South Carolina is proud to have one of the tallest Ferris wheels in the world. Native American tribes of Cherokee, Creek, and Santee have lived in South Carolina for thousands of years. The state has plentiful forests, mountainous peaks, and miles of Atlantic coastline, offering residents variety and a choice of three regions to settle in. South Carolina has a population of over 5 million people, meaning millions of property records each year.

South Carolina property records impact property owners and the properties themselves. Lawyers, realtors, appraisers, inspectors, title companies, buyers, and sellers use property records to gain further insight into the property and its history. Property records contain much useful information, especially during real estate transactions.

Use this guide to learn all about South Carolina property records, what they are, how they work, the different types, and how to find them and change them when life events occur.

Property records in South Carolina are documents (both legal and non-legal) that contain vast information about a piece of real property. They are created by many different types of government offices, realtors, title companies, attorneys, and others in the fields of law, government, and real estate.

Sources of Property Records in South Carolina

The thing to understand is that property records are kept in different locations. You cannot just visit one office or a single government website and find them all. They are spread out among different offices, private companies, and various repositories. If you want to find deeds in the state of South Carolina, you must contact the register of deeds office. Many of them are handled through the courts, and some have a specific office. For example, Dorchester County has a register of deeds office that handles them. Local county treasurer's offices set tax rates and send out annual property tax bills. Charleston County has a great website to help residents pay their taxes online and view information. Each county has an office to issue building permits as well.

The register of deeds in each county has an important job. They are responsible for filing, indexing, and maintaining deeds, mortgages, plats, state and federal liens, commercial codes, mechanic's liens, and other documents pertaining to real property. They also collect fees and provide access to public records.

How Property Records are Maintained in South Carolina

Each register of deeds office has its own system of indexing documents. When filed, the clerk will stamp it with the date and time and a unique identifier to make it easy to find later. When people request records, the register of deeds can charge $0.50 per page or $1 per document plus the charge for copying.

Accessing Records at the Register of Deeds in South Carolina

Anyone can access records at the register of deeds office in their county. You can visit in person during regular business hours or access records through a search portal on their website. They can charge fees for copies, and you might have to wait while they find records. The trick to finding the right records is accessing them at the correct register of deeds location. To get you started here are a few:

Register of Deeds Locations in South Carolina

Every county in South Carolina has a register of deeds office. Use this list of all South Carolina county registers to find the one you need for records pertaining to a property in that jurisdiction.

During a property history search, you'll find many things. Different types of property records exist for different purposes. For example, deeds transfer ownership of real property, and building permits allow someone to add on to their existing homes.

The state requires assessors to reassess real properties every five years. The reassessment helps to determine the property's taxable market value, which changes when physical modifications have been made or when a county reassessment program is implemented. The County Assessor's office is responsible for conducting the reassessments. They distribute assessors at the local level to value properties as guided by state laws. The process of reassessment usually follows these steps:

Easements and Covenants

Another common thing you will find in property records are easements and covenants, which may both accompany deeds. Easements are rights-of-way that give someone other than the owner rights to access the property for a specific purpose. If the town makes a portion of a road on private property, the town can access that road anytime without first asking the owner.

Covenants are rules about how a piece of land may be used. These are common with condos and gated communities. They can be as simple as prohibiting pink flamingos on your lawn.

Plats and Surveys

Plats and surveys are types of maps that detail the property. Plats show the boundaries of all the neighboring properties, but surveys only show the boundaries of a single property. Surveys deal with coordinates and measurements. To find plats or other maps, you can consult this government resource.

Standard survey documents in South Carolina contain the following information:

Historical Property Records

Once property records reach a certain level, states often offload them into archives to free up space for newer records.

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History has a great resource where you can search for older property records to fill in some blanks.

Building Permits and Regulations in South Carolina

South Carolina's Information Highway (SCIWAY) is full of great information for researchers or homeowners. You can find information from each county on how to obtain a building permit to build a new structure or add onto an existing one.

Performing a property history search is relatively easy, depending on what you are looking for. Thankfully, you have many different ways to search. Some of the more common are:

Online Property Record Search

Your first option should be to try a generic online property record search. Type the property address or owner's name into a search bar and review the results. You may find what you need or may need to take it a step further.

In-Person Property Record Search

You can always visit the register of deeds office in the county where the property is. You may have to wait while they find the records, and you will have to pay a fee for copies.

