Public Records in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg County public records have been maintained since the county's establishment in 1785, making it one of South Carolina's oldest record-keeping jurisdictions. Today, the Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, and Sheriff's Office each hold different types of public records in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Court cases, property documents, arrest logs, and government records can all be accessed through county offices and state online portals. This guide covers where to find Orangeburg County public records, which offices to contact, and how to submit a FOIA request under state law.
Orangeburg County Quick Facts
Orangeburg County Court Records
The Orangeburg County Clerk of Court is The Honorable Winnifa Brown-Clark. The mailing address is P.O. Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29115-9000, and the physical courthouse is at 190 Gibson Street. The main office phone is (803) 533-6243 and the fax is (803) 534-3848. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Clerk manages Circuit Court (civil and criminal) and Family Court records. Case types include civil suits, criminal proceedings, domestic matters, probate, and juvenile cases.
The SC Judicial Public Index for Orangeburg County provides free online access to court records.
The index allows name and case number searches and shows case status, charges, and court schedules from any computer or mobile device.
The Clerk's office handles marriage licenses, passport services, and notary applications. Civil filing fees start at $25 plus additional service fees. Certified copies of court documents are available in person. Copy fees run $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies. Certified copy fees carry an additional charge per document. Records are public unless sealed by court order.
Criminal records in Orangeburg County are maintained under SC Code Section 30-4-30. Arrest records confirm that someone was taken into custody; conviction records confirm guilt. These are distinct documents and should not be confused. Felonies and misdemeanors are categorized differently in the court record system. Juvenile records are protected under SC Code Section 63-19-2010 and are not generally available to the public.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses no longer appear on the SC Public Index to protect resident privacy.
Orangeburg County Property Records
The Orangeburg County Register of Deeds is The Honorable Demetrice Williams. The mailing address is P.O. Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29116-9000. Phone is (803) 533-6237 and fax is (803) 535-2354. The Register of Deeds records and maintains all real estate documents for the county. Records include property deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. GIS mapping integration allows property records to connect with geographic data.
The Orangeburg County official website provides access to the Register of Deeds and other county departments.
The county website connects you to the Register of Deeds office and provides guidance on recording requirements and fees.
Online search capabilities are available for Orangeburg County property records. E-recording is an option for submitting documents remotely. Public search terminals are also available at the office for in-person research. The first page recording fee is $10.00, and each additional page costs $1.00. Certified copies carry an additional fee per document. Staff can assist with finding records but cannot conduct title searches on your behalf.
Note: Property tax records are handled separately by the Orangeburg County Tax Assessor through the main county website.
Orangeburg County Criminal Records
The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office is at 1520 Ellis Avenue, Orangeburg, SC 29115, phone 803-531-4647. The office maintains law enforcement records and operates the county detention center. An inmate search is available online for current detainees. Booking records include biographical information, photographs, fingerprints, charges, and bond amounts. Records requests may be submitted in writing to the records division. In-person inspection of arrest records is available free of charge during office hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office page provides contact information and access to detention center details and public records request procedures.
The Sheriff's Office handles FOIA requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement documents.
For statewide criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH system charges $25 per check, with an $8 rate for qualifying charities. A full name and date of birth are required. SLED's records line is 803-896-1443. Written requests for SLED records can be mailed to SLED Criminal Records, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Sex offender registry information is available at the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For state prison inmates, the SC Department of Corrections has an online search tool.
How to Request Orangeburg County Public Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act applies to all public records requests in Orangeburg County. The law is at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. Written requests may be submitted to any county department. No specific form is required. Requests can be mailed, emailed, or delivered in person to the appropriate office. Written identification may be required for certain record types.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records less than two years old. Older records carry a 20-business-day response window. Production of records must happen within 30 days of the decision to release. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page for black and white copies. Search and retrieval staff time runs $15.00 per hour after the first free hour. Certified copies carry an additional $5.00 per document. Electronic records are provided at variable rates based on medium and staff time. A deposit of up to 25% may be required in advance.
SC Code Section 30-4-50 identifies categories that are always public. These include public employee names and titles, final agency opinions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and fund expenditure records. Fees may be waived for requests that serve the public interest. Failure to respond within the required window is treated as approval to release non-exempt records.
Orangeburg County Online Records Search
The primary tool for Orangeburg County court records is the SC Judicial Public Index. This free statewide system covers Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court cases for all 46 counties. No registration is needed and the system runs 24 hours a day. Appellate records are searchable through SC C-Track Public Access.
Business entity searches are available through the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal. The SC Department of Archives and History holds historical records for Orangeburg County, including documents dating back to 1785. Voter registration data is at SCVotes.gov. The SC Law Enforcement Division offers public portals for criminal history checks and sex offender registration.
The SC Department of Public Safety provides traffic and driver-related records at SCDPS.com. Combining these free online tools with direct office contact gives you comprehensive access to Orangeburg County public records for court, property, and criminal matters.
Nearby Counties
Orangeburg County is in the central lowcountry region. Bordering counties each maintain their own records offices and online access tools.