We are not a government office or records custodian. This privately run guide cannot retrieve or certify official documents, confirm a person's current residence, or change a public roll. Contact the agency that maintains the record for those services. Call 911 for an emergency; if you are being stalked or harassed, contact local law enforcement.
Where to Ask About South Carolina Records
Use the guide that matches your question, then contact the office responsible for the underlying record:
- Address and street sources: start with the South Carolina Street Directory guide and the relevant county property or deed office
- Historic directory volumes: browse the Directory Book guide to library and archives collections
- One person's records: follow the South Carolina Resident Lookup guide to the applicable official source
- Which office holds a record: review the South Carolina records offices overview
- Records not posted online: direct a written request to the specific public-body custodian under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. §§30-4-10 et seq., especially §30-4-30
South Carolina has no single statewide FOIA request form; agencies publish their own procedures and available channels. A public body generally makes its initial determination within 10 working days for records less than 24 months old, or 20 working days for older records. When disclosure is due, production normally follows within 30 calendar days, or 35 days for older records, subject to applicable extensions or deposits.
FOIA covers existing public records; it does not require a public body to create a record or answer a research question. Search, retrieval, and redaction charges are limited to actual costs, copy charges cannot exceed prevailing commercial rates, and a deposit of up to 25% may be required.
South Carolina Election Commission (SEC) — election records only. This is an example custodian contact for records held by the SEC, not a contact for every South Carolina public record.
- Office: 1122 Lady Street, Suite 500, Columbia, SC 29201
- Phone: 803-734-9060
- General email: elections@elections.sc.gov
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
- Election-records FOIA request: use the SEC online request form, email FOIA@elections.sc.gov, fax 803-734-9366, or mail PO Box 5987, Columbia, SC 29250-5987.