What are Jasper County Public Records?
According to S.C. § 30-4-20, Jasper County public records include all documents (regardless of physical form or characteristics) prepared, owned, used, in possession of, or retained by a public body.
However, there are exceptions to the public's right to access government records. Some of these exemptions include:
- Unpatented trade secrets and commercially valuable plans of an individual or public body;
- Personal information that could result in unreasonable invasion of privacy;
- Records compiled for law enforcement purposes that interfere with a prospective law enforcement proceeding or deprive a person of the right to a fair trial or impartial adjudication, or disclose the identity of a confidential source;
- Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by law;
- Documents of and documents incidental to proposed contractual arrangements or to the proposed sales or purchase of property;
- Memoranda, correspondence, and working papers in possession of individual members of the General Assembly or their immediate staff;
- Privileged communications, protected information, or a protected identity as defined in S.C. § 23-50-15;
- Information relating to security plans and devices proposed, adopted, installed, or utilized by a public body.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Jasper County Crime Statistics
According to crime data released by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), Jasper County recorded 651 criminal offenses in 2020. A breakdown of this statistic revealed 9 murders, 5 sexual battery incidents, 18 robbery cases, 53 aggravated assaults, 84 breaking and entering cases, 63 motor vehicle thefts, 418 larceny offenses, and 1 arson offense. This data demonstrates a 0.9% reduction from the 697 offenses recorded in 2018 but a 97.5% increase from the 353 reported crimes recorded in 2019.
Are Jasper County Criminal Records Public?
Yes. Jasper county criminal records are public information per the South Carolina FOIA. However, records containing sensitive information may be redacted or protected from disclosure. Jasper County residents may request criminal records from the Law Enforcement Division. The division maintains an online database where people can search for criminal records originating from Jasper County.
Individuals can access this online database through the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) portal. This portal lets anyone perform a name-based search for $25.
Another way to obtain criminal records from the division is to complete a form with the subject’s details, e.g., name, date of birth, and social security number, if known. After, the requester must attach payment in the form of a certified check or money order. The application form and money must be enclosed in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mailed to the State Law Enforcement Division at the address below:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
How to Obtain Jasper County Police Reports and Arrest Records
Residents can obtain police reports and arrest records from the Jasper County Sheriff's Office. The requesting party will need to provide information to facilitate the record search, such as the name of the person involved, description of the incident, date of the incident, name of the arresting or responding officer, etc. The sheriff’s office may charge copy fees to individuals requesting hard copies of records. Requests should be addressed to:
Jasper County Sheriff's Office
12008 North Jacob Smart Boulevard
P.O. Box 986
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7777
Fax: (843) 726-7778
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Jasper County
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains an online registry for sex offenders. The registry allows individuals to search for sex offenders that live, work, or attend school within a one to three-mile radius of a specific address or zip code. Individuals can access this registry at no cost.
The information on the registry is regularly updated by the Jasper County Sheriff's Office and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to ensure accuracy and completeness. It should be noted that the registered sex offenders themselves provide the information on the registry. Hence, the information is subject to changes.
Further information can be obtained by contacting the SLED sex offender registry team at (803) 896-2601 or via email at sor@sled.sc.gov. One can also visit or contact the sheriff's office.
How to Find Jasper County Inmate Records
Jasper County Sheriff's Office maintains a roster of all inmates at the Jasper County Detention Center. Anyone can search for inmates on the site using a name, booking date, charge information, and bond details. Interested persons can also contact the detention center or the sheriff's office for inmate information.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Jasper County Jail
Inmates of the Jasper County Jail or detention center are allowed to receive visitors. Typically, visitors must schedule the visit one day in advance and arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time. They will also be required to show a valid photo I.D. at the check-in. The visiting hours are as follows:
- Alpha 1: Saturday 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Bravo 1 (for female inmates): Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Bravo 2 and 3: Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
- Bravo 5 (for inmate workers) Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Underage visitors (under 17 years) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is at least 21 years or older.
Jasper County Court Records
The Jasper County court system comprises the Magistrate and Probate Courts. The Jasper County Magistrate Court has civil and criminal trial jurisdiction in setting bail, conducting preliminary hearings, issuing arrest and search warrants, and imposing imprisonment not exceeding 30 days. The Magistrate Court is not a court of record, and the court's proceedings are summaries. The Magistrate Court has different locations within the county.
