City guide · Charleston, South Carolina · Details last checked Nov 3, 2026

Charleston, South Carolina document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, fax, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Charleston, South Carolina, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Charleston County Public Library

• Prices (all branches): black-and-white copies or prints $0.10 a page; color $0.25 a page; scanning to email or to a USB flash drive is free ^[1].
• Mobile printing: email documents to the library's public printers, then release, pick up and pay for them at your branch, at the same prices ^[1].
• Fax: we didn't find fax on the library's printing page ^[1]. An old library news post (May 4, 2020) described a public fax service at the Otranto Road Regional Library in North Charleston ^[10]; we didn't find a current page confirming it, so call before you go.
• Main Library (temporary location): the Main Library closed Aug. 1 for the last phase of its renovation, which is expected to take about 18 months. Main at Morrison, 1142 Morrison Drive, phone 843-805-6930, has print and copy services; the page says it opens to the public beginning Oct. 5 and doesn't give a year ^[11].
• Other branches in the city: John L. Dart Library, 1067 King St., 843-722-7550 ^[2]; West Ashley Library, 45 Windermere Blvd., 843-766-6635 ^[3]; Hurd/St. Andrews Library, 1735 N. Woodmere Dr., 843-766-2546 ^[12]; John's Island Library, 3531 Maybank Highway, 843-559-1945 ^[13]; and Bees Ferry West Ashley Library, 3035 Sanders Rd., 843-805-6892 ^[14]. The Census Geocoder places all of these and Main at Morrison in Charleston city. Baxter-Patrick James Island Library, 1858 S. Grimball Rd., 843-795-6679 ^[15], is in Charleston County but outside any Census place ^[9].
• Hours: the branch pages load weekly hours separately, and we didn't capture them. Check the branch page or call before you go (last checked Nov 3, 2026).

• Register of Deeds copies: 50 cents a page for deeds and 50 cents or $1 for plats, depending on size. You can download copies from the Register of Deeds website at no cost ^[16].
• The UPS Store: its Charleston page lists 4 locations, one of them marked "Coming Soon," and says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[17]. The Census Geocoder places the 3 open stores (472 Meeting St, 1643 Savannah Hwy and 520 Folly Rd) in Charleston city ^[9]. Prices aren't listed; the page says products, services, pricing and hours may vary by location ^[17], so call the store for prices (last checked Nov 3, 2026).

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Charleston

• Library (by appointment): the branch pages for John L. Dart, West Ashley, Hurd/St. Andrews, John's Island, Baxter-Patrick and Bees Ferry list "Notary Available by Appointment" ^{[2][3][12][13][15][14]}. The Main at Morrison page doesn't list notary ^[11]. We didn't find a library notary fee.
• Before you go: a 2022 library article says notary service is by appointment only and subject to availability; you book by calling the branch. Bring all documents, ID, signers and witnesses, and don't sign in advance. The library's notaries can decline to notarize a document for any reason ^[18]. That article lists the Main Library at its old 68 Calhoun St. address, so use the current branch pages above.
• The UPS Store: its Charleston page lists notarizing ^[17]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store. Notary rules vary by state ^[19].
• Clerk of Court fee: the Charleston County Clerk of Court lists $10.00 for "Notary public and other public officials" ^[20]. State law sets a $10 fee for filing a notary commission with the county ^[21].
• How notaries are appointed (statewide): the Governor appoints South Carolina notaries for a ten-year term, and applicants must be registered voters ^[22]. The Secretary of State commissions notaries and keeps their oaths on file. You apply on a paper form mailed to your county legislative delegation office, or to the House of Representatives if your county has none ^[23]. The fee is $25.00, payable to the Secretary of State, plus a $1.43 SC.GOV service fee if you pay by card ^[24]. A notary must report a name or address change within 45 days ^[23].
• Fees (statewide; two laws differ): under § 26-1-100 (2014), a notary can charge at most $5 per signature for an acknowledgment, jurat or signature witnessing, $5 per person for an oath or affirmation without a signature, and $5 per certificate for a verification of fact. A notary who charges must post or show an English fee schedule, may charge a travel fee only if you agree on it in advance, and doesn't have to charge at all ^[22]. The Secretary of State's manual also says up to $5.00 ^[25]. An older section, § 8-21-140 (1898), still lists notary fees of 50 cents for every notarial certificate with seal and 25 cents for administering an oath for an affidavit ^[21]. We didn't find an official note on how the two fit together. The $5 limit is the one the Secretary of State cites.
• No certified photocopies (statewide): a South Carolina notary can't certify or authenticate a photograph or photocopy ^[22]. Notaries also can't advertise as a "notario publico" ^[25].
• Electronic notarization (statewide): the South Carolina Electronic Notary Public Act was signed May 18, 2021. Electronic notarization (IPEN) still requires the notary and the signer to be in each other's presence ^[23].

