Aiken County Deed Records and Land Filings
Aiken County has one of the few elected Registers of Deeds in South Carolina. Only six counties in the state elect their Register rather than appointing one. That elected office is responsible for recording and preserving all real property instruments filed in Aiken County, including deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens. The county seat of Aiken serves a large and growing community in the Central Savannah River Area. Records are available to the public both online and in person at the Register of Deeds office.
Aiken County Quick Facts
Aiken County Register of Deeds Office
The Aiken County Register of Deeds is the official custodian of all recorded land documents in the county. As one of only six elected registers in South Carolina, the Register of Deeds in Aiken holds a position of direct public accountability. The office records instruments, maintains the index, issues certified copies, and provides public access to all filed documents.
The Aiken County Government website provides information about the Register of Deeds office and its services. You can find office hours, fee schedules, and contact information through the county portal. The Register's dedicated page at aikencountysc.gov/register-of-deeds outlines the recording process and available resources for both residents and title professionals.
| Office | Aiken County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 828 Richland Avenue West, Suite 400, Aiken, SC 29801 |
| Phone | (803) 642-1523 |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | aikencountysc.gov/register-of-deeds |
The Aiken County Government site is shown below, providing a directory of county services including the Register of Deeds for property record access.
The site also offers links to other county offices, including the Assessor and GIS, which are useful complements to deed record research.
Searching Aiken County Deed Records Online
Several online tools allow you to search Aiken County deed records without visiting the courthouse. The statewide SC Land Records portal is a free resource that includes documents from many South Carolina counties, including Aiken. Searches can be done by name, book and page, or document type. The availability of records on this portal depends on when the county began submitting digital data.
The SC Property Checker for Aiken County is another route to deed and ownership data. This tool aggregates property records and allows searches by owner name or address. It is especially helpful for quick ownership lookups when you already know the property address.
The screenshot below shows the SC Property Checker tool for Aiken County, which includes deed record history and ownership data for parcels throughout the county.
Online searches work best when combined with the county's own portal for the most up-to-date recording data.
Note: The SC Land Records portal may not include all Aiken County documents; some older records require an in-person request at the Register of Deeds office.What Aiken County Deed Records Include
Every recorded deed in Aiken County carries a standard set of information required under South Carolina law. The names and addresses of both the grantor and grantee must appear on the document. A legal description of the property, whether by metes and bounds or by reference to a recorded plat, defines exactly what is being conveyed. The consideration paid, or the stated reason for the transfer such as "love and affection," is also part of the record.
The recording date and an assigned instrument number are added at the time the document is filed. For deeds executed after July 1, 1976, a derivation clause is required under Section 30-5-35 of the South Carolina Code. This clause references the prior deed or instrument through which the grantor obtained title, giving searchers a link to the previous owner. The grantee's mailing address is required on all deeds in this same category.
Additional information may include easements, deed restrictions, homeowners association covenants, and references to plats. Tax map numbers tie the deed to the assessor's records. All of this information is part of the permanent public record once the document is filed and indexed.
Types of Documents Recorded in Aiken County
The Register of Deeds in Aiken County accepts a wide range of real property instruments. Standard deeds include warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and deeds of gift. Mortgages and deeds of trust are recorded when a lender holds a security interest in real property. Plats, which are the official maps of subdivisions and individual parcels, are recorded and maintained as part of the land record system.
Mechanics liens, tax liens, and UCC financing statements are also recorded in the Register of Deeds office. These documents establish priority interests in real or personal property and are part of the public record. Powers of attorney that relate to real property transactions are another document type frequently filed in Aiken County.
- 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
Recording Requirements for Aiken County Deeds
South Carolina recording law under Title 30, Chapter 5 applies to all deeds filed in Aiken County. Section 30-5-30 requires that every deed be acknowledged by the grantor before a notary or other authorized officer, or proved by a witness, before it is eligible for recording. Without proper acknowledgment, the Clerk or Register will not accept the document.
The deed transfer fee is $1.85 per $500 of the property's value under Section 12-24-10. This fee is the responsibility of the grantor. In addition to the deed fee, base recording fees apply per page. The first page runs $10 to $15 and subsequent pages cost $5 each, though Aiken County's specific rate schedule is set by the office. Documents must be recorded within 30 days of being lodged with the office under Section 30-5-90.
Liens and encumbrances are subject to Section 30-7-70, which governs how they are filed and how their priority is determined. Getting the recording right the first time protects the interests of both buyers and lenders.
Historical Records in Aiken County
Aiken County was established in 1871, and its deed records begin the following year. Conveyance records from 1872 to 1955 and indexes from 1872 to 1967 have been preserved and are accessible through FamilySearch and similar genealogical platforms. These records are valuable for researchers tracing land ownership across generations or investigating historical property disputes.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds many of the older instruments and has digitized portions of the historical record. For genealogists and title researchers working with pre-1900 land records, the Archives is often a necessary stop. The OnGenealogy directory of South Carolina land records can point you toward what is available online for Aiken County.
Note: Records predating Aiken County's formation in 1871 may be found in the records of the original parent counties, including Barnwell and Edgefield.Copies, Certifications, and Public Access
Certified copies of Aiken County deed records are available from the Register of Deeds office. A certified copy carries the official seal and signature of the Register and is accepted as legal proof of the recorded instrument. Standard uncertified copies are also available at a lower cost. The exact fee schedule is maintained by the office and can be confirmed by phone or email before submitting a request.
All deed records in Aiken County are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Section 30-4-10. Any member of the public has the right to inspect or obtain copies without stating a reason. If a Social Security number appears on a filed document, the owner may request that it be redacted from any online or digital version of the record.
The SCIWAY county recording directory at sciway.net provides a useful reference for locating the Register of Deeds offices across all South Carolina counties, including Aiken.
Related Property Records in Aiken County
Deed records work alongside a set of related county records that support full property research. The Aiken County Assessor's office maintains tax values and parcel data for every property in the county. GIS maps, available through the county website, allow users to view parcel boundaries and locate properties by address or map number. Together, deed records, assessor data, and GIS tools provide a complete picture of any given parcel.
Probate records are also relevant when property changes hands through an estate. Wills, intestate proceedings, and estate deeds are filed in the Probate Court and then cross-referenced with the Register of Deeds when real property is formally conveyed to an heir or beneficiary. For any complex title question, consulting a South Carolina real estate attorney is advisable.
Nearby Counties
Aiken County shares borders with several counties in central and western South Carolina, each with its own recording office.