How to Search South Carolina Criminal Records (Start Here)
South Carolina criminal records come from two main sources: the state criminal history repository (maintained by the state police or equivalent agency) and individual county court systems. These are separate databases that may show different information.
What this page covers: South Carolina state-level criminal history searches, county court criminal case lookups, and sex offender registry searches. What it does not cover: Federal criminal cases (those require PACER) or arrest records that did not result in charges.
Where to start: For a broad criminal history check, start with the state repository. For specific case details (charges, dispositions, documents), go to the Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed. For sex offenders, use the state sex offender registry.
Common mistake: A state criminal history search and a county court search are not the same thing. The state repository compiles conviction data from across the state. County courts have the actual case files with full detail. You may need both.
Statewide criminal-history agency
Citizens Access to Criminal Histories
Public name-based search
Citizens Access to Criminal Histories
Fingerprint-based screening
South Carolina Department of Education
Sex offender registry
Open records statute
Number of counties
46 counties
Population
5,478,831
Households
2,122,600
Median Income
$67,804
Median Home Value
$230,400
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: South Carolina repository URL, fee, and statute verified against the official SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) publisher on review date. 6 primary .gov sources cited below.
South Carolina Criminal Records — Key Numbers (2026)
As of January 1, 2026, SC removed all addresses from online criminal court records. SLED CATCH shows SC-only data.
$25 / $8 charitable
Public access fee
Per state-only check
SLED CATCH online name-b
Primary method
How to submit
SC Law Enforcement Divis
Issuing agency
Statewide repository
S.C. Code §17-22
Governing statute
State law citation
June 04, 2026
Last reviewed
By SearchSystems
In-state arrests
100%
In-state convictions
100%
Out-of-state arrests
10%
Federal cases
5%
Sealed/expunged
0%
Juvenile records
15%
Unit: % included in a typical state-only check.
What Changed in 2026 — South Carolina Criminal Records
2026
South Carolina state-only check active
The SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) continues to process state criminal history checks via catch.sled.sc.gov.
2026
South Carolina background check fee structure
Current fee for a South Carolina state-only check: $25 / $8 charitable. Method: SLED CATCH online name-based.
2026
South Carolina statutory framework
South Carolina criminal history records are governed by S.C. Code §17-22 and disseminated through SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
2026
FBI Identity History Summary (federal complement)
For records that may exist outside South Carolina, the FBI Identity History Summary at fbi.gov complements the state-only result.
The 4-Step South Carolina Criminal Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Confirm what you need
For most non-employment uses, a South Carolina state-only check from the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is sufficient.
2
Step 2 — Choose your method
SLED CATCH online name-based. Current fee: $25 / $8 charitable.
3
Step 3 — Submit your request
Use the official portal at catch.sled.sc.gov — never a third-party data broker.
4
Step 4 — Add federal coverage if needed
For pre-employment FCRA screening or out-of-state coverage, add an FBI Identity History Summary check ($18) — fingerprint required.
Five Things People Get Wrong About South Carolina Criminal Records
❌ Myth: "South Carolina background check shows everything."
✓ Truth: False. The SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) check covers ONLY South Carolina arrests/convictions. Out-of-state and federal records are NOT included.
❌ Myth: "Free third-party 'instant' checks are accurate."
✓ Truth: False. Only catch.sled.sc.gov (the official South Carolina repository) is authoritative. Data brokers often have stale data.
❌ Myth: "Sealed records will show on a check."
✓ Truth: False. Records sealed or expunged under South Carolina law are removed from public-facing checks. Law enforcement may still access them.
❌ Myth: "Arrest = conviction on my record."
✓ Truth: False. An arrest is not a conviction. Most South Carolina public checks distinguish arrests, dispositions, and convictions; the FCRA bars non-conviction arrests older than 7 years from employer checks.
❌ Myth: "State and FBI checks return the same data."
✓ Truth: False. The South Carolina state check shows South Carolina-only records. The FBI check is fingerprint-based and shows records reported by all agencies nationwide.