Passports in Charleston

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 3 facilities with a Charleston, South Carolina address. The Census Geocoder places all 3 in Charleston city ^[6][9]:

• Appointments: the locator says to schedule post office passport appointments at usps.com/scheduler. It says the College of Charleston requires appointments, and the Medical University of South Carolina takes appointments only through its appointment link ^[6]. The locator doesn't say whether the two campus offices serve the general public; call first.
• Photos: the locator lists photos at East Bay Station and the College of Charleston, and not at the Medical University of South Carolina ^[6]. USPS lists a $15.00 photo fee nationally ^[26].
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[26].
• Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[26]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[27]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Nov 3, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates (Charleston County Vital Records office)

• Where: the state's Charleston County Vital Records office is at the Teddie E. Pryor, Sr. Social Services Hub, 3685 Rivers Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, phone (843) 953-0032 ^[28]. The Census Geocoder places it in North Charleston city, not Charleston ^[9]. There's no separate city or county fee; state fees apply.

Birth and death certificates from the state (statewide)

• State fees (statewide): a records search is $12 and includes one certified copy; an expedited search is $17, because a $5 expedite fee has applied since October 1, 2023 to services that take 10 business days or less. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $3 each, and the special filing fee for an amended certificate is $15 ^[29].
• In person (statewide): birth and death certificates are usually ready in 30–45 minutes at the $17 expedited fee, paid with exact cash, a money order or a cashier's check ^[4][30]. The fee page also lists credit and debit cards and cash (no bills over $50) for on-site service ^[29]. Regional offices issue long-form birth certificates ^[4] and death certificates from 2005 on ^[30]. Since January 1, 2026, all Vital Records offices are open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and Wednesday 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ^[28].
• By mail or drop-off (statewide): mail takes about 4 weeks at the $12 fee, to S.C. Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171, paid by money order or cashier's check. Drop-offs are accepted only at the state office in Richland County (2600 Bull St., Columbia): $12 for about 4 weeks or $17 for 5 business days or less ^[4][30][29].
• Online or by phone (statewide): through GoCertificates, $17 plus $3 for each additional copy and an $8.70 processing fee, or VitalChek online, $17 plus an $8.75 processing fee; by phone, VitalChek charges $12.85. Processing takes 5–7 business days ^[4][30].
• Amendments (statewide): since Nov. 17, 2025, the Richland County office (formerly called the State Office) no longer does same-day amendments; most in-person amendment requests take 1–2 business days ^[29].
• Divorce reports (statewide): DPH has certified copies of the Report of Divorce for divorces from July 1962 to December 2025, by mail only for now: in-person requests are currently unavailable ^[31]. The divorce decree itself comes from the county Clerk of Court ^[32].

Marriage licenses (Charleston County Probate Court)

• State law (statewide): you file a written application with the probate judge at least 24 hours before the license is issued (in Darlington and Georgetown counties, with the clerk of court instead) ^[33]. A $20 fee for the Domestic Violence Fund is added to each license, and couples who finish a qualifying premarital preparation course can get a one-time $50 state income tax credit ^[33].
• Older copies from the state (statewide; the page gives two date ranges): DPH says its marriage records cover July 1950 to December 2025, and in-person requests are currently unavailable. The same page later says the Columbia office has July 1950 to December 2018, and that records before July 1950 or after December 2018 come from the probate office in the county that issued the license ^[34]. Mail requests are $12 with one certified copy and $3 for each additional copy ^[34].
• Charleston County fee and application: you apply through the Live Online Virtual E-Application (LOVE). The page says the cost is $70 by credit card plus a transaction fee, and it is non-refundable. Within two business days after your application is complete, the license is emailed to you to print ^[5].
• Who can marry you: the court's page says an ordained minister, a Jewish rabbi, an officer authorized to administer oaths in South Carolina or a South Carolina notary can perform wedding ceremonies. You return the signed copies to Probate Court by mail or the office drop box ^[5].
• Copies: certified copies are ordered online at $5.00 a copy by credit card plus a transaction fee. For licenses issued before 1999, the page says to contact state Vital Records at (803) 898-3630 ^[5].
• Office: Marriage License Division, Judicial Center, 100 Broad St., Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401, phone (843) 958-5183, Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ^[5]. The Census Geocoder places 100 Broad St. in Charleston city ^[9].

