Crime Numbers
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides annual crime statistics in all counties of the state. In 2018, Lancaster County recorded 3 murders, 47 sexual batteries, 28 robberies, 186 aggravated assaults, 456 burglaries, 96 motor vehicle thefts, 1,314 larcenies, and 7 arsons. Compared to the crime statistics of 2014, the county recorded a decrease in murder (40%), robbery (48%), aggravated assault (40%), burglary (26%), motor vehicle theft (9%), larceny (32%), and arson (46%). However, there was a 17.5% increase in sexual battery.
How to Find Lancaster County Criminal Records
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) handles criminal record checks for all counties in the state, including Lancaster County. Interested members of the public can request for criminal record checks on the Citizen Access To Criminal Histories (CATCH) website.
The SLED has two possible sets of applicants: the "Eligible" and "Not eligible." Eligible applicants are charitable organizations, substitute teachers, and prospective teachers of local school districts, bus drivers, and bus driver aides. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division charges all Eligible applicants $8 for criminal history record checks, except prospective and substitute teachers of local school districts whose checks are free of charge.
Not eligible applicants refer to those who are not captured under the Eligible applicant list. The SLED charges all non-eligible applicants $25 for this service. When requesting a criminal record check, applicants would have to choose whether they are eligible or not.
How to Find Lancaster County Sex Offender Information
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division maintains a Sex Offender Registry, which contains the names of registered sex offenders in all counties of the state. Sex offenders can be searched using their names and addresses.
How do I Visit an Inmate in Lancaster County Jail?
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office maintains the Lancaster County Detention Center (LCDC), which is the primary detention facility in the county. The Detention Center allows members of the public to visit inmates of interest. All visitors must present a verifiable current photo ID. Visitations occur on Saturday and Sunday. Intending visitors must schedule a visit on Friday after 2:00 p.m., and must also be in the inmate's visitor's list. The jail is located at:
Lancaster County Detention Center
1941 Pageland Hwy
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-2084
Lancaster County has six law enforcement agencies. They are the Elgin Police Department, Health Springs Police Department, Kershaw Police Department, Lancaster County Sheriff, Lancaster Police Department, and the University of SC - Lancaster Campus Police. These are their locations:
Elgin Police Department
2469 Main St
Elgin, SC 29045
(803) 438-2362
Heath Springs Police Department
103 Duncan St
Heath Springs, SC 29058
(803) 273-9366
Kershaw Police Department
111 S Hampton St
Kershaw, SC 29067
(803) 475-3765
Lancaster County Sheriff
1941 Pageland Hwy
Lancaster, SC 29721
(803) 283-3388
Lancaster Police Department
405 E Arch St
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 283-3313
University of SC - Lancaster Campus Police
476 Hubbard Dr
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 313-7000
How to Find Court records
The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a public index of court records from some counties of the State, including Lancaster county. It is possible to search the Lancaster County Sixth Judicial Circuit Public Index using parameters such as case number, party name, case type, court agency, court type, etc.
Lancaster County has one Circuit Court, one Family Court, one Probate Court, one Magistrate Court, and three Municipal Courts. These are the courts and their locations:
Lancaster County Circuit Court
Lancaster County Courthouse
104 North Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-1581
Lancaster County Family Court
Lancaster County Courthouse
104 North Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
(803) 285-6961
Lancaster County Probate Court
Lancaster County Courthouse
104 North Main Street
P.O. Box 1809
Lancaster, SC 29721
Phone: (803) 283-3379
Fax: (877) 636-7961
Lancaster County Magistrate's Court
761 Lancaster Bypass East
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 283-3983
Fax: (877) 636-7977
Heath Springs Municipal Court
102 Duncan Street
P.O. Box 100
Kershaw, SC 29058
Phone: (803) 273-2066
Fax: (803) 273-3478
Kershaw Municipal Court
113 South Hampton Street
P.O. Box 145
Kershaw, SC 29067
Phone: (803) 475-3765
Fax: (803) 475-5000
Lancaster Municipal Court
405 East Arch Street
P.O. Box 1149
Lancaster, SC 29721
Phone: (803) 285-7622
Fax: (803) 283-6840
Where and How to Get Lancaster County Divorce Records
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) maintains all divorce records of divorces that were finalized in the state from July 1962 to December 2016. There are four possible ways to obtain a certified copy of a divorce certificate: in-person, mail, phone, and online.
