McCormick County Public Records

McCormick County public records are maintained by a combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office at the McCormick County Courthouse in McCormick, South Carolina. Court filings, land records, and criminal matters are all handled through county offices and state portals. Residents and outside requesters can search McCormick County court records online through the SC Public Index at no cost. This guide explains where to find public records in McCormick County, which offices hold them, and how to submit a request under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act.

McCormick County Court Records

The McCormick County Clerk of Court is Gwendolyn Dorn Chiles. The office is at 133 South Mine Street, Room 102, McCormick, SC 29835. Phone is (864) 852-2195. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Because McCormick County operates a combined office, the Clerk of Court also serves as the Register of Deeds. Deputy Clerk Buffey F. Hodges and Family Court Assistant Amanda L. Self support daily operations. The office handles Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court records for the county.

The office maintains records for the Court of Common Pleas (civil disputes), General Sessions Court (criminal cases), and Family Court (juvenile, domestic, and child support matters). The Clerk schedules civil jury and non-jury trials, prepares juror summons, and collects fines and fees from General Sessions. Child support payments route through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit, not directly through the office. Copy fees run about $0.25 per page for standard document copies.

Marriage licenses and passport services are processed through this same office. For legal advice or referrals, the SC Lawyer Referral Service can be reached at (800) 868-2284. The Clerk does not give legal advice and does not research real property for legal claims. Certified copies of court filings are available by request during business hours.

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

McCormick County Property Records

McCormick County uses a combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office, making it convenient to access both court and property records in one location. The office at 133 South Mine Street, McCormick, SC 29835 records and maintains all land documents for the county. Real estate recordings are governed by Title 30 of the SC Code of Laws, and recording fees follow the schedule under SC Code Section 8-21-310. The current fee schedule has been in effect since August 1, 2019.

Documents on file include deeds, plats, mortgages, liens, judgments, powers of attorney, and UCC financing statements. Documents may be submitted in person or by mail. Mailed submissions require a self-addressed stamped envelope for return of original documents. Original documents are typically mailed back within two weeks of recording. An e-filing portal is available at sccourts.org for electronic submission of certain documents. The office cannot accept county property tax payments; those are handled by the McCormick County Treasurer.

Note: Property tax records and assessment data are maintained separately by the McCormick County Tax Assessor through the county website.

McCormick County Criminal Records

The McCormick County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records and operates the county detention center. Inmate roster information, booking details, charges, and bond amounts can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office. The office is accessible through the McCormick County website, which includes navigation to the Sheriff's Office section. Incident reports and accident reports are available by request under SC FOIA. The records division can also assist with warrant information and CCW permit applications.

For statewide criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH system charges $25 per search and $8 for qualifying charities. You will need to provide a full name and date of birth. The SLED records line is 803-896-1443. Sex offender registry information for McCormick County residents is available through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For individuals who have been transferred to state custody, the SC Department of Corrections maintains a searchable inmate database online.

Arrest records in McCormick County indicate that a person was taken into custody. They do not confirm a conviction. Juvenile records receive special protection under state law and are generally not available through public records requests. Sealed or expunged records are also restricted from public access.

How to Request McCormick County Public Records

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act governs all public records requests in McCormick County. The law is found at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. Any person may send a written FOIA request to the appropriate McCormick County office. No special form is required, though some departments provide one. Written requests can be mailed, emailed, or hand delivered to the County Administrator's office or to the specific department holding the records.

Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records that are two years old or less. Records older than 24 months require a 20-business-day response. Once the agency decides to release records, it has up to 30 days to produce them. Paper copy fees are typically around $0.25 per page. Electronic transmissions carry no charge under state law. A deposit of up to 25% of estimated costs may be required before the agency begins fulfillment. The first hour of search and retrieval time is generally provided at no charge.

Under SC Code Section 30-4-50, certain records are always open to the public. These include the names and titles of public employees, final agency opinions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and records of fund expenditures. Failure to respond within the required window is treated as an approval to release non-exempt records. A civil penalty of $500 applies for arbitrary or willful violations of the law.

Note: The privacy protections under Title 30, Chapter 2 govern what personal information may be withheld from released records.

McCormick County Online Records Search

The primary online tool for McCormick County court records is the SC Judicial Public Index. This free statewide system covers Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court cases. No registration is needed for basic searches. The system is available 24 hours a day. You can also access appellate court records through SC C-Track Public Access.

For business entity filings, the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal lets you search registered companies statewide. Historical records, including older McCormick County documents, may be found through the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration and election records are available at SCVotes.gov. For law enforcement matters, the SC Law Enforcement Division maintains several public portals.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety provides additional records and services at SCDPS.com. Property records for McCormick County may also be researched through the SC Land Records system when online index searching is available. Combining these tools gives you access to the full range of public records for McCormick County without leaving your home.

Nearby Counties

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

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