What are Darlington County Public Records?
Per the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, public records are documents created, prepared, stored, or used for civil purposes unless otherwise indicated on state statutes. Darlington County public records include, but are not limited to, documents stored as writings, tapes, maps, photos, e-files, and gazettes. Under South Carolina law, some records are confidential and have certain restrictions. Examples of these include any document that, if released, may get in the way of a fair hearing, pose potential harm to a person's privacy, or does not serve the purpose of public interest. Medical and hospital records, criminal investigation files, adoption records, and income tax files fall under this category.
Darlington County Crime Statistics
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division provides crime statistics for all South Carolina counties. Its latest publication indicates that Darlington County recorded 3,719 crimes in 2019, a 4.43% increase from the previous year. The county also recorded 601 violent crimes and 3,118 property crimes in the same span, representing a 3.6% and 4.6% increase from 2018, respectively.
Darlington County's 2019 index crime breakdown includes 13 murders, 48 sexual battery cases, 71 robberies, 469 aggravated assaults, 797 robberies, 2,091 larceny-thefts, 216 motor vehicle thefts, and fourteen arson cases. Of all the index crime categories, only motor vehicle thefts decreased in 2019. Local law enforcement cleared about 37.3% of violent crimes and 21.8% property crimes. The county's 2019 total index crime rate was 5582.0 crimes per 100,000 persons, a 4.6% surge from the previous year. The violent crime rate was 902.1 crimes per 100,000 inhabitants. These numbers represent a 3.9% increase compared to the previous year’s data. The property crime rate (4,680.4 crimes per 100,000 persons) also depicted a 4.8% increase from the year before.
Are Darlington County Criminal Records Public?
Darlington County criminal records are available for public inspection, according to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. The state code gives third-parties the right to request information about arrests and criminal convictions from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Still, SLED will not release a complete criminal record. Under South Carolina law, a full criminal record will only be available to the subject of the record and law enforcement authorities.
However, there are some exceptions. The S.C. Code Ann. § 63~ 19~2030(8) does not permit the release of criminal information about children or teenagers below 18 years as juvenile offenses are delinquencies and not adult crimes S.C. Code Ann. § 63~ 19~ 141 O(C).
Interested persons can contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) for name-based criminal history checks. SLED can also provide fingerprint-based searches but only when under obligation by a court order or statutory law. The SLED CATCH online portal is open to the public, and each request for a criminal record costs $25. The requester can pay using a credit or debit card. SLED will deduct $1 as the service charge for each transaction.
Notarized and certified copies of a Darlington criminal record are also available for purchase at $25 each. The requesting party can apply by mail and will need to complete a Criminal Records Check Form. Payment is by check or money order and should include a self-addressed stamped envelope mailed to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office also accepts queries for name-based background checks of persons in the county. This service is available at $5, from Monday - Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Information required to carry out a Darlington County criminal background check include:
- Subject’s full name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number
- Evidence of Permission granted by the subject
Individuals interested in using this service should visit:
Darlington County Sheriff’s Office
1621 Harry Byrd Highway
Darlington, SC 29532
How to Obtain Darlington County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Darlington County Sheriff's Office processes requests for Darlington County arrest records and police reports. Records can also be obtained at the local police department in the municipality where the incident occurred. Requesters will need to fill out an FOIA request form. A copy of a Sheriff's report will cost thirty-five cents per page, according to §30-4-30(D)(2). However, interested parties may opt to pay for staff time at $20 per hour, especially if they request many reports. C.D.s and DVD recordings are also available at $5 per disc. The requester should direct forms and payments to:
Darlington County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 783
Darlington, SC 29540
Below is a list of local police departments in the region;
Coker College Campus Police
300 E College Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29550
Phone: (843) 878-0074
Darlington Police Department
400 Pearl Street
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4026
Hartsville Police Department
135 W Carolina Avenue
Hartsville, SC 29551
Phone: (843) 383-3013
Lamar Police Department
117 Main St W
Lamar, SC 29069
Phone: (843) 326-5554
Society Hill Police Department
P.O. Box 29
Society Hill, SC 29593
Phone: (843) 378-4684
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Darlington County
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) keeps sex offender information for the State of South Carolina. The SLED allows the public to access its SORT application. Interested individuals can use the Sex Offender Registry Tool (SORT) to look up registered sex offenders for Darlington County. The record seeker can make inquiries by providing the offender's name or can search geographically by inputting a street address or zip code.
