Anderson City Public Records
Anderson public records are held by the City of Anderson, the Anderson Police Department, and Anderson County offices. Residents can access city records through written requests to the City Clerk or by using online portals maintained by the county. Anderson operates under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which allows the public to inspect and copy government records. This guide walks through the main sources for searching and obtaining Anderson public records, from police reports and court cases to property filings and online databases.
Anderson Quick Facts
Public Records in Anderson
Anderson is the county seat of Anderson County and the largest city in the western Upstate region of South Carolina. City records are maintained by the City Clerk and span council minutes and agendas, city ordinances, contracts, business licenses, building permits, and planning and zoning files. The City Clerk's office at City Hall, 401 S. Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624, serves as the official records custodian for municipal documents.
Because Anderson is the county seat, the Anderson County Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds are also located in the city at 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624. This location holds all civil, criminal, and family court records for Anderson County, along with property deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Many of these records are also searchable online through the Anderson County Public Access System.
The City of Anderson website provides department contacts and information about accessing municipal records. Residents can review city meeting minutes and other routine documents in person at City Hall during business hours. Some records are available on the city's website without a formal request.
Note: Records tied to active law enforcement investigations are exempt from disclosure under South Carolina FOIA. Personal information from public records may not be used for commercial purposes under S.C. Code § 30-2-50.
Anderson Police Department Records
The Anderson Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency within Anderson city limits. The department's website provides links to crime reports, an inmate search tool, and a crime complaint center for online reporting of certain offenses. Police records including incident reports, accident reports, and arrest records are available through the department's records division. Contact the department directly for hours, fees, and instructions on submitting a records request.
The Anderson Police Department website provides direct access to crime data and public records request information for city residents.
Visit andersonpd.com for police records, crime reports, and department contact information.
For county-level law enforcement records, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office maintains a calls-for-service map and incident report system. The Sheriff's Office also handles arrest records, warrant information, detention center records, and bond hearings. Their phone number is 864-260-4400. Fingerprinting services and background checks are also available through the Sheriff's Office.
Records retention at both the city and county level follows schedules set by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Felony arrest records are kept permanently. Misdemeanor arrest records are retained for 10 years from the date of arrest.
How to Request Anderson Public Records
Public records requests in Anderson must be submitted in writing. You can send your request by mail, email, fax, or in person to the City Clerk or to the specific department that holds the records. No reason is required when requesting public records.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act is at Title 30, Chapter 4 of state law. The city must respond within 10 business days for records less than 24 months old. For older records, the deadline is 20 business days. Records must be produced within 30 calendar days after approval.
Fees for copies are typically $0.25 per page for paper. Electronic records carry no copy fee. Staff research time may be billed at the prorated hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee with the skills to complete the request. A deposit of up to 25% of the estimated cost may be required in advance. Be specific in your request. Include names, dates, incident numbers, or any other details that will speed up the search.
If the city fails to respond on time, the request is deemed approved for non-exempt records. A civil fine of $500 may be imposed on agencies found to have acted arbitrarily in denying a valid records request.
Note: The South Carolina Privacy Protection Act at Title 30, Chapter 2 limits how personal information from public records can be used by third parties.
Anderson Court Records
Anderson has a municipal court that handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor criminal matters within city limits. Court records from the municipal court are public and can be reviewed during regular business hours. Fines and fees are collected through the court clerk's office.
For Circuit Court, Family Court, and General Sessions matters, the Anderson County Clerk of Court at 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624 is the primary records office. You can search Anderson County court cases at no cost through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index. The Public Index covers all 46 South Carolina counties and allows searches by party name or case number. Address information was removed from the Public Index in January 2026 to protect privacy.
The Anderson County Public Access System at acpass.andersoncountysc.org provides additional online access to probate court records, Register of Deeds documents, and property records. No account is required to search the system. It is updated regularly by county staff and accessible 24 hours a day.
Searching Anderson Records Online
The Anderson County Public Access System (ACPASS) is the most comprehensive online portal for Anderson-area records. It covers probate court filings, estate records, guardianships, marriage license information, notary public records, and Register of Deeds documents. You can search by petitioner name, decedent name, or case number. The system is free and open to the public.
The ACPASS portal provides online access to Anderson County court and property records around the clock at no cost.
The City of Anderson website connects residents to department contacts and online services for city records.
For statewide criminal history checks, the SLED CATCH system is available online for $25 per search. Charities qualify for an $8 fee. A full name and date of birth are required. For sex offender lookups, use the SLED Sex Offender Registry. Business filings for Anderson companies are searchable through the Secretary of State's business filings database. Voter registration information is available at scvotes.gov.
Anderson Property and Vital Records
Property records for Anderson are held at the Anderson County Register of Deeds at 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624. This office records and maintains deeds, mortgages, plats, easements, UCC filings, and tax liens. Current records are searchable online through ACPASS. Historical documents dating back many decades are also available at the office.
Birth and death certificates are not held at the city or county level. These records are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Marriage licenses are issued by the Anderson County Probate Court. For older genealogical records, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds historical state agency records, land grants, and other materials useful for research.
Anderson County Public Records
Anderson is in Anderson County. Court and property records for Anderson are filed at the Anderson County courthouse. Visit the county page for complete records access.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Anderson is located in the western Upstate region of South Carolina. Several nearby cities share Anderson County or neighboring county court systems and state databases.