What are Edgefield County Public Records?
Under section 30-4-20 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, public records refer to all documented materials created, maintained, or retained by public bodies. According to the section, these documents may be in the form of books, photographs, maps, papers, cards, tapes, or recordings.
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FIOA) grants requestors the right to access public records that state or federal laws do not protect. Some examples of such records include and are not limited to:
- Trade secrets
- documents acquired by the Securities Commissioner that describe the audit or examination of other county records.
- Records associated with registration statements that contain trade secrets or confidential information as regarded by state or federal laws.
- Social security numbers, residential addresses, and residential phone numbers, except those registered as business addresses and phone numbers
- Expunged records.
- Law enforcement records that could;
- interfere with a prospective case
- deny a person a fair trial or an impartial adjudication
- pose an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
- Endanger the safety or life of any individual
- Leak the identity of a confidential informant or source.
- Expose current techniques or procedures utilized by law enforcement agencies during investigations or prosecutions
- Reveal the details of an intercepted wire,
- Some compensation paid by public bodies bodies
Public records are also accessible through third-party websites. These websites offer tools and services that allow users to perform extensive searches for specific or multiple records. To initiate a public record search through these tools, users would need to provide some information about their requested record. These include the subject’s name, current or last known address, and a case number. However, because these websites are usually not sponsored by the government, record availability and results may vary by service provider.
Edgefield County Crime Statistics
Each year, the South Carolina state law enforcement division (SLED) compiles an annual report of crime trends at the state’s county level. According to the 2020 SLED crime report, Edgefield County recorded a crime index of 190. A crime index is the total number of offenses committed within a particular time frame. The crimes that are included in the Edgefield County crime index are murder, sexual battery, robbery, aggravated assault, breaking and entering, theft of a motor vehicle, larceny, and arson. The specifics of the county’s 2020 crime index were eight (8) aggravated assaults, 40 “breaking and entering”, one (1) robbery, 36 motor vehicle thefts, and 104 larcenies. Making larceny the most committed offense in the county that year.
Compared to the 2019 report, Edgefield County saw a total increase of 119 crimes. In the same year, 32 larcenies were committed, which also made it the most committed offense in the county.
Are Edgefield County's Criminal Records Public?
Per the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Edgefield County criminal records are generally public. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains most of these records. Hence, Edgefield County criminal record requests are typically handled and issued by the Division.
Record seekers may look up Edgefield County criminal records online through the Citizens Access To Criminal Histories (CATCH) portal. The State Law Enforcement Division maintains the portal. The portal is one of the easiest and fastest means of looking up Edgefield criminal records. Through the portal, record seekers may perform a name-based search for $25.00 per subject. These fees are non-refundable and payable by credit card.
Alternatively, record seekers may request county criminal records in person or via mail at the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. These types of requests are made by filling out the criminal record check form. Each in-person or mail request costs $25.00 per subject. These fees are payable by a certified check or money order addressed to the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Therefore, to make a record request, interested persons may submit the completed check form and relevant payment in a self-addressed stamped envelope by mailed or in-person at:
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
The SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398,
Columbia SC 29221-1398
How to Obtain Edgefield County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Edgefield County police reports and arrest records are available through the Edgefield County Sheriff’s Department. Record seekers would also need to provide some details about their requested records to aid the record search. These details may include the subject’s name, date of arrest, place of arrest, the name of the arresting officer, and other particularities of the record. Record seekers may also be charged for the copies of a record furnished to them. All requests for Edgefield County police reports and arrest records should be directed to:
Edgefield County Sheriff's Department
200 Railroad St,
Edgefield, SC 29824.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Edgefield County
Interested persons may look up registered Edgefield County sex offenders' information through the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry. The State Law Enforcement Division is responsible for maintaining the registry. The registry contains statewide information on registered sex offenders. Inquirers may perform either a geographic or a name-based search through the registry. A geographic search entails providing a street name, city, state, zip code, and the distance from the user-provided address. Meanwhile, a name search employs providing the last and first name of an offender. Either mode of search would produce information about relevant sex offenders. These include their name, picture, gender, race, date of birth, primary address, physical description, and offenses.
How to Find Edgefield County Inmate Records
The Edgefield County jail does not provide an online roster of inmates. Hence the only way to find county jail inmate records is by contacting the county jail officer or visiting the county jail at:
Edgefield County Jail
200 Railroad St,
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4124
Record seekers must provide relevant information about the inmate they wish to look up in their record request. These may include the inmate’s name, ID number, or date of birth.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Edgefield County Jail?
