Florence Property Records Access
Florence property records are held and maintained by the Florence County Register of Deeds. The City of Florence is the county seat of Florence County and home to roughly 38,000 people. It serves as the regional hub for the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. Deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and related instruments for Florence properties are all recorded at the county level. The City of Florence manages its own building permits and zoning documents, but property ownership and title records are kept at the Florence County Register of Deeds. This page covers how to locate Florence property records, the document types available, how property is assessed and taxed, and what recording standards apply under state law.
Florence Quick Facts
The Florence County Register of Deeds
Florence County maintains a dedicated Register of Deeds office as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-5-10, which lists Florence among the counties with a separate recording office rather than handling this function through the Clerk of Court. The Register of Deeds records all instruments that affect title to real property in Florence County, including the City of Florence. Each document is recorded in the order it is received, creating a chronological and indexed record of all property transactions.
The Florence County Register of Deeds office maintains both a physical deed room and digital access to indexed records. Older records are available on microfilm. Staff can assist researchers in locating documents by party name, book and page reference, or instrument number. The office processes new recordings, provides certified copies, and maintains the chain of title for every parcel in the county.
| Recording Office | Florence County Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| County Website | florenceco.org |
| City Website | cityofflorence.com |
| SC Land Records | sclandrecords.com |
Note: As of November 1, 2019, South Carolina state tax liens are no longer filed at the county Register of Deeds. Use the State Online Registry at dor.sc.gov/LienRegistry to search for state tax liens affecting Florence properties.
Online Property Record Search for Florence
Florence County provides online access to deed and property records through its web portal. Researchers can search by grantor or grantee name, document type, and date range. The search results show the parties to each instrument, the recording date, and the document reference number. Document images are viewable online for a wide range of recorded instruments, allowing users to review deeds and mortgages without visiting the office in person.
The City of Florence's official website at cityofflorence.com covers permits, zoning decisions, and development records that complement the deed and title information at the county level.
The City of Florence website covers permits, zoning decisions, and development records that complement the deed and title information at the county level.
The SC Land Records portal at sclandrecords.com gives statewide access to county deed indexes and is a good tool for researchers checking records in Florence and neighboring counties. Both portals use the same underlying data from the Florence County Register of Deeds.
Property Document Types in Florence
The Florence County Register of Deeds holds a broad range of real property instruments for city and county properties. Warranty deeds are the most common conveyance document used in residential sales. They transfer title with a seller's guarantee that the title is clear. Special warranty deeds carry a narrower guarantee covering only the period of the seller's ownership. Quitclaim deeds transfer whatever interest the grantor holds without any guarantee, often used in family transfers or to resolve boundary disputes.
Mortgages and deeds of trust secure lenders' interests in Florence properties and are recorded at the time of closing. Releases and satisfactions of mortgage are recorded when the debt is paid. Plats are recorded for all new subdivisions and define the surveyed lot boundaries. Easement documents establish rights across property for utilities, drainage, or access.
The Florence city departments page provides direct access to planning, permitting, and development services that work in tandem with the deed and title records at Florence County.
Florence city departments handle the planning and permitting side of property records that work in tandem with the deed and title records at Florence County.
Property Assessment in Florence
The Florence County Assessor determines the fair market value of all real property in the city and county. South Carolina's property tax system under S.C. Code Ann. § 12-37 applies different assessment ratios based on property use. Owner-occupied homes in Florence are assessed at 4% of fair market value when the owner applies for the legal residence exemption. All other real property, including investment homes, commercial buildings, and second homes, is assessed at 6%.
The 4% versus 6% classification has a direct impact on the property tax bill for Florence property owners. A home classified at 4% pays roughly one-third less in property tax than the same home classified at 6%. New buyers who move into a Florence home as their primary residence should apply for the legal residence exemption with the Florence County Assessor shortly after closing.
Act 388 and the Assessable Transfer of Interest (ATI) rule mean that when a Florence property sells, it is reassessed at full market value for the next tax year. This can result in a notable increase in the property tax bill for the new owner compared to what the previous owner paid. Between transfers, assessed values are capped at a 15% increase over each five-year reassessment cycle.
Recording Requirements for Florence Properties
To record a deed or other instrument at the Florence County Register of Deeds, the document must comply with South Carolina's recording requirements. Acknowledgment before a notary public or other qualified officer is required under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-5-30. Deeds must include a derivation clause and the grantee's mailing address as required by § 30-5-35. The document must be legible and include a "Return to" name and address.
The state deed recording fee is collected at the time of recording. The fee is $1.85 per $500 of consideration, or fraction thereof, on transfers above $100. Details on exemptions and the fee calculation method are available at dor.sc.gov/tax-index/deed-recording-fee. Instruments not meeting recording standards are rejected and returned without being recorded.
Historical Records and State Law
Florence County holds deed records going back to the county's formation. For property research that extends further back, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov is the authoritative source. The archives maintain colonial plat books from 1731, state plat books from 1784, and original land grant records. Researching a long chain of title for Florence properties may require checking both the county records and the state archives.
Title 30 of the South Carolina Code at scstatehouse.gov governs all aspects of property recording in the state. Attorneys, title companies, and researchers working with Florence property records routinely reference these statutes to confirm recording standards, priority rules, and requirements for specific instruments. The South Carolina Association of Counties at scac.org provides additional guidance on county recording practices across the state.
South Carolina Code Title 30 sets the rules for recording property documents in Florence and all other South Carolina counties, including acknowledgment standards and recording priority.
South Carolina Code Title 30 sets the rules for recording property documents in Florence and all other South Carolina counties.
Florence County Property Records
Florence is the county seat and largest city in Florence County. All recorded property documents for city properties are filed at the Florence County Register of Deeds. For the full county overview, including recording office details, fee schedules, assessor resources, and related information, visit the Florence County property records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Properties in these nearby cities are each recorded at their respective county offices. Select a city to find out about its property record resources.