Primary Sources (All .gov / Official)
- catch.sled.sc.gov — SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — Official South Carolina criminal history portal
- fbi.gov — Identity History Summary — FBI fingerprint-based federal check ($18)
- fbi.gov — State ID Bureau listing — FBI listing of every state's repository
- ftc.gov — FCRA basics — Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules
- ftc.gov — Background Checks employer guide — FTC + EEOC employer guidance
- bjs.ojp.gov — Bureau of Justice Statistics — Federal stats on state criminal record systems
Related Criminal Records Resources
📍 Other South Carolina records:
- South Carolina Court Records →
- South Carolina Property Records →
- South Carolina Vital Records →
- South Carolina Voter Records →
- South Carolina Wants & Warrants →
- South Carolina Licenses →
- South Carolina Recorded Documents →
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National: U.S. Criminal Records hub →
Related Public Records
More South Carolina records: Court records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Vital records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Criminal records
Criminal Records Databases
29 official South Carolina criminal records sources.
Criminal Records
Aiken County - Court Records
Official Free
This publication is provided "as is" without warranty of kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The County maintains all immunities as provided in the South Carolina Tort ...
Anderson County Public Index - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
Inmate Inquiry System
Official Free
You are leaving the main Beaufort County Government website. ... Current Inmate Population Sorted by Last Name Current Inmate Population Sorted by Booking Date Inmates Booked Within the Last 72 Hours Inmates Released Within the Last 15 Days Inmates Booked Within the Last 90 Days
Berkeley County Public Index - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
General Information | Clerk Of Court's Office
Official Free
Clerk of Court Each of the Forty-Six counties in South Carolina has a popularly elected Clerk of Court who serves a four year term. The Clerk of Court serves both the Circuit Court and the Family Court. The Clerk of Court is charged with docket management, receipt of fees, fines and costs, maintenance of all court records, and submission of reports to a variety of state agencies. In Circuit Court, the Clerk of Court is responsible for both criminal and civil matters, and some of these duties include receipt of criminal warrants and transmission to the solicitor, receipt of bail,…
Public Index Search
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
Master-In-Equity | Charleston County Government
Official Free
The Master-in-Equity facilitates relatively quick and inexpensive means of litigation resolution for non-jury matters . The Master hears most foreclosure cases and a substantial number of civil, non-jury matters as well. This is the only South Carolina court in which no action may be initiated; ...
Case Records Search - South Carolina Judicial Branch
Official Free
NOTE: Use of a web browser that ... for searching public case records. Some browsers may require enabling a pop-up exception in order to view case detail. For help determining the County your case is in click here · Some Municipal Court records are available in the Public ...
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE AGENCIES FROM: Charles M ...
Official Free
A non-refundable fee of $25.00 will be charged for a South Carolina criminal records check .Most major credit/debit cards are accepted. An additional $1.00 convenience fee is required for online background searches. The convenience fee does not apply to mail-in requests. SLED does not retain ...
Bookings/Releases
Official Free
This website contains information regarding individuals who were booked into the Florence County Detention Center (FCDC) at the request of various law enforcement agencies. FCDC is not responsible for any inaccuracies that may be provided by those agencies or the inmate.
🌐 fcso.org
Pending Cases
Official Free
Agency Greenville County Common Pleas Greenville County Master in Equity Greenville General Sessions SC Probation Pardon and Parole Case Type All Case Types App/Trans/Rts Appeal Common Pleas Judgment Liens Lis Pendens Notice/Med Mal Sub Type All Case Sub Types Adm Law/Other 899 Adoption Annulment ...
South Carolina Department of Corrections March 3, 2023 For immediate release
Official Free
South Carolina Department of Corrections · March 3, 2023 · For immediate release · Contact: Chrysti Shain, (803) 413-8206 · Shain.Chrysti@doc.sc.gov · COLUMBIA, S.C. – Richard Alexander Murdaugh will be processed into the S.C. Department of · Corrections today when he arrives at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia. SCDC · processes all male inmates into its system at Kirkland.
Lexington County Public Index - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
Inmate Search | Newberry County, SC
Official Free
Additional records may be requested through the Newberry County Sheriff's Office located at 550 Wilson Road, Newberry, SC 29108, or by using the Freedom of Information Act Request found on this site. Requests must be done in writing and a reasonable fee is charged for the research and copying associated with each search. Due to technical difficulties the inmate search is temporary unavailable. However, a PDF of our current ...
About PPP | SCDPPPS
Official Free
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) is the third largest state law enforcement agency in South Carolina and is charged with the supervision of over 20,000 offenders living in the community placed on probation by the Court, granted parole by the South ...
