Chesterfield County Deeds and Property Records
Chesterfield County property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds in Chesterfield, South Carolina. The Register of Deeds is an appointed office that records and preserves all real property instruments for the county. Deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and easements affecting land in Chesterfield County are filed here. The county seat is Chesterfield, and the Register of Deeds office is the official keeper of all recorded land documents. Chesterfield County also borders North Carolina, which creates special considerations for title searches near the state line under South Carolina's boundary clarification statute.
Chesterfield County Quick Facts
Register of Deeds Office
The Chesterfield County Register of Deeds is an appointed position under the county governing body. Under Section 30-5-10, Chesterfield County is among the designated South Carolina counties that have a separate Register of Deeds office rather than using the Clerk of Court for real property recording. The office records deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, satisfaction pieces, easements, and other instruments affecting title to real property in the county.
The Chesterfield County Register of Deeds at chesterfieldcountysc.com provides information about recording services and access to the county property record index.
The Register of Deeds at chesterfieldcountysc.com/register-of-deeds provides information about recording services and access to county property records.
Documents submitted for recording are checked for compliance with state formatting and acknowledgment requirements. Accepted documents are assigned a book and page number, scanned into the digital system, and indexed by grantor and grantee name. The index supports searches by party name, which is the most common way title examiners and researchers locate specific deeds or mortgages in Chesterfield County. The standard recording fees apply: $15 for the first page and $5 for each page after.
The Chesterfield County Assessor at chesterfieldcountysc.com maintains ownership and assessment data for all real property in the county, complementing the deed records at the Register of Deeds.
The Chesterfield County Assessor at chesterfieldcountysc.com/assessor maintains ownership and assessment data for all real property in the county, complementing the deed records at the Register of Deeds.
| Office |
Chesterfield County Register of Deeds P.O. Box 529 Chesterfield, SC 29709 Phone: (843) 623-2574 |
|---|---|
| Website | chesterfieldcountysc.com/register-of-deeds |
| Recording Fee | $15.00 first page; $5.00 each additional page |
| Deed Recording Fee | $1.85 per $500 of property value |
Searching Chesterfield County Property Records
There are several ways to search Chesterfield County property records. The Register of Deeds office in Chesterfield is open to the public during business hours. Staff can look up documents by party name or book and page reference. Public access terminals allow direct searching of the county's digital index. Bring the property owner's name, a parcel number, or a legal description to help narrow your search.
The SC Land Records portal at sclandrecords.com provides statewide online access to recorded property instruments. This free resource covers Chesterfield County and lets you search by grantor or grantee name from any location with internet access. The portal displays the names of parties and a short legal description for each recorded instrument. You can then use the book and page number to request a certified copy from the Register of Deeds if needed.
The Chesterfield County GIS mapping system provides a visual reference for parcel locations, boundaries, and ownership information. GIS is useful when you have a property address or a general location but do not yet have the owner's name. The parcel identification number (PIN) from the GIS map can then be used to search the recording index. Visit chesterfieldcountysc.com/assessor for property search tools tied to the Assessor's database.
Note: For properties near the North Carolina line in Chesterfield County, a complete title search may require checking recording systems in both states due to the 2017 boundary clarification under Section 30-5-270.
North Carolina Boundary Clarification
Chesterfield County is one of the South Carolina counties affected by the state boundary clarification legislation under Section 30-5-270. This law took effect January 1, 2017, and addressed parcels along the South Carolina-North Carolina border that were previously recorded in North Carolina but were determined through formal survey to be located in South Carolina. Chesterfield County borders Anson and Richmond counties in North Carolina, and some parcels near this line were affected.
For affected lands, the Chesterfield County Register of Deeds must file a Notice of State Boundary Clarification in the public record. This notice alerts title researchers that a parcel may have instruments in both South Carolina and North Carolina public records. If you are researching title on land near the northern border of Chesterfield County, you should check the North Carolina recording systems for the adjacent counties in addition to the Chesterfield County records. The Register of Deeds can tell you whether a specific parcel is in the affected area.
Types of Property Records
The Chesterfield County Register of Deeds holds the full range of real property instruments. Warranty deeds convey clear title from seller to buyer and include the grantor's guarantee against title defects. Quitclaim deeds transfer only the grantor's interest without any warranty. Deeds of distribution are recorded when real property passes to heirs through an estate. All deed types are recorded and indexed the same way in Chesterfield County.
Mortgages and deeds of trust secure loans with real property. When a mortgage is paid off, a satisfaction or release is recorded to clear the lien. Subdivision plats are recorded when large tracts are divided into smaller lots. Each plat must be approved before recording and becomes part of the official record referenced in future deeds. Easements and restrictive covenants are also recorded and run with the land, binding future owners to the terms stated in the original instrument.
Under Section 30-5-35, all deeds and mortgages executed after July 1, 1976 must include a derivation clause. This clause links the current deed back to the instrument by which the grantor acquired title. It is a required element for recording in Chesterfield County, and the Register of Deeds will reject instruments that are missing this clause.
Property Assessment in Chesterfield County
The Chesterfield County Assessor values all real property in the county for tax purposes. South Carolina law under Title 12, Chapter 37 sets the assessment ratios that apply throughout the state. An owner-occupied primary residence is assessed at 4% of fair market value. Commercial property, rental property, and second homes are assessed at 6%. Agricultural land that meets the applicable use requirements also qualifies for the 4% ratio.
Chesterfield County must conduct a countywide reassessment every five years. Under Act 388, properties that do not change hands between reassessments are subject to a 15% cap on the increase in taxable value. When a property is sold or otherwise transferred, an Assessable Transfer of Interest (ATI) occurs. The ATI removes the cap and the property is reassessed at full fair market value for the next tax year. This applies to all real property transfers that meet the ATI criteria. New owners should contact the Chesterfield County Assessor at chesterfieldcountysc.com/assessor to verify the current assessment after taking title.
Recording Requirements
All documents submitted to the Chesterfield County Register of Deeds must meet South Carolina recording standards. The document must be original and carry original signatures. It must be legible and suitable for digital scanning. The first page must have a three-inch clear top margin for the recording stamp and indexing data. All other page margins must be at least one inch. Text must be in black ink at a readable size and typeface.
Under Section 30-5-30, a deed or mortgage must be properly acknowledged before it can be recorded. The grantor must sign in front of a notary public, and the notary's acknowledgment certificate must appear on the document. Without this acknowledgment, the Register of Deeds will not accept the instrument. The deed recording fee is paid at the time of submission. Visit dor.sc.gov for the complete fee schedule and the guidance published in SC Revenue Ruling #17-5.
Nearby Counties
Chesterfield County borders five South Carolina counties and also adjoins North Carolina. Property near county or state boundaries should be researched in all potentially affected recording offices.