Beaufort County

Beaufort County is located in the southernmost portion of South Carolina's coastal Lowcountry, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Savannah River. Beaufort County seat is Beaufort, one of the oldest cities in South Carolina, founded in 1711. Beaufort County includes approximately 923 square miles, including 587 square miles of land and 336 square miles of water, making it one of the most water-rich counties in the state. The 2020 Census recorded a population of approximately 187,117 residents, reflecting significant growth driven by retirees, military families stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort County and Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, and coastal tourism. Major communities include Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, Port Royal, and Beaufort County. Beaufort County is renowned for its antebellum architecture, barrier islands, salt marshes, and world-class golf resorts. Beaufort County Government Complex is located at 100 Ribaut Road in the local community, SC 29902, housing many county offices. The Register of Deeds (ROD) office maintains land records and is accessible at the Government Complex, while the County Assessor's Office, responsible for property tax assessments, operates from the same location. Beaufort County Auditor handles property tax billing and collection. Historic sites include the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, one of the first schools for formerly enslaved people, and the local community Historic District with its preserved antebellum homes. Beaufort County's Sea Island culture, Gullah heritage, and thriving tourism economy make it a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and modern development.

• The Register of Deeds (ROD) office maintains land records and is accessible at the Government Complex, while the County Assessor's Office, responsible for property tax assessments, operates from the same location.

Beaufort County South Carolina Court is located at 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902. It is a unified court system that handles civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile cases. It is a trial court of general jurisdiction.

Beaufort County South Carolina court jurisdiction is the 15th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in South Carolina. The Circuit Court has jurisdiction over civil cases with claims of more than $7,500, criminal cases where the offense is punishable by imprisonment, and cases involving equity. The Circuit Court also has exclusive jurisdiction over adoption, divorce, and probate matters. The address of the court is 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902.

Law Enforcement & Arrests

• Citizens can request arrest records by submitting a written or in-person request to the arresting agency or the Sheriff's Office, typically with a nominal copying fee.
• Mugshots and booking photos are generally available through the online inmate roster for current detainees; historical booking photos may require a formal FOIA request.

Mugshots & Booking Photos

• Beaufort County Magistrate Courts handle small claims (up to $7,500), landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanor criminal cases; there are multiple magistrate court locations throughout Beaufort County.
• Fees for copies typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 per page, with certification fees additional.
• Remote access through the Public Index is free for searching, though certified copies must be obtained from the Clerk of Court's office in person or by mail request.

• Recording fees vary by document type and number of pages, with standard deeds typically costing $10 for the first page and $2 for each additional page.
• Certified copies cost $1.00 per page plus a $2.00 certification fee.
• Beaufort County Auditor collects property taxes and provides tax bill information online.
• All property records are public under South Carolina Code § 30-4-10 et seq, and requests for copies can be made in person, by mail, or online.

Vital records for this county include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates issued under state vital statistics law.

• Processing time for in-person requests is typically same-day or within a few business days; mail requests may take 2-3 weeks.
• The marriage license fee is $50 if both parties are South Carolina residents, reduced to $10 if both complete premarital counseling.
• Online ordering through VitalChek is available for an additional service fee.
• Vital records access is governed by South Carolina Code § 44-63-10 et seq, which restricts access to protect privacy while allowing legitimate requesters to obtain certified copies.