What are Florence County Public Records?
Following the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, Florence County public records include papers, documents, books, maps, cards, images, tapes, or sound recordings, or other documentary materials, regardless of their form or features, that are created, procured, used, kept, or maintained by a public body. The law exempts certain documents and records from public access, some of which include:
- Information that their release will constitute a violation of a person’s privacy;
- Confidential information;
- Trade secrets;
- Hospital medical staff reports;
- Student or scholastic records;
- Adoption records;
- Income tax returns;
- Records pertaining to the registration and dissemination of library materials.
Florence County Crime Statistics
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) provides crime statistics for Florence County. Its published reports show that the county recorded 1,087 violent crimes and 5,806 property crimes in 2017. These figures represent an 84.9% jump in violent crime rate and a 3.9% drop in between 2013 and 2017. A quick break down of crimes reported in 2017 shows that law enforcement agencies responded to 17 murders, 87 rape, 138 robberies, 845 aggravated assaults, 1,132 burglaries, 4,284 larcenies, and 373 motor vehicle thefts.
Florence County’s latest five-year crime trend indicates that burglary (12.5%) and larceny (2.7%) rates went down in 2017 compared to 2013. In the same period, murder (325%), rape (42.6%), robbery (13.1%), aggravated assault (110.7%), and motor vehicle theft (6.9%) rates went up.
Are Florence County Criminal Records Public?
Pursuant to South Carolina laws, Florence County criminal records are partly open and accessible to the public. Copies of Florence criminal records made available to the public only provide given information about the record subject’s conviction and arrest. Copies of a comprehensive record are available only to law enforcement agencies and the record’s subject.
Florence County residents can request their criminal history records from SLED. This Division provides criminal history checks online and by mail. It charges $25 for each check. To submit a request for a criminal history report online, visit the SLED CATCH portal to perform a name-based search. Online criminal history searches attract an additional $1 processing fee. Fees are payable by credit card.
To request these records by mail, record seekers must complete and submit the Criminal Records Check Form. Indicate on the form whether the criminal records should be notarized or certified. Enclose a business check, certified check, cashier’s check, or money order with the mail request as well as a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). Send it to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
SLED only provides fingerprint-based criminal history checks when required by federal or state statute.
Florence County residents may request local criminal history checks from the Florence County Sheriff’s Office. This costs $5 and shows the latest five-year arrest records of the subject at the county level. To request a copy of this local criminal history, visit the Sheriff’s Office with a government-issued ID at:
Florence County Sheriff’s Office
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
(843) 665-2121
How to Obtain Florence County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Florence County Sheriff’s Office also provides copies of Florence County arrest records, police reports, and incident reports for events that occurred in the county. It charges 35 cents per page for such police reports. Records requiring an extensive search to locate will attract an additional research fee of $20 per hour. Submit a request for police records by completing the FOIA Request Form and mailing it, along with required fees, to:
Florence County Sheriff’s Office
ATTN: Office of General Counsel
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
(843) 665-2121
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Florence County?
SLED maintains the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry and makes it available to the public through its online SORT application. To locate registered sex offenders living in Florence County, visit the online tool and search the database by offender name, street address, or zip code. For more information on sex offenders living in the county, contact the sex offender registry (SOR) unit of the Florence County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 665-2121 extension 388.
How to Find Florence County Inmate Records?
The Florence County Detention Center is the main correctional facility for the county. The jail is managed by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and located at:
Florence County Detention Center
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
Information about inmates in the Florence County Jail is available online through the bookings and releases portal. It can be used to search current inmates and released persons. The search options are inmate name, charges, and the number of days. The portal also provides users with a list of all inmates currently incarcerated in the facility. For more information, contact the booking department at (843) 665-9944, extension 485, 486, and 487
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Florence County Jail?
Inmate visitation at the Florence County Jail is done remotely. Family and friends that intend to visit an inmate should call (843) 665-9944, extension 300 to schedule a visit. They can also visit the jail facility to make inquiries about inmate visitation.
Court Records
Florence County courts are part of the 12th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The primary trial court in the county is the Circuit Court. Other courts in the county include Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrates Courts, and Municipal Courts. The Circuit Court, the Family Court, and the Probate Court in the county hold proceedings in the same location.
These courts generate and compile various documents and information during court proceedings as court records. These Florence court records are available at the courthouse or with the court’s clerk.