For mail requests, complete relevant fields in the Vital Records Divorce Application form. The SCDHEC charges $12 for the first certified copy of a divorce certificate and $3 for each additional copy. Send the completed application form, the applicable fee, and a copy of a valid school, government, or employer-issued photo ID to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
To obtain a certified copy of a divorce certificate in person, complete the Vital Records Divorce Application form. The SCDHEC charges $12 for the first certified copy of a divorce certificate and $3 for each additional copy. Submit the completed application form, the applicable fee, and a copy of a valid school, government, or employer-issued photo ID to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
Hours: Monday - Friday (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Where and How to Get Lancaster County Marriage Records
At the state level, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) maintains marriage records of all marriages that were contracted in the state. The Lancaster County Probate Court maintains the same record at the county level. It is possible to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate from the SCDHEC in person, by mail, phone, and online.
To apply for a marriage certificate by mail, complete the Vital Records Marriage Application form. The SCDHEC charges $12 for the first certified copy of a marriage certificate ordered by mail, and $3 for each additional copy. Send the completed application form, the appropriate fee, and a valid school, employer, or a government-issued photo ID to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
For in-person requests, the same fee applies. Submit the completed application form in person, the applicable fee, and a valid government, school, or employer-issued photo ID to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
Hours: Monday - Friday (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Obtaining marriage certificates from the Lancaster County Probate Court is also possible. To request a certified copy of a marriage certificate, complete the Marriage Certificate Request Form. The Lancaster County Probate Court charges $5 for each copy of a marriage certificate requested. The fee must be a money order or certified check payable to the Lancaster County Probate Court. Mail the completed request form, the applicable fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Lancaster County Probate Court
P.O. Box 1809
Lancaster, SC 29721
Where and How to Get Lancaster County Birth Records
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control maintains birth records of birth that occurred from 1915 to date. Birth certificates are confidential records and can only be ordered by the registrant of the certificate, registrant’s parents, or legal representative. Birth certificates can be ordered by mail, online, drop off, and in person.
To obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate, complete the Vital Records Birth Certificate Application. The SCDHEC charges $12 for the first copy ordered and $3 for each additional copy. Send the completed application form, a valid photo ID, and the appropriate fee to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
To request a birth certificate by drop-off, the Vital records office charges $12 and an additional $3 for each extra copy. A receipt will be given when the drop off is done. For a drop off visit the SCDHEC Vital Records office:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
Hours: Monday - Friday (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
For in-person requests, the DHEC State vital records office charges the same fee of $12 and an additional $3 for each extra certified copy. Visit the DHEC State Vital records office with the completed form, a valid photo ID, and the fee.
Where and How to Get Lancaster County Death Records
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control, Vital Records office maintains the death records of Lancaster County. It covers records of death that occurred from 1915 to date. Birth certificates can only be issued to the registrant of the certificate, the parent of the name bearer, or a legal representative of the aforementioned. Ordering a death certificate can be done by mail, or in-person. To obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, complete the Vital Records Death Certificate Application.
To order a certified copy of a death certificate by mail, the Vital records office charges a non-refundable fee of $12, and an additional $3 for each extra copy. Mail the completed death certificate form, the applicable fee, and a copy of a valid ID to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
For in-person requests, the DHEC State vital records office charges the same fee of $12 and an additional $3 for each extra certified copy. Visit the DHEC State Vital records office with the completed form, a valid photo ID, and the applicable fee.
In addition to government agencies, county public records may also be obtained 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. Users are able to search third-party websites remotely for multiple records at a time with just the name of the record subject and their last known location, including the city, county, or state. Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
