North Charleston Property Deed Records Search
North Charleston deed records are spread across three county recording offices because the city spans Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties. North Charleston is the third-largest city in South Carolina and the second-largest city in the Charleston metropolitan area, with a population of approximately 115,000 residents. Property owners in North Charleston must determine which county their parcel falls in before searching or filing deed records. The best way to determine the correct county is to check your property tax bill or consult the county GIS mapping tools.
North Charleston Quick Facts
Where North Charleston Deed Records Are Filed
Because North Charleston spans three counties, North Charleston deed records may be held at any of three separate Register of Deeds offices depending on the parcel location. The majority of North Charleston properties fall within Charleston County, but significant portions of the city extend into Berkeley County and Dorchester County. Property owners should check their property tax bill, which lists the county, or contact the relevant county's GIS or assessor's office to confirm which recording office holds their deed.
The Charleston County Register of Deeds is an elected office at 101 Meeting Street, Suite 150, Charleston. The Berkeley County Register of Deeds is an elected office located at the Berkeley County Courthouse in Moncks Corner. The Dorchester County Register of Deeds is an elected office at 201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477. All three offices record deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and other property instruments for their respective portions of North Charleston.
| Charleston County ROD | 101 Meeting Street, Suite 150, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 958-4800 |
|---|---|
| Berkeley County ROD | Berkeley County Courthouse, Moncks Corner, SC |
| Dorchester County ROD | 201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (all offices) |
| City Website | northcharleston.org |
The City of North Charleston official website provides city services and contact directories for residents, while property recording is handled independently by each of the three county offices.
The City of North Charleston website is the starting point for city services, but deed records are maintained by the appropriate county Register of Deeds based on property location.
How to Search North Charleston Deed Records Online
The SC Land Records portal is the primary free tool for searching North Charleston deed records online. This state-supported system covers participating counties including Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester, allowing name-based and instrument-type searches without registration. Because North Charleston spans three counties, a thorough title search may require running name searches in all three county indexes.
Each county also has its own online resources. Charleston County maintains a public index at jcmsweb.charlestoncounty.org. Berkeley County and Dorchester County deed records can also be searched through the SC Land Records portal and through each county's own web resources. The SCIWAY directory of SC county recording offices provides contact information and website links for all three counties. For property ownership data compiled from county records, the SC Property Checker tool provides a searchable summary for individual counties.
The SCIWAY county directory shown below lists all South Carolina recording offices and is a practical reference for North Charleston residents who need to identify the correct county office for their property.
The SCIWAY directory provides contact details and website links for every South Carolina county recording office, which is particularly useful for North Charleston residents who need to confirm which of the three counties covers their address.
What North Charleston Deed Records Contain
Deed records for North Charleston properties follow the same statutory requirements that apply statewide under Title 30 of the South Carolina Code. Each recorded deed names the grantor and grantee with their addresses, includes a legal description of the property, and states the consideration or value exchanged. The legal description may reference recorded plats or use metes and bounds. The instrument number, book and page reference, and recording date are assigned at filing and become part of the public index.
Deeds executed after July 1, 1976 must include a derivation clause as required by Section 30-5-35 of the South Carolina Code. This clause identifies the prior deed or instrument by which the grantor acquired title, maintaining a traceable chain of ownership in the county records. Additional content on North Charleston deeds may include restrictions, easements, references to adjacent parcels, plat book citations, and tax map numbers. Mortgages recorded for North Charleston properties reflect the lender's security interest and the loan terms.
Recording North Charleston Property Documents
Recording a property document for a North Charleston parcel requires submitting the instrument to the Register of Deeds for the county in which the property is located. Under Section 30-5-30 of the South Carolina Code, all deeds must be acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer before they can be accepted for recording. The notarial acknowledgment confirms that the grantor voluntarily executed the document.
The deed recording fee under Section 12-24-10 is $1.85 per $500 of the property's stated value. Base page fees of $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 per additional page also apply. All documents must be original, legible, and formatted with a three-inch top margin on the first page. Section 30-5-90 requires that instruments be processed within 30 days of receipt. Liens on North Charleston properties are governed in part by Section 30-7-70. When recording at any of the three county offices, confirm the correct fee schedule with that specific office, as local policies may vary slightly.
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Plats and subdivision maps
- Mechanics liens and tax liens
- UCC financing statements
- Powers of attorney affecting real property
Getting Copies of North Charleston Deed Records
Certified copies of North Charleston deed records are available from the Register of Deeds office in the county where the property is located. Identify the correct county first by checking the property tax bill or county GIS tools. Once the county is confirmed, contact that office to request certified or standard copies. Certified copies carry the official seal and are accepted in legal and financial proceedings. Standard copies are available at a lower per-page rate.
Provide the grantor and grantee names, recording date, and book and page number or instrument number when making a copy request. Mail requests are accepted at each county ROD office; include a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for the applicable fees. For multi-county searches, you may need to contact two or more offices to gather a complete title history for a North Charleston property that has had ownership changes recorded in different counties over time.
North Charleston Property Record Resources
North Charleston deed records at all three county offices are public records under S.C. Code Section 30-4-10. Any person may inspect or receive copies of recorded instruments without giving a reason. This open-access right applies regardless of which county office holds the record. Privacy protections allow property owners to request removal of Social Security numbers from online versions of recorded documents, though the physical record is not altered.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds historical land records for the Lowcountry region, including early colonial grants and pre-county instruments. Title companies and real estate attorneys in the North Charleston area are experienced in multi-county searches and can assist property owners who need a complete chain of title across all three county records. The full set of Title 30 recording statutes is available on the SC legislature's website.
Charleston County Deed Records
Charleston County is the primary county for most North Charleston deed records. The elected Register of Deeds at 101 Meeting Street maintains instruments for the largest portion of the city. For a full overview of the Charleston County recording system, visit the Charleston County deed records page.
View Charleston County Deed Records
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file deed records at their county's recording office. Select a city to learn more.