Location of Courts in Florence County
Florence County Circuit Court
Florence County Circuit Court
City-County Complex
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3031
Fax: (843) 665-3097
Florence County Family Court
Florence County Family Court
City-County Complex
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3096
Fax: (843) 662-6165
Florence County Probate Court
Florence County Probate Court
City-County Complex
180 North Irby Street, MSC-L
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3085
Fax: (843) 665-3068
Florence County Magistrates Courts
Florence County Magistrate Court - Effingham
6719 Friendfield Road
Effingham, SC 29541
Phone: (843) 665-6690
Fax: (843) 629-9970
Florence County Magistrate Court - Florence
180 North Irby Street, MSC-W
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-0031
Fax: (843) 661-7800
Florence County Magistrate Court - Johnsonville
114 West Broadway Street
P.O. Box 904
Johnsonville, SC 29555
Phone: (843) 380-9211
Fax: (843) 380-9411
Florence County Magistrate Court - Lake City
345 Ron McNair Boulevard
P.O. Box 39
Lake City, SC 29560
Phone: (843) 394-5461
Fax: (843) 394-3865
Florence County Magistrate Court - Olanta
220 East Main Street
P.O. Box 362
Olanta, SC 29114
Phone: (843) 396-9056
Fax: (843) 369-9406
Florence County Magistrate Court - Pamplico
124 East 3rd Avenue
P.O. Box 367
Pamplico, SC 29583
Phone: (843) 493-0072
Fax: (843) 493-5391
Florence County Magistrate Court - Timmonsville
307 East Smith Street
P.O. Box 190
Timmonsville, SC 29161
Phone: (843) 346-7472
Fax: (843) 346-0660
Florence County Municipal Courts
Coward Municipal Court
3720 US Highway 52
P.O. Box 67
Coward, SC 29530
Phone: (843) 389-2585
Fax: (843) 389-1981
Florence Municipal Court
City Center
324 West Evans Street
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3148
Fax: (843) 665-3251
Johnsonville Municipal Court
111 West Broadway Street
P.O. Box 428
Johnsonville, SC 29555
Phone: (843) 386-3500
Fax: (843) 386-3423
Lake City Municipal Court
202 Kelley Street
P.O. Box 1329
Lake City, SC 29560
Phone: (843) 394-5421
Fax: (843) 394-5742
Olanta Municipal Court
365 North Magnolia Street
P.O. Box 396
Olanta, SC 29114
Phone: (843) 396-4301
Fax: (843) 396-4414
Pamplico Municipal Court
201 River Road
P.O. Box 296
Pamplico, SC 29583
Phone: (843) 493-5551
Fax: (843) 493-5013
Quinby Municipal Court
611 East Ashby Road
P.O. Box 15056
Quinby, SC 29506
Phone: (843) 669-3820
Fax: (843) 669-1004
Scranton Municipal Court
Highway 52
P.O. Box 279
Scranton, SC 29591
Phone: (843) 389-2222
Timmonsville Municipal Court
117 East Main Street
Timmonsville, SC 29161
Phone: (843) 346-7492
Fax: (843) 346-7965
Are Florence County Court Records Public?
Under the South Carolina open records law, Florence County court records are public. This means residents of the county can request and access copies of different court records. However, there is limited access to the following records and information:
- Personal information, like social security details, passport, financial accounts, passwords, or driver’s license;
- Court records or documents that are sealed by a court order or are confidential, such as juvenile files, abuse and neglect files, and Grand Jury materials
- Files of adoption and termination of parental rights
The Florence County Clerk of Court’s maintains the records of the Circuit and Family courts. To request copies of these records, visit the Clerk’s Office or call (843) 665-3031. To obtain the records of Florence County Probate, Municipal, or Magistrate Courts, contact those courts directly by visiting or calling their courthouses.
Can you look up a Florence County Court Case Online?
The Florence County court records can be viewed online through the Florence County Twelfth Judicial Circuit Public Index. This portal can be searched by court type and agency. Users will need to provide information like a case number, case type, person or business name, party type, action type, CDR Code, indictment number, and date type.
The Probate Court also provides online access to court case information. Users can carry out searches by case number or party names.
How to Obtain Florence County Civil Court Case Records?
The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains Florence County civil court case records. Interested persons can make requests for copies of these records in person, by mail, or by telephone. To make a mail request, prepare a written request with information about the case of interest and send it to:
Florence County Clerk of Court
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
In-person requests can also be made to that same address. To make a telephone request, call (843) 665-3031.
How to Obtain Florence County Criminal Court Records?
The Florence County Clerk of Court keeps copies of Florence County criminal court records. These court records are available upon requests made in person, by mail, or by telephone. For mail requests, the requester should prepare a written request with information about the case of interest and send it to:
Florence County Clerk of Court
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
Make in-person requests at that same address. For telephone requests, call (843) 665-3031.
What are Florence County Vital Records?
Florence County vital records are official records that document certain life events that happened within the county, such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Florence County vital records are largely confidential because they are available only to certain persons. These persons include the record owner(s), immediate family members, and other authorized persons. The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains copies of Florence County divorce records, while the Florence County Probate Court keeps Florence County marriage records. The Vital Records Office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is the main custodian of vital records in the state.
Where and How to Obtain Florence County Divorce Records?
The Florence County Family Court decides divorce cases and the Florence Clerk of Court keeps copies of the divorce records from these cases. Certified copies of Florence County divorce records are available via mail and walk-in requests. To make a walk-in request, visit the office of the Florence County Clerk of Court. For mail requests, applicants should submit a written request with the case number, names of the divorced parties, and the date of the divorce judgment. Send by mail this, with payment, to:
Florence County Clerk of Court
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-3031
The DHEC also keeps copies of Florence County divorce records. Copies of available divorce records are from July 1962 to December 2014. Divorce records prior to, and after, these dates must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in Florence County at the address provided above. To obtain copies of Florence County divorce records from DHEC complete this Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application form, and submit in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The office is open to the public from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Each request must be accompanied by a non-refundable search fee of $12 and a photocopy of a valid photo ID. When requesting additional copies of the same record, include an additional $3 fee per copy. Cash and card are accepted for payment for in-person submissions while mail-in requests are paid with cashier’s check and money order.
