Dillon County Public Records
Dillon County public records are held by offices at the county courthouse in Dillon, South Carolina. The Clerk of Court maintains all court filings and case records for Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Courts. The Register of Deeds records property documents and land instruments. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records and inmate information. This guide covers how to find and request Dillon County public records online and in person, including how to file FOIA requests with county offices.
Dillon County Quick Facts
Dillon County Court Records
The Dillon County Clerk of Court is located at the Dillon County Courthouse. The Clerk is an elected official serving a four-year term and maintains all court filings and case documents. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Court case types include civil matters, criminal cases, family proceedings, and probate. The Clerk handles court dockets, calendars, and all filings across the case types it oversees.
The Dillon County SC Judicial Public Index provides free access to court records for Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court cases.
Searching by party name or case number shows case status, filing dates, charges, scheduled hearings, and disposition information without any registration.
Public court records include civil case files, criminal case filings, court dockets, and final judgments and orders. These records are open under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Certain records are excluded from public access by law. Juvenile records, adoption proceedings, and mental health records are restricted. Copy fees apply for document reproductions. Certified copies require an additional certification charge.
The Clerk of Court maintains all filings since the county's formation. Historical case records are available through the office during regular business hours. Marriage licenses and passport services are handled by the Clerk's office as well.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses no longer appear in results from the SC Public Index statewide system.
Dillon County Property Records
The Dillon County Register of Deeds records and preserves all land instruments for the county. The office is at the Dillon County Courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Register of Deeds records deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. Land records date back to the county's formation and are kept as the official public record for property ownership and transfers.
Property deed records, plats, and related instruments are open to the public for inspection. Public search access is available at the courthouse. Certified copies of recorded documents are available for a fee. Recording fees are set by state law and vary by document type and page count. E-recording may be available for qualified submitters. Staff can help locate index entries and record books, though title searches must be performed by the requester or a licensed professional.
Marriage licenses are also issued through the Register of Deeds office. Notary public applications are processed here as well. The Dillon County website provides contact information for the Register of Deeds and other county offices.
Dillon County Criminal and Arrest Records
The Dillon County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement and detention center operations. Inmate roster information is available online through the county website. Current inmates can be searched by name. Booking information includes charges filed and bond amounts. Incident reports and accident reports are available upon written request through the records division. Background check services and fingerprinting are available through the Sheriff's Office.
Concealed weapon permit applications are also processed by the Sheriff's Office. Warrant searches and sex offender registry information can be obtained through the records division. Victim notification services are available for qualifying individuals. Records requests are handled under SC FOIA procedures. The Sheriff's Office and all county contact information can be found through the Dillon County website.
For statewide criminal history checks, the SLED CATCH program provides name-based searches for $25 ($8 for charities). The SLED phone is 803-896-1443. The SLED Sex Offender Registry covers Dillon County registrants. State prison inmates can be searched through SC Department of Corrections.
Note: Not all arrests produce a SLED record. Reporting depends on the arresting agency and whether charges were formally filed.
How to Request Dillon County Public Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at Title 30, Chapter 4 governs all public records requests in Dillon County. Written requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the office that maintains the records. No specific form is required. Requests should clearly identify the records being sought. The County Administrator's office can help direct requests to the right department.
Agencies have 10 business days to respond for records two years old or less. Records older than two years allow a 20-business-day response window. After deciding to release records, the agency has 30 days to produce them. Copies typically cost $0.25 per page for paper. Electronic copies may be sent at no charge. For large requests, a deposit up to 25% of estimated costs may be required before work begins.
Section 30-4-50 of state law makes certain records automatically public. These include names and titles of public employees, final agency decisions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and spending records. Ignoring a records request within the required timeline is treated as approval to release non-exempt materials. A $500 civil penalty can be imposed for willful violations of the FOIA.
Dillon County Online Records Search
The SC Judicial Public Index for Dillon County is the primary free online tool for court records. It covers all case types and is available 24 hours a day. Business entity records are searchable at SC Business Filings. Historical records may be found at the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration and election records are available at SCVotes.gov. Appellate records are at SC C-Track.
The SC statewide land records portal at sclandrecords.com provides property record searches for participating counties. Check whether Dillon County documents are available through that system before making an in-person trip.
Nearby Counties
Dillon County borders several other South Carolina counties, each with its own records offices and online search options.