Recorded documents (Charleston County Register of Deeds)

• State law (statewide, uniform since 2019): under § 8-21-310, registers of deeds collect $15 to record a deed and $25 for a mortgage, plat, lease, easement, power of attorney or other document affecting real estate. A power of attorney is free with deployment orders to a combat zone. Separate acknowledgements or affidavits not attached to another document are $10 ^[21]. The county's posted fees follow; if they differ from the statute, ask the office which applies.
• Charleston County fees: the Register of Deeds' fee list (as of August 1, 2019) shows $15.00 to record a deed, plus deed tax of $1.30 state and $0.55 county for each $500 of consideration; $25.00 for a power of attorney or a plat; and $10.00 for an affidavit ^[35].
• Where and when: County Office Building, 101 Meeting St., Suite 200, phone (843) 958-4800. Hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., but walk-in documents aren't recorded in person after 4:30 p.m. The office provides copies of deeds and plats for a fee and certified true copies of documents on record ^[36]. The Census Geocoder didn't match this address, so we couldn't confirm it with the Geocoder ^[9].
• Copies: 50 cents a page for deeds and 50 cents or $1 for plats; free downloads from the website. Older records mean a visit to use the microfilm, or a written request ^[16].

Court record copies (Charleston County Clerk of Court)

• State law (statewide): § 8-21-310 sets uniform clerk fees, including $10 for an official certificate under the seal of the court and $10 for filing a notary commission. It sets $100 for filing a first complaint, in addition to a separate fee under § 14-1-204(B)(1) that we didn't read ^[21]. The county's posted fees follow; if they differ from the statute, ask the Clerk which applies.
• Charleston County fees: copies (xerox, computer or microfilm) $0.10 each; exemplification $10.00; record retrieval $4.00 per record; a certified copy of a DD214 is free. The Clerk lists $150.00 for a common pleas or domestic relations filing ^[20], while state law sets $100 for a first complaint in addition to a separate fee ^[21].
• Where: Common Pleas and General Sessions, 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, phone (843) 958-5000; Family Court, 100 Broad Street, Suite 143, phone (843) 958-4400. Hours are Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ^[37].

Apostilles (statewide)

• Who issues them (statewide): the South Carolina Secretary of State, in Columbia. It certifies documents signed by South Carolina officials and documents notarized by a commissioned South Carolina notary, but only documents that will go to a foreign country. The Secretary of State has a separate page for countries outside the Hague Convention ^[38].
• Fee (statewide): $5.00 per document, not per page, by cash, personal, business or cashier's check, or money order ^[39]. Checks and money orders go to the Secretary of State's Office ^[38].
• How to send (statewide): the Authentication Cover Letter, a self-addressed stamped return envelope, payment and the documents, by mail, UPS or FedEx, or by hand between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., to SC Secretary of State's Office, Attn: Authentications, 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201 ^[38]. Phone (803) 734-2512 ^[39]. Foreign-language documents need an English translation signed by the translator, with the translator's signature notarized ^[38].
• Vital records (statewide): photocopies aren't accepted; records must be certified by the issuing agency. Birth and death certificates must come from the state Vital Records office; marriage licenses from the county Probate Court or the state; divorce decrees from the county Clerk of Court or the state ^[32]. That page still calls the state office DHEC; vital records are now run by the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) ^[29].