Where and How to Get Public Florence County Marriage Records?
Florence County marriage records are in the custody of the Florence County Probate Court. The court accepts requests in person and by mail. For in-person requests, requesters need to provide the following information: the names of both parties, date or year of marriage, and payment of $5. There is an additional research fee of $5 for licenses issued prior to June 1970. Mail requests require the names of both parties, date or year of marriage, the requester’s phone number, and money order payment of $6.50. Requesters should send the request by mail to:
Florence County Probate Court
181 North Irby Street
Suite 1300
Florence, SC 29501
Attn: Marriage License Clerk
Florence County marriage records from July 1950 to December 2016 are also available at the Vital Records Office of DHEC. To request marriage records issued before July 1950 and after December 2016, contact the Florence County Probate Court at the address above. Certified copies of Florence County birth records are available to the following persons only:
- Any of the married party (bride or groom);
- Their adult child(ren);
- A present or former spouse of either party;
- Their legal representative.
To request a copy of a Florence County marriage certificate from the Vital Records Office, complete the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application form. Submit the completed form with payment and a copy of a government-issued ID in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The Vital Records Office opens from Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Each copy of a marriage certificate costs $12. When a request is made for additional copies of the same record, include an additional $3 fee per copy. The accepted payment methods for in-person requests are cash and credit cards. For mail-in requests, it is a cashier’s check and money order.
Requests for copies of Florence County marriage records can also be made in person at the local DHEC office in the county, located at:
Florence County
1705 West Evans Street
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 413-6440
Where and How to Find Florence County Birth Records?
Florence County birth records from January 1915 to date are kept by the Vital Records Office of DHEC. Certified copies of Florence County birth certificates are accessible to the following persons only:
- The birth certificate’s subject (if the subject is at least 18 years old);
- The parents of the subject of the birth certificate;
- The legal guardian or a legal representative of the subject or their parent.
To request a copy of a Florence birth certificate, fill out the Vital Records Birth Application form, include payment and a copy of a government-issued ID. Requesters should submit the request in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
The office opens from Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. A copy of a birth certificate costs $12, while additional copies of the same record cost $3 each. Requesters can use cash and credit cards to pay for in-person requests, while mail requests can be paid for with a cashier’s check and money order.
In-person requests for copies of Florence County birth records can also be made at the local DHEC Office in the county at:
1705 West Evans Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 413-6440
Where and How to Find Florence County Death Records?
The Vital Records Office of DHEC maintains copies of Florence County death records from January 1915 to date. Only the immediate family members of the deceased person or their legal representative can obtain a certified copy of a Florence County death certificate. Other persons can however obtain uncertified copies of death certificates, after providing information about the death, including the date and county of death.
To order a copy of a Florence County death certificate, requesters must complete the Vital Records Death Application form. Enclose a copy of a valid ID and payment and submit them in person or by mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
In-person requests can be made at the office from Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Death records cost $12, while each additional copy of the same record costs $3. Pay for in-person requests with cash and credit cards and mail requests cashier’s check and money order. Requests for Florence County death records can also be made in person at the local DHEC office in the county, located at:
1705 West Evans Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 413-6440
Are Property Records Open to the Public in Florence County
Interested persons can obtain Florence County property records from the record custodians. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, any person has the right to inspect, copy, and obtain online and offline versions of government-generated records.
Where and How to Find Property Records in Florence County
The Florence County Tax Assessor is the custodian of all property records generated within the county. It maintains records of all documents and information pertaining to real estate transactions and property tax assessments. In addition, it issues copies of property records to interested public members via online and offline repositories of the public documents. Interested public members can access offline copies of Florence County property records by visiting the County Tax Assessor's Office at the address below:
Florence County Complex
180 North Irby Street MSC-I
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3056 (Florence)
Phone: (843) 394-2186 (Lake City)
Phone: (843) 665-3093 (Field Office)
The Florence County Tax Assessor's Office attends to in-person requests for property records on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Florence County property records are also accessible via the Geographic Information System (GIS). Interested public members can use the GIS system to view and obtain information on all properties within the county. The system enables interested parties to search for property records using the following search criteria:
- Property owner's name.
- Tax map number
- Property address search.
How to Look Up Florence County Property Records
Online copies of Florence County property records are obtainable via the County Tax Assessor's searchable portal. To obtain property records via the searchable portal, record seekers may conduct searches via the following options:
- Search by owners full name or business name
- Search by location address.
- Search by legal information
- Search by parcel number.
In addition to the search options, record seekers may also search by the property's sales records.
Location of Florence County Property Assessor
Florence County Complex
180 North Irby Street MSC-I
Florence, SC 29501
Phone: (843) 665-3056 (Florence)
Phone: (843) 394-2186 (Lake City)
Phone: (843) 665-3093 (Field Office).
