Greenwood County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Greenwood County?

Public records in Greenwood County, South Carolina, are documents, files, and data created or maintained by government agencies in the course of official business and made available to members of the public under state law. Pursuant to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, codified at § 30-4-20, a "public record" includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body.

The following categories of records are currently maintained and accessible through various Greenwood County offices:

Court records — Civil, criminal, probate, and family court filings are maintained by the Greenwood County Clerk of Court and the Probate Court
Property records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats are recorded with the Greenwood County Register of Deeds
Vital records — Birth and death certificates are issued through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC); marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court
Business records — Business licenses and permits are administered by the Greenwood County Business License office
Tax records — Property tax records and assessment data are maintained by the Greenwood County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — Voter registration data and election results are managed by the Greenwood County Voter Registration and Elections office
Meeting minutes and agendas — County Council meeting minutes, agendas, and related documents are published by the County Administrator's office
Budget and financial documents — Annual budgets, audits, and financial reports are available through the County Finance Department
Law enforcement records — Incident reports and arrest logs, where permitted by law, are available through the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records — Zoning maps, permits, and land use applications are maintained by the Greenwood County Planning and Zoning Department

Is Greenwood County an Open Records County?

Greenwood County fully complies with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which establishes the public's right to inspect and obtain copies of government records. Under § 30-4-15 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, it is declared to be the public policy of South Carolina that all persons are entitled to full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those who represent them as public officials and employees. This policy reflects the state's commitment to government transparency and accountability.

Key provisions of the South Carolina FOIA currently in effect include:

Public bodies must respond to written records requests within ten business days, either by providing the records, denying the request in writing with legal justification, or notifying the requester that additional time is needed
Agencies may not require requesters to state a reason for seeking public records in most circumstances
The law applies to all county departments, boards, commissions, and agencies operating under Greenwood County government

Greenwood County does not maintain a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law; all requests are processed in accordance with the South Carolina FOIA. The county's compliance with state sunshine laws ensures that public meetings, agendas, and minutes are also accessible to residents and non-residents alike.

How to Find Public Records in Greenwood County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain Greenwood County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the current process for submitting a records request:

Identify the correct office — Determine which county department maintains the records being sought (e.g., Register of Deeds for property records, Clerk of Court for court filings, Probate Court for marriage licenses and estate records)
Submit a written FOIA request — Requests must be submitted in writing, either in person, by mail, or by email, addressed to the designated FOIA officer or records custodian of the relevant department
Include required information — The request should describe the records sought with sufficient specificity, including relevant names, dates, case numbers, or parcel identification numbers where applicable
Await agency response — The agency is required to respond within ten business days under current state law
Pay applicable fees — Upon approval, the requester will be notified of any applicable copying or search fees before records are released
Access online records — Certain records, including property records and deeds, are currently available through the Greenwood County online records portal without a formal request

For court records, members of the public may visit the Clerk of Court in person or search available case information through the South Carolina Judicial Department's public case search.

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

Greenwood County charges standard fees for the reproduction of public records, consistent with the fee schedule authorized under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Current fees applicable to most county offices are as follows:

Paper copies — Fees are typically assessed per page for standard letter or legal-size documents; rates vary by office but generally range from $0.10 to $0.25 per page
Certified copies — Certified copies of deeds, vital records, and court documents carry additional certification fees set by the respective office or by state statute
Electronic records — Fees for records provided in electronic format may reflect the actual cost of duplication, including staff time for retrieval and preparation
Search fees — Some offices assess a reasonable search and retrieval fee when locating records requires substantial staff time

Pursuant to § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, fees charged for public records may not exceed the actual cost of searching for and making copies of records. Accepted payment methods at most Greenwood County offices include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card, though accepted methods may vary by department.

Fee waiver provisions are available in limited circumstances. Members of the public who demonstrate that disclosure of the requested records is in the public interest and that the requester has limited financial means may petition the relevant agency for a reduction or waiver of fees.

Does Greenwood County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under current South Carolina law. Agencies are not permitted to charge a fee solely for inspecting records on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested. The following free resources are currently available:

In-person inspection — Members of the public may inspect original records at the offices of the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, Probate Court, and other county departments during regular business hours at no charge
Online property and deed records — The Greenwood County Register of Deeds provides free online access to recorded land records through its official web portal
Tax and assessment records — Property tax and assessment information is available at no cost through the Greenwood County Assessor's office
Voter registration and election data — Basic voter registration and election results information is accessible through the Greenwood County Voter Registration and Elections office
Court case information — The South Carolina Judicial Department offers free public access to case search tools through the South Carolina Courts website

Who Can Request Public Records in Greenwood County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is currently entitled to request public records from Greenwood County agencies under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The law does not restrict access to residents of South Carolina or Greenwood County; non-residents retain the same rights of access as local residents.

Under current law, requesters are generally not required to:

Provide proof of identity or residency
State the purpose for which the records are being sought
Demonstrate a personal interest in the records requested

Certain record types carry additional access restrictions based on the nature of the information involved:

Sealed court records — Access is restricted by court order; only parties to the case or their legal representatives may obtain sealed documents
Juvenile records — Records involving minors in the court system are restricted pursuant to state law and require a court order for release
Personnel records — Access to employee records is limited; only certain information, such as an employee's name, title, and compensation, is publicly available
Vital records — Certified copies of birth and death certificates are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, or authorized legal representatives

Members of the public requesting their own records may be required to provide identification to verify identity before release of sensitive personal information.

What Records Are Confidential in Greenwood County?

Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, at § 30-4-40, enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from mandatory disclosure. The following records are currently classified as confidential or exempt under state law:

Sealed court records — Documents sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the general public
Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency or family court proceedings are protected from public disclosure
Ongoing law enforcement investigation records — Records compiled in connection with active criminal investigations are exempt to the extent that disclosure would interfere with enforcement proceedings
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar personally identifiable information are redacted prior to release
Medical and health records — Records protected under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy laws are not subject to public disclosure
Adoption records — Records related to adoption proceedings are sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — Records maintained by child protective services agencies are confidential under both state and federal law
Personnel records — Detailed employee performance evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents are exempt, with limited exceptions for public officials
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Confidential commercial or financial information submitted to government agencies in the course of licensing or permitting is protected from disclosure
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Documents describing security systems, emergency response plans, or infrastructure vulnerabilities are exempt to protect public safety

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder of the document to the requester.

Greenwood County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Greenwood County Register of Deeds serves as the principal office for recording and maintaining land records, deeds, mortgages, plats, and related instruments. Members of the public may inspect and obtain copies of recorded documents during regular public counter hours.

Greenwood County Register of Deeds 528 Monument Street, Room 105, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 942-8589 Greenwood County Register of Deeds

Public Counter Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding official county holidays.

Greenwood County Clerk of Court 528 Monument Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 942-8610 Greenwood County Clerk of Court

Greenwood County Probate Court 528 Monument Street, Room 101, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 942-8621 Greenwood County Probate Court

Greenwood County Assessor's Office 528 Monument Street, Room 109, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 942-8537 Greenwood County Assessor

Greenwood County Sheriff's Office 325 McGee Road, Greenwood, SC 29649 (864) 942-8605 Greenwood County Sheriff's Office

Greenwood County Voter Registration and Elections 528 Monument Street, Room 103, Greenwood, SC 29646 (864) 942-8563 Greenwood County Voter Registration and Elections