South Carolina Public Records Key Terms

Use key terms to facilitate your search through South Carolina public records

By Michele Vrouvas

A typical search through South Carolina public records will yield the standard births, deaths, marriages and divorces documents. You’ll also get access to documents prepared by county and local government offices. Although there are some exceptions, most of these documents are accessible to the public. Whether you’re a marketing professional conducting new research in a quickly populating town or an HR manager confirming the facts in a job applicant’s resume, learning these key terms can help you navigate through South Carolina public records.

Vital records services

The state's vital records services maintains information on the births, deaths, marriages and divorces that took place in South Carolina. Since 1915, South Carolina law required that a certificate be filed for every birth and death. Of all public records searches done in the state, this one is most in demand.
Try: Find out where the vital records services is located at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s website. You’ll also learn about some of the standard searches done through these records.

Business filings

One thing to remember as you search public records in South Carolina for business filings is that the accuracy of information in the records can't be verified by the state. That's because the information comes from the business making the filing.
Try: Go to the Secretary of State’s website to find out how you can request a business filings search by mail. Bear in mind that the website gives the address for the registered agent rather than for the business.

Land records

A land records search will identify historical petitions for land dating back to the 1600's. Any land records pre-dating the 1800's are deposited in the offices of the South Carolina county clerks.
Try: If you’re searching through these historical land records sales, get details on the exact location of the documents and the procedures for viewing them at Land-Records.com.

South Carolina Public Records Association

The South Carolina Public Records Association strives to make the public aware of general principles for search through public documents. The Association accomplishes this by offering various educational and training opportunities.
Try: Go to the South Carolina Public Records Association homepage to learn more about how the group responds to citizens’ concerns about the retention of state public records and how it encourages public inspection of these records.

Freedom of Information Act

The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act provides public access to records relating to public policy and the decisions made by South Carolina's public officials. The Act is contained in South Carolina's General Assembly statutes.
Try: The fees set by the Freedom of Information Act for searching through state public records are noted on the South Carolina Legislature’s website.

Records management program

Because maintaining large amounts of records in an orderly fashion can be a challenge, South Carolina has instituted a records management program. The state archivist supervises this program and also helps to set standards and procedures for managing the thousands of new records being added to the system each year.
Try: Find out more about how the records management program in South Carolina is administered at the State of South Carolina website.