How To Find All South Carolina Public Records for Free (2026 Guide)

Looking for free public records in South Carolina? Whether you need to access court filings, find an inmate, verify someone’s identity, or conduct a thorough background check, this comprehensive guide walks you through every step. South Carolina maintains a robust system of public records governed by state and federal transparency laws — and knowing how to navigate those systems can save you time, money, and potential headaches. From vital records and criminal history to property filings and sex offender registries, we’ll cover every major category of public records available to South Carolina residents in 2026.

What Are Public Records?

Public records are any documents, files, photographs, maps, audio recordings, or other materials that are created, maintained, or stored by a government agency — whether at the local, state, or federal level. The underlying principle is simple: in a democracy, citizens have a right to observe and review the activities of their government. Taxpayers fund government operations, and transparency ensures accountability.

In South Carolina, public records can take many forms. Written documents like court filings, arrest reports, marriage licenses, and property deeds are all public records. So are digital files maintained by state agencies, maps created by county governments, and photographs taken in the course of official business.

It’s important to understand that not all government-held information is freely accessible. Some records contain sensitive personal data that is protected under state or federal privacy laws. For example, juvenile court records, sealed court documents, active law enforcement investigation files, and certain medical records may be restricted or require special authorization to access. This guide will clearly distinguish between what is open to the public and what requires additional steps.

Public records in South Carolina are maintained by a wide range of agencies, including:

• The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
• The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
• The South Carolina Judicial Branch
• Individual county clerks of court and register of deeds offices
• The South Carolina Department of Corrections
• The South Carolina Secretary of State

South Carolina Freedom of Information Act

South Carolina’s public records framework is anchored by the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (SC FOIA), which was first enacted in 1978 and has been updated numerous times since. The law applies to all public bodies in South Carolina, including state agencies, county governments, municipalities, school boards, and other governmental bodies.

Under SC FOIA, any person — including non-residents — can submit a written request for public records. The public body receiving the request must respond within 10 business days, either providing the records, denying the request with a legal justification, or acknowledging receipt and providing a timeline for fulfillment. Fees for reproduction are allowed but must be reasonable, and first-time requesters are often provided a fee waiver for records in the public interest.

At the federal level, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to federal agency records. If you need records from a federal agency such as the FBI or the Social Security Administration, you will submit a federal FOIA request rather than a state request.

The guiding principle behind these laws is that government transparency supports democracy. Journalists rely on FOIA to investigate elected officials. Researchers use public records to study trends in criminal justice, housing, or public health. Ordinary citizens use public records to verify information about their neighbors, employers, contractors, and even themselves.

Types of South Carolina Public Records

South Carolina maintains a broad range of public records across dozens of state and county agencies. Here is a summary of the major categories you are likely to search:

• Criminal records — Arrest records, conviction records, mugshots, and incarceration histories
• Court records — Civil and criminal case filings, judgments, orders, and dockets
• Vital records — Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Property records — Deeds, mortgages, tax assessments, and liens
• Sex offender registry — Names, addresses, and offense histories of registered offenders
• Inmate records — Current and former incarceration records held by the SC Department of Corrections
• Driving records — Maintained by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles
• Business records — Corporate filings, registered agents, and business licenses held by the Secretary of State
• Voter registration records — Maintained by the SC State Election Commission
• Professional licensing records — Maintained by the SC Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation

The sections below provide detailed guidance on how to locate each of the most commonly requested record types in South Carolina.

Criminal Records in South Carolina

Criminal records are among the most frequently requested public records in South Carolina. A criminal record may include arrest records, charging documents, conviction records, sentencing information, probation records, and parole status. However, it is important to understand that not all of this information is freely available to the general public.

In South Carolina, conviction records are generally public. Arrest records, however, may be more restricted, particularly if the arrest did not result in a conviction. Under South Carolina law, an individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty — meaning that an arrest record alone does not establish criminal wrongdoing. Because arrest records have significant potential for misuse by employers and landlords, access to pre-conviction data is somewhat limited.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)

The primary source for statewide criminal history records in South Carolina is the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). SLED maintains the state’s criminal records repository and offers public access to conviction-based criminal history information through its online portal.

Through SLED’s online Criminal Records Check system, you can search for an individual’s South Carolina criminal history by name and date of birth. As of 2026, the fee for a standard public criminal records check is $25 per search. Results typically include felony and misdemeanor convictions but will not include expunged records or records sealed by court order.

To request a SLED criminal records check, visit: sled.sc.gov

County-Level Criminal Records

In addition to SLED’s statewide repository, you can access criminal case records through individual county courts. South Carolina’s circuit courts handle both civil and criminal matters, and their records are maintained by the clerk of court in each of the state’s 46 counties. Many counties now offer online case searches through the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s Public Index system.

To search county court records online, visit: publicindex.sccourts.org

Expungement of Criminal Records

South Carolina law allows certain criminal records to be expunged, or legally destroyed, under specific circumstances. Eligible records include arrests that did not result in conviction, certain first-offense convictions after a waiting period, and some juvenile records. Once a record is expunged, it is not available through public records searches and does not need to be disclosed by the individual on job applications.

Court Records in South Carolina

South Carolina’s court system is organized into several tiers: magistrate courts, municipal courts, probate courts, family courts, circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Each level maintains its own records, and public access varies by court type and case category.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch’s Public Index is the central online portal for searching court records across the state. Users can search by name, case number, or filing date and access civil and criminal case information for most circuit, family, and magistrate courts. The system is free to use and does not require registration.

Probate court records — including wills, estate filings, and guardianship records — are maintained at the county level by the probate judge in each of South Carolina’s 46 counties. Many probate courts have begun digitizing records, but older records may require an in-person visit.

Family court records in South Carolina, including divorce proceedings, child custody cases, and adoptions, may have restrictions on public access depending on the nature of the case. Records involving minors are typically sealed or heavily redacted.

Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce

Vital records document the key milestones of a person’s life and are essential for genealogical research, legal proceedings, and identity verification. In South Carolina, vital records are administered by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for births and deaths, and by county courts for marriage and divorce records.

Birth Certificates

South Carolina birth certificates are not fully open to the public. They are issued to the individual named on the certificate, their parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives. To obtain a certified copy of a South Carolina birth certificate, you must submit an application to DHEC’s Office of Vital Records along with a valid government-issued photo ID and the applicable fee (currently $12 for the first copy as of 2026).

Death Certificates

Death certificates in South Carolina are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, and others who demonstrate a need for the record. DHEC maintains death records from 1915 to the present. Older death records may be available through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses and records are filed with the probate court in the county where the license was issued. Many county probate courts maintain online indexes. Certified copies are available upon request and typically cost $5–$10 per copy.

Divorce Records

Divorce decrees are filed with the clerk of court in the county family court where the divorce was granted. Final divorce decrees are public records in South Carolina, though confidential financial information may be redacted. You can search for divorce records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s Public Index system.

Property Records in South Carolina

Property records in South Carolina are maintained at the county level by the Register of Deeds (or Register of Mesne Conveyances in some counties) and the county Assessor’s Office. These records include property deeds, mortgage documents, liens, easements, plats, and tax assessments.

Most South Carolina counties now provide online access to property records through their official websites. You can typically search by owner name, parcel number, or street address. Property tax assessment records are also available online through each county’s assessor portal and show the assessed value, tax history, and ownership information for any parcel in the county.

To find property records for a specific South Carolina county, visit the county government’s official website and look for the Register of Deeds or Assessor’s Office section. You can also access a statewide property tax information database through the SC.gov portal.

Sex Offender Registry

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