Greenville County Property Records
What Is Greenville County Property Records
Property records in Greenville County are official documents that establish legal ownership and document transactions related to real property within county boundaries. These records are maintained by the Greenville County Register of Deeds office pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 5, which governs the recording and indexing of instruments affecting real property.
The Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of these documents, which include:
- Deeds of conveyance
- Mortgages and satisfactions
- Liens and releases
- Plats and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Power of attorney documents
- Military discharge papers (DD-214)
These records establish a chain of title that traces ownership history and encumbrances affecting real property throughout Greenville County. The recording system provides constructive notice to the public regarding property ownership and interests, thereby protecting the rights of property owners and other interested parties.
Greenville County Register of Deeds
301 University Ridge, Suite 1300
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7240
Greenville County Register of Deeds
Are Property Records Public Information In Greenville County?
Property records in Greenville County are public information in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq.) and longstanding common law principles. The public nature of these records serves several important governmental functions:
- Providing transparency in property ownership and transfers
- Establishing clear chains of title for real estate transactions
- Protecting property rights through public notice of claims and encumbrances
- Supporting property taxation and assessment processes
- Facilitating economic development and real estate market functions
While property records are generally accessible to the public, certain personal information may be redacted pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-2-330, which restricts the disclosure of Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal information. Additionally, military discharge records (DD-214) have restricted access under state law.
Members of the public may access property records through both in-person visits to county offices and through online portals maintained by the Greenville County Register of Deeds. The county's commitment to public access is balanced with privacy protections as required by state and federal laws.
How To Search Property Records in Greenville County in 2025
Greenville County offers multiple methods for searching property records in 2025, accommodating various research needs and technological preferences. The following procedures have been established for efficient record retrieval:
For online searches, residents and interested parties may utilize the Search Public Records portal, which provides 24/7 access to digitized property documents. Users may search by:
- Property owner name (current or previous)
- Property address
- Tax map number (TMN)
- Document type and recording date
- Book and page reference numbers
For in-person research, the public may visit:
Greenville County Register of Deeds
301 University Ridge, Suite 1300
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7240
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
For property tax and assessment information, inquiries should be directed to:
Greenville County Real Property Services
301 University Ridge, Suite 4100
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7300
Greenville County Real Property Services
Researchers requiring geographic information and parcel maps may access the Greenville Maps (GIS) system, which provides interactive mapping capabilities for property boundaries, zoning designations, and related spatial data.
How To Find Property Records in Greenville County Online?
Greenville County maintains comprehensive digital resources for accessing property records online. The county's integrated system allows for efficient retrieval of property information through several official portals:
The primary access point for recorded documents is the Search Public Records system maintained by the Register of Deeds. This platform provides search capabilities for:
- Deeds, mortgages, and liens recorded since 1981
- Plats and surveys
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Other recorded instruments affecting real property
For property tax information and assessment data, the County of Greenville, SC website offers a dedicated portal where users may:
- View property tax assessments and valuations
- Access tax maps and parcel information
- Review property characteristics and improvements
- Verify tax payment status
The Greenville Maps (GIS) system provides spatial data visualization, allowing users to:
- View parcel boundaries and dimensions
- Access zoning information and land use designations
- Identify flood zones and environmental features
- Locate utilities and infrastructure affecting properties
For properties within municipal boundaries, additional information may be available through the Greenville, SC - Official City Website, which provides supplementary data on zoning, permits, and municipal services.
Can You Look Up Greenville County Property Records for Free?
Greenville County provides several no-cost options for accessing property records, though certain specialized services may incur fees. The following free resources are available to the public:
Basic online searches through the Search Public Records portal are provided without charge and include:
- Index searches by name, property address, or document type
- Limited document viewing capabilities
- Access to basic property information
The Greenville Maps (GIS) system is freely accessible and provides:
- Parcel boundary information
- Basic property characteristics
- Zoning designations
- Flood zone information
In-person research at the Register of Deeds office is available without charge during regular business hours:
Greenville County Register of Deeds
301 University Ridge, Suite 1300
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7240
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Fee-based services include:
- Certified copies of recorded documents ($5 for the first page, $1 for each additional page)
- Bulk data downloads and specialized reports
- Subscription services for high-volume professional users
- Document recording fees for new instruments ($10 for the first page, $5 for each additional page)
Payment of property taxes can be completed through the Online Property Tax Payment system, which provides free access to tax information even if payment processing fees may apply.
What's Included in a Greenville County Property Record?
