Union County SC Public Records
Union County public records are held by a combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office at the Union County Courthouse in Union, South Carolina. This combined structure means court filings and land records are managed through the same office. Residents and outside researchers can search Union County court records online through the SC Public Index at no cost. This guide explains where to find Union County public records, which offices to contact, and how to request documents under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Court Records
The Union County Clerk of Court office is at the Union County Courthouse, 210 W. Main Street, Union, SC 29379, phone 864-429-1640. Because Union County operates a combined office, the Clerk of Court also serves as Register of Deeds. The office maintains Circuit Court records from Common Pleas (civil) and General Sessions (criminal), as well as Family Court records for domestic, juvenile, and child support matters. Probate Court records, marriage licenses, and passport services are processed here as well.
The SC Judicial Public Index for Union County provides free online access to court case records across all case types.
The Public Index allows name and case number searches and displays case status, charges, and hearing information without a courthouse visit.
The index is accessible 24 hours a day at no charge. Your browser must have JavaScript and cookies enabled to use it. Court rosters for upcoming terms are posted online and updated regularly. Records are open to the public unless sealed by a court order. Certified copies of court filings can be obtained in person during business hours. The Clerk's office also processes fines and fees and coordinates jury management for Union County courts.
For legal referrals in Union County, the SC Lawyer Referral Service is available at (800) 868-2284. Staff at the Clerk's office cannot provide legal advice or research real property for legal claims. Notary public applications are also processed through this office. For older or archived files, staff can assist with locating records during regular hours.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses are no longer shown on the SC Public Index to protect resident privacy.
Union County Property Records
The Union County combined Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds office at 210 W. Main Street, Union, SC 29379 records and maintains all land documents for the county. Records include deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. Documents are assigned sequential identifying numbers using a reel and page system. All records are scanned and preserved in digital format after recording. Microfilm archives are maintained permanently for historical research.
The Union County official website provides contacts for the combined Clerk and Register of Deeds and other county services and departments.
The county website is your starting point for contacting the combined office and finding current recording fees and submission requirements.
Property records can be researched online through the South Carolina Land Records system at sclandrecords.com. Index searches are free. Viewing and printing digital document images requires a paid subscription. In-person access to records is available at public terminals in the office. Original documents are returned to the landowner after recording. The office accepts document submissions in person and by mail. A self-addressed stamped envelope is needed for mailed submissions to return original documents.
Note: Property tax and assessment records are handled separately by the Union County Tax Assessor through the main county website.
Union County Criminal Records
The Union County Sheriff's Office manages law enforcement records and operates the county detention center. An inmate roster is available online for current detainees. Booking information, charges, and bond details can be obtained through the Sheriff's Office. The office is accessible through the Union County website, which includes navigation to the Sheriff's Office section. Written FOIA requests are accepted for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement documents. CCW permits, warrant information, and fingerprinting services are also available.
For statewide criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH system charges $25 per search and $8 for qualifying charities. You need a full name and date of birth to run a check. The SLED records line is 803-896-1443. Sex offender registry information for Union County is available through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For individuals transferred to state prison, the SC Department of Corrections maintains a searchable online inmate database.
Arrest records indicate that a person was taken into custody. They do not establish guilt. Juvenile records are protected under South Carolina law and are not available through standard public records requests. Sealed and expunged records are also restricted from public access.
How to Request Union County Public Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act governs all public records requests in Union County. The law is at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code. Any person can submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate county office. No specific form is required, though some offices provide one. Requests may be mailed, emailed, or delivered in person to the department holding the records.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records two years old or less. Records older than 24 months carry a 20-business-day response window. After deciding to release records, agencies have 30 days to produce them. Paper copies are typically $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be sent at no cost. A deposit of up to 25% of estimated costs may be required before fulfillment begins.
Under SC Code Section 30-4-50, certain records are always available to the public. These include public employee names and titles, final agency opinions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and fund expenditure records. Failure to respond within the required timeframe is treated as an approval to release non-exempt records. A $500 civil penalty can be imposed for willful or arbitrary violations of the act.
Note: Privacy protections under Title 30, Chapter 2 define what personal information agencies may withhold when responding to FOIA requests.
Union County Online Records Search
The main online tool for Union 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 is available around the clock. Appellate court records are searchable through SC C-Track Public Access.
Business entity filings are available at the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal. Historical records for Union County can be researched at the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration and election data are at SCVotes.gov. The SC Law Enforcement Division maintains public portals for criminal history checks and sex offender registration. Driver records are available through the SC Department of Public Safety.
Property records for Union County can be searched through the SC Land Records index at no cost. These tools together cover the major categories of Union County public records without an office visit.
Nearby Counties
Union County is in the upstate region of South Carolina. Bordering counties each have their own records offices and online public records access tools.