OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS

Because You Need to Know
How to use this page: Pick the record type you need below. Each section names the agency that holds those records and links to the official source — no aggregators, no third-party services. For criminal history, SLED is the agency — not the Highway Patrol, which handles traffic enforcement only.

What You Can Find Here

⚖️ Court case records through SC Courts statewide
🔍 Arrest records from county sheriffs and municipal police
📋 Criminal history checks through SLED
🏛️ Vital records, property records, and open-records requests
Have this ready before you start:
  • Full name of the person or business
  • Case number, if you have one
  • The county where the record was created

How Records Work in South Carolina

South Carolina's court and arrest records run across state, county, and arresting-agency levels. The state judiciary under the Supreme Court of South Carolina maintains court records through the Public Index. SLED holds statewide criminal history through its CATCH system (not the Highway Patrol, which is traffic-focused). Most local records — deeds, marriage licenses, Circuit Court filings — live at the county level.

South Carolina has 46 counties. Each has its own Clerk of Court, sheriff, probate judge, and register of deeds maintaining separate records. The statewide Public Index aggregates Circuit and Family Court records from all 46 counties, though older records and specialized filings (Probate, Magistrate) often require contacting the county directly. Note that vital records are now ordered through DPH, reflecting the 2024 rename from DHEC.

Counties in South Carolina

South Carolina has 46 counties. Select one below to find local court, arrest, and court and arrest records.

What this page does not show: Not every record is online. Magistrate and Municipal Court records often require contacting the local court directly. Probate records typically require a visit to the Probate Court in the county where the estate is filed. Vital records now go through DPH (renamed from DHEC in 2024), so older links may redirect. When in doubt, call the agency directly.

This page is a guide to help you find official records — it is not the official database. All information comes from government sources. Verify details directly with the agency that holds the records.

Last updated: April 24, 2026