What Are Dorchester County Public Records?
As defined by the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, public records are any document created, prepared, stored, used, and owned by and for a public body, unless otherwise stated. Dorchester County public records are available in different formats such as paper writing, maps, images, cassettes, audiotapes, ebooks, and more. Examples of Dorchester public records include minutes, court case files, property, and real estate records, to name a few. In South Carolina, records that, if released, can constitute a breach of privacy, affect an ongoing investigation, or compromise an individual's rights to a fair hearing are unavailable to the public. Examples of these exemptions include medical records, sealed family court records, income tax records, and adoption records.
Dorchester County Crime Statistics
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) compiles crime statistics for all state counties. In 2019, the county recorded 497 violent crimes and 3,650 property crimes. Compared to its 2018 crime data, these numbers indicate that violent crime counts increased by 1%, and property crime reports decreased by 2.5%. The county's total index crime count (4,147) dropped by 2.1% from the previous year.
Dorchester County's 2019 index crime breakdown includes seven murders, 40 sexual battery, 57 robberies, 393 aggravated assaults, 533 burglaries, 2,8796 larceny-thefts, 318 motor vehicle thefts, and three arsons. Compared to the previous year, the count for all crime categories dropped except for murder and aggravated assaults.
Dorchester County had a total index crime rate of 2,547.1 crimes per 100,000 population, an approximately 3.4% decline from the previous year. The county's violent crime rate surged by about 0.3% to 305.26 crimes per 100,000 people. Its property crime decreased by approximately 3.8% to 2241.8 crimes per 100,000 population.
Are Dorchester County Criminal Records Public?
Generally, most Dorchester County criminal records are open to the public. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act’s backing to release conviction and arrest information to third-parties. However, a complete criminal record will only be available to the person named on the record and law enforcement. According to S.C. Code Ann. § 63~ 19~2030(8). Juvenile criminal records are confidential information and not open to public inspection. South Carolina law does not classify juvenile adjudications as criminal convictions. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Division and the Department of Juvenile Justice keep juvenile criminal history.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides name-based criminal history checks to the general public and fingerprint-based searches only when ordered by the court or state/federal statutes. Interested individuals can visit the SLED CATCH online portal to request a criminal history check. Each request costs $25, payable by credit/debit card with an additional $1 service charge.
Alternatively, they can submit a completed Criminal Records Check Form and would need to specify if they need a notarized or certified criminal records check. The requester should enclose a check or money order for the processing fee of $25 as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope, and send the mail request to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
How to Obtain Dorchester County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Primary law enforcement agencies in the county provide incident reports. People can obtain Dorchester County arrest records from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office or the police departments operating in various jurisdictions across the county. To obtain a copy of an incident report, the record seeker should contact the police department with jurisdiction in the municipality where the incident occurred.
Dorchester arrest records and police reports are available at the following offices:
Dorchester County Sheriff’s Main Office
Records Division
212 Deming Way
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 832-0300
Dorchester County Sheriff’s Saint George Office:
101 Ridge Street
Suite 1
Saint George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0259
Saint George Police Department
305 Ridge Street
Saint George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-3643
Summerville Police Department
300 W 2nd Street N
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 851-4100
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Dorchester County
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains a central database of registered sex offenders living in South Carolina. It makes this registry available to the public via its SORT application. People can access the SORT page to find registered sex offenders living in Dorchester County. Interested persons should search for offenders by name, street address, or zip code.
Residents can also subscribe to the SLED's Community Notification System using a valid email address. Doing this will help monitor sex offenders living around. The Community Notification System will also provide any updated sex offender data.
How to Find Dorchester County Inmate Records
Currently, the Dorchester County Jail does not have an online inmate roster list for detained inmates. Therefore, one can only obtain inmate information by speaking directly to a jail official via phone. The number to dial is (843) 832-0300. The jail staff will request information such as the first and last name of the inmate, date of birth, and booking I.D. number. Record seekers should ensure that they provide accurate information to make the search easier. Some information, such as the inmate's Social Security Number, may not be available.
Dorchester County has two primary correctional facilities: the Detention Center and the Jail Annex. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office, as the principal law enforcement, manages both jails. The addresses of the facilities are:
Dorchester County Detention Center
220 Hodge Road
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 832-0215
Dorchester County Jail Annex
212 Deming Way #6
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 832-0267
People can send a money order by mail or visit the particular correctional center to make a cash deposit at the kiosks located in their lobbies to fund an inmate’s account in any of the facilities. Alternatively, they can make a credit card deposit online.