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[40]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• County events (past or undated): a Charleston County flyer lists free America Recycles Day shred events on "Saturday, November 16," 9 a.m. to noon, including the Signal Point Road Convenience Center (1716 Signal Point Rd) and West Ashley High School (4060 W Wildcat Blvd). Residential documents only, rain or shine ^[41]. The flyer shows no year, and Nov. 16, 2026 is a Monday, so it is likely a past event. We didn't find a 2026 date (last checked Nov 3, 2026).
• State events (statewide, past): the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs listed free shred events on Oct. 19, 22 and 29, 2026, all outside Charleston and all now past. Its events limit each vehicle to three boxes or three bags of paper ^[42].
• The UPS Store: its Charleston page lists shredding ^[17]. Prices aren't listed online; call the store.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Nov 3, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. Charleston County Public Library, "Use Computers and Print": ccpl.org/how-do-i/use-computers-print (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
2. Charleston County Public Library, "John L. Dart Library": ccpl.org/branches/dart (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
3. Charleston County Public Library, "West Ashley Library": ccpl.org/branches/west-ashley (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
4. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Birth Certificates (updated Sept. 14, 2026)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/birth-certificates (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
5. Charleston County Probate Court, "Marriage License": charlestoncounty.gov/departments/probate/marriage-license.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
6. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to South Carolina): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
7. U.S. Census Bureau, "2025 Gazetteer place file, South Carolina": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2025_Gazetteer/2025_gaz_place_45.txt (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
8. U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, South Carolina": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st45_sc_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
9. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
10. Charleston County Public Library, "Did you know you can send a fax online? (article dated May 4, 2020)": ccpl.org/news/did-you-know-you-can-send-fax-online (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
11. Charleston County Public Library, "Main at Morrison Library": ccpl.org/branches/main (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
12. Charleston County Public Library, "Hurd/St. Andrews Library": ccpl.org/branches/st-andrews (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
13. Charleston County Public Library, "John's Island Library": ccpl.org/branches/johns-island (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
14. Charleston County Public Library, "Bees Ferry West Ashley Library": ccpl.org/branches/bees-ferry (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
15. Charleston County Public Library, "Baxter-Patrick James Island Library": ccpl.org/branches/baxter-patrick (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
16. Charleston County Register of Deeds, "Help & FAQs": charlestoncounty.gov/departments/rod/help.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
17. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Charleston, South Carolina": locations.theupsstore.com/sc/charleston (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
18. Charleston County Public Library, "Notary Services available at select CCPL branches (article dated July 14, 2022)": ccpl.org/notary (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
19. The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
20. Charleston County Clerk of Court, "Filing Fees": charlestoncounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-court/filing-fees.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
21. South Carolina Legislature, "South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 8, Chapter 21 (Fees and Costs)": scstatehouse.gov/code/t08c021.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
22. South Carolina Legislature, "South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 26, Chapter 1 (Notaries Public)": scstatehouse.gov/code/t26c001.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
23. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Notaries": sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings/notaries (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
24. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Notary Public Application and Renewal Application (PDF, form dated 10.14.26)": sos.sc.gov/sites/sos/files/Documents/Mail%20In%20Service/Notaries/NP_Application_10.14.26.pdf (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
25. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Notary Public Reference Manual 2023 (PDF)": sos.sc.gov/sites/sos/files/Documents/Mail%20In%20Service/Notaries/Notary%20Public%20Reference%20Manual%202023.pdf (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
26. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
27. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
28. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Office Locations, Vital Records (updated Aug. 11, 2026)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/about-vital-records/office-locations (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
29. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Fees - Vital Records (Birth, Death, etc)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/about-vital-records/fees-vital-records-birth-death-etc (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
30. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Death Certificates (updated Sept. 14, 2026)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/death-certificates (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
31. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Divorce Reports (updated Oct. 14, 2026)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
32. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Certification of Vital Records (apostilles)": sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings/apostilles/certification-vital-records (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
33. South Carolina Legislature, "South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 20, Chapter 1 (Marriage)": scstatehouse.gov/code/t20c001.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
34. South Carolina Department of Public Health, "Marriage Certificates (updated Oct. 14, 2026)": dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/marriage-certificates (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
35. Charleston County Register of Deeds, "South Carolina Recording Fees as of August 1, 2019 (PDF)": charlestoncounty.org/departments/rod/files/recording-fees.pdf (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
36. Charleston County Register of Deeds, "Register of Deeds": charlestoncounty.gov/departments/rod/index.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
37. Charleston County Clerk of Court, "Clerk of Court": charlestoncounty.gov/departments/clerk-of-court/index.php (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
38. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Apostilles": sos.sc.gov/services-and-filings/apostilles (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
39. South Carolina Secretary of State, "Authentication Cover Letter (PDF, revised July 2026)": sos.sc.gov/sites/sos/files/Documents/Mail%20In%20Service/Apostilles/AuthenticationCoverLetter2026.pdf (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
40. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
41. Charleston County Environmental Management, "Free Shred Events, America Recycles Day (PDF flyer, no year shown)": charlestoncounty.org/departments/environmental-management/files/ARD-Shred-Events.pdf (last checked Nov 3, 2026)
42. South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, "Shred Events": consumer.sc.gov/Shred-Events (last checked Nov 3, 2026)

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