Florence County Register of Deeds Records
Florence County property records are maintained by the Register of Deeds, an appointed office serving Florence County, South Carolina. The Register records and indexes all real estate instruments filed in the county, including deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and related documents. Florence County is a regional hub in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, and its property records reflect active real estate markets in both the city of Florence and the surrounding rural areas. The Register of Deeds provides public access to these records for buyers, sellers, lenders, attorneys, and researchers.
Florence County Property Records - Quick Facts
Florence County Register of Deeds Office
Florence County is among the South Carolina counties designated in Section 30-5-10 to maintain a separate Register of Deeds office. The Register is appointed by the county governing body rather than elected. The office records, indexes, and preserves all real property instruments filed in Florence County. It is the official source for deeds, mortgage documents, plats, and other documents affecting real estate in the county.
The Register of Deeds office is located in Florence, the county seat. The office maintains a public index searchable by grantor and grantee name. Each recorded instrument receives an identifying number used for future reference. After a document is recorded, the original is returned to the presenting party. The office retains scanned images and microfilm as permanent records.
| Office |
Florence County Register of Deeds P.O. Box 546 Florence, SC 29503 Phone: (843) 665-3031 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | florenceco.org |
The main county website at florenceco.org provides information on all county services. At the time of research, a direct Register of Deeds subdirectory returned an error. Contact the office directly at (843) 665-3031 for current procedures, fee schedules, and online access information specific to the Register of Deeds function.
Documents Recorded by Florence County
The Florence County Register of Deeds accepts and records all real property instruments required under South Carolina law. Deeds are the most frequently recorded document. A warranty deed from seller to buyer is filed at closing to transfer legal title. The deed must include a derivation clause under Section 30-5-35 stating how the grantor obtained the property. The grantee's mailing address must also appear on the face of the deed.
Mortgages and deeds of trust are recorded to establish a lender's security interest. The lender's instrument is filed at the same time as the deed when property is purchased with financing. When the loan is repaid, the lender records a satisfaction or release to remove the lien from the public record. Plats and surveys show property boundaries. They are required when new subdivisions are created or when boundary surveys are conducted.
Florence County property records also include:
- Quitclaim deeds and corrective deeds
- Mechanic's liens from contractors and suppliers
- Judgment liens entered against property owners
- Easements for utilities, access, and conservation
- Powers of attorney for real estate transactions
- UCC financing statements for fixtures and real property
Note: A document presented for recording in Florence County that does not meet the standards of Section 30-5-30 will be returned without being recorded. Ensure acknowledgment and notarization are complete before submitting.
Deed Recording Fees in Florence County
The South Carolina Department of Revenue sets the deed recording fee schedule that Florence County follows. The fee is $1.85 per $500 of the property's stated value. For a $200,000 sale, the total deed recording fee would be $740. The fee is collected at the time of recording and split between the state ($1.30) and the county ($0.55) for each $500 increment.
The South Carolina Department of Revenue sets the deed recording fee schedule that Florence County follows, currently $1.85 per $500 of stated property value at the time of recording.
The Register of Deeds collects the deed recording fee at the time of filing and remits the state's portion to the SCDOR monthly. Transfers exempt from the fee include those involving certain government agencies, some intra-family transfers, and other categories defined in South Carolina law. When in doubt, consult the SCDOR guidance or an attorney before assuming a transfer is exempt.
In addition to the deed recording fee, a $15 first-page recording fee applies to all instruments. Pages beyond the first carry a lower per-page charge. The total recording cost for a standard deed depends on the property value and the number of pages in the document.
How to Search Florence County Property Records
Florence County property records can be searched through the SC Land Records portal and in person at the Register of Deeds office. The portal provides a statewide index of recorded documents. You can search by party name and retrieve a list of instruments recorded in Florence County. The results show the document type, recording date, and instrument number. Use the instrument number to request copies from the Register of Deeds office.
In-person searches at the Florence County office are also available. Staff can assist with searches using the office's own computer terminals. Bring the property owner's name or parcel number if you have it. For older records, you may need to search physical deed books or microfilm. The office can help you navigate older finding aids for historical documents.
The SC Judicial Branch public index provides access to court records that may affect Florence County property, including foreclosure filings, judgment entries, and lis pendens notices. These records are separate from the Register of Deeds but equally important for a complete title search.
Statewide Records Access
The SC Land Records portal serves as a central entry point for property records from multiple South Carolina counties.
The SC Land Records portal serves as a central entry point for property records from multiple South Carolina counties, including Florence, providing name-based index searches for recorded instruments.
South Carolina's 46 recorder districts all participate in a system where documents are indexed and scanned after recording. The resulting images are available from public terminals at county offices, and indexes are shared with the statewide portal. This makes it possible to do initial research online before visiting the Florence County office for copies or certified documents.
Florence County Property Assessment
The Florence County Assessor's Office is responsible for identifying and valuing all real property for tax purposes. Under Title 12, Chapter 37, owner-occupied primary residences in Florence County qualify for a 4% assessment ratio. Investment property, commercial real estate, and second homes are assessed at 6%. The assessor applies the appropriate ratio to the property's fair market value to determine assessed value, which is then multiplied by the millage rate to compute annual taxes.
Act 388 passed in 2006 provides an important protection for long-term property owners. It caps the increase in taxable value at 15% between reassessments for properties that have not transferred. However, when a property is sold or otherwise transferred, the Assessable Transfer of Interest provision removes the cap. The Assessor places the property at full market value on the tax rolls the following year. Buyers of Florence County property should understand this provision and estimate post-purchase taxes accordingly.
Historical Records for Florence County
Florence County was created in 1888 from portions of Darlington, Marion, Clarendon, and Williamsburg counties. Property records before 1888 may be found in the recording offices of those predecessor counties. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds state land grant records and early plat books that cover the Pee Dee region before county formation.
The SC Archives maintains Colonial Plat Books from 1731 through 1775 and State Plat Books from 1784 through 1868. These volumes document the original surveys and land grants that form the earliest layer of South Carolina's property record system. For Pee Dee region land with a history stretching back to the colonial period, the Archives often provides documentation not found in county offices.
Cities in Florence County
Florence County is home to the city of Florence and several surrounding communities. All property records for land within the county are filed with the Register of Deeds regardless of which city or community the property is located in.
The city of Florence is the county seat and largest city in Florence County. It is a regional center for commerce, healthcare, and education in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina.
Nearby Counties
Florence County borders Darlington, Marlboro, Dillon, Marion, Williamsburg, Clarendon, and Sumter counties. Confirm county location before searching records for border properties.