US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 45019

Charleston County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Charleston County, South Carolina. Serving a population of 424.367 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Charleston • Land Area: 918,036 sq mi • State: South Carolina (SC)
Call: (803) 423-8189 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
Advertisement & Sponsored Services
Need Certified Public Records Fast?
Search official deeds, real estate titles, tax liens, and civil filings without courthouse lines.
Check Records Online →
Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Charleston County Courthouse / Recording Office, Charleston, SC 29401

Seat of government for Charleston County in Charleston, SC.

Open in Google Maps
Courthouse / Directory Line

(803) 423-8189

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 45019 • Coordinates: 32.8005° N, -79.9425° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Charleston County

  • ✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
  • ✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
  • ✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
  • ✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode
Check Records Online Instead →
Land Records & Real Property

Charleston County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-310 (Flat $25 fee)
First Page Base Fee
$25.00
Includes statutory county automation index surcharge
Each Additional Page
$0.00
Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page
Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps
$1.85 per $500 ($3.70 per $1,000) Deed Recording Fee
Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in South Carolina:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.
Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.
Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.
Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.
Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Charleston County

License Fee $50 - $100
Waiting Period 24 Hours
  • ✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 365 days of issuance.
  • ✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Charleston County courthouse.
  • ✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.
State Policy: 24-hour waiting period from application. Issued by County Probate Court.
Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $12.00
Death Cert $12.00
Marriage Cert $12.00
  • • Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
  • • Filing Agency: Processed through South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Statistics and the local Charleston County clerk counter.
Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.
Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Charleston County

Filing Fee: $0.00
1. Filing Authority

In Charleston County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the South Carolina Secretary of State.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in South Carolina.

3. State Rules & Notice

South Carolina does not require state-level DBA registration for sole proprietorships; business licenses handled at city/county level.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Charleston County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Charleston County South Carolina Secretary of State. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in South Carolina.

Name Search Included
Articles of Organization
South Carolina Compliant
Register LLC / DBA Online Official partner filing service • Expedited processing
State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official South Carolina Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with South Carolina county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download
Get South Carolina Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance
Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in South Carolina

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring South Carolina recording offices:

Berkeley County Seat: Moncks Corner
~28.1 mi →
Dorchester County Seat: St. George
~33.1 mi →
Colleton County Seat: Walterboro
~41.6 mi →
Beaufort County Seat: Beaufort
~53.2 mi →
Georgetown County Seat: Georgetown
~56.7 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Charleston County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Charleston County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Charleston County office is located at Charleston County Courthouse / Recording Office, Charleston, SC 29401. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (803) 423-8189.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Charleston County?
Under South Carolina statute (S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-310 (Flat $25 fee)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Charleston County costs $25.00 for the first page, plus $0.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: $1.85 per $500 ($3.70 per $1,000) Deed Recording Fee.
How do I obtain a marriage license in Charleston County, SC?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Charleston County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $50 - $100. South Carolina requires a waiting period of 24 hours, and the license is valid for 365 days from the date of issuance.
How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Charleston County?
In Charleston County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the South Carolina Secretary of State with a standard statutory filing fee of $0.00. South Carolina does not require state-level DBA registration for sole proprietorships; business licenses handled at city/county level.
How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Charleston County?
Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $12.00 and death certificates starting at $12.00) can be requested through the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Statistics or directly at the Charleston County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.