Georgetown County Deed and Title Records

Georgetown County property records are maintained by an appointed Register of Deeds in Georgetown, South Carolina. The Register is responsible for recording and preserving all real estate instruments filed in the county, from deeds and mortgages to plats and liens. Georgetown County includes a mix of coastal, rural, and historic properties, making its property records both active and historically significant. Buyers, title companies, attorneys, and researchers depend on Georgetown County property records to trace ownership and verify title.

Georgetown County Register of Deeds

Georgetown County is listed among the South Carolina counties in Section 30-5-10 that maintain a separate Register of Deeds office. The Register is appointed by the county governing body after the position is publicly advertised. This appointed officer is responsible for recording all real property instruments filed in Georgetown County and maintaining the county's official land records.

The Register of Deeds office is located in Georgetown, the county seat. Staff maintain a public index of all recorded instruments searchable by grantor and grantee name. Each document filed with the office receives a unique instrument number. After recording, the original document is returned to the party who submitted it. The office retains digital images and microfilm as the permanent public record of Georgetown County property transactions.

The official Georgetown County website at georgetowncountysc.org provides access to county services. At the time of research, the Register of Deeds subdirectory had connectivity issues. Contact the office directly at (843) 545-9664 for current hours and procedures. The county's main website should be the starting point for any online inquiry.

Before any instrument can be recorded, it must comply with Section 30-5-30. Proper acknowledgment or proof by affidavit is required. Deeds executed after July 1, 1976 must contain a derivation clause and the grantee's mailing address as required by Section 30-5-35. Documents not meeting these standards will not be accepted for recording.

Real Property Documents in Georgetown County

The Georgetown County Register of Deeds records all classes of real property instruments. Deeds transfer ownership of land and improvements from one party to another. Warranty deeds guarantee the grantor holds clear title. Quitclaim deeds convey whatever interest the grantor holds without warranty. Both are commonly recorded in Georgetown County. Estate deeds and trustee deeds are also common in a county with significant coastal and vacation properties.

Mortgages and deeds of trust create security interests in favor of lenders. When a property owner borrows against real estate in Georgetown County, the lender records a mortgage to protect its interest. A satisfaction is recorded when the loan is paid. Plats and surveys show property boundaries and are required when land is subdivided or resurveyed. Plats for Georgetown County subdivisions, including coastal development projects, are on file with the Register of Deeds.

Other instruments recorded include conservation easements, agricultural easements, deed restrictions, and covenants. These run with the land and bind future owners. Anyone buying property in Georgetown County should check for these recorded restrictions before closing. A full title search through an attorney or title company will reveal all instruments of record affecting the property.

Note: Mechanic's liens, judgment liens, and tax liens also attach to real property in Georgetown County. Check the lien index as well as the deed index when researching a property's title status.

Recording Fees for Georgetown County

Georgetown County follows the statewide deed recording fee structure set by the South Carolina Department of Revenue. The fee is $1.85 per $500 of the property's consideration or value, beginning with the $100-$500 range. This fee is imposed for the privilege of recording a deed when real property is transferred. The Register of Deeds collects the fee at the time of recording.

Georgetown County follows the statewide fee structure set by the South Carolina Department of Revenue, which publishes the deed recording fee schedule applicable to all Georgetown County property transfers.

The fee is split between the state and county. Of each $1.85 collected, $1.30 goes to the state and $0.55 stays with Georgetown County. The Register remits the state portion monthly through the SCDOR's MyDORWAY electronic filing system. The first-page recording fee of $15 applies separately to all recorded instruments. The deed recording fee is calculated based on the property value stated in the deed.

Under Section 30-5-90, the Register must record each instrument within thirty days of lodgment. This ensures that the recording date in the index reflects when the document was actually submitted for recording.

Searching Georgetown County Property Records

Georgetown County property records can be searched online through the SC Land Records portal. The portal provides a statewide index of recorded documents. You can search by grantor or grantee name and identify instruments recorded in Georgetown County. Results show the document type, parties, date, and instrument number. Contact the Register of Deeds to request copies of specific documents identified through the portal.

The SC Land Records portal provides a statewide searchable index that covers Georgetown County deed records, letting researchers find instruments by grantor or grantee name before contacting the Register of Deeds for copies.

In-person searches are available at the Register of Deeds office in Georgetown. Public terminals allow you to search the index and view document images. Staff can assist you with searches and help identify documents relevant to your research. For complex title research, an attorney or title professional can conduct a full chain of title search using the office's resources.

For court records related to Georgetown County property, including foreclosures, judgments, and lis pendens, visit the SC Judicial Branch public index. These records are separate from the Register of Deeds but are essential for a complete title examination.

Property Assessment in Georgetown County

The Georgetown County Assessor values all real property for ad valorem tax purposes. Under Title 12, Chapter 37, primary owner-occupied residences are assessed at 4% of fair market value. All other residential, commercial, and investment property is assessed at 6%. Agricultural property may qualify for the 4% agricultural use rate. The assessed value is multiplied by the county millage rate to determine annual property taxes.

Georgetown County's coastal and recreational properties often carry higher market values. Act 388's 15% reassessment cap can provide meaningful protection for long-term owners, but the cap does not apply after a sale or transfer. When property transfers, the Assessable Transfer of Interest provision causes the Assessor to reassess the property at full market value the following year. In coastal communities with rising values, this can result in a significant increase in taxes for new buyers.

Homeowners purchasing property in Georgetown County as their primary residence should apply for legal residence status promptly. This reduces the assessment ratio from 6% to 4% and can result in substantial tax savings. The application is filed with the Assessor's Office and requires proof of residency. It does not apply automatically when the deed is recorded.

Historical Georgetown County Land Records

Georgetown County was established in 1769 and is one of the oldest counties in South Carolina. Its property records extend back to the colonial period, making it a rich source for historical research. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds the Colonial Plat Books from 1731 through 1775 and State Plat Books from 1784 through 1868 that document original land grants in the Georgetown area.

The rice plantation era that defined Georgetown County's history is reflected in its early land records. Large tracts along the Waccamaw, Black, Sampit, and Pee Dee rivers were surveyed and granted during the eighteenth century. These original plats and grants are preserved in the SC Archives. The Register of Deeds in Georgetown maintains deed books going back to the county's earliest years as a formal recording district. Together, these resources allow researchers to trace land ownership in Georgetown County across more than two centuries.

Nearby Counties

Georgetown County borders Horry, Williamsburg, Berkeley, and Charleston counties. Verify the county location of a property before searching its records.

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