Dorchester County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Dorchester County?

Public records in Dorchester County are defined according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under § 30-4-20(c), as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, data processing software, and other material prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body." These records document the business of government and are generally accessible to the public.

Dorchester County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records maintained by the Dorchester County Clerk of Court
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (note that vital records are primarily maintained at the state level through the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control)
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results maintained by the Dorchester County Board of Elections and Voter Registration
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County Council, boards, and commissions
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and audits
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Dorchester County Register of Deeds maintains property records, while the Dorchester County Assessor's Office maintains property assessment records. Court records are maintained by the Dorchester County Clerk of Court, and county administrative records are typically maintained by the Dorchester County Administrator's Office.

Is Dorchester County an Open Records County?

Dorchester County adheres to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs public access to government records throughout the state. Under § 30-4-15 of this act, the General Assembly has declared that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity."

The law establishes that "any person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body" with certain exceptions as outlined in § 30-4-40. This provision ensures that Dorchester County operates as an open records jurisdiction, providing transparency in government operations.

Dorchester County follows the state's requirements regarding response times for records requests. According to § 30-4-30(c), the county must respond to a written request for records within 10 business days (20 business days for records more than 24 months old), stating whether the records are available and, if so, providing a timeline and cost estimate for fulfilling the request.

The county also complies with South Carolina's open meetings laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws," which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with proper notice given. These provisions are outlined in § 30-4-60 through § 30-4-90 of the South Carolina Code.

Dorchester County has established internal policies to ensure compliance with state open records laws, and these policies are implemented by various county departments that maintain public records.

How to Find Public Records in Dorchester County in 2026

Members of the public seeking access to Dorchester County records may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county currently provides multiple avenues for records access:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's official website. Interested parties may access:

   • Property records through the Dorchester County Register of Deeds online portal
   • Court case information through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index
   • Property tax and assessment information via the Dorchester County Tax Assessor website
   • County Council meeting minutes and agendas through the Dorchester County Council webpage

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For property records: Visit the Register of Deeds
   • For court records: Visit the Clerk of Court
   • For tax records: Visit the Treasurer's Office or Assessor's Office
   • For county administrative records: Visit the County Administrator's Office

3. Written Requests: Submit a formal FOIA request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:

   • Requestor's name and contact information
   • A clear description of the records sought
   • Preferred format for receiving the records (electronic or paper copies)
   • Date range of records, if applicable

4. Records Request Form: The county provides a standardized Public Records Request Form that may be submitted to the appropriate department.

For records not available online, requestors should contact the specific department that maintains the records they seek. The county will respond to written requests within the timeframes established by state law (10 business days for records less than 24 months old, 20 business days for older records).

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 30-4-30(B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which states that "the public body may establish and collect fees not to exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records." Current standard fees include:

• Photocopies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
• Search and Retrieval: $20.00 per hour for staff time spent searching for and retrieving records (first 15 minutes may be free)
• Electronic Records: Actual cost of media (USB drive, CD, etc.) if not provided by requestor
• Specialized Documents: Actual cost for maps, plats, and other oversized documents
• Certified Copies: Additional $5.00 per document for certified copies

Specific departments may have different fee schedules:

• Register of Deeds: $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page for recorded documents
• Clerk of Court: $5.00 for court record searches and $1.00 per page for copies
• Sheriff's Office: $5.00 for incident reports

Payment methods currently accepted include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Check or money order (made payable to Dorchester County)
• Credit/debit cards (for certain departments, a processing fee may apply)

The county may waive or reduce fees if the request is determined to be in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Additionally, pursuant to § 30-4-30(B), "documents may be furnished when appropriate without charge or at a reduced charge where the agency determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest."

Requestors will receive a cost estimate before records are produced if fees are expected to exceed $25.00, and prepayment may be required for larger requests.

Does Dorchester County Have Free Public Records?

Dorchester County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with state law. Under § 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "any person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body" during normal business hours, subject to reasonable rules concerning time and place.

