to provide “excellent service.”
2. Target 16.9: By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration.
   • The mission to “record, preserve, maintain, and provide access to… vital records” directly corresponds to this target, as vital records include birth certificates, which establish a legal identity.
3. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms…
   • The mission explicitly includes the goal to “provide access to real estate and vital records,” which is a direct implementation of ensuring public access to official information.
4. Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women… have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to… ownership and control over land and other forms of property…
   • The function of recording “real estate” documents is the mechanism through which ownership and control over land are legally recognized and secured, supporting this target.
5. Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land…
   • Similar to Target 1.4, the non-discriminatory recording of land titles is a foundational practice that helps achieve this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data or official SDG indicators. However, it implies several qualitative or process-based indicators that could be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 16.6 (Effective Institutions): The article implies indicators related to institutional performance and user satisfaction. Progress could be measured by:
  • The adoption rate of “advanced technology and innovative business practices.”
  • Citizen satisfaction surveys to gauge whether the office does “exceed the expectations of the citizens we serve.”
  • Measures of efficiency, such as the time and cost to record a document.
• Indicator for Target 16.9 (Legal Identity): The core function itself is an indicator. Progress is related to:
  • The completeness and accessibility of the “vital records” registry. While the official UN indicator is the “Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered,” the office’s effective operation is a prerequisite.
• Indicator for Target 1.4 (Control over Land): The existence and integrity of the land registry are key. An implied indicator is:
  • The number and proportion of land parcels in the county that are formally registered in the system maintained by the Register of Deeds.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: guilfordcountync.gov