Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds Office

Responsible for the recordation of documents having to do with real estate, personal property and other miscellaneous documents. This office has Federal and State guidelines we must abide by for recording of documents.

The Register of Deeds office records the following types of documents in Sumter County:

• Mortgages
• Deeds
• Plats of Property
• Easements and Right of Ways
• State Tax Liens
• Federal Tax Liens
• Power of Attorneys
• UCC Financing Statements
• Mechanic Liens
• Other Related Property Records

This office does:

• File, index, and record deeds, mortgages, and other property related records
• Record and index financing statements and state and federal tax liens
• Collect state mandated recording fees for all documents recorded
• Assist the public in obtaining copies of deeds and other recorded documents.

This office DOES NOT:

• Perform title searches or searches for other information
• Advise or make legal recommendations
• Prepare or provide forms

Employees of the Register of Deeds Office will not help you fill out a deed or any other documents. Doing so is considered the “PRACTICE OF LAW.”

Click here for a downloadable Register of Deeds Fee Chart

Use our online search application to search Register of Deeds documents.

DISCLAIMER:
This site should be used for reference only. Sumter County Register of Deeds expressly warns users NOT to rely on this database for title searches. For complete access of records, visit us at 141 N. Main Street, Room 202, Sumter, SC 29150.

Interesting Facts About the Register of Deeds

The Register of Deeds earliest recorded documents date back to November 19, 1794.  These first books carry both titles to land and mortgages along with other types of documents. Mortgage books actually began on January 8, 1872. Plats date back to January 13, 1785. The deeds and plats can be viewed on microfilm and in books, the older mortgages are in books. All of these records are in the vault in the Register of Deeds Office.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. May I prepare my own deed?
A. Yes you may, but our office always recommends that you hire an attorney.   Our office is strictly for recording, we do not prepare documents and do not answer questions in the preparation of legal documents.

Q. How much does it cost to record a deed?
A. The first four pages are $10.00 and $1.00 for each page thereafter.   There is a stamp tax fee of $3.70 per thousand if there is a consideration.   If the document is exempt there are no stamp fees.

Q. Are all your records open to the public?
A. Yes, anyone can come in and research any record.