Colleton County Records Database
Colleton County public records are maintained by offices in Walterboro, South Carolina. The Clerk of Court manages court filings for Circuit Court and Family Court. The Register of Deeds keeps land records and property documents. The Sheriff's Office provides inmate information and handles law enforcement records requests. This page explains how to find and obtain public records in Colleton County, including court documents, property records, and criminal records, both online and in person.
Colleton County Quick Facts
Colleton County Court Records
The Colleton County Clerk of Court is Gary Hale. His office is at 101 Hampton Street, P.O. Box 620, Walterboro, SC 29488. Phone: (843) 549-5791. Fax: (843) 549-7740. The Clerk serves a four-year elected term and handles records for Circuit Court and Family Court. Docket management, fee collection, and record maintenance are all part of the office's duties.
The Colleton County SC Judicial Public Index offers free online access to Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court records.
The Public Index lets you search by name or case number and view hearing dates, charges, case status, and filing information without an account.
General Sessions records include warrants, bonds, indictments, and pleadings from criminal cases. Common Pleas records cover civil case files and judgments. Family Court files include child support orders, alimony records, and Orders of Protection. A record check statement costs $5.00 and must be requested in person with a photo ID, Social Security Number, and date of birth. Motion filing fees are $25.00. Certified copies require additional fees.
The Clerk of Court does not provide legal advice. Marriage licenses and passport services are available through the office. Notary public applications are also processed here. Restricted records including juvenile files, adoption records, and sealed cases are not accessible to the public.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses are no longer shown in SC Public Index search results statewide.
Colleton County Property Records
The Colleton County Register of Deeds is Susan Kessler. Her email is skessler@colletoncounty.org. The office is at 31 Klein Street, Harrelson Building, Room 115, Walterboro, SC 29488. Direct phone: 843-542-2745, extension 6907. Fax: 843-542-2749. General recording inquiries can go to rod@colletoncounty.org. The Recording Clerk is Mary-Jeanne Smith. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Documents are recorded the same day they are submitted.
The Colleton County website provides direct links to the Register of Deeds and other county offices for records and services.
The county website also links to the online property deed search portal and information on the free Property Fraud Alert service.
Documents recorded by the Register of Deeds include deeds, mortgages, easements, satisfactions, powers of attorney, liens, plats, and UCC filings. Records filed after August 1986 are searchable through the online property search system linked from the Colleton County website. Pre-August 1986 records are held in a separate database and may require an in-person visit. Public computers are available at the office for document lookups. Staff can help locate record books and indexes but do not perform title searches for the public.
Colleton County also offers a free Property Fraud Alert service. This service notifies property owners when a document affecting their property is recorded. The Register of Deeds office also provides access to Assessor's Office and Court files from the same location.
Colleton County Criminal and Arrest Records
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Guerry L. "Buddy" Hill. The office is at 394 Mable T. Willis Blvd., Walterboro, SC 29488. Main phone: 843-549-2211. Fax: 843-538-4384. Emergency: 911. The Detention Center phone is 843-549-5742. Records division phone: 843-549-1203. Records division email: ccso-records@colletoncounty.org. The Drug and Gang Tip Hotline is 843-549-6530. Crime Stoppers can be reached at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Case reports filed within the past 14 days can be inspected in person at the Sheriff's Office from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Reports older than 14 days must be requested through a formal FOIA request. The records unit handles all public records requests. Victim and Witness Advocate services are available through the office. Detention center visitation is on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday only, and depends on inmate status and last name schedule.
For statewide criminal history background checks, the SLED CATCH program runs $25 per check. Charities pay $8. A name and date of birth are required. The SLED line is 803-896-1443. Sex offender registry data for Colleton County is available through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. Inmates held by the state can be located through SC Department of Corrections.
How to Request Colleton County Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at Title 30, Chapter 4 covers all public records requests in Colleton County. Written FOIA requests should go to the specific office holding the records. For Sheriff's records, use the Records Unit at (843) 549-1203 or ccso-records@colletoncounty.org. General county requests can be directed through the Colleton County website.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records two years old or less and within 20 business days for older records. Once a decision to release is made, production must occur within 30 days. Paper copy fees run about $0.25 per page. Electronic records carry no transmission fee. A deposit of up to 25% may be required for large requests. Failure to respond within required time limits is treated as approval for non-exempt records.
Under SC Code Section 30-4-50, certain records are always open. These include public employee names and titles, final agency rulings, meeting minutes, crime reports, and expenditure records. A $500 civil penalty can apply for willful refusals to comply. For information on what personal data is protected by state law, see Title 30, Chapter 2.
Colleton County Online Records Access
The SC Judicial Public Index for Colleton County is the main online court records tool. It is free and covers Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Courts. Property records after August 1986 can be searched through the online portal linked from the Colleton County official website. Business filings can be searched at SC Business Filings. The SC Department of Archives and History holds older historical records. Appellate records are accessible at SC C-Track.
Nearby Counties
Colleton County borders several other South Carolina counties. Each has its own courthouse and public records access options.