Jasper County Magistrate’s Court
967 West Adams Street
P.O. Box 748
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Jasper County Bond Court
12008 North Jacob Smart Boulevard
P.O. Box 639
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7737
Fax: (843) 726-7745
Jasper County Central Traffic Court
967 West Adams Street
P.O. Box 166
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7717
Fax: (843) 726-3915
Hardeeville Magistrate Court
21 Martin Street
P.O. Box 1169
Hardeeville, SC 29927
Phone: (843) 784-2628
Fax: (843) 784-3245
The Jasper County Probate Court, on the other hand, is a court of record having exclusive jurisdiction over all matters related to decedents' estates, trusts, guardianship of incapacitated persons, issuance of marriage licenses, and the approval of certain wrongful death settlements. The court is situated at:
265 Ruffle Street
P.O. Box 1028
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7718
Fax: (843) 726–5173
Are Jasper County Court Records Public?
Yes, the Jasper County court records are open to the public under South Carolina's FOIA. Jasper County court records include documents, files, and transcripts associated with court cases and dockets. These records can be obtained from the court clerk's office using a case party's name or the case number.
How to Obtain Jasper County Civil Court Case Records
Interested members of the public may obtain Jasper County civil court cases online from the Jasper County Fourteenth Judicial Circuit Public Index portal. Requesters must input details like the name of a litigant, charge information, court date, case type (civil), etc., to obtain case information.
How to Obtain Jasper County Criminal Court Records
Interested persons may obtain criminal court records from the Jasper county Judicial Circuit Public Index portal or by querying the circuit court clerk in person or via mail. The record seeker will also be required to provide the case type (criminal), litigants name, court type, case number, etc when searching for this record.
What are Jasper County Vital Records
Jasper County vital records are records of significant events such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce. The county clerk of court is responsible for divorce records while the Probate Court keeps marriage records. In addition, the vital records division of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) maintains all vital records within the state.
Vital records requests can be in person, by mail, or online through third-party services. However, in order for a record to be used for official functions, they must be certified by the issuing government agency.
Where and How to Obtain Jasper County Divorce Records
Divorce records are legal documents relating to a couple's divorce. They include the divorce papers that the couple files in a Jasper County court, any records created during the procedure, and a divorce certificate. Individuals may obtain certified copies of divorce decrees from the Jasper County Clerk of Court's Office at the address below.
Jasper County Clerk of Court
265 Russell Street
P.O. Box 248
Ridgeland, SC 29936
Phone: (843) 726-7710
Fax: (843) 726-7782
Alternatively, South Carolina State collects and indexes divorce filings to help people perform public divorce record searches. A requester will need a valid ID, a completed application form, a $12 non-refundable standard searching fee (in-person and mail requests), and $3 for each additional copy to make an in-person or mail submission.
Where and How to Get Jasper County Marriage Records
A marriage record is an official statement showing two people are legally married. Individuals should contact the Probate Court that originally issued the marriage license for its records in Jasper County.
Also, requesters can get marriage records from the vital records office of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. The record seeker will need a valid photo ID, filled marriage record application form, pay a $12 non-refundable search fee (and $3 for each additional copy), and submit in person or by mail to any of the vital records offices at the lowcountry region addresses below.
Vital Records Office
1407 King Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: (843) 525-7637
Vital Records Office
4050 Bridge View Drive
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Vital Records Office
531 West Carolina Avenue
Varnville, SC 29944
Phone: (803) 943-3878
Vital Records Office
1550 Carolina Avenue
Orangeburg, SC 29116
Phone: (803) 533-7236
Where and How to Get Jasper County Confidential Marriage Records
All marriage records are accessible to the public members in Jasper County. Therefore, confidential marriage records do not exist in the county.
However, certain persons such as the parties' involved, adult children, and an attorney can get certified copies of marriage certificates while other persons can only get a statement of the marriage.
Where and How to Find Jasper County Birth Records
A birth certificate is a vital record that documents a person's birth. A birth certificate can only be provided by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Vital Records Division. Individuals requesting birth records or certificates can contact the department at the addresses earlier mentioned.
The requester needs a complete application form, a $12 non-refundable standard searching fee, and $3 for each additional copy to obtain a birth certificate.
The average processing time is 30 - 45 minutes if it is an in-person request or 2-4 weeks for a mail request. It should be noted that mail requests are only acceptable at the state office in Richland County.
Where and How to Find Jasper County Death Records
A death certificate is a legal document issued by a medical practitioner or a government civil registrar that states the date, location, and cause of a person's death, as entered in an official register of deaths. Like a birth certificate, a death certificate can only be provided by the DHEC Vital Records Division. Individuals requesting a death certificate can reach out to this department in the lowcountry region.
A requester may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate after submitting a complete application form, a $12 non-refundable standard searching fee, and $3 for each additional copy. Applications without proper identification are automatically rejected.
The average processing time is 30 - 45 minutes if it is an in-person request or 2-4 weeks for a mail request. Individuals should note that only the state office in Richland County accepts mail requests.