How Do I Visit an inmate in Dorchester County Jail?
Inmates detained in the Dorchester County Detention Center and its annex can receive visitors online or onsite. The Dorchester County Sheriff allows two thirty-minute visits per week. Each visitor must schedule a visit at least 24 hours in advance by calling (843) 563-0259.
Visitors can do online visitation remotely or by visiting the jail's video visitation center. An online visit costs $5. For on-site visitation, the visitor will need to provide a valid photo I.D. before they can enter the facility. The jail officials will not permit personal belongings into the facility. Visitations are subject to cancellation should the inmate or the visitors fail to adhere to the jail visitation rules.
Court Records
Dorchester County courts are part of the First Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Circuit Court is the county’s primary court, divided into the Court of Common Pleas (civil) and General Sessions (criminal). Other courts in the county include; Family Court, Probate Court, two Magistrate Courts, and four Municipal Courts. Listed below are the addresses and contact information of these courts:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
Dorchester County Family Court
Troy Knight Judicial Complex
212 Deming Way
P.O. Box 1885
Summerville, SC 29484
Phone: (843) 563-0360
Dorchester County Probate Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-5785
Dorchester County Magistrate Court - St. George
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0130
Dorchester County Magistrate Court - Summerville
Troy Knight Judicial Complex
212 Deming Way
P.O. Box 10
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 832-0370
Harleyville Municipal Court
119 South Railroad Avenue
P.O. Box 35
Harleyville, SC 29448
Phone: (843) 462-7676
Ridgeville Municipal Court
105 School Street
Ridgeville, SC 29472
Phone: (843) 871-7960
St. George Municipal Court
(physical address)
601 South Parler Avenue
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-3240
(mailing address)
305 Ridge Street,
Phone: St. George, SC 29477
Summerville Municipal Court
200 South Main Street,
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 875-20107
The Dorchester County Clerk of Court maintains and provides copies of Circuit Court and Family Court records. Dorchester court records for other courts within the court clerk’s purview in the courthouse that handled the case. Dorchester County court records (Circuit, Family and Magistrate Courts) are accessible online at the Dorchester County First Judicial Circuit Public Index. To request certified records, interested parties can contact the Clerk of Court at the Dorchester County Courthouse or visit the right courthouse.
Are Dorchester County Court Records Public?
Dorchester County court records are open to the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. However, the Circuit Court Clerk may restrict access to a court document’s confidential sections for specific reasons. In most cases, the Clerk will redact such information in compliance with federal and state privacy or public safety laws. Examples of sealed court information include adoption records, pending criminal prosecutions under investigation, and income tax files.
How to Obtain Dorchester County Civil Court Case Records
The Dorchester County Clerk of Courts is the principal repository for civil court case records. People can search for civil court case files online via the First Judicial Circuit Court Public Index. Record seekers will need to input search information such as the party name and case number. They can also select the preferred option on the drop-down menu for accurate search results.
Civil court case records are also available at the Clerk's office located at:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
Other county courthouses also have civil court cases within their jurisdiction.
How to Obtain Dorchester County Criminal Court Records
Criminal court records are within the purview of the Dorchester County Clerk of Courts. The First Judicial Circuit Court Public Index has numerous public criminal court documents, and the search tool is open to everyone. Interested persons can lookup records by providing the party name and case number on the record.
Alternatively, criminal court records are obtainable from the Dorchester County Clerk of Court’s office or any of the Courthouse clerks where the proceedings took place.
The Dorchester County Clerk of Court’s office is at:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
What are Dorchester Vital Records?
Dorchester vital records are official documents that give information on significant life events. Examples of these documents include birth certificate, death certificate, marriage certificate, and divorce records. In South Carolina, only a restricted number of persons can inspect and make copies of vital records. Vital records are within the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control purview at the state level. The Dorchester County Probate Judge and Dorchester County Clerk of Courts maintain some vital records at the county level.