Using Property Record Indexes

If visiting in person isn't possible, you could try consulting the many property record indexes online. However, they are not always properly maintained or updated, so be careful.

How to Search Property Records by Address

It's best to search using the property address. Type the full address into a search bar, and you should be able to find it quickly.

How to Search Property Records by Name

Sometimes, you can also find records based on the current or past owner's name. It's rarer, but it can be done.

There is nothing quite as lovely as owning your own home. South Carolina residents have a lot of beautiful land to enjoy, but along with that comes the responsibility of maintaining the property and paying mortgages and taxes. Once you sign on the dotted line, your name will appear in the property records as the current owner.

Many property records include the legal property description. This description includes map coordinates, natural landmarks, and a written description so that anyone can clearly identify it.

Surveys and Land Measurements

Surveys measure the land and produce map coordinates that uniquely identify the property. They are used for new construction, utility installation, and boundary disputes.

Boundary Disputes and Resolutions

Boundary disputes happen when someone is mistaken about their property lines and believes someone else is trespassing. If heated, these end up in court for a judge to decide. The courts call on professional surveyors to come in and provide expert testimony to help determine the issue.

Property records also contain encumbrances like liens, which can dramatically affect the property negatively. There are two different types of liens: voluntary and involuntary.

Voluntary Liens

Voluntary liens are those which you choose and readily agree to. They come into play with mortgages, home equity loans, and other situations where you use your home as collateral for financing.

Involuntary Liens

Involuntary liens are those over which you have no control. They are imposed upon your property when you fail to pay a debt. If you don't resolve them quickly, they usually lead to the loss of your home.

Real estate transactions are when property records really come into focus. They are used beforehand to research the property and gather information. During the deal, more records will be created, filed with the government, and eventually become public records.

Buying Property: Due Diligence

Before buying any property in South Carolina, you should get as much information as possible. Property records can tell you a lot about a property. Check out the fair market value of a single home and others in the area, as well as the taxes, and look for liens, building permits indicating renovations, and foreclosures.

Selling Property: Providing Disclosure

Before selling a home in South Carolina, you must disclose any material defects you know about to the buyer. For example, if the furnace needs to be replaced, you will have to disclose that or face legal issues later.

Title Searches and Insurance

When a lender finances the purchase of your home, they will require that you purchase title insurance. It protects you and them from any title defects or legal claims on the property after the sale. Title companies perform a property title search to head off issues like these.

Foreclosure and Property Records in South Carolina

Foreclosures show up in property records also. They can show if an owner failed to pay the mortgage or taxes and lost the home in a foreclosure. These can be tricky because they complicate a sale and require more paperwork.

Pre-Foreclosures in South Carolina

Regular buyers may shy away from buying foreclosure or pre-foreclosure homes, but investors look for bargains like these to buy cheap and sell for a profit.

When was the House Built?

If you are wondering when the house was first built, you can find out easily. Check building permits going back years to find the first one, and then you can see if any renovations have been done since then.

Property values are among the most helpful information found in property records. During a property history search, you can see the fair market value of a single home or others in the neighboring area. These values come from assessments and appraisals.

Assessments and Appraisals

Assessments and appraisals are both tools used by professionals to arrive at a proper value for the home. Tax officials use assessments to value the house and set tax rates. Appraisers, working for mortgage lenders and estate planners use an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the home. They do so by comparing it with other similar home sales in the area.

Property Records and Market Value

Keep in mind that the fair market value can fluctuate widely based on market conditions and economic factors. The value derived from assessments may not match the fair market value of an appraisal.

Property records are public records and can be accessed by anyone at any time without reason. Your name and address, plus other details, may be listed in some public property records.

Accessing Public Property Records

Accessing public property records is as easy as visiting the government office that holds them or looking online. Everyone has the legal right to access public property records.

Why are Property Records Public?

Property records are public to provide the proper chain of title (no hidden records and owners) and to protect the citizens from any government office having too much power.

How Do I Protect My Personal Information in Property Records?

It's not possible to completely remove all your personal information from property records. However, you can minimize your exposure and risk of identity theft by contacting the proper agencies and having them redact anything beyond your name and address.

Maintaining and correcting your property records is your responsibility. No one will know to do it automatically. You must contact the correct agency and bring proper documentation to support the change.