Berkeley County Deed Records and Property Filings

Berkeley County is one of only six South Carolina counties with an elected Register of Deeds. That distinction reflects the importance the county places on direct public accountability for its land record system. The Register of Deeds office records all real property instruments for Berkeley County, which covers a large area north and west of Charleston, including Moncks Corner, Goose Creek, and portions of North Charleston and Summerville. Records are public and available through online tools and in-person visits to the courthouse.

Berkeley County Register of Deeds Office

The Berkeley County Register of Deeds is the elected recording official for all real property instruments in the county. This is one of the few elected register positions in South Carolina, and it means that Berkeley County voters choose who manages the land record system. The Register's office is located in Moncks Corner and serves the full geographic range of Berkeley County, which is one of the larger counties in the state by land area.

The official recording page at berkeleycountysc.gov/departments/register-of-deeds provides details on services, fees, and search access. The office records deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, UCC filings, and other real property instruments. Goose Creek, portions of North Charleston, and parts of Summerville all fall within Berkeley County's recording jurisdiction, creating a busy and diverse filing environment.

The image below is from the Berkeley County Register of Deeds office page, which outlines available recording services and public access options for deed records.

The page also lists fees and explains the process for submitting documents and requesting copies.

Searching Berkeley County Deed Records Online

Several online tools are available for searching Berkeley County deed records. The statewide SC Land Records portal includes Berkeley County among its participating counties and allows free searches by name, document type, or book and page. This is often the fastest route to recently recorded deeds, mortgages, and plats without visiting the courthouse.

The SC Property Checker for Berkeley County aggregates deed and parcel data and makes it searchable by owner name or address. This tool is useful for quick ownership lookups and deed history reviews. Because Berkeley County includes several fast-growing communities, the volume of recorded instruments is high, and online tools help manage the search load efficiently.

The SCIWAY county recording directory at sciway.net lists the Berkeley County Register of Deeds as part of its statewide guide to South Carolina recording offices. This directory is a useful reference for contact information and background on how different counties manage their recording functions.

The screenshot below shows the SC Property Checker for Berkeley County, which provides access to deed records and property data for parcels throughout the county.

Online search tools are especially helpful for Berkeley County given the volume of filings tied to the county's growing population and active real estate market.

What Berkeley County Deed Records Contain

Every recorded deed in Berkeley County follows the format required under South Carolina law. The grantor and grantee names and addresses appear on the document. A legal description of the property defines its boundaries either through metes and bounds language or by reference to a recorded plat. The consideration paid, or the reason for the transfer, is stated on the deed.

The recording date and instrument number are assigned at the time of filing. Deeds executed after July 1, 1976 must carry a derivation clause under Section 30-5-35 of the state code, pointing back to the prior deed through which the grantor obtained title. The grantee's mailing address is also required on such deeds. Easements, restrictions, and HOA covenants may also appear in the document and become part of the permanent public record.

Types of Instruments Recorded in Berkeley County

The Berkeley County Register of Deeds handles all standard real property instruments. Warranty deeds are the most common type and provide the grantor's guarantee of clear title. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor holds without warranty. Deeds of gift convey property without a cash consideration and are common in family transfers. All three are recorded in the same manner.

Mortgages and deeds of trust are filed by lenders when they hold a security interest in real property. Plats document subdivision boundaries and individual parcel dimensions. Mechanics liens, tax liens, and UCC financing statements establish creditors' claims against property. Powers of attorney related to real estate transactions are also recorded. Berkeley County sees a high volume of all these instrument types due to its large and growing residential and commercial real estate market.

• Warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, and deeds of gift
• Mortgages and deeds of trust
• Plats and subdivision maps
• Mechanics liens and tax liens
• UCC financing statements
• Powers of attorney

Recording Requirements Under South Carolina Law

Recording a deed in Berkeley County requires compliance with Title 30, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code. Section 30-5-30 requires acknowledgment by the grantor before a notary public or proof by a witness before the document can be accepted for recording. Section 30-5-35 requires a derivation clause and the grantee's mailing address on deeds executed after July 1, 1976.

The deed transfer fee under Section 12-24-10 is $1.85 per $500 of the stated value of the property. This fee is the grantor's responsibility. A base recording fee of $10 to $15 for the first page and $5 per additional page also applies. Documents must be recorded within 30 days of being lodged under Section 30-5-90. Failure to record within this window can affect the legal priority of the instrument. Lien recording follows Section 30-7-70, which governs priority among competing claims.

Copies and Public Access to Berkeley County Deed Records

Certified copies of deed records are available from the Berkeley County Register of Deeds. A certified copy bears the official seal and signature of the Register and is accepted in legal and financial proceedings as evidence of the recorded instrument. Standard uncertified copies are also available for a lower fee. The Register of Deeds office sets its own fee schedule in accordance with state guidelines; contact the office for current rates.

All Berkeley County deed records are public under S.C. Code Section 30-4-10, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Anyone may inspect or request copies of any recorded instrument without providing a reason. If a Social Security number appears on a filed document, the affected individual may request that it be redacted from the digital version. The physical record remains unchanged.

Related Property Resources for Berkeley County

Deed records work alongside other data sources for full property research in Berkeley County. The Berkeley County Assessor maintains parcel records, tax values, and owner information linked by tax map number to the deed index. GIS maps give a visual overview of parcel boundaries and can be used to confirm that a legal description in a deed matches the property's physical location.

Probate records from the Berkeley County Probate Court are also relevant when property transfers through an estate. Any real property conveyed by a probate order is eventually recorded in a deed with the Register of Deeds, creating a link in the chain of title. For properties in the fast-growing communities of Berkeley County, staying current with deed records is important for buyers, lenders, and title professionals.

Nearby Counties

Berkeley County is located in the Lowcountry region and shares borders with several neighboring counties, each with its own deed recording system.

View All 46 Counties