Find Criminal History Records by County
South Carolina has 46 counties, and each one plays a direct role in maintaining criminal history records for cases that arise within its borders. County-level records are held by the Clerk of Court, who serves as the official custodian of all case files processed through that county's courts. Whether the case involves a felony in General Sessions or a misdemeanor before a Magistrate, the paper trail runs through the county courthouse. This page lists all 46 South Carolina counties with links to county-specific criminal history resources.
How County Criminal History Records Work in South Carolina
When a person is arrested in South Carolina, the arresting agency is required to submit fingerprints to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division within three days. That feeds the statewide SLED database. The case itself, though, moves through the local court system. Charges are filed with the county solicitor's office, hearings take place in the county courthouse, and the resulting case records are maintained by the local Clerk of Court.
The SC Judicial Branch provides access to many of these records online through the Public Index. Searches can be run by name or case number. The Public Index covers General Sessions, Common Pleas, Family Court, and Magistrate cases for most counties. As of January 1, 2026, home addresses are no longer shown through the Public Index, though all other case information remains accessible.
For records not available online, the county clerk is the right contact. The SC Judicial Branch maintains a complete roster of clerks for all 46 counties. Most offices accept written requests for certified copies of case files. Physical courthouse locations and hours can be found through the SC courthouse directory.
Statewide criminal history searches that go beyond a single county are best handled through SLED CATCH, the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories portal. CATCH searches the full statewide database by name and date of birth for a fee of $25 per search plus a $1.00 online convenience fee. For cases involving incarceration in a state facility, the SC Department of Corrections inmate search can fill in additional details about custody history.
Note: County records and SLED criminal history data are maintained separately, and a search of one source does not guarantee a complete picture from the other.
All 46 South Carolina Counties
Select a county below to access criminal history resources, court contact information, and local records for that jurisdiction.