Interested persons may visit an inmate in the Edgefield County Jail during the jail’s visitation hours. This is typically between 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday. However, these timelines may vary depending on several factors, such as holidays. Inmate visits are scheduled by contacting the Edgefield County jail (contact information provided above). Visitors may also need to fill out a visitation application.
Court Records
Edgefield County's residential court system consists of the county’s Circuit, Family, Probate, and Magistrate courts. The Circuit court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the county. The circuit court may also handle cases that surpass the jurisdiction of other county courts. The family court handles domestic-related cases. These include juvenile cases, domestic violence abuse protection cases, and mental health cases.
The Edgefield Probate Court mainly presides over probate matters. These include wills, estates, and trust cases. It may also handle conservatorships, involuntary commitments, and guardianship cases and share jurisdiction with the County Circuit Court and Family Court in some cases. Lastly, the Magistrate Court presides over certain civil and criminal cases.
Locations of Edgefield County Courthouses
Edgefield County Circuit Court, Family Court, and Probate Court
129, Courthouse Square,
Edgefield, SC 29824
Fax: (803) 637-4056
Phone: (803) 637-4080, (803) 637-4081, (803) 637-4076
(circuit, family, and probate courts, respectively).
Edgefield County Magistrate Court
215 Jeter Street,
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4052
Fax: (800) 637-4056
Are Edgefield County Court Records Public?
According to the South Carolina Open Records Act, Edgefield County court records are public records. Thus, interested parties may copy and inspect them. Edgefield County court records are available from their appropriate custodian. Generally, county court record records are maintained and generated by the court clerk where their respective cases were heard or filled. Through the state Judicial Branch's online directory, interested parties may find all county courts’ contact information and addresses. Record seekers should note that courts may charge a fee for furnishing copies of records.
Alternatively, interested parties may search for Edgefield County court records online through the county case search portal. Through the portal, record seekers may inspect several details about relevant cases at no cost. These details include the names of the case parties, the party type, case number, filed date, case status, disposition date, case type, case subtype, judgment, and court agency.
However, certain Edgefield County court records are considered confidential. As a result, they are not made public and are only accessible to certain qualified people. Examples of such records are juvenile court records per Section 63-19-2022 of the South Carolina Code.
How to Obtain Edgefield County Civil Court Case Records
Interested parties may obtain an Edgefield County civil court case record by contacting the Edgefield County Clerk of Court and providing certain details about the case. These details help the clerk identify the requested record. These details include the names of the case parties, the case hearing date, and other relevant information. A request may be mailed or brought in person to the county clerk of court's office at;
129 Courthouse Square.
P.O. Box 34, Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone number; (803) 637-4080
How to Obtain Edgefield County Criminal Court Records
Edgefield County criminal court records are available through the Edgefield County clerk of court. Record seekers may opt to make a criminal court record request in person or by mail. Regardless, the request must contain specific details about the case to help in identifying the requested records. These details may include the defendant’s name, the trial date, charges, and the court's final disposition. All Edgefield County criminal record requests should be directed to the County Clerk of Court (contact information provided above).
What are Edgefield County Vital Records?
Edgefield County vital records are government-generated records that detail the occurrences of life events in the county. These records include divorce, marriage, birth, and death records. Generally, a vital record is official proof that a life event occurred. Edgefield County vital records are maintained, issued, and may be requested from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Vital Records.
Where and How to Obtain Edgefield County Divorce Records
Edgefield County divorce records are official documents that attest to the dissolution of a marriage in the county. These records are composed of divorce decrees and divorce reports. Divorce reports are only obtainable by individuals who meet specific requirements. These include; one of the divorced spouses (husband or wife), their adult child(ren), their current or former spouse, or their legal representative.
Record seekers who do not meet any of the aforementioned requirements only have access to a statement affirming the divorce, which includes the date and county of divorce. Qualified individuals may obtain Edgefield County divorce records by making an in-person or mailed-in request directed to the DHEC State Vital Records Office. In-person requests are processed within 30 to 45 minutes. However, these records are limited to divorces decreed between July 1962 and December 2019. For records later than 1962, records seekers may contact the Edgefield County clerk of court (contact information provided above). County divorce records are also obtainable online through particular third-party websites.
