Charleston County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Charleston County?

Public records in Charleston County encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Public Records Act under Title 30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. These records document the business of government and are generally available for public inspection and copying. Charleston County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, and other real estate documents recorded with the Register of Deeds
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files, judgments, and dockets
Vital Records - Marriage licenses (death, birth, and divorce certificates are maintained at the state level)
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Voter Registration - Voter rolls, election results, and campaign finance reports
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and registrations
Land Records - Zoning maps, land use plans, and property surveys
Law Enforcement Records - Incident reports, arrest records, and jail bookings
Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, contracts, and audits
Environmental Records - Environmental impact studies, permits, and compliance reports
GIS Data - Geographic information system data, maps, and spatial analysis

These records are maintained by various departments within Charleston County government, including the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, Sheriff's Office, Assessor's Office, and Board of Elections.

Is Charleston County an Open Records County?

Charleston County operates as an open records jurisdiction in compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq.) and the Public Records Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-10 et seq.). These statutes establish the presumption that all records created, maintained, or received by public bodies are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act explicitly states that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity." Charleston County adheres to this principle by maintaining accessible public records systems and providing reasonable access to non-exempt records.

Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a), "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body, except as otherwise provided by § 30-4-40, or other state and federal laws." Charleston County has implemented policies and procedures to facilitate this right of access while protecting confidential information as required by law.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online services portal and open data hub, which provide digital access to many commonly requested public records.

How Do I Find Public Records in Charleston County in 2025

Charleston County offers multiple methods for accessing public records in 2025, including in-person visits, online portals, and written requests. Members of the public may utilize the following approaches to locate specific records:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
Bring identification and be prepared to complete a records request form
Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity

Online Access:

The Charleston County Public Records Portal provides 24/7 access to many digital records
Property records and GIS data can be searched through the county's mapping system
Court records are available through the Clerk of Court's case management system
Voter registration information can be accessed through the Board of Elections

Written Requests:

Submit a FOIA request via email, mail, or fax to the appropriate department
Clearly describe the records sought with specific dates, names, or file numbers
Include contact information for follow-up questions or clarification
Allow up to 10 business days for initial response as permitted by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C)

For specialized records, the public should contact the following departments:

Charleston County Register of Deeds
101 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-4800
Charleston County Register of Deeds

Charleston County Clerk of Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5000
Charleston County Clerk of Court

Charleston County Sheriff's Office
3691 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 202-1700
Charleston County Sheriff's Office

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Charleston County?

Charleston County assesses fees for public records in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records, as well as for providing copies. The fee schedule for public records in Charleston County is as follows:

Search and Retrieval: $15.00 per hour (first 15 minutes free)
Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard letter/legal size
Large Format Copies: $5.00 per page for maps, plats, and oversized documents
Digital Copies: $10.00 per CD/DVD or $5.00 for email transmission of digital files
Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document
Redaction: $20.00 per hour for necessary redaction of confidential information

Specific departments may have statutorily authorized fee schedules that differ from these general rates:

Register of Deeds: $10.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page of recorded documents
Clerk of Court: $5.00 for court record copies and $25.00 for certified copies of court documents
GIS Data: Fees vary based on data complexity and format, ranging from $25.00 to $250.00

Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card. The county may require prepayment if estimated costs exceed $100.00. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), fees may be reduced or waived if the county determines that furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

Does Charleston County Have Free Public Records?

Charleston County provides certain public records at no cost to promote transparency and public access to government information. The following records are available without charge:

Online Property Information - Basic property ownership and assessment data through the Charleston County GIS Portal
Meeting Minutes and Agendas - County Council and board/commission meeting documents on the county website
Election Results - Current and historical election outcomes through the Board of Voter Registration and Elections
Budget Documents - Annual county budgets and financial reports
Public Notices - Legal notices and announcements
County Ordinances - Local laws and regulations

Additionally, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(A)(1), "A public body may not charge a fee to search for or retrieve a record." The first quarter hour of staff time for search and retrieval is provided at no cost. The county also waives fees when:

The request is from another governmental agency
The total cost would be less than $5.00
The requestor demonstrates indigence through appropriate documentation
The information primarily benefits the general public and disclosure serves a public interest

Members of the public may also access records for free by inspecting them in person during regular business hours without requesting copies, though appointments may be required for extensive research or to access historical records.

Who Can Request Public Records In Charleston County?

Under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a)), "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body," with limited exceptions. Charleston County adheres to this statutory requirement by processing records requests from:

South Carolina residents
Out-of-state individuals
Foreign nationals
Media representatives
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies
Incarcerated individuals (though some limitations may apply)

No statement of purpose is required when requesting public records, and the county may not deny access based on the requestor's intended use of the information. However, requestors must:

Provide sufficient contact information for communication regarding the request
Describe the requested records with reasonable particularity
Follow established procedures for submitting requests
Pay applicable fees as permitted by law

While anonymous requests are technically permitted, providing contact information is necessary for the county to communicate about the status of requests, applicable fees, and delivery of records. The county may require verification of identity when records contain sensitive information or when necessary to ensure compliance with exemptions that protect personal privacy.

What Records Are Confidential In Charleston County?

Charleston County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with exemptions established by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 and other state and federal laws. These protected records include:

Personal Privacy Information
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health records
- Personal email addresses and phone numbers
Law Enforcement Records
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Information that would interfere with prospective law enforcement proceedings
- Records that would disclose confidential informants
- Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Security Information
- Infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Security plans and measures
- Emergency response protocols
- Computer security information
Personnel Records
- Employee performance evaluations
- Disciplinary actions
- Personal information of public employees
- Employment applications (except for those hired)
Legal Materials
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Attorney work product
- Materials prepared in anticipation of litigation
Economic Development
- Trade secrets
- Proprietary commercial information
- Economic development negotiations prior to contract execution
Other Protected Records
- Sealed court records
- Adoption records
- Certain vital records as restricted by state law
- Records specifically exempted by statute or court order

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Charleston County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(b). The county bears the burden of proving that an exemption applies when withholding records from disclosure.

Charleston County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Charleston County Register of Deeds (ROD) serves as the official recorder for the county, maintaining and providing access to real property records and other official documents. The office operates under the authority of S.C. Code Ann. § 30-5-10 et seq.

Charleston County Register of Deeds
O.T. Wallace County Office Building
101 Meeting Street, Suite 150
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-4800
Fax: (843) 958-4804
Charleston County Register of Deeds

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records
Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
Maintenance of official records dating back to 1719
Public access terminals for document research
Online records search for documents recorded since 1979

Recording Requirements:

Original documents must be submitted with original signatures
Documents must be legible and suitable for scanning
First page must have 3-inch top margin for recording information
$15.00 recording fee for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Additional fees apply for multiple documents and non-standard formats
State deed recording fee: $1.85 per $500 of property value

The Register of Deeds maintains a public search room equipped with computer terminals for accessing digitized records. Staff members are available to assist with navigating the records system but cannot provide legal advice or conduct research on behalf of the public.