South Carolina Quitclaim Deed: Step-by-Step Guide (with Free Form Generator)
A South Carolina quitclaim deed transfers whatever interest the grantor has in real property to another party without warranting the quality of that interest. It's the right tool for transfers between family members, into or out of a trust or LLC, after a divorce, or to clear minor title defects. This guide walks through South Carolina's state-specific requirements - witnesses, transfer tax, recording office, and the practical gotchas - and gives you a free interactive form builder at the bottom.
The biggest South Carolina-specific thing to know
South Carolina requirements at a glance
| Subscribing witnesses | 2 subscribing witnesses required (Two witnesses required; one may also serve as notary.) |
|---|---|
| Notarization | Required (notary acknowledgment block on the deed) |
| Transfer / documentary tax | Deed Recording Fee: $1.85 per $500 of consideration ($1.30 state + $0.55 county) |
| Recording office | Register of Deeds (Mesne Conveyances) in the county where the property is located |
| Recording fee | $25 (flat) |
| Top margin (page 1) | 3 inches |
| Notarization method | In-person only (no RON for deeds) |
Witnesses + notarization
South Carolina does NOT currently permit Remote Online Notarization in a way that works for deeds. You'll need an in-person notary - at a UPS Store, bank, law office, or via a mobile notary who comes to you. ClosingDesk dispatches a mobile notary as part of the $199 fee.
For witness logistics: the grantor must sign in the physical presence of both witnesses and the notary at the same time. Mailing the deed around for separate signatures is generally not valid.
Transfer / documentary tax
Deed Recording Fee: $1.85 per $500 of consideration ($1.30 state + $0.55 county). Even when no money changes hands - "love and affection" transfers between family, transfers into a trust, etc. - some states still charge a minimum tax. Always check the actual amount with the recording office before filing.
Recording
Once the deed is signed and notarized, you take it (along with any required forms and the recording fee) to the Register of Deeds (Mesne Conveyances) in the county where the property is located. The clerk stamps it with a recording number and date and adds it to the public record. From that moment, the world is on notice that title has transferred. Expect to pay roughly $25 (flat).
Common mistakes
- Missing witness signature. South Carolina requires 2 subscribing witnesses in addition to the notary. A deed missing this will be rejected.
- Street address instead of legal description. Use the legal description verbatim from your existing recorded deed (lot/block/subdivision or metes-and-bounds). Street address alone is not sufficient.
- Insufficient top margin. South Carolina requires 3 inches on page 1. Browser default print settings cause rejection.
- Forgetting the transfer tax declaration. Even when fully exempt, most states require the deed to cite the exemption code or be accompanied by a transfer tax declaration form.
- Not updating the county assessor / appraiser. Recording transfers legal title but tax records may need a separate notification to update ownership for property tax purposes.
When NOT to use a South Carolina quitclaim
- You're selling to a stranger. A quitclaim gives the buyer no chain-of-title protection. Use a warranty deed (or in some states, a special warranty / grant deed) for arm's-length sales. See our comparison.
- There's an existing mortgage with a due-on-sale clause. Most modern mortgages let the lender call the loan when title transfers. Talk to the lender first.
- Title is contested or there's a dispute among co-owners. A quitclaim doesn't resolve disputes - it can paper over them and create future problems. Resolve the underlying dispute first.
- You're not sure you actually own the interest you're conveying. A quitclaim transfers "whatever you have" - if that's nothing, the grantee gets nothing.
Two ways to do this
Have us handle the whole thing
$199 flat. We draft the South Carolina-compliant deed, arrange an in-person mobile notary (${s.state} requires in-person), file with your county recorder, and email you the recorded copy. Typically 48-96 hours end-to-end.
Start with ClosingDeskOr use the free generator below
Fill in the fields and download a South Carolina-compliant quitclaim deed PDF. You handle the witnesses + notary and county recording yourself. Free, no email required.
Use the free generator ↓For estate planning purposes, consider whether a South Carolina Transfer on Death Deed is a better fit than an outright transfer.
Free South Carolina Quitclaim Deed generator
Fill in the fields below and we'll generate a South Carolina-compliant quitclaim deed PDF you can print, sign in front of 2 witnesses and a notary, and take to the Register of Deeds (Mesne Conveyances) for recording. Free, no email required.
This guide and the generated form are general information about South Carolina deed law, not legal advice. ClosingDesk is a workflow automation service, not a law firm. South Carolina-specific issues can have material legal and tax consequences if mishandled. If your situation has any complexity (existing mortgage, contested ownership, divorce in progress, tax planning concerns, parent-child transfers in states with reassessment rules), consult a licensed South Carolina real estate attorney before transferring title.