What are North Charleston Public Records?
Following the provisions of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, North Charleston public records include all documents, papers, books, cards, images, maps, tapes, or recordings, or other materials of documentation, notwithstanding their physical form or characteristics, that are generated, kept, used, preserved, or maintained by a public body. However, there are some records that the law exempts from being subject to 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
North Charleston Crime Statistics
The North Charleston Police Department, as part of its duty as a local law enforcement agency, provides periodic statistical reports of crime within the city’s borders. In 2019, North Charleston City reported a total number of 7,481 crimes, including 964 violent crimes and 6,517 property crimes. The violent crimes include 25 murders, 70 rapes, 348 robberies, and 551 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 767 burglaries, 5,031 larcenies, and 719 motor vehicle thefts.
The 2018 crime report shows a substantial increase in the crime rate within the city over five years. Between 2014 to 2018, there was an increase in six out of the seven major crimes reported. Murder, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft rates increased by 14%, 51%, 61%, 0.3%, 53%, and 46% respectively. At the same time, the rate of rape declined by 1%.
Are North Charleston Criminal Records Public?
By virtue of South Carolina laws, the general public does not have complete access to North Charless criminal records. They are partly open because requesters are only given information about the owner of record, convictions, and arrests. Copies of the complete records are available only to law enforcement agencies and the owner of the record.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is the state agency that provides criminal records in South Carolina. It does this through name-based and fingerprint-based criminal searches. Interested persons can request name-based searches through the SLED Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (SLED-CATCH) portal or complete the Criminal Records Check form.
How to Obtain North Charleston Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The North Charleston Police Department generates and keeps copies of North Charleston arrest records and police reports. Persons can request copies of police reports by submitting a written request to the Police Department or contacting the Police Department to request copies. The address and contact information of the Police Department is below:
North Charleston Police Department
2500 City Hall Lane
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 740-2816
(843) 308-4718
(843) 740-2812
(843) 207-0666
How to Find Sex Offender Information in North Charleston?
SLED works with the county sheriffs’ within the state to maintain sex offender information. It provides the general public with access to this information through the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry. North Charleston residents can carry out geographic radius searches for sex offenders residing, working, or attending school around their area, neighborhood, or community or within their zip code. Simply provide the street, city, and zip code. They can also carry out name searches. Residents can also search county-specific sex offender information for Berkeley, Charleston, or Dorchester.
How to Find North Charleston Inmate Records?
The Charleston County’s Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center keeps inmates from North Charleston. The Charleston County Sheriff’s Office runs the activities and operations of the jail facility. Information about inmates incarcerated in the facility is available online through the inmate search tool. Search this online portal for inmate information by name, booking date, or inmate number.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in North Charleston Jail?
Inmate visitation at the Charleston County Jail is online and on-site. The inmate has to inform family, friends, or any other prospective visitor of the proper time and date before they can visit. It is important that the visitor carries along 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.
Visitors can schedule an online or on-site visit on the scheduling page. Pre-scheduled visits are given priority over walk-in visits. Also, the scheduled time for a visit 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
North Charleston City is part of a three-county court system that includes Berkeley County, Charleston County, and Dorchester County. These systems include Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. These courts handle cases such as civil, criminal, domestic & family, probate, small claims, and traffic matters. The court documents and records from these cases are maintained by the courts and their clerks.
Location of Courts in North Charleston
Berkeley County Circuit Court
300-B California Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4400
Fax: (843) 719-4509
Berkeley County Family Court
300-B California Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4500
Fax: (843) 719-4509
Berkeley County Probate Court
300-B California Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4519
Fax: (843) 719-4527
Berkeley County Magistrates Courts
Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Bond Court
300 California Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4549
Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Central Traffic and Criminal Domestic
223 North Live Oak Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4050
Fax: (843) 719-4534
Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Goose Creek
303-B North Goose Creek Boulevard
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 553-7080
Fax: (843) 553-7074
Phone: (843) 553-6099 (Small Claims)
Fax: (843) 553-7074 (Small Claims)
Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Moncks Corner
223 North Live Oak Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4535 (Preliminary Hearings)
Fax: (843) 719-4528 (Preliminary Hearings)
Phone: (843) 719-4264 (Small Claims)
Fax: (843) 719-4528 (Small Claims)
Berkeley County Magistrates Court - St. Stephen
113 Ravenell Drive
St. Stephen, SC 29479
Phone: (843) 567-7400
Fax: (843) 567-3102
Berkeley County Municipal Courts
Bonneau Municipal Court
P.O. Box 70
Bonneau, SC 29431
Phone: (843) 825-3385
Fax: (843) 825-2577
Goose Creek Municipal Court
519 North Goose Creek Boulevard
P.O. Drawer 1768
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 569-4230
Fax: (843) 569-4206
Hanahan Municipal Court
1255 Yeamans Hall Road
Hanahan, SC 29410
Phone: (843) 576-5262
Fax: (843) 885-5053
Jamestown Municipal Court
7604 Highway 41
P.O. Box 145
Jamestown, SC 29453
Phone: (843) 257-2233
Fax: (843) 257-2233
Moncks Corner Municipal Court
118 Carolina Avenue
P.O. Box 700
