South Carolina Quit Claim Deed

What Is a Quit Claim Deed in South Carolina?

A South Carolina quit claim deed is a legal document used for transferring ownership of real estate from one party (the grantor) to another (the grantee) without providing any guarantees about the property's title or the grantor's ownership rights. The person giving the property, known as the grantor, and the person receiving the property, known as the grantee, must be accurately identified in the document to ensure a valid transfer. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 27-7-10, the deed conveys only the interest the grantor actually owns at the time of transfer — nothing more, nothing less.

A South Carolina quit claim deed works by allowing the grantor to quickly transfer whatever property interest they hold to the grantee, without guaranteeing that interest is valid or that the title is clear. This makes it a common choice for family transfers, adding or removing a spouse from title, correcting a title error, or transferring property into a trust — but not for standard sales between parties who don't already know and trust each other.

How Does a Quit Claim Deed Work in South Carolina?

Unlike a general warranty deed or special warranty deed, a South Carolina quit claim deed makes no promises that the grantor actually owns the property, that the title is clear of liens or encumbrances, or that no one else has a claim to it. The grantee accepts the property as-is, taking on the risk that the grantor's interest may be incomplete or invalid.

Execution and Notarization Requirements in South Carolina

South Carolina requires the grantor's signature to be witnessed by 2 witnesses in addition to notarization. Source file describes acknowledgment in presence of 2 witnesses; flagged as needing confirmation this is mandatory, not alternative.

LegalNature's questionnaire is built to reflect South Carolina's current execution rules, but a licensed attorney can advise on your specific situation.

Marital Property Considerations in South Carolina

South Carolina is not one of the community property states, but marital property rules can still affect a transfer. If you're transferring property that both spouses own, it's a good idea to have both spouses sign.