Greenville County property records contain comprehensive information about real estate parcels within county boundaries. These records typically include the following components:
Property identification elements:
- Tax map number (TMN)
- Property address
- Legal description
- Lot and block numbers
- Subdivision information
- Parcel dimensions and acreage
Ownership information:
- Current property owner name(s)
- Previous owner history
- Date of acquisition
- Type of ownership (individual, joint, corporate, trust)
Transaction details:
- Sale price and date
- Deed type (warranty, quitclaim, special warranty)
- Recording information (book and page numbers)
- Document number
Property characteristics:
- Land use classification
- Zoning designation
- Building specifications (square footage, year built)
- Number of rooms and bathrooms
- Construction materials
- Special features and improvements
Financial information:
- Assessed value
- Market value
- Tax assessment history
- Exemption status
- Current tax obligations
Encumbrances and restrictions:
- Mortgage information
- Liens and judgments
- Easements and rights-of-way
- Restrictive covenants
- Homeowners association information
These records are maintained pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-5-10 through § 30-5-260, which establishes requirements for recording, indexing, and preserving instruments affecting real property.
How Long Does Greenville County Keep Property Records?
Greenville County maintains property records in perpetuity in accordance with South Carolina Code § 30-5-30, which mandates the permanent preservation of instruments affecting real property. The county's record retention practices include:
For historical records:
- Original documents dating to the county's establishment in 1786 are preserved
- Older records have been microfilmed and/or digitized for preservation
- Climate-controlled archival storage protects original documents
For contemporary records:
- All newly recorded documents are digitized upon receipt
- Electronic backups are maintained in secure, redundant systems
- Physical documents are preserved according to state archival standards
The Register of Deeds office implements a multi-tiered preservation strategy that includes:
- Regular migration of digital records to current formats
- Maintenance of backup systems at secure off-site locations
- Periodic quality control checks to ensure record integrity
- Disaster recovery protocols to protect against data loss
While property records are permanently maintained, certain administrative documents related to property (such as temporary permits or notices) may have shorter retention periods as specified in the South Carolina Department of Archives and History retention schedules.
Researchers seeking historical property records may need to utilize different search methods depending on the age of the documents, as indexing systems have evolved over time.
How To Find Liens on Property In Greenville County?
Liens on property in Greenville County can be identified through several official channels. These encumbrances represent legal claims against property and are discoverable through the following methods:
The primary resource for lien research is the Public Index Search maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Department. This database contains:
- Tax liens filed by federal, state, and local authorities
- Judgment liens resulting from court proceedings
- Mechanic's liens filed by contractors and material suppliers
- Hospital liens for unpaid medical expenses
- Child support liens
Additional lien information can be accessed through the Search Public Records portal, which includes:
- Mortgage liens
- Home equity lines of credit
- Homeowners association liens
- Special assessment liens
- Utility liens
For in-person research, interested parties may visit:
Greenville County Clerk of Court
301 University Ridge, Suite 5600
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-8551
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Greenville County Register of Deeds
301 University Ridge, Suite 1300
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7240
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to South Carolina Code § 30-7-10, liens must be properly recorded to provide constructive notice. Unrecorded liens may exist but would not be discoverable through public records. A comprehensive title search performed by a licensed title professional is recommended for complete lien identification.
What Is Property Owner Rule In Greenville County?
The Property Owner Rule in Greenville County refers to specific regulations governing property ownership disclosure and responsibilities. This rule encompasses several key provisions that affect real estate transactions and ongoing ownership obligations:
Disclosure requirements:
- Property owners must disclose their identity when recording instruments affecting real property
- Business entities must provide principal ownership information when recording deeds
- Trusts must identify trustees and beneficiaries with controlling interests
Tax assessment notifications:
- Property tax bills are sent to the owner of record as of December 31 of the preceding year
- Responsibility for property taxes remains with the owner of record regardless of subsequent transfers
- New owners must ensure proper recording of deeds to receive future tax notices
Property maintenance obligations:
- Owners are responsible for compliance with county ordinances regarding property condition
- Violations of nuisance ordinances are enforceable against the owner of record
- Absentee owners must designate local representatives for code enforcement matters
The rule is administered in accordance with Greenville County Ordinance § 23-35 and South Carolina Code § 12-37-610, which establish the legal framework for property ownership responsibilities. Property owners seeking additional information may contact:
Greenville County Administration
301 University Ridge, Suite 2400
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7100
County of Greenville, SC
Lookup Property Records in Greenville County
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