The following records are currently available for free inspection:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect most public records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. This includes:

  • Property records at the Register of Deeds Office
  • Court records at the Clerk of Court's Office
  • County Council minutes and resolutions at the County Administrator's Office
  • Tax assessment records at the Assessor's Office

• Online Resources: Several free online resources provide access to Dorchester County public records:

  • Dorchester County Property Records Search - Basic property information
  • Dorchester County Council Meeting Minutes - Agendas and minutes
  • Dorchester County GIS Maps - Property boundaries and zoning information
  • South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index - Basic court case information

• Public Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use to access electronic records at no charge.

While inspection is free, fees may still apply for copies, certified documents, or extensive searches as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Additionally, some specialized databases or subscription services used by the county may not be available for free public access.

Who Can Request Public Records in Dorchester County?

Under § 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "any person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body," establishing broad eligibility for records requests in Dorchester County. This provision applies to:

• South Carolina residents
• Non-residents of South Carolina
• Business entities
• Media organizations
• Non-profit organizations
• Government agencies

Requestors are not generally required to:

• Provide proof of South Carolina residency
• State the purpose of their request
• Provide identification for most records (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)

However, certain restrictions apply to specific record types:

• Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are restricted to the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a demonstrable legal interest. Identification is required for these requests.

• Criminal History Records: Complete criminal history information is restricted to the subject of the record or their legal representative. Limited information may be available to the general public.

• Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to minors are generally confidential under § 63-19-2010 of the South Carolina Code and available only to authorized individuals.

• Medical Records: Protected health information is confidential under federal HIPAA regulations and state law.

For records about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. When requesting records about another individual, access may be limited based on privacy protections established in state and federal law.

Government agencies requesting records from Dorchester County for official purposes may have expanded access to certain otherwise restricted records through interagency agreements or statutory authority.

What Records Are Confidential in Dorchester County?

Dorchester County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with § 30-4-40 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which establishes specific exemptions from disclosure. The following record types are generally not available for public inspection:

• Personal Privacy Information: Records containing Social Security numbers, personal financial information, medical information, and other personally identifying data that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy if disclosed

• Law Enforcement Records: Information that would:

  • Interfere with active law enforcement proceedings
  • Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
  • Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
  • Disclose confidential sources or techniques
  • Endanger the life or physical safety of any individual

• Juvenile Records: Records related to juvenile offenders are protected under § 63-19-2010 of the South Carolina Code

• Child Protective Services Records: Information regarding child abuse and neglect investigations is confidential under § 63-7-1990

• Medical and Mental Health Records: Protected under HIPAA and state privacy laws

• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and work product prepared in anticipation of litigation

• Personnel Records: Employee personnel files, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and personal information (though certain information such as salary, title, and dates of employment is public)

• Trade Secrets and Proprietary Information: Confidential business information submitted to the county

• Security Information: Records relating to security plans, vulnerability assessments, and critical infrastructure

• Sealed Court Records: Records sealed by court order, including certain domestic relations cases, adoption records, and expunged criminal records

• Economic Development Information: Certain records related to economic development negotiations prior to announcement

• Test Questions and Scoring Keys: Materials used for licensing, employment, or academic examinations

Under § 30-4-40(b), if a public record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the exempt portions may be redacted while the remainder is disclosed. Additionally, § 30-4-70 provides exemptions related to closed meetings of public bodies.

The county must cite the specific statutory exemption when denying access to records based on confidentiality provisions.

Dorchester County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Dorchester County Register of Deeds
201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477
843-563-0181
Dorchester County Register of Deeds

Dorchester County Register of Deeds (Summerville Office)
500 North Main Street, Summerville, SC 29483
843-832-0181
Dorchester County Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
• Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
• Public access to land records
• Marriage license applications (Summerville office only)

Additional County Offices for Public Records:

Dorchester County Clerk of Court
5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard, St. George, SC 29477
843-563-0178
Dorchester County Clerk of Court

Dorchester County Assessor's Office
201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477
843-563-0166
Dorchester County Assessor

Dorchester County Treasurer's Office
201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477
843-563-0165
Dorchester County Treasurer

Dorchester County Administration
201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477
843-563-0100
Dorchester County Administration

Members of the public seeking assistance with locating specific records may contact the appropriate office directly during regular business hours. For complex requests or assistance determining which office maintains specific records, the County Administrator's Office can provide guidance.

Lookup Public Records in Dorchester County

Dorchester County Sex Offender Registry