Kershaw County Property Deed Records Search
Kershaw County deed records are maintained by the appointed Register of Deeds in Camden, South Carolina. The office records land transfers, mortgages, plats, liens, and all related property instruments for parcels within Kershaw County. Established in 1791, the county has a deep recording history connected to the old Camden District and the broader central South Carolina Piedmont region. Whether you are tracing a chain of title, researching ownership history, or looking up a lien, the Register of Deeds is the authoritative source. All records are open to the public under South Carolina law.
Kershaw County Quick Facts
Where Kershaw County Deed Records Are Kept
Kershaw County uses an appointed Register of Deeds as its official recording authority for real property instruments. The Register of Deeds records warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, mortgages, plats, judgment liens, and other documents that affect title to land within the county. Documents filed with the Register of Deeds are indexed by grantor and grantee name and are assigned an instrument number and recording date at the time of filing.
The Kershaw County Government website provides information about county offices, including access points for contacting the Register of Deeds. The county seat of Camden is a historic South Carolina town that has served as the administrative center of this region since before the county's formal establishment in 1791. Camden was once the hub of the old Camden District, and the long recording tradition of the area reflects that history. In-person access to the Register of Deeds office is available during business hours for those who need to review original documents or request certified copies.
| Office | Kershaw County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| County Seat | Camden, SC |
| Type | Appointed Register of Deeds |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | kershaw.sc.gov |
The SC Land Records portal, shown below, provides online access to deed records from Kershaw County and dozens of other South Carolina counties through a centralized state-level search interface.
The SC Land Records portal is one of the primary online tools for accessing Kershaw County deed records without visiting the Register of Deeds office in Camden.
Note: Kershaw County is one of South Carolina's appointed-ROD counties, meaning the Register of Deeds is selected through an appointment process rather than a public election.How to Search Kershaw County Deed Records Online
Kershaw County deed records can be searched through several digital platforms. The SC Land Records portal is the primary state-level search tool, providing free public access to recorded instruments from participating South Carolina counties. Searches are available by grantor or grantee name, book and page number, or instrument type. The availability of specific date ranges varies, and older Kershaw County records may require an in-person review.
The SC Property Checker for Kershaw County compiles deed and ownership data into a searchable format, making it easier to identify current owners, review prior transfers, and examine parcel details. The SCIWAY directory at sciway.net also lists contact information and office links for all 46 South Carolina county recording offices, including the Kershaw County Register of Deeds.
The screenshot below shows the SC Property Checker for Kershaw County, which aggregates property ownership and deed data for parcels located in the Camden and surrounding area.
Using online search tools first can help narrow down the document details needed before requesting copies from the Register of Deeds in person or by mail.
What Kershaw County Deed Records Contain
Recorded deeds in Kershaw County contain the standard elements required by South Carolina law. The grantor and grantee are named with their addresses. A legal description of the property is required, typically in metes and bounds or referencing a recorded plat. The stated consideration reflects the value exchanged in the transaction. An instrument number and recording date are assigned at the time of filing.
Under Section 30-5-35 of the South Carolina Code, all deeds executed after July 1, 1976 must include a derivation clause identifying how the grantor acquired the property. This clause establishes a traceable link in the chain of title. The grantee's mailing address is also required. Kershaw County deeds often reference plat books, lot numbers, and subdivisions in and around Camden, Lugoff, Elgin, and other communities within the county.
Additional content on a Kershaw County deed may include easements, deed restrictions, rights-of-way, or covenant language affecting how the property may be used. Tax map references and plat book citations are common. All of this information becomes part of the public record once the document is filed with the Register of Deeds.
Note: Kershaw County deed records may include historical references to the old Camden District, which covered a large multi-county area before South Carolina's modern county boundaries were established.Documents Recorded in Kershaw County
The Kershaw County Register of Deeds records a variety of real property instruments. Mortgages and deeds of trust are filed by lenders holding a security interest in real property. Plats are recorded separately as official maps defining the shape and dimensions of parcels. Judgment liens, tax liens, and mechanics liens are also part of the county recording system and are available to the public.
