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Free Quit Claim Deed Form — South Carolina
Use this free South Carolina quit claim deed form to transfer real property between individuals, family members, corporations, or trusts. Deeds are recorded with the Register of Deeds (or Clerk of Court) in the county where the property is located. South Carolina requires two witnesses in addition to notarization. A Deed Recording Fee of $1.85 per $500 of value is due at recording.
Common Uses for a Quit Claim Deed in South Carolina
South Carolina quit claim deeds are used most often to transfer property between spouses as part of a divorce settlement or to add a new spouse to a title after marriage. Estate planning transfers into revocable living trusts are common throughout the state. Parents gift residential property, beachfront lots, and farmland to adult children. Real estate investors transfer property into LLCs for liability protection. Correcting errors from a prior recorded deed or clearing a title cloud are also frequent uses.
South Carolina Quit Claim Deed Form
South Carolina Quit Claim Deed Form
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Your deed needs to be notarized before recording
All quit claim deeds must be notarized to be legally valid. Notarize online from your phone or computer — no travel required, available 24/7.
South Carolina Quit Claim Deed Requirements
Before recording a quit claim deed in South Carolina, make sure the document meets these requirements:
- ✓Deed must be in writing and signed by the grantor(s)
- ✓Grantor's signature must be notarized AND attested by two witnesses
- ✓Property must be identified by its legal description
- ✓Deed must name the grantor(s) and grantee(s) by full legal name
- ✓Must be recorded with the Register of Deeds or Clerk of Court in the county of the property
- ✓Deed Recording Fee: $1.85 per $500 of value
- ✓Certain family transfers may qualify for a reduced recording fee
- ✓Recording fees are paid at time of filing
After You Record Your Deed in South Carolina
After the Register of Deeds (or Clerk of Court) records your deed, the original is returned to the grantee or the designated address. Recording times and fees vary by county. The recording office updates the official land records, and the county auditor uses the recorded deed to update property tax ownership records. South Carolina property taxes are administered by county auditors and collected by county treasurers. The grantee should confirm their mailing address with the county auditor. The grantee is responsible for South Carolina property taxes from the date of transfer.
South Carolina Quit Claim Deed FAQ
Does a quit claim deed need to be notarized in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina requires the grantor's signature to be notarized AND witnessed by two adults. All signatories must be present at the same time when the grantor signs. Online notarization through a service like NotaryLive can coordinate the notarization, but two in-person witnesses are still required at the time of signing.
Where do I record a quit claim deed in South Carolina?
You file the deed with the Register of Deeds in the county where the property is located. Some South Carolina counties use the Clerk of Court instead. South Carolina has 46 counties. Recording fees vary by county.
Is there a transfer tax in South Carolina?
Yes. South Carolina imposes a Deed Recording Fee of $1.85 per $500 of the value conveyed (or $3.70 per $1,000). Certain transfers, including those between spouses and immediate family members with no consideration, may qualify for a reduced fee. Confirm the applicable rate with the Register of Deeds.
Can I use a quit claim deed to transfer property to a family member in South Carolina?
Yes. Family transfers are common in South Carolina. Transfers between immediate family members with no consideration may qualify for a reduced Deed Recording Fee. Confirm the reduced fee eligibility with the Register of Deeds or a South Carolina real estate attorney.
Who can serve as a witness for a quit claim deed in South Carolina?
A witness must be an adult who is not a party to the deed. The notary public cannot serve as one of the two required witnesses. Both witnesses must observe the grantor sign the deed in person and must sign it themselves in the grantor's presence. Family members can generally serve as witnesses, though some attorneys recommend using disinterested third parties.
Are there exemptions to the South Carolina Deed Recording Fee?
South Carolina provides a reduced Deed Recording Fee (currently $1.00 per $500) for transfers between family members in certain degrees of relationship, including spouses and children. Transfers with no consideration may also qualify. The exemption or reduced rate is noted on the Deed Recording Fee form filed at the time of recording.
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