A completed application, a $12 search fee, and a copy of the requestor's valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID are required for mailed requests. Generally, the search fee is non-refundable and payable by check or money order made out to the DHEC. At $3 each, additional copies of a requested divorce report can be made and furnished to record seekers. To complete the process; the completed application form, search fee, and required documentation may be submitted in a self-address envelope to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St,
Columbia, SC 29201
Divorce decrees (also known as divorce judgments or judgments of dissolution) serve as the presiding court’s final judgment on divorce proceedings. It contains information about the divorce, which includes child support grants (if any) and alimony terms. Interested parties may contact the Edgefield County clerk of court to obtain county divorce decrees. The record seeker would also need to provide details about the requested record to help pinpoint the record. Divorce decree record requests should be sent or made at;
129 Courthouse Square.
P.O. Box 34
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone number; (803) 637-4080
Where and How to Get Public Edgefield County Marriage Records
Edgefield County marriage records (also known as marriage certificates) are records that detail the material union between two individuals in the county. The County Probate court is the county’s custodian of county marriage records. Thus, record seekers may obtain county marriage records by contacting the county Probate Court with details about the marriage to initiate a record search. These details may include the names of the couple and the marriage date.
Alternatively, county marriage records are also attainable by making an in-person request at the South Carolina DHEC or through third-party websites. However, the DHEC can only provide county marriage records between July 1950 and December 2020. Typically, certified copies of marriage records are only accessible by individuals who are entitled to such records. These individuals include the bride or groom, their adult children, their legal representative, and any of either married party's present or former spouses. Record seekers who do not meet any of the aforenamed requirements can only access statements that affirm the marriage and enumerate the date and the county in which the marriage license issuance occurred.
An Edgefield County marriage record request must consist of a completed application form, a $12 non-refundable search fee, and a copy of the requestor's valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID. Record seekers may pay an extra $5 fee (each) to get additional copies of a requested record. These fees (search fee and all additional fees) are payable by a check or money order addressed to the state DHEC. The request should be submitted in a self-addressed envelope to the state DHEC (address information provided above).
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Edgefield County
Generally, marriage records in Edgefield County are considered public information. Thus, these records are accessible to the general public. However, as mentioned earlier, certified copies of a marriage record can only be obtained by individuals who meet specific requirements. These include either one of the married parties, their adult children, their legal representative, or either of the married parties' present or former spouse.
Where and How to Find Edgefield County Birth Records
Edgefield County birth records (also referred to as birth certificates) are official documents that detail the births of individuals in the county. These documents hold vital information about each country's birth. These include the child’s name, place of birth, birth, and parents full names.
Edgefield County birth records are obtainable through the South Carolina State Department of Health (DHEC). The DHEC maintains and issues birth certificates for county births as far back as 1915. However, per state laws, access to a certified copy of a birth certificate is limited to individuals who meet specific criteria. These include the subject of the record, the subject’s parents named on the certificate, and the subject's legal guardian or legal representative. A registrant’s immediate family members and their legal representatives may also request copies of their certified birth records provided the registrant has died and they submit the registrant’s certified death record along with the record request. Generally, after 100 years, birth certificates become public records and may be accessed by anyone.
Qualified record seekers may submit an Edgefield County birth record request in person or by mail to the DHEC. On average, in-person requests are processed within 30-45 minutes. Meanwhile, mailed requests are processed within two (2) - four (4) weeks. Record seekers are charged a $12 non-refundable search fee (plus $3 for each additional copy), payable by check or money order addressed to the DHEC. A request must consist of a completed application form, the search fee, and a copy of the requestor’s valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID. The request may then be submitted in a self-addressed envelope to the DHEC (address provided above).
Alternatively, an Edgefield County birth record may be obtained online or by phone through third-party websites and services.
Where and How to Find Edgefield County Death Records
An Edgefield County death record (also considered a death certificate) is an official record containing details regarding the death of an individual in the county. These details include the decedent's name, county, date of birth, and cause of death. A certified copy of a county death record can only be obtained by an individual who meets specific criteria. These include the decedent immediate family member or any of their legal representatives and individual who have tangible interest in a personal or property right that the certificate is needed to dispute. Immediate family members refer to the decedent's parents, grandparents, an undivorced spouse, sibling, child, or grandchild.
Record seekers who do not meet any of the previously mentioned criteria are only allowed access to a death statement. A death statement only contains an attestation to the occurrence, date, and county of death without stating the cause of death. However, 50 years after the death of an individual, their death record becomes a public record.
To obtain Edgefield County death records, qualified record seekers may submit a request to the South Carolina State Department of Health (DHEC). Requests may be made in person or by mail. The processing time of each means of submission is identical to that of birth records. The DHEC charges a $12 search fee (plus $3 for each additional copy). The request must contain a completed application form, the search fee, and the requestor's valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID. The request should be submitted to the DHEC(address provided above) in a self-address envelope.
