Florence SC Public Records
Florence public records include documents held by the City of Florence, its police department, municipal court, and city clerk. Access to these records is governed by South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act. The City Center is located at 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501, and serves as the main hub for city record requests. This guide covers how to find and obtain public records in Florence, South Carolina.
Florence Quick Facts
Public Records in Florence
The City of Florence operates from City Center at 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. The main city phone number is 843-665-3101. Florence public records available at City Center include council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, city budgets, contracts, building permits, code enforcement records, and business licenses.
The City Clerk serves as the official records custodian for Florence. The Clerk maintains the legislative history of the City Council and processes Freedom of Information Act requests. Contact the City Clerk at 843-665-3101, or visit the Florence City Clerk FOIA page to learn about request procedures. The office also handles notary services, board and commission records, and special event permit records for the city.
The City of Florence official website links to departments, online services, and many records directly. Business license renewal deadlines, city council meeting agendas, and department contact details are all accessible there.
Florence is home to 40 neighborhood and business crime watch associations, which generate public records related to community meetings and activity reports. These may be available through the City Clerk or the Police Department.
Florence Police Records
The Florence Police Department is a State Accredited Law Enforcement agency. Department Headquarters is at City Center, 324 W. Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. The department phone for general inquiries is 843-665-3191. A second Patrol Division headquarters is located at 303 Athens Street, and there is a Downtown Substation at 112 North Dargan Street.
The department operates five divisions: Administrative Services, Community Relations, Patrol Services, Support Services, and Investigative Services. Records requests go through the Records Division. Incident reports, accident reports, and FOIA requests are handled there. Active investigation files and juvenile records are exempt from disclosure.
The Florence Police Department maintains a drone team with its own set of public records including flight logs, incident support documentation, training records, and equipment records. These records are available through a FOIA request to the department at cityofflorencesc.gov/police-department. Fingerprinting services and sex offender registry checks are also available through the department. For statewide background checks, use the SLED CATCH system at $25 per search.
Note: The Citizens Police Academy runs a 7-week course beginning April 28, 2026. Records and materials from this program are part of the department's public record inventory.
How to Request Public Records in Florence
All requests for Florence public records must be in writing. Submit your request in person at City Center, by mail to 324 W. Evans Street, or by email to the City Clerk or relevant department. Be specific about the records you are looking for. Vague requests may slow down the response.
Under SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4, Florence must respond to your request within 10 business days for records under 24 months old. Records older than 24 months require a response within 20 business days. Once notified, documents must be produced within 30 calendar days for recent records and 35 days for older ones. Electronic records are typically provided at no charge. Paper copies cost around $0.25 per page. Staff search time may carry a fee for complex requests.
No reason is required for your request. Florence cannot require you to explain why you want the records. The SC Privacy Protection Act prohibits using personal information from public records for commercial solicitation. A willful violation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, imprisonment of up to one year, or both.
Florence Court Records
Florence Municipal Court is located at City Center and can be reached at 843-665-3107. The court handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and misdemeanor cases within Florence city limits. Court dockets, hearing schedules, fine payment records, and case dispositions are public records available through the court.
Request certified copies of dispositions by contacting the Municipal Court clerk. You will need the ticket number, case number, or your name and date of birth. Visit the Florence Municipal Court page for payment options and record request guidance. Appeals from Florence Municipal Court go to the Florence County Court of Common Pleas.
Florence County circuit and family court records are searchable at no cost through the SC Public Index. Search by name or case number to find civil, criminal, and family court cases for Florence County. Document images are available for most cases. The SC Judicial Department's C-Track system at sccourts.org provides scheduling information and case tracking for courts statewide.
Searching Florence Records Online
Several online tools provide access to Florence and Florence County public records. The SC Public Index is the primary resource for court records in Florence County. It is free, searchable by name or case number, and updated regularly. Business entities registered in Florence appear in the Secretary of State entity search.
Historical and archival records are available through the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration can be verified at scvotes.gov. State prison records are searchable through the SC Department of Corrections. The SLED Sex Offender Registry is a free, searchable online tool covering all of Florence and Florence County. The SLED website also maintains additional public safety records.
Highway patrol accident reports go through the SC Department of Public Safety. For accidents handled by Florence Police, request those records from the department's Records Division directly.
Florence County Public Records
Florence is in Florence County. Major court and property records for Florence are maintained at the Florence County courthouse. Visit the county page for complete records resources.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Cities near Florence each have their own records offices. Choose a city below to learn about public records access in that area.