SLED also provides a Community Notification System for residents to stay updated on sex offenders living around them. Interested individuals will need to subscribe to this service using a valid email address. They will receive email alerts whenever there is new or updated information about an offender.
How to Find Darlington County Inmate Records
The Darlington County Sheriff's Office provides an Inmate Search Tool for all incarcerated inmates at the Darlington County Detention Center. The Inmate List contains information such as the inmate's current status, bail amount, and visiting privileges. People can also access information about recently arrested and discharged individuals (those released within the past 24 hours). The inmate list is in alphabetical order according to the inmate's last name. Record seekers can quickly access the inmate's profile if they can provide the inmate's full name, date of birth, arrest number, or if they know the charges for which the inmate is in custody. Other available information includes age, race, sex, mugshots, and physical descriptors.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Darlington County Jail?
Inmates in the Darlington County Detention Center can receive their family and friends (up to two visits per month). Attorneys, on the other hand, can visit as often as possible. The visitor will need to schedule a visit by calling (843) 398-4220. This line is available every day from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
Visitors must come with a valid means of identification or a birth certificate for a visitor below 18 years. The jail permits only one minor per visit. Visitors must cancel a scheduled visit at least two hours beforehand. The Darlington County Sheriff's Office may revoke an individual's visiting privilege for failing to show up three times consecutively or more than twice within 30 days.
Court Records
The State of South Carolina’s trial court system includes Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. There are nine court locations in Darlington County.
Darlington County Circuit Court
1 Public Square
Room B-4
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4330
Fax: (843) 393-6871
Darlington County Family Court
1 Public Square
Room B-4
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4333
Fax: (843) 393-6871
Darlington County Probate Court
1 Public Square
Room 208
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4310
Phone: (843) 398-4311
Fax: (843) 398-4076
Darlington County Magistrate Court - Darlington
115 Camp Road
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4340
Fax: (843) 398-4458
Darlington County Magistrate Court - Hartsville
404 South 4th Street
Hartsville, SC 29550
Phone: (843) 332-9661
Fax: (843) 332-7212
Darlington Municipal Court
Darlington City Hall
400 Pearl Street
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4004
Fax: (843) 398-4027
Hartsville Municipal Court
133 West Carolina Avenue
P.O. Drawer 2497
Hartsville, SC 29550
Phone: (843) 383-3008
Fax: (843) 383-3040
Lamar Municipal Court
117 Main Street
P.O. Box 267
Lamar, SC 29069
Phone: (843) 326-7264
Fax: (843) 326-5280
Society Hill Municipal Court
280 South Main Street
P.O. Box 29
Society Hill, SC 29593
Phone: (843) 378-4681
Fax: (843) 378-9190
Are Darlington County Court Records Public?
Most Darlington County court records are public records under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. However, some records do not fall under this rule and are unavailable for public inspection. The Darlington County Clerk of Courts will not release confidential court records or documents sealed by court order. Examples of confidential Darlington court information include pending prosecutions that are still under investigation, income tax files, juvenile criminal court files, and adoption records.
How to Obtain Darlington County Civil Court Case Records
The Darlington County Clerk of Court is the county's court administrator and maintains civil court case records. Darlington County civil court case records are available for public inspection on the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Public Index. Interested parties can make inquiries by inputting the party name and case number on the provided search box. They can also select the appropriate option on the drop-down menu to get accurate search results.
Civil court case records are also available at the courthouse at:
1 Public Square
Room B-4
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4330
Fax: (843) 393-6871
How to Obtain Darlington County Criminal Court Records
The Darlington County Clerk of Court grants access to criminal court records. People can use the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Public Index to search for open criminal court files by providing the party name and the record's case number. The record seeker should select "Criminal" under the Case Type drop-down menu and use the best filter options for accurate results. As an alternative, the public can search and obtain copies of criminal court records at the Clerk's office in:
1 Public Square
Room B-4
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4330
Fax: (843) 393-6871
What are Darlington Vital Records?
Darlington County vital records are official records of life happenings. Vital records include birth records, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records. Under South Carolina law, vital records are confidential until after some time. As such, only authorized persons can inspect and copy these documents. Most vital records are available at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The Darlington County Probate Court and the Darlington County Clerk of Courts are the two offices that maintain vital records at the county level.
