Public Records in Clarendon County
Clarendon County public records are maintained by offices in Manning, South Carolina. The combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office at the courthouse handles both court filings and land records. The Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement and detention records. Residents and outside researchers can search Clarendon County court records online through the SC Public Index or visit the Manning courthouse in person. This page covers how to find, search, and request public records from Clarendon County offices.
Clarendon County Quick Facts
Clarendon County Court Records
The Clarendon County Clerk of Court is Shanita Brangman, who began her career with the county in 2006 before serving in the Register of Deeds office and then becoming Clerk. The office is located at the Clarendon County Courthouse, with a mailing address of PO Box 36, Manning, SC 29102. The main phone is 803-435-4443. Fax: 803-435-6834. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Clarendon County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit.
The Clarendon County SC Judicial Public Index provides free online case searches across Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Courts.
You can search by party name or case number and view case status, hearings, and disposition information without any registration.
Court records include civil case files from Common Pleas Court, criminal filings from General Sessions, and family law matters such as divorce and child custody. Probate records and estate filings are also available through this office. Certain records are restricted from public view, including juvenile proceedings, sealed cases, and adoption files. Copy fees are approximately $0.25 per page. Certified copies require an additional certification fee.
The Clerk of Court also processes marriage licenses and offers passport services and notary applications. Passport service appointments may be needed during busy periods.
Clarendon County Property Records
Clarendon County uses a combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office structure. Under SC Code Section 30-5-10, the Clerk of Court also serves as Register of Deeds. Clarendon County was added to the ROD statute in 2008. The office address is the Courthouse, Manning, SC 29102. The real estate records phone is 803-435-4444. The Assessor's Office can be reached at 803-435-4423 and is located at PO Box 367, Manning, SC 29102. The Treasurer is at 803-435-8307.
The Clarendon County official website provides contact information for the combined records office and links to other county departments.
The site also provides general guidance on obtaining certified copies and filing new documents with the county.
Documents on file include deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, UCC filings, and powers of attorney. Historical land records are preserved in the courthouse archives. Public search access is available during normal business hours. Staff can help you locate record books and index entries. Recording fees apply for new document submissions. Certified copies are available upon request.
Note: Property tax assessment data is managed by the Clarendon County Assessor's Office and is separate from deed and land records held by the Clerk of Court.
Clarendon County Criminal and Arrest Records
The Clarendon County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and detention operations for the county. The Sheriff's Office and detention center can be contacted through the main county website. Inmate information is typically available by phone inquiry. Booking details, charges, and bond information for current inmates can be requested through the Sheriff's department. Incident reports and accident reports are available under SC FOIA procedures.
The Clarendon County Sheriff's Office page on the county website has current contact information and guidance for records requests.
You can contact the Sheriff's records division directly for incident or arrest documentation under the state's public records law.
The SLED CATCH system provides statewide criminal background checks for $25 per search ($8 for qualifying charities). A full name and date of birth are required. The SLED phone number is 803-896-1443. The SLED Sex Offender Registry covers all counties including Clarendon. Inmates transferred to state prison can be found through the SC Department of Corrections inmate database.
How to Request Clarendon County Public Records
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at Title 30, Chapter 4 gives the public the right to request records from any Clarendon County government office. Written requests should be submitted to the relevant county department. General FOIA inquiries can be directed to the Clarendon County Administrator's Office in Manning. No specific form is required, though some offices may provide one for convenience.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records two years old or less. Records more than two years old allow a 20-business-day response window. Once a decision to release records is made, the agency has 30 days to produce the documents. Paper copy fees are generally $0.25 per page. Electronic delivery is typically provided at no charge. For large requests, a deposit of up to 25% of the estimated total cost may be required before work begins.
Section 30-4-50 of the SC Code designates certain records as always public. These include the names and job titles of public employees, final agency opinions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and records of how public funds are spent. Refusing to respond within required timelines is treated as automatic approval for non-exempt records. A civil penalty of $500 can be imposed for willful violations.
Clarendon County Records Online Search
The SC Judicial Public Index for Clarendon County is the primary online resource for court records. It is free and covers all case types across Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Courts. Court hearing rosters are also available through the SC courts system. No login is required for basic case information searches.
Business entity records for companies registered in South Carolina can be searched at SC Business Filings. Older historical documents from Clarendon County may be preserved at the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter and election records are available at SCVotes.gov. For privacy act information and what records are protected by state law, see Title 30, Chapter 2.
Nearby Counties
Clarendon County is surrounded by several other South Carolina counties, each with their own public records access options.