N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-74-20: Clerk of court may give surety by mortgage deposited with register.

In all cases where the clerk of the superior court may be required to give surety, he may deposit a mortgage with the register of deeds, payable to the State, and conditioned, as the bond would have been required, with power of sale. The power of sale shall be executed by the register of deeds, upon a breach of any of the conditions of said mortgage; and the register of deeds shall in all cases immediately register the same, at the expense of the said clerk. (1874-5, c. 103, s. 6; Code, s. 122; Rev., s. 268; C.S., s. 349.)