South Carolina public records
South Carolina case access depends on the court and county, while SLED CATCH provides a separate name-based criminal-history service. County offices hold property records. FOIA distinguishes the response determining access from the later production period, including different rules for older records.
By DeepSearch · Updated
Agency records law
Freedom of Information Act
S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-20 et seq.
Official record sources
Choose the document you need before searching. A case index, parcel assessment, recorded deed and certified certificate are different records. The links below lead to the responsible government service or its official directory.
| Record / custodian | How to access | Costs and coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Court recordsSouth Carolina Judicial Branch | Use the court's case-record search links or county clerk directory. | Public case information and certified copies are separate. Court and county coverage vary; family and protected records may require a different access process. |
| Property and land recordsSouth Carolina property-tax directory | Choose the county tax/assessment office; use its register of deeds or clerk for recorded instruments. | County copy and certification fees vary. A property-tax balance or assessment does not establish ownership free of liens. |
| Business recordsSouth Carolina Secretary of State | Search filed entities by name and open available registration information. | Basic search and certified-copy services differ. Registration is separate from professional licensing and local business permits. |
| Birth, death, marriage and divorceSouth Carolina Department of Public Health | Select birth, death, marriage or divorce-report ordering. | Search and certificate/report fees apply. State marriage/divorce coverage is limited by date; a divorce report is not the court's full decree. |
| Criminal-history checksSouth Carolina Law Enforcement Division | Use SLED CATCH for the stated name-based South Carolina criminal-history service. | A search fee applies under the current schedule. A name search can mismatch identities and is not a nationwide fingerprint-based report. |
A criminal charge is not a conviction. A name match does not establish identity. Use the official case disposition and the appropriate authorized record-check process when those distinctions matter.
Requesting agency records in South Carolina
Use this process for existing government agency records. Court case copies, vital certificates and criminal-history reports use the separate procedures in the table.
- Who can request
- Any person may request non-exempt public records under FOIA. Personal information obtained from public records cannot be used for prohibited commercial solicitation.
- How to submit
- Identify the South Carolina agency, municipality or county that maintains the record, then use its published records-custodian contact or accepted request channel. Describe existing documents, identifiers and dates. Keep the submitted request and acknowledgement; court copies and vital certificates use the separate services above.
- Response and delivery
- The determination period is generally 10 business days, or 20 for records over 24 months old. Production generally follows within 30 or 35 calendar days after the determination.
- Fees and estimates
- Agencies may charge reasonable actual search, retrieval, redaction and copying costs. Published fee schedules and deposit rules apply.
- If access is denied
- Ask for the specific exemption and segregable portions. Circuit court relief is available for violations; retain the dated request and response.
South Carolina records-request example
Replace the brackets, narrow the dates and send this to the agency that holds the records. Use its required form or portal when applicable. This example requests agency documents; it is not a certificate application or court filing.
To: [the agency's designated records custodian] Subject: South Carolina public-records request — [record or project identifier] Under the Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-20 et seq.), I request electronic copies of the county's executed contract and final inspection report for [project] covering [dates]. Please use existing records in their available electronic format. If any material is withheld, identify the legal basis and provide the non-exempt portions. Before incurring charges above [your limit], please send an itemized estimate. Please confirm receipt and the expected response date. [Name and contact details required by the receiving agency] [Requester eligibility or residency information, where required]
Before sending, check requester eligibility above. Keep the submission confirmation, cost estimate, response and any exemption cited so a follow-up or appeal can refer to the same request.
South Carolina public records FAQ
Where can I find South Carolina court records?
Use the court's case-record search links or county clerk directory. Court and county coverage vary; family and protected records may require a different access process.
Sources: South Carolina Judicial BranchAre South Carolina public records free?
Agencies may charge reasonable actual search, retrieval, redaction and copying costs. Published fee schedules and deposit rules apply. Certificate and court-document services follow the separate charges listed above.
Sources: South Carolina official public-records guidance; South Carolina Judicial Branch; South Carolina Department of Public HealthHow do I get birth, death, marriage or divorce records in South Carolina?
Select birth, death, marriage or divorce-report ordering. State marriage/divorce coverage is limited by date; a divorce report is not the court's full decree.
Sources: South Carolina Department of Public Health; South Carolina Judicial BranchIs a South Carolina court search a complete criminal-history check?
No. A name search can mismatch identities and is not a nationwide fingerprint-based report. Use SLED CATCH for the stated name-based South Carolina criminal-history service.
Sources: South Carolina Law Enforcement Division; South Carolina Judicial BranchSources and review
Each link identifies the official custodian or its published directory. Portal coverage and fees can change; confirm the current order details before paying. The date below records the source review, not the date a government record was created.
- South Carolina official public-records guidance — checked
- South Carolina Judicial Branch — checked
- South Carolina property-tax directory — checked
- South Carolina Secretary of State — checked
- South Carolina Department of Public Health — checked
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division — checked
Browse other jurisdictions
Public-records access rules vary by jurisdiction. Continue through the directory or return to the full list to choose the agency location you need.
All public-records jurisdictions