Dorchester County, SC Property Records
Property records in Dorchester, South Carolina provide important details about land and real estate, including ownership information, parcel identification numbers, legal descriptions, assessed values, property tax data, sales history, and recorded documents such as deeds or plats. These records are useful for homeowners, buyers, real estate professionals, attorneys, and researchers who need to verify ownership, review tax assessments, evaluate property history, or support transactions and title research.
Official Dorchester property records can be accessed through Dorchester County government offices, including the Assessor, Auditor, Treasurer, and Register of Deeds, depending on the type of information needed. Users can begin their search through the county’s official online property records search, which provides access to public property information maintained by Dorchester County.
Dorchester County, SC Property Records & Statistics
Dorchester County has a median rent of $964.50, above the South Carolina median of $818 and the national $840.25. The median home value is $166,900, well above the state's $125,800 and close to the national $173,750, so housing here costs more than in most of the state.
The county's median property tax rate of 0.62% is higher than the state's 0.53% but under the national 0.74%.
Median household income is $63,796.50, well above the state's $51,386 and just under the national $65,108. The unemployment rate of 2.18% is lower than the state's 3.05% and the national 2.87%, which points to a strong job market.
Renter-occupied housing makes up 23.88% of homes, close to the state's 24.18% and above the national 21.81%. Overall, higher incomes and low unemployment support above-average rents and home values in this county.
Median Rent
Median Property Tax Rate
Median Home Value
Median Income
Unemployment Rate
Renter Occupied Housing
Property Records, Assessments, and Valuations in Dorchester
Dorchester County property records cover tax assessments, recorded deeds and mortgages, valuation data, and foreclosure filings. The county has 73,574 total parcels, with tax records covering 98.02% of the population for the 2024 assessment year. The recorder holds 195,498 deed records and 92,249 mortgage records, and valuation data exists for 50,201 properties.
| Key Data | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Parcels | 73,574 |
| Residential Parcels | 58,862 |
| Commercial Parcels | 2,339 |
| Tax Record Coverage | 98.02% |
| Assessment Year | 2024 |
| Deed Records | 195,498 |
| Mortgage Records | 92,249 |
| Properties with Valuation Data | 50,201 |
| Latest Valuation Update | August 19, 2025 |
| Lis Pendens Records | 24,669 |
Assignment and Release Records
Assignment and release records follow a mortgage after it is recorded. An assignment shows that a loan was transferred from one lender or holder to another, while a release shows that the mortgage was paid off and the lien removed.
Dorchester County has 147,340 assignment and release records, including 25,424 assignment documents, 121,513 release documents, and 403 other documents. Assignments were recorded from July 2, 2001, to September 4, 2025, and releases from November 29, 1999, to September 4, 2025.
These records help researchers see who holds a loan on a property and whether earlier mortgages were satisfied. Buyers, owners, and title researchers can use them to trace a loan between lenders and confirm that old liens were cleared. Documents can be searched through the Dorchester County property deed search.
How to Search Dorchester County, SC Property Records
Dorchester County property records are kept by the Register of Deeds, which records deeds, mortgages, assignments, and releases, with county tax data covering 73,574 parcels. Searches can typically be made by owner name, property address, or document details to find ownership, recorded transactions, mortgages, and foreclosure-related filings.
Recorded documents can be searched through the Dorchester County property deed search. For office information and services, visit the Dorchester County Register of Deeds.
To search, open the deed search, enter an owner name or other details, and review the matching documents. Open the entry that fits the property to see the recording date and document type. Starting with the latest deed helps you trace ownership backward.
The Register of Deeds is at 201 Johnston Street, St. George, and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Call 843-832-0181 if you need help finding a record.
Dorchester Registrar of Deeds
The Dorchester County Probate Office is located at 201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC, 29477 and can be reached at 843-832-0181. Office hours are Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. Records can be accessed through dorchestercountysc.gov or the official website dorchestercountysc.gov.
Dorchester County Register of Deeds
Dorchester County Property Records FAQ
How can I search Dorchester County property records by address?
Use the Dorchester County property deed search and enter the address or related details to find recorded documents tied to the property. If the address does not match, try a shorter version or search by owner name. The Register of Deeds at 843-832-0181 can also help.
How can I find property owners in Dorchester County?
Owner names appear on recorded deeds, which you can search through the Dorchester County property deed search. Search by address or a prior owner's name, then open the latest deed to see who holds title. You can also call 843-832-0181 or visit 201 Johnston Street, St. George.
How can I check a property's assessed value in Dorchester County?
Assessed values come from county tax assessment records, which cover 73,574 parcels for the 2024 assessment year. Recorded deeds on the deed search show ownership, not assessments. Call 843-832-0181 to ask which county office can provide a specific property's assessment.
Where can I find Dorchester County property tax bills and payment records?
Tax bills are issued by county tax offices rather than the Register of Deeds. Call 843-832-0181 for a referral to the office that handles bills and payment history. General county information is on the Dorchester County Register of Deeds page.
How can I find deeds and other recorded documents in Dorchester County?
The Dorchester County Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, and related documents, which you can search through the property deed search. Deed records run from December 5, 1997, to August 26, 2025. The office is at 201 Johnston Street, open weekdays 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Where can I access Dorchester County parcel maps and GIS information?
Parcel maps and GIS layers are kept by county mapping offices, not the Register of Deeds. Call 843-832-0181 and ask which Dorchester County office provides current parcel maps. Legal descriptions in deeds found on the deed search can help you identify a parcel meanwhile.
How can I check permits and zoning information in Dorchester County?
Permits and zoning are handled by county and municipal planning and building offices. Call the Register of Deeds at 843-832-0181 for a referral, or contact the town hall if the property is within a municipality. Rules can differ between unincorporated areas and each town.
How can I create a list of property owners in Dorchester County?
The online tools are built for single-property lookups, so a complete owner list is not published. You can search individual owners through the property deed search. For larger or bulk requests, call the Register of Deeds at 843-832-0181 to ask what can be provided.