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-7918
Fax: (843) 719-7980
Saint Stephen Municipal Court
124 Hood Street
St. Stephen, SC 29479
Phone: (843) 567-3116
Fax: (843) 567-7235
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
Judicial Center
100 Broad Street
Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-4400
Fax: (843) 958-4434
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
Dorchester County Circuit Court
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
Fax: (843) 563-0178
Dorchester County Family Court
Troy Knight Judicial Complex
212 Deming Way
P.O. Box 1885
Summerville, SC 29484
Phone: (843) 563-0360
Fax: (843) 832-0359
Dorchester County Probate Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-5785
Fax: (843) 563-0222
Dorchester County Magistrates Courts
Dorchester County Magistrate Court - St. George
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0130
Fax: (843) 563-0123
Dorchester County Magistrate Court - Summerville
Troy Knight Judicial Complex
212 Deming Way
Box 10
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 832-0370
Fax: (843) 832-0371
Dorchester County Municipal Courts
Harleyville Municipal Court
119 South Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 35
Harleyville, SC 29448
Phone: (843) 462-7676
Fax: (843) 462-2485
Ridgeville Municipal Court
105 School Street
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Phone: (843) 871-7960
Fax: (843) 832-8016
St. George Municipal Court
Physical: 601 South Parker Avenue, St. George, SC 29477
Mailing: 305 Ridge Street, St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-3240
Fax: (843) 563-7048
Summerville Municipal Court
200 South Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 875-2010
Fax: (843) 851-4119
Are North Charleston Court Records Public?
As required by South Carolina law, North Charleston court records are available to the public. However, access does not extend to passwords, driver’s license, social security details, passports, and other personal information. The court may seal some particular records so that only qualified persons may access those records. Confidential documents, such as juvenile files, abuse and neglect files, and Grand Jury materials are not available to the general public. Only qualified persons can access these records. Adoption and termination of parental rights records are usually sealed and can only be accessed through a court order. Requests for the North Charleston court records should be made to the clerk of court of the county where the case was addressed. The Berkeley County Clerk of Court maintains court records in Berkeley County. For Dorchester County, the records are maintained by the Dorchester County Clerk of Court. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains records of the court.
Can you look up a North Charleston Court Case Online?
North Charleston court cases can be found online. For Dorchester County, there is a public index that provides access to the court records in the county. Interested persons can search for cases by court type, court agencies, case number, action type, among other options. The index contains Circuit Court cases, Summary Court cases, and cases from the Masters-In-Equity. Berkeley County also has a public index that interested persons can use in searching for court records in the county.
For Charleston, the Clerk of Court maintains the Charleston County Public Index which allows the general public to have online access to Charleston court records. The index has records of the Circuit Court, the Municipal Courts, and the Magistrate courts. It also includes information about appeals, civil cases, common pleas, and criminal cases. Interested persons can search for Charleston County court cases with the case number, name, action type, case type, CDR code, or party type. The Clerk of Court also provides users with search tips to help with the search.
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. There is also a case search portal for cases from the Family Court.
How to Obtain North Charleston Civil Court Case Records?
North Charleston civil court records of cases arising in Charleston can be obtained from the Clerk of Court. Interested persons can make a request either in person or by mail. The available documents are of cases filed in either the Family Court or the Court of Common Pleas. Interested persons can visit the Clerk of Court from 8:30 a.m. till 5:00 p.m., from Monday to Friday, to make an in-person request. For mail requests, a written request with the names of the parties involved and the case number should be sent 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
The cost is 11 cents per page of records of the Charleston civil case court records. There is an additional fee of $1 if the requester wishes to certify the record. The requester may pay through a check or through money orders to the Charleston County Clerk of Court.
If the record is in Berkeley County, the Berkeley County Clerk of Court’s office maintains the records. This includes cases heard in the Court of Common Pleas and in the Family Court. Interested persons can search for civil cases at the clerk’s office with the public access service center. Requesters will use the name of the court, the name of the parties, or the case number to search. To do this, requesters can visit the office at:
Clerk of Court
300-B California Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
For cases that arise in Dorchester, the court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court’s office and various courts in Dorchester. The Clerk of Court maintains records of the Circuit Court and Family Court. The records of the other courts are maintained by the various courts. To request certified records of cases from the Circuit Court or Family Court, interested persons can contact the Clerk of Court Office at:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
(843) 563-0160
For records of cases decided in other courts, interested persons should visit the courthouse where the case was decided.
How to Obtain North Charleston Criminal Court Records?
The Charleston Clerk of Court maintains criminal court records of cases in Charleston County courts. Interested persons can get copies of the record either in-person or by mail. The requester can make an in-person request by visiting the office of the Clerk of Court between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Requesters can make a mail request by sending a written request with information about the case, such as the case number and the names of the parties involved, to:
Charleston County Clerk of Court/General Sessions
100 Broad Street
Suite 106
Charleston SC 29401
Requesters will pay the fees either through a cashier’s check or through money orders to the Charleston County Clerk of Court. The charge is 11 cents for each page of the Charleston criminal court records. There is an extra $1 fee for record certification.
