What are Charleston Public Records?
Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Charleston public records include all documents, papers, books, maps, images, cards, tapes, or recordings, or other documentary materials, notwithstanding their physical form or features, that are generated, held, used, kept, or maintained by a public body. The law exempts certain records from the purview of public disclosure. These records include:
- Income tax returns
- Hospital medical staff reports
- Student or scholastic records
- Adoption records
- Records pertaining to the registration and dissemination of library materials
- Confidential information
- Trade secrets
- Information that their release will constitute a violation of a person’s privacy
Charleston Crime Statistics
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) publishes annual statistical reports that provide crime statistics of cities and counties in South Carolina. The reports are collations of information provided by the law enforcement agencies in the state. In 2019, Charleston City reported a total number of 3,698 crimes, including 517 violent crimes and 3,181 property crimes. The violent crimes include eight murders, 51 rapes, 95 robberies, and 363 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 300 burglaries, 2,367 larcenies, 506 motor vehicle thefts, and eight arsons.
When the 2019 crime report is compared with the 2018 report, it shows an increase in crime rate within the city. Robbery, aggravated assault, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates increased by 7%, 40%, 51%, and 7% respectively. At the same time, murder, rape, and burglary rates declined by 20%, 11%, and 16%. The rate of arson remained the same for both years.
Are Charleston Criminal Records Public?
Based on the provisions of South Carolina laws, Charleston criminal records are partly open and accessible to individual members of the public. Individual members of the public are only given information about the record subject’s conviction and arrest. It is only law enforcement agencies and the record’s subject that are provided with access to the complete record.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides criminal records in the state through name-based and fingerprint-based criminal searches. Name-based searches are done with the SLED Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (SLED-CATCH) portal.
How to Obtain Charleston Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Charleston Police Department generates and keeps Charleston arrest records, police reports, and motor vehicle accident reports. Persons interested in obtaining copies of Charleston arrest records or police reports should call (843) 577-7434 and Press 1 for Records. Or requesters can visit the Records Office at the Police Department headquarters at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. A police report costs $5. A requester should take a state-issued ID/license along. They will be required to provide information about the report like:
- The date of the incident
- The type of incident
- The location of the incident
- The suspect of the incident
- The time of the incident
- The victim of the incident
To get a Charleston motor vehicle accident report, fill out the Motor Vehicle Accident Report form or prepare a written request with information about the accident. Submit the form or request in person or by mail to:
Charleston Police Department
180 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 577-7434
Alternatively, to obtain information, documents, or records generated by or in the custody of the Charleston Police Department, complete the City of Charleston Police Department Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request Form. Submit the completed form to the address above.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Charleston?
The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office provides a public search tool to help locate registered sex offenders residing in the county, including Charleston City. This Charleston Public Sex Offender Registry queries the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry. The registry allows Charleston residents to carry out the name and geographic searches. Users can also search by zip code, city, and street address to locate sex offenders living, working, and attending school in their area, neighborhood, or community.
How to Find Charleston Inmate Records?
Charleston inmates are incarcerated in the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center of Charleston County. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office administers the daily operations of the detention center. It provides the public with a bookings search tool. It can be used to search Charleston inmates and information about them. Users of the online portal can search inmate information by name, booking date, or inmate number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Charleston Jail?
Charleston County Jail allows online and on-site inmate visitation. Prospective visitors of inmates at the Charleston County Jail need to be informed by the inmate of the proper time and date before they can visit. They should also take with them a state or government photo ID.
Visitation days are from Sunday to Saturday, between the hours below:
8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 4:25 p.m.
6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
To schedule an online or on-site visit, go to the scheduling page. Prospective visitors should note that visits that are pre-scheduled take priority over walk-in visits and the scheduled time is subject to change depending on the facility’s operational status.
The Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center is located at:
3841 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Court Records
Courts of Charleston City are part of the Charleston County court system. In Charleston County, the main courthouse is the Judicial Center. It has the Circuit Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions, the Family Court, two Probate Courts, 13 Magistrate Courts, and 12 Municipal Courts.
These courts decide cases ranging from civil, criminal, domestic & family, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. The relevant documents and records from these cases are maintained by the courts or their clerks.