Deeds of gift, corrective deeds, quitclaim deeds, and powers of attorney are among the other instruments filed with the Register of Deeds. Each type of document serves a specific function in the real property recording system. Knowing which instrument applies to a particular situation helps both researchers and property owners navigate the records efficiently.
- Warranty deeds and quitclaim deeds
- Mortgages and deeds of trust
- Plats and subdivision maps
- Judgment liens and tax liens
- Mechanics liens
- Powers of attorney
- Deeds of gift and corrective deeds
Recording Requirements for Kershaw County Deed Records
South Carolina recording requirements are governed primarily by Title 30, Chapter 5 of the state code. Section 30-5-30 requires that all deeds be acknowledged before a notary public or other authorized officer before they can be accepted for recording. The acknowledgment confirms that the grantor signed voluntarily and that the document is genuine. This requirement applies to all instruments submitted to the Kershaw County Register of Deeds.
The recording fee for deeds in South Carolina is $1.85 per $500 of stated property value under Section 12-24-10. The grantor bears responsibility for this transfer fee. Additional base recording fees apply on a per-page basis, with the first page typically costing between $10 and $15 and subsequent pages at $5 each. Confirming the current fee schedule with the Kershaw County Register of Deeds before submitting a document is recommended. Once submitted, the document must be recorded within 30 days under Section 30-5-90.
Liens recorded in Kershaw County are governed in part by Section 30-7-70, which establishes lien filing procedures and priority rules. Timely and proper recording provides constructive notice to future buyers and lenders, which is why the date and time of recording are significant in any title search.
Historical Records and Title Research in Kershaw County
Kershaw County was established in 1791 and has one of the longer county-level recording histories in South Carolina. Camden, the county seat, was the hub of the old Camden District, which at one time covered a vast central South Carolina region including present-day Clarendon, Sumter, Lee, Kershaw, Lancaster, York, Chester, Fairfield, and northern Richland County. Researchers tracing title for properties in these areas may find that their research leads back through Kershaw County records to earlier district-level instruments.
The Camden Archives and Museum in Camden covers historical records for the old Camden District, including online obituary and will indexes that are useful for genealogical and title research. Researchers working on estates or older land ownership questions may benefit from consulting both the Register of Deeds and the Camden Archives. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History also holds materials relating to the broader Camden District, including land grants and early plat records.
For records dating to the formation of Kershaw County in 1791 through the modern period, the Register of Deeds office in Camden is the primary custodian. Many of the county's deed books have been indexed and made available through online platforms, making long-range title searches more accessible for researchers who cannot visit in person.
Note: The Camden Archives and Museum maintains supplemental historical records that complement the deed books held at the Kershaw County Register of Deeds office.Certified Copies and Fees in Kershaw County
Certified copies of Kershaw County deed records can be obtained from the Register of Deeds office in person or by submitting a written request by mail. A certified copy includes the official seal and signature of the Register of Deeds and is accepted in legal proceedings as evidence of the recorded instrument. Uncertified photocopies are available at a lower per-page fee. Fee amounts are set by the county and may change over time; contacting the Register of Deeds office before submitting a request is the best way to confirm the current amounts.
Providing complete identifying information speeds up document retrieval. Useful details include the names of the grantor and grantee, the recording date, the book and page number, and the instrument number. For older or less-indexed records, a property address, tax map number, or approximate date range may help staff locate the document. Mail requests should include payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence.
Public Access and South Carolina FOIA
Deed records in Kershaw County are public records under South Carolina law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, found at S.C. Code Section 30-4-10, grants any person the right to inspect or obtain copies of public records held by government agencies, including the Register of Deeds. No reason needs to be stated when requesting deed records, and no special qualification is required to access filed instruments.
South Carolina law also allows individuals to request redaction of Social Security numbers from online versions of recorded documents. If a recorded deed contains a Social Security number, the person affected may ask the Register of Deeds to remove it from the digital display. The physical record remains intact and unaltered, but the number will not appear in any online version. This request can be submitted directly to the Kershaw County Register of Deeds office in Camden.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County borders several South Carolina counties in the central Piedmont and Sandhills region, each with their own recording offices and deed record systems.