Orangeburg County Case Search - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
Parole & Pardon Hearings | South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services
Official Free
Check this website periodically to determine rescheduled hearings or posted results. Hearings, posted updates or results may be delayed. PPP offers the Parole and Pardon Hearings Search feature as a public service. While PPP strives to ensure accuracy of this information, it makes no guarantee as to the reliability of the data.
Pickens County Public Index - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · The case number ...
SC - Richland County - Court Records
Official Free
Richland County Home Page Online Payments Public Index City of Columbia Municipal Ct S.C. Judicial Department Summary Ct Dockets · Online Payments will only be accepted for the full payment of the citation. No partial payments are accepted on line. Your mandatory court appearance is still required for certain charges (see the blue copy of ticket).
Research Offender -Public Access
Official Free
Richland County Detention Center Home Page · Support · Contact Us · General Information · Administration · Employment · Inmate Accounts · Mission Statement · PREA · Religious Services · Inmate Visitation · Set as Home Page · Inmate Guidebook · Mail Item Rules ·
York County Public Index - Court Records
Official Free
Access to the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index web sites by a site data scraper or any similar software intended to discover and extract data from a website through automated, repetitive querying for the purpose of collecting such data is expressly prohibited · Please note that ...
York County Detention Center Inmates
Official Free
We cannot provide a description for this page right now
lex-co.sc.gov
Official Free
South Carolina Court Records · CONTACT US · Login · Home · SouthCarolinaCourtRecords.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports. All searches conducted on SouthCarolinaCourtRecords.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. Cherokee County · Cherokee County Arrest Records · Criminal Records · Arrests Records · Warrants · Driving Violations · Inmate Records ·
Welcome to Darlington County, South Carolina
Official Free
The Darlington County Detention Center Inmate List has information on people who have been arrested and are in jail, including current status, how much their bail is, and times the inmate can have visitors. You can also find information about anybody who has been arrested or discharged within the past 24 hours. Prisoners are shown in alphabetical order by last name. You will be able to find their arrest information fast if you’ve got your friend or family member’s full name, date of birth, or arrest number. If the person you are looking for might be in a different jail you should check the…
Chester Co Detention Center, SC
Official Free
Mobile Site · If you have reason to believe any information contained here is inaccurate, please contact the facility. Content on this website is determined by the facility; JailTracker is not responsible, and assumes no liability, for any content or for any improper or incorrect use of the ...
South Carolina Public Sex Offender Registry
Official Free
SLED recommends using Microsoft Edge, or the most Current version of Chrome for an optimum experience while operating this website. Firefox and Safari users may experience unpredictable results. Welcome to the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry! South Carolina has moved to a new sex offender ...
welcome to south carolina vine - VINELink
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SC Bankruptcy CM/ECF - LIVE
Official Paid
District of South Carolina - Document Filing System · This is a restricted government website for official court business only. All activities of CM/ECF subscribers or users of this system for any purpose, and all access attempts, may be recorded and monitored by persons authorized by the ...
South Carolina Counties
46 South Carolina counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I run an official South Carolina background check?▼
South Carolina's official statewide criminal-history check is administered by the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED). Begin the request at catch.sled.sc.gov. Most state-level checks require submitting fingerprints (live-scan or ink) plus a processing fee, and the response covers convictions and certain non-conviction data permitted by South Carolina statute.
Are South Carolina criminal records public?▼
Most adult criminal-history information in South Carolina is considered public record, but access is restricted depending on the requester (self, employer, government agency) and the data type (arrest, conviction, sealed, juvenile). The SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) explains who can request what at catch.sled.sc.gov. County-court records are also public and searchable through the trial-court system.
What's the difference between a state and an FBI background check in South Carolina?▼
A state check from the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) (catch.sled.sc.gov) covers only criminal activity within South Carolina. An FBI Identity History Summary (fbi.gov) is the nationwide check covering federal records and contributing states. Employers and licensing boards often require both.
Can I get someone else's South Carolina criminal record?▼
Generally, no — only the record subject (with their own ID and signature) or a specifically authorized requester (such as a credentialed employer under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, a licensing board, or law enforcement) can pull a third-party criminal history from the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) documentation at catch.sled.sc.gov lists each authorized requester category.
How do I challenge or correct a South Carolina criminal record?▼
If you find an error on your South Carolina criminal history, the SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) offers a record-review and challenge process. Begin at catch.sled.sc.gov — typical steps include fingerprint verification, a written dispute, and supporting court documents (such as a dismissal or expungement order) for each contested entry.