US County Clerks Directory
Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 45035

Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Dorchester County, South Carolina. Serving a population of 169.833 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: St. George • Land Area: 568,409 sq mi • State: South Carolina (SC)
Call: (803) 695-8685 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗
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Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri
Physical Courthouse Address

Dorchester County Courthouse / Recording Office, St. George, SC 29420

Seat of government for Dorchester County in St. George, SC.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(803) 695-8685

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

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 45035 • Coordinates: 33.0822° N, -80.4047° W
Visit Official .Gov Portal ↗
Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Dorchester 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
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Land Records & Real Property

Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester County

Filing Fee: $0.00
1. Filing Authority

In Dorchester 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 Dorchester County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Dorchester 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:

Colleton County Seat: Walterboro
~21.7 mi →
Berkeley County Seat: Moncks Corner
~27.5 mi →
Charleston County Seat: Charleston
~33.1 mi →
Orangeburg County Seat: Orangeburg
~33.6 mi →
Bamberg County Seat: Bamberg
~38.4 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Dorchester County Clerk & Recorder office located?
The official Dorchester County office is located at Dorchester County Courthouse / Recording Office, St. George, SC 29420. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (803) 695-8685.
How much does it cost to record a deed in Dorchester County?
Under South Carolina statute (S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-310 (Flat $25 fee)), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC?
Both applicants must appear in person before the Dorchester 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 Dorchester County?
In Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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 Dorchester County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.