Location of Courts in Charleston
Charleston County Circuit Court
Charleston County Circuit Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street
Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5000
Fax: (843) 958-5020
Charleston County Family Court
Charleston County Family Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street
Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-4400
Fax: (843) 958-4434
Charleston County Probate Court
Charleston County Probate Court
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street
Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5180
Fax: (843) 958-5191
Charleston County Probate Court
Historic Courthouse
84 Broad Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5030
Fax: (843) 958-5044
Charleston County Magistrates Courts
Charleston County Magistrates Court - Centralized Bond Hearing Court
3831 Leeds Avenue
Suite 200
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 746-9822
Fax: (843) 746-9960
Charleston County Magistrates Court - Centralized Preliminary Hearing Court
3831 Leeds Avenue
Suite 100
North Charleston, SC 20405
Phone: (843) 745-2390
Fax: (843) 745-2395
Charleston County Magistrates Court - City of Charleston
995 Morrison Drive
P.O. Box 941
Charleston, SC 29402
Phone: (843) 724-6719
Fax: (843) 720-6785
Phone: (843) 724-6720 (Small Claims)
Charleston County Magistrates Court - East Cooper
1189 Sweetgrass Basket Parkway
Suite 300
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
Phone: (843) 856-1205
Fax: (843) 856-1188
Charleston County Magistrates Court - James Island
615 Riverland Drive
P.O. Box 12226
Charleston, SC 29422
Phone: (843) 795-1140
Fax: (843) 406-2753
Charleston County Magistrates Court - McClellanville
10009 Highway 17 North
McClellanville, SC 29458
Phone: (843) 887-3334
Fax: (843) 887-3901
Charleston County Magistrates Court - North Area 1
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
Suite B125
P.O. Box 60037
North Charleston, SC 29419
Phone: (843) 202-6610
Fax: (843) 202-6620
Charleston County Magistrates Court - North Area 2
2145 Melbourne Avenue
Suite 100
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 745-2215
Fax: (843) 745-2334
Charleston County Magistrates Court - North Area 3
6185 Rivers Avenue
Suite E
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 553-4003
Fax: (843) 572-0013
Charleston County Magistrates Court - North Area Small Claims
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive
Suite B146
P.O. Box 70235
North Charleston, SC 29415
Phone: (843) 202-6650
Fax: (843) 202-6652
Charleston County Magistrates Court - Ravenel/Adams Run Area
5962 Highway 165
Suite 200
Ravenel, SC 29470
Phone: (843) 889-8332
Fax: (843) 889-9202
Charleston County Magistrates Court - Wadmalaw/Johns Island
1527 Main Road
Suite 100
Johns Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 559-1218
Fax: (843) 559-2378
Charleston County Magistrates Court - West Ashley Area
1720 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard
Unit 11
P.O. Box 31861
Charleston, SC 29417
Phone: (843) 766-6531
Fax: (843) 571-4751
Charleston County Municipal Courts
Charleston Municipal Court
180 Lockwood Boulevard
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 724-7460
Fax: (843) 724-7171
Folly Beach Municipal Court
21 Center Street
P.O. Box 48
Folly Beach, SC 29439
Phone: (843) 513-1842
Fax: (843) 588-2476
Hollywood Municipal Court
5962 Highway 165
Ravenel, SC 29470
Phone: (843) 889-8332
Fax: (843) 889-9202
Isle of Palms Municipal Court
1207 Palm Boulevard
P.O. Box 508
Isle of Palms, SC 29451
Phone: (843) 886-8946
Fax: (843) 886-8005
Kiawah Island Municipal Court
21 Beachwalker Drive
Kiawah Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 768-9166
Fax: (843) 768-4764
Lincolnville Municipal Court
Physical: 141 West Broad Street, Lincolnville, SC 29458
Mailing: P.O. Box 436, Summerville, SC 29484
Phone: (843) 873-3261
Fax: (843) 873-3267
McClellanville Municipal Court
405 Pinckney Street
McClellanville, SC 29458
Phone: (843) 887-3712
Fax: (843) 887-3094
Mount Pleasant Municipal Court
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (843) 884-6796
Fax: (843) 856-2514
North Charleston Municipal Court
2500 City Hall Lane
P.O. Box 190016
North Charleston, SC 29419
Phone: (843) 740-2601
Fax: (843) 745-1051
Ravenel Municipal Court
5962 Highway 165
Ravenel, SC 29470
Phone: (843) 889-8332
Fax: (843) 889-9202
Seabrook Island Municipal Court
2001 Seabrook Island Road
Seabrook Island, SC 29455
Phone: (843) 768-9121
Fax: (843) 768-9830
Sullivans Island Municipal Court
2050-B Middle Street
P.O. Box 427
Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
Phone: (843) 883-5734
Fax: (843) 883-3009
Are Charleston Court Records Public?
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act allows residents of Charleston to request and access Charleston court records. However, this access does not extend to personal information, like social security details, passport, financial accounts, passwords, or driver’s license. Also, court records or documents are not subject to public disclosure where they are sealed by a court order or are confidential. Examples of confidential documents and matters are juvenile files, abuse and neglect files, and Grand Jury materials. These court records are only available to specific qualified/eligible persons. Files of adoption and termination of parental rights are usually sealed and are accessible only by court order. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains most court records in the court and processes requests of interested persons to obtain copies.
Can you look up a Charleston Court Case Online?
The Clerk of Court’s Charleston County Public Index provides the public with online access to Charleston Court records. This public index portal has records of the Circuit Court and some Municipal and Magistrate Courts. It has information about appeals, civil cases, common pleas, criminal cases, parking, and traffic. Users can search by providing information like the case number, case type, case sub-type, last name/business, first name, middle, party type, action type, CDR code, indictment number, and date type (beginning and ending). The Clerk of Court provides search tips for users to help facilitate searches.
