Chester County Public Records

Chester County public records are kept by several offices in Chester, South Carolina. The Clerk of Court maintains court filings, while the combined Clerk and Register of Deeds office holds land records. Chester County residents and outside requesters can search court cases online through the SC Public Index, or visit the courthouse at 140 Main Street in person. This guide covers where to find public records in Chester County, how to request documents under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, and which online tools are available.

Chester County Court Records

The Chester County Clerk of Court sits at 140 Main Street, Chester, SC 29706. The main phone is 803-385-2605. Chester County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit, and the Clerk handles Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court records. The office processes fines and fees, maintains dockets, and fulfills state reporting requirements. Court records include civil case files from Common Pleas, criminal proceedings from General Sessions, and family law matters.

Case types in the system include civil suits, criminal cases, domestic matters, and probate proceedings. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and adoption files are not available to the public. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained in person. Copy fees run about $0.25 per page, and certified copies carry an additional fee. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

Marriage licenses and passport services are also handled through the Clerk of Court. Notary public applications are processed here as well. If you need records from older cases, staff can assist with locating archived files during business hours.

Note: As of January 2026, home addresses are no longer shown on the SC Public Index to protect resident privacy.

Chester County Property Records

Chester County uses a combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office, located at P.O. Drawer 580, Chester, SC 29706-0580, phone 803-385-2605. This office records and maintains all land records for the county. Documents on file include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. Historical records dating back to the county's formation are archived here.

Property records are open to the public for inspection. Staff can help you find the right record books and indexes but cannot conduct title searches on your behalf. Certified copies are available for a fee. Recording fees apply when submitting new documents. The office accepts documents during regular business hours.

Note: Property tax records and assessment data are handled separately through the Chester County Tax Assessor's office, which can be reached through the main county website.

Chester County Criminal and Arrest Records

The Chester County Sheriff's Office operates the county detention center and manages law enforcement records. Inmate inquiries can be made directly through the Sheriff's Office. Booking information, charges, and bond details are available for current inmates. Incident reports and accident reports may be requested through the records division. The Sheriff's Office is accessible through the Chester County Sheriff's Office page.

For statewide criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH system charges $25 per search and requires a full name and date of birth. Charity organizations pay $8. The SLED records line is 803-896-1443. Sex offender registry information for Chester County is available through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For inmates who have been transferred to state prison, the SC Department of Corrections maintains a searchable inmate database.

How to Request Chester County Public Records

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act governs all public records requests in Chester County. The law is found at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. Any person may submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate Chester County office. There is no required form, though some offices provide one. Written requests can be mailed, emailed, or delivered in person to the County Administrator's office.

Under the law, agencies must respond within 10 business days for records two years old or less. Records older than two years require a 20-business-day response. After a decision to release records, the agency has up to 30 days to produce them. Copy fees are typically $0.25 per page for paper copies. Electronic records may be provided at no charge. A deposit of up to 25% of estimated costs can be required before fulfillment begins.

Certain records are always public under SC Code Section 30-4-50. These include the names and titles of public employees, final agency opinions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and records of fund expenditures. Failure to respond to a request within the required window is treated as approval to release non-exempt records. Willful or arbitrary violations can result in a civil penalty of $500.

Chester County Online Records Search

The main online tool for Chester County court records is the SC Judicial Public Index. This free statewide system covers Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court cases. You can also view court rosters at the Chester County court rosters page. No registration is required for basic searches. The system is available around the clock.

For property records, visiting the combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office in person gives the most complete access. Business filings can be searched at the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal. Historical records for the state, including older Chester County documents, may be found through the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration and election records are available at SCVotes.gov.

Appellate court records can be searched through SC C-Track Public Access. For privacy-related requests or information on what records are protected, refer to Title 30, Chapter 2 of state law.

Nearby Counties

Chester County borders several other South Carolina counties. Each has its own records offices and online access tools.

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