Where the case was handled in Berkeley County, the Berkeley County Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of the court record. The cases are those heard by the Court of General Sessions. Requesters can access criminal court records with the public access service center, at the clerk’s office. Requesters will use the name of the court, the name of the defendant, or the case number to search. To do this, requesters can visit the office at:
Clerk of Court
300-B California Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
What are North Charleston Vital Records?
North Charleston vital records are official documents that provide information about life events within the City. The vital records include records of births, marriages, divorces, and deaths. The vital records are available at the county level, in Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) also maintains records of marriage, births, divorces, and deaths in North Charleston.
Where and How to Obtain North Charleston Divorce Records?
North Charleston divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in the county where divorce case was heard. If the divorce was handled by the Family Court in Charleston County, the Charleston Clerk of Court would maintain the divorce records. Interested persons can obtain a certified copy from the Clerk of Court either in person or by mail. For in-person requests, interested persons can visit the Clerk of Court’s office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Interested persons can also make mail requests by submitting a written request. The written request should include information about the divorce, such as the case number, name of parties involved, and the date the judgment of the divorce was given. A $10 money order should also be sent. The mail should be sent to:
Charleston County Clerk of Court/Family Court
100 Broad Street
Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
The divorce records of cases handled by the Family Court in Berkeley County are maintained by the Berkeley County Clerk of Court. Interested persons can access these records in person by visiting the Clerk of Court’s office at:
Berkeley County Clerk of Court
300-B California Avenue
P.O. Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
If the divorce was handled by the Family Court in Dorchester County, the Dorchester Clerk of Court would maintain the divorce records. Requesters can obtain the records by visiting the offices of the Clerk of Court at:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
(843) 563-0160
The Vital Records Office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) also maintains a record of North Charleston divorce records. Interested persons can request copies of records from the state office. This would involve filling the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application (also available in Spanish). The filled form can be submitted either 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 is open from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The cost for requesting a North Charleston divorce record from DHEC is $12 for the first copy. All additional copies of the same record requested at the same time will cost $3. Requesters who make their requests by mail can either pay with a money order or a cashier’s check. In-person requesters can either pay with cash or a credit/debit card.
Where and How to Get Public North Charleston Marriage Records?
North Charleston marriage records are maintained by the County Clerk that granted the license for the marriage to be performed. If the license was given by the Marriage License Division of the Charleston County Probate Court, then the marriage records would be obtainable from Charleston. Interested persons can make requests for North Charleston marriage certificates either in person or by mail. This would involve either visiting or sending a mail to:
Charleston County Marriage License Division
100 Broad Street
Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5183
The cost to obtain a Charleston marriage certificate is $5. Payments can be made in person through cash, money order, or a credit card. However, only money orders can be used to pay for mail requests. It should be made payable to the Probate Court.
Marriage certificates in Berkeley County are issued by the Marriage License Division of the Berkeley County Probate Court. Interested persons can obtain marriage records by making a request to the office at:
Berkeley County Marriage License Division
300-b California Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
The Dorchester County Probate Court maintains records of marriages in the county. It also provides certified copies at $11.50 for each copy. A request can be made from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., at:
Berkeley County Marriage License Division
5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd
St. George, SC 29477
North Charleston marriage records can also be obtained at the state level from the Vital Records Office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Interested persons can either make a request in person or by mail after filling the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application (which is also available in Spanish). The requester should submit the completed form, a valid photo ID, and payment in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The DHEC Charleston marriage certificate costs $12 for the first copy and $3 for every additional copy of the same record requested at the same time. The acceptable payment methods for in-person requests are by cash or credit/debit cards. The acceptable payment methods for mail requests are checks or money orders to SC DHEC.
Where and How to Find North Charleston Birth Records?
North Charleston birth records are available at the Vital Records Office of the DHEC. North Charleston birth certificates can be obtained either in person or by mail. Only qualified persons can request the records. Qualified persons are the record owner, their parents, other immediate family relatives, their legal representatives, and authorized agents. Interested persons who are qualified can request a birth record by filling the Vital Records Birth Application form (which is also available in Spanish). The requester should submit the filled form with a valid photo ID and payment either in person or by mail to:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
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. The charge for the first copy of the first birth recorded is $12. The charge for every additional copy requested at the same time is $3. Interested persons can also make in-person requests at any of the regional vital records offices for North Charleston birth records.
Where and How to Find North Charleston Death Records?
North Charleston death records are available at the Vital Records Office of the DHEC. Interested persons can request copies of death records if they are eligible to do so. A request can be made either in person or by mail. It would involve filling the Vital Records Death Application Form (which is also available in Spanish). The filled form should be submitted with payment and a valid photo ID to:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The Vital Records Office is open to the general public from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. The cost of the first copy of a North Charleston record is $12. The cost of each extra copy requested at the same time is $3.