The Clerk of Court also provides a case search portal for the Charleston County Family Court. Interested persons can use this portal to carry out online searches about cases handled by the Family Court.
How to Obtain Charleston Civil Court Case Records?
The Clerk of Court processes in-person and mail requests for Charleston civil court case records and documents. The records available are of cases filed in the Court of Common Pleas of the Circuit Court and the Family Court. To make an in-person request, visit the Clerk of Court from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For mail requests, send a written request with the case number and names of parties involved to the applicable address below:
Clerk of Court/Common Pleas
100 Broad Street
Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Clerk of Court/Family Court
100 Broad Street
Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
It costs 11 cents per page for copies of Charleston civil case court records. In addition to this, a requester may pay a $1 fee for record certification. The accepted means of payments are cashier’s checks and money orders to Charleston County Clerk of Court.
How to Obtain Charleston Criminal Court Records?
The General Sessions Court of the Circuit Court handles criminal matters and the Clerk of Court manages and disseminates copies of records of cases decided by the court. Persons interested in getting copies of Charleston criminal court records can make in-person or by mail. To make an in-person request, walk into the office of the Clerk of Court any day from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. To make a mail request, send a written request providing information about the case, such as the case number and names of parties involved to:
Charleston County Clerk of Court/General Sessions
100 Broad Street
Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
It costs 11 cents per page for copies of Charleston criminal court records. There is an additional $1 fee for record certification. The accepted methods of payment are cashier’s checks and money orders to Charleston County Clerk of Court.
What are Charleston Vital Records?
Charleston vital records are official documents that show the occurrence of certain life events within the city’s borders. These vital records include birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Charleston vital records are largely confidential in nature because access to these records is restricted to certain persons. These persons include the record owner(s), immediate family members, and other authorized persons. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains Charleston divorce records, while the Probate Court keeps Charleston marriage records. The Vital Records Office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is the central repository for marriage, divorce, birth, and death records in the state.
Where and How to Obtain Charleston Divorce Records?
The Family Court handles divorce cases in Charleston and the Clerk of Court maintains the divorce records from these cases. Certified copies of Charleston divorce records may be obtained by mail or walk-in requests. Visit the Clerk of Court’s office from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to make walk-in requests. Requesters can make mail requests by submitting a written request with the case number, names of parties involved, and the date of the divorce judgment. Send by mail this, with a money order for $10, to:
Charleston County Clerk of Court/Family Court
100 Broad Street
Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
The Vital Records Office of the DHEC also has Charleston divorce records. To request copies of Charleston divorce records from this state office, fill out the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application (also available in Spanish). Submit the filled-out form by mail or in person, with a valid photo ID and payment, to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The Vital Records Office opens from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A Charleston divorce record requested from the DHEC costs $12 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time. Pay for mail requests with a money order or a cashier’s check. For in-person requests, pay with cash and credit/debit cards.
Where and How to Get Public Charleston Marriage Records?
The Marriage License Division of the Charleston County Probate Court processes requests for certified copies of Charleston marriage records. Applicants can make in-person and mail requests for Charleston marriage records. Simply visit or send a mail request with information about the marriage to:
Charleston County Marriage License Division
100 Broad Street
Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5183
A certified copy of a Charleston marriage certificate costs $5. The accepted means of payment for in-person requests are cash, money order, or credit card. The only accepted form of payment for mail requests is a money order. It should be made payable to the Probate Court.
Alternatively, Charleston marriage records can be obtained from the Vital Records Office of the DHEC. Interested persons can make mail or walk-in requests by completing the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application (also available in Spanish). The completed form, as well as valid photo ID and payment, should be submitted in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
A Charleston marriage certificate with the DHEC costs $12 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. Requesters can pay for walk-in requests with cash and credit/debit cards. Mail requests can be paid for with a check or money order to SC DHEC.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Charleston?
All marriage records in Charleston are considered public.
Where and How to Find Charleston Birth Records?
Interested individuals obtain Charleston birth records from the Vital Records Office of the DHEC. They process walk-in and mail requests for Charleston birth certificates. Applicants can order a birth record by filling out the Vital Records Birth Application Form (also available in Spanish). Submit the filled-out form with payment and a valid photo ID in person or by mail to:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The office opens from Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The DHEC charges $12 for the first copy of a birth record ordered, and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Requests for Charleston birth records can also be submitted in person at any of the regional vital records offices.
Where and How to Find Charleston Death Records?
The Vital Records Office of the DHEC keeps Charleston death records. Interested and eligible persons can obtain copies of death records by making in-person or mail requests. Simply complete the Vital Records Death Application Form (also available in Spanish). Submit the completed form with payment and a valid photo ID to:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The office opens to the public between Monday and Friday, from 8:30 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. The first copy of a Charleston death record requested costs $12. There is an additional charge of $3 for each extra copy requested at the same time.