Where and How to Obtain Dorchester Divorce Records
Dorchester divorce certificates recorded from July 1962 to December 2014 are available at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Under South Carolina law, only the divorcees, their adult children, spouse (present or former), and a legal representative can obtain copies of divorce records. However, third-parties may also request for indexes to confirm that a court finalized the divorce. Indexes have limited information about the event and will only include the date and county of the divorce. The SCDHEC issue copies of a divorce certificate at $12 for the first copy and $3 per extra copy requested during the same period. Because divorce records are not public records, the requester will need to provide a valid government photo I.D. together with a completed Application form and submit it to:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Applicants may also obtain copies of divorce records from any of these county offices:
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 Dorchester County Clerk of Court's office issues copies of divorce decrees for events in the county. This county office also has records of events that occurred before July 1962 and after December 2014. Copies are available at the:
Dorchester County Clerk of Courts
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Where and How to Get Public Dorchester Marriage Records
Dorchester County marriage certificates are confidential documents and therefore unavailable for public inspection. Interested public members can only request indexes of a marriage certificate from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. An index copy will contain an affirmative statement that the event occurred and include the marriage date and the county where the registrants obtained their marriage license (in this case, Dorchester County). Anyone in need of these indexes can contact the Vital Records Office at:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Dorchester
Dorchester County marriage records are in the custody of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The SC DHEC can issue copies of marriage records filed as far back as July 1950 to December 2018. In compliance with South Carolina laws, only the married couples, their adult children, former or estranged spouse, and legal representatives can view and make copies of a marriage record.
The State Department will make certified copies of a marriage record available for $12 each and $3 per additional copy requested within the same timeframe. Interested eligible individuals can submit an Application Form together with a valid government 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
At the county level, the Dorchester County Probate Judge keeps and grants access to marriage records filed before July 1950 and after December 2018. The Probate Court will provide certified copies at $11.50, and this fee includes certification and shipping. Those eligible to make a request can do so online or visit the office at:
Dorchester County Probate Judge
Dorchester County Courthouse
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard
St. George, SC 29477
Where and How to Find Dorchester County Birth Records
Dorchester County birth certificates are obtainable from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The office has birth records from 1915 to the present. Dorchester County birth records are not public pieces of information. Following South Carolina laws, only the registrant, parent, and legal guardian or representative request birth records. Restrictions also extend to immediate family members unless that the registrant is deceased. In such situations, the immediate family member will have to provide a photocopy of the registrant's death certificate. Dorchester birth certificates become open records after 100 years.
Any of the legally qualified parties will need to download and complete an Application Form and submit a valid I.D. A copy of a birth certificate costs $12, and the fee is non-refundable. Additional copies requested at the same time cost $3 each. The interested party can apply for documents online or contact the office:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
Birth records are also available at any of these county offices:
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 Dorchester Death Records
Dorchester County death certificates are available at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Death records are only open to the deceased's immediate family members and legal representatives. Dorchester County death records become public information after 50 years. There are two types of death certificates issued to qualified parties; a Death Short Certificate containing summary information and a Death Long Certificate that provides full information about the record.
A copy of a death record costs $12. Extra copies requested cost $3 each. The fee is non-refundable. Eligible individuals can request copies online, via phone or can submit a completed Application Form and a valid I.D. by mail or in-person 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
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Dorchester County?
In accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Dorchester County offers public access to property records. These records are kept by the county’s Register of Deeds and are available at the city level.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Dorchester County?
The Dorchester County Register of Deeds maintains copies of Dorchester County land and property records. These include deeds, mortgages, plats, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), State Tax Liens, and other relevant documents. The Register of Deeds maintains physical copies and allows the public to search these records electronically. Online searches can be conducted by using the Property Deed Search portal. Users will be required to provide relevant information to facilitate the search for records. In-person and mail requests for property records can be made to the Register of Deeds Office at:
Dorchester County Register of Deeds
201 Johnston Street
P.O. Box 38
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 832-0181
Phone: (843) 563-0181
How to Look Up Dorchester County Property Records?
The Dorchester County Assessor’s Office keeps records of properties within the county. It provides information about properties owned in Dorchester County through the Real Estate & Mobile Home Search portal. This portal provides information and records about real properties within the county. Access to the portal is available to Dorchester County residents. Residents can also make in-person inquiries for property records from the Assessor’s Office at:
Dorchester County Assessor
201 Johnston Street
St. George, SC 29477
Summerville Office
500 North Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
Information about properties in Dorchester County can also be obtained from the Dorchester County Treasurer. The office and contact details are below:
Dorchester County Treasurer
St. George Office
201 Johnston Street
St. George, SC 29477
Summerville Office
500 North Main Street
Human Services Building
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 563-0165
Fax: (843) 563-0131
treasurer@dorchestercountysc.gov
Location of Dorchester County Property Assessors
Dorchester County Assessor
St. George Office
201 Johnston Street
St. George, SC 29477
Dorchester County Assessor
Summerville Office
500 North Main Street
Summerville, SC 29483
