South Carolina Public Records


(sponsored by Archives.com)

Title 30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws is the set of statutes regarding access to records and documentation as it pertains to both the government and the public. This is broken down into 15 comprehensive chapters that define public record and outline the governments responsibility for maintaining and keeping records, both public and protected, as well as how the public is able to access those records.

Chapter 1 provides that either the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of any agency or division therein will either be the legal records custodian, or a records officer may be appointed from within. For the purposes of this website, it is assumed that the CAO is the appropriate contact for records requests unless an official Records Officer is listed. Chapter 1 goes on to outline the duties and penalties associated with records handling/ mishandling.

Chapter 2 defines family and personal information privacy protection. For the purposes of this chapter, private information is defined in the same way as the Federal FOIA, but it goes on to state that the definition for 'personal information' does not include boating or vehicular accidents, driving/boating violations, driver status or any name/ address information filed in registration filed with the Dept. of Revenue as a business, regardless if the business is also the proprietor's home.

Chapters 5-15 generally cover the protocols for recording and maintaining records and information for the purposes of carrying out specific governmental functions.

Our main concern is with Chapter 4, the SC FOIA.  Which specifically outlines the publics rights pertaining to public records access.

For a general summary of what's considered public and what is not, click here.

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South Carolina Government Info

Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12267, Columbia SC 29211
(803)-734-2100 | Fax: (803)-734-5167

Lieutenant Governor, Office of the
State House, 1st Floor, P.O. Box 142, Columbia SC 29202
(803) 734-2080| Fax: (803) 734-2082

Legislature (Senate, House)

House of Representatives

Senate

 

State Agencies Directory

Departments:

Department of Agriculture
State Capitol Complex, Wade Hampton Bldg., 5th Floor, Columbia, SC
PO Box 11280, Columbia, SC 29211
(803)-734-2210 | Fax: (803)-734-2192

Laboratory and Consumer Services
123 Ballard Court, W. Columbia, SC 29172
(803)-737-9700 | Fax: (803)-737-9703

Metrology Laboratory
237 Catawba Street, Columbia, SC 29201
(803)-253-4052

Grading and Inspections

SC State Archives and History
8301 Parklane Rd., Columbia SC 29223
(803) 896-6100

Reference Room: (803) 896-6104 | Fax: (803) 896-6198

State Records Center:
1942-A Laurel St. Warehouse, Columbia SC 29201
(803)-898-9936 | Fax: (803)-898-9981

Attorney General
Rembert Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Room 519, Columbia, SC
P.O. Box 11549, Columbia, SC 29211
(803)-734-3970

  • Violence Against Women Program: (803)-734-3717 | Fax: (803)-734-6679
  • Missing and Exploited Children: (800)-322-4453
  • Insurance Fraud Hotline: (888)-953-7283
  • Medicaid Fraud: (803)-734-3660
  • Victim Assistance Program: (800)-213-5652
  • Youth Mentoring Program: (803)-734-4746
  • Opinions

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Comptroller General (SC Finance and Accounting)
1200 Senate Street, 305 Wade Hampton Office Building, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-2121 | Fax: (803) 734-1765

Department of Corrections
(Main) 4444 Broad River Road, P. O. Box 21787, Columbia, SC 29210
(803)-896-8500

Department of Education
1429 Senate Street, Columbia SC 29201
(803) 734-8500 | Fax: (803) 734-3389

Election Commission
2221 Devine Street, Suite 105, P.O. Box 5987, Columbia SC 29205
(803) 734-9060 | Fax: (803) 734-9366

Public Information Officer: (803) 734-9070

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Health and Environmental Control, Department of (DHEC)
2600 Bull Street, Columbia SC 29201
(803) 898-3432

SCDHEC FOIA Officer
(803) 898-3882 | Fax: (803) 898-3816

Vital Records  Division of Vital Records
2600 Bull Street, Columbia SC 29201
(803) 898-3630 | Fax: (803) 898-3761

Health and Human Services, Department of (DHHS)
P. O. Box 8206, Columbia SC 29202-8206
(803) 898-2500 | (Public Information): (803) 898-2584

Juvenile Justice, Department of
4900 Broad River Road, P.O. Box 21069, Columbia S. C. 29221
(803) 896-9749

Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
4400 Broad River Road, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia SC 29210
(803)-737-9000

Concealed Weapons Permits, Security Guard, and Private Investigator Questions
(803)-896-7099

Record Checks & Questions
(803)-896-1443

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SC State Library
1500 Senate Street, PO Box 11469, Columbia SC 29211
(803)-734-8026

Department of Motor Vehicles
Post Office Box 1498, 10311 Wilson Boulevard - Building C, Blythewood SC 29016
General (803) 896-5000 | Customer Service (800) 442-1368

Museum, State
301 Gervais Street, Columbia SC 29201
(803) 898-4921

Natural Resources
Rembert C. Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia SC
Mailing: P. O. Box 167, Columbia SC 29202

Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
2221 Devine Street Suite 600, P.O. Box 50666, Columbia SC 29250

  • Information 803-734-9220
  • Fugitive Hotline 1-888-761-6175
  • Human Resources 803-734-9244
  • Pardon Information 803-734-9202
  • Public Information 803-734-9267
  • Victim's Toll Free 1-888-551-4118

Fax Numbers:

  • Director's Office 803-734-9440
  • Fugitive Hotline 1-888-761-6175
  • Human Resources 803-734-9075
  • Parole/Pardon Information 803-734-5664
  • Victim Services 803-734-9367

Hearings Schedules and Results

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Department of Public Safety
10311 Wilson Boulevard, Post Office Box 1993, Blythewood SC 29016

Department of Revenue

Secretary of State
1205 Pendleton Street Suite 525, Columbia SC 29201

  • Boards and Commissions: (803) 734-2512
  • Business Filings Division: (803) 734-2158
  • Business Opportunities and Employment Agencies: (803) 734-1728
  • Cable Franchise: (803) 734-0367
  • Chief of Staff: (803) 734-2157
  • Deputy Counsel: (803) 734-0246
  • Director of Administration: (803) 734-1957
  • Investigations: (803) 734-1728
  • Media Relations/Executive Assistant to Mark Hammond: (803) 734-0629
  • Municipal Incorporations, Municipal Annexations and Special Purpose Districts: (803) 734-1796
  • Notaries Division: (803) 734-2512
  • Public Charities Division: (803) 734-1790
  • Service of Process: (803) 734-0367
  • Trademarks: (803) 734-0629
  • Uniform Commercial Code Filings: (803) 734-1116

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Click for large South Carolina county map.

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SOUTH CAROLINA MENU

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SC COUNTIES

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  • York County