Deed Recording Requirements in South Carolina
South Carolina deeds are signed before two witnesses and must be proved by a witness affidavit or acknowledged before recording, and a state deed recording fee applies based on the property's value.
Last checked . General information, not legal advice.
South Carolina at a glance
- Notary acknowledgment
- Required to record
- Witnesses
- 2 witnesses
- Transfer tax
- State tax applies
- Exemptions may apply
The rules in South Carolina
Does a deed need to be notarized in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires a deed to be acknowledged (or, where the statute allows, proved) before it can be recorded.
How many witnesses does a deed need in South Carolina?
South Carolina requires two witnesses on a deed.
Is there a real estate transfer tax in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina charges a state transfer tax or similar fee when a deed is recorded. Some transfers may be exempt, so check the current statute.
Where do the South Carolina rules for deeds come from?
They come from S.C. Code Title 30 Chapter 5, S.C. Code Title 12 Chapter 24 and S.C. Code Title 27 Chapter 7. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina is one of 35 jurisdictions that charge a state transfer tax or deed fee.
What this means in practice
Record the signed deed with the county recorder, register of deeds or land records office where the property is located. Recording puts the world on notice of the transfer and generally protects the new owner against later claims.
Recording offices often have formatting rules (margins, paper size, a return address, a parcel number) and charge a fee. Check the county's requirements before you sign.
A deed does not pay off a mortgage. If the property is mortgaged, the loan usually stays in place after the transfer.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.