S.C. Code Ann. § 57-5-550: Deeds and other instruments to be filed and indexed.

All deeds or other instruments conveying, or intended to convey, a right-of-way and the original papers in all condemnation proceedings to acquire a right-of-way for any state highway shall be filed by the department in its offices at Columbia, and a direct index of all such deeds, instruments and records shall be made and kept by the department.

The provisions of this section shall apply to all deeds, instruments and condemnation proceedings in existence on or after June 13, 1951, except such instruments as had actually been recorded prior to said date in the office of the register of deeds or clerk of court of any county of this State or had prior to said date become a permanent record in any such office.