Where and How to Obtain Darlington Divorce Records
The Darlington County Clerk of Court's Office is the custodian of divorce decrees. Interested individuals can visit the Clerk at the courthouse at:
1 Public Square
Room B-4
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4330
Fax: (843) 393-6871
South Carolina's Vital Records Office keeps and issues copies of Darlington County divorce certificates for a non-refundable $12 fee for each record. Extra copies requested at the same time will cost $3 each. The State Department can provide divorce documents dated from July 1962 to December 2014. In South Carolina, divorce records are only available to the divorced parties, their adult children, present or former spouses, and legal representatives. However, the public can obtain index copies of divorce records from the Vital Records Office. An index copy will provide the registrants' names, the divorce finalization date, and the county where the event occurred.
The requesting party will need to submit a completed Application Form and a valid government photo I.D. to any of these offices:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Beaufort County
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: (843) 525-7637
Charleston County
4050 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Hampton County
531 West Carolina Avenue
Varnville, SC 29944
Phone: (803) 943-3878
Orangeburg County
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Phone: (803) 533-7236
Where and How to Get Public Darlington Marriage Records
Marriage records for Darlington County are not open to the public. However, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control can provide indexes confirming that the event happened. An index copy will include the couple's name, the marriage date, and the county where the registrants obtained their marriage license. Interested individuals can query the Vital Records Office by mail or in person at:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Darlington
Confidential Darlington County marriage records are obtainable from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The state office processes requests for copies of marriage records filed from July 1950 to December 2018. Under South Carolina law, only the registrants, their adult children, current, divorced, or estranged spouse, and the registrant's legal representatives can apply for copies of Darlington County marriage certificates.
The Vital Records Office will charge a non-refundable $12 fee for each copy requested and $3 per extra copy (if requested at the same time). Applicants can purchase marriage certificates online or forward a completed Application Form and a valid photo I.D. to any of these offices:
SC DHEC Main Office
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Beaufort County
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: (843) 525-7637
Charleston County
4050 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Hampton County
531 West Carolina Avenue
Varnville, SC 29944
Phone: (803) 943-3878
Orangeburg County
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Phone: (803) 533-7236
The Darlington County Probate can also provide certified copies of marriage licenses. The fee for each copy is $5, payable by cash or money order only. Applicants will need to provide the names of the married persons and the year of the event by mail via written requests or in-person at:
Darlington County Probate Court
1 Public Square - 2nd Floor
Room 208
Darlington, SC 29532
Phone: (843) 398-4310
Phone 2: (843) 398-4311
Fax: (843) 398-4076
Where and How to Find Darlington County Birth Records
Darlington County birth certificates are within the purview of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The office can provide Darlington birth records from 1915 to the present for a $12 non-refundable fee. Extra copies requested during the same period will cost $3 each.
In South Carolina, birth records are only open after 100 years. As a result, only the registrant, a parent, and a legal guardian or representative can legally inspect or make copies of a birth certificate. Immediate family members can only access a birth record if the registrant is deceased. The Vital Records Office will only release the birth certificate after inspecting the registrant's death certificate. An eligible party can make requests online, through the phone, or submit a completed Application Form and a valid I.D by mail or in-person to any of these offices:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Beaufort County
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: (843) 525-7637
Charleston County
4050 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Hampton County
531 West Carolina Avenue
Varnville, SC 29944
Phone: (803) 943-3878
Orangeburg County
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Phone: (803) 533-7236
Where and How to Find Darlington Death Records
Darlington County death records are available at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Death records are confidential information and only open to the registrant's immediate family members and legal representatives. Death records that are 50 years old are public records, which means that third-parties can access them. The state's vital records office can issue a Short Form Certificate (a summary) and a Long Form Certificate (with complete information about the event).
Applicants can either complete an online form, order copies through phone, or send a completed Application Form and a valid I.D. They can submit the form and fees by mail or in person at any of the Vital Records Office close to them:
SC DHEC Main Office
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Beaufort County
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: (843) 525-7637
Charleston County
4050 Bridge View Drive
N. Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Hampton County
531 West Carolina Avenue
Varnville, SC 29944
Phone: (803) 943-3878
Orangeburg County
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Phone: (803) 533-7236
