Guide
About South Carolina public records
Uncover free public records in South Carolina and conduct a background check or look up courts for divorces, lawsuits, criminal records. Search the state's courts for probate, family law matters, federal cases and juvenile issues. Employee screening sources, property value, personal and business assets, bankruptcies, liens, judgments, home foreclosures, death, birth and marriage records. Business and corporation search of U.C.C. and other company filings. Birth records, death records and marriage certificates from the S.C. department of health and environmental control. Death row and offender searches statewide with instant results keeping you informed about your area.
Guide
Court records and filings
Access South Carolina Courts online directly. Search court records; from South Carolina county courts to Supreme courts. Find criminal filings, South Carolina dissolution of marriage or divorce records from official state websites. File small claims lawsuits. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. South Carolina state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.
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Court search routes
Criminal, civil and divorce records in South Carolina can be held by more than one court, so search each court that may hold the case. The official court site below lists the South Carolina courts and how to reach each one.
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Criminal records and background checks
South Carolina criminal records are maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). SLED provides criminal background checks and maintains the state criminal history repository. Court records are accessible through the South Carolina courts online system. SLED also operates the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry.
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Vital records
Certified copies of South Carolina birth and death certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Marriage records are also kept by the local office that issued the license, and divorce records by the court that granted the divorce.
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Property and asset records
Deeds and mortgages in South Carolina are recorded at the county level, and property taxes are handled by county or local offices. Business and UCC filings are kept by the state, bankruptcy cases are federal court records, and the state runs a free search for unclaimed property.
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Government records and agencies
SC.gov keeps a state agency listing, and the South Carolina Code of Laws is online from the Legislature.
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Driving and vehicle records
The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles keeps driving records and issues vehicle titles.
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Expungements and record clearing
In South Carolina, expungement removes a conviction or charge from a person's record and seals or destroys the state's records of the arrest, charge or conviction. The Judicial Branch explains the application steps for General Sessions, magistrate and municipal courts, and juvenile records.
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Genealogy and historical research
For family history, start with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History and the South Carolina State Library.
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Missing children resources
The Missing Person Information Center at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) handles missing person reports and statewide alerts.
- SLED Fusion CenterMissing person alerts and advisories
- NamUsU.S. Justice Department database of missing and unidentified people
Need a different South Carolina record?
Browse county pages, search vital records, look up court filings, or run a background check from the main hub.