Williamsburg County Public Records

Williamsburg County public records are maintained by several offices in Kingstree, South Carolina, including the Clerk of Court, the Register of Deeds, and the Sheriff's Office. Each office holds a different category of records. Residents, legal professionals, and researchers can search many Williamsburg County records online at no cost. This guide covers where to find court filings, property documents, criminal records, and other public records in Williamsburg County, and explains how to request documents under South Carolina law.

Williamsburg County Court Records

The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court is located at the Williamsburg County Courthouse, 147 W. Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The office phone is 843-355-9321. Business hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The Clerk maintains records for Circuit Court, which covers both civil cases in Common Pleas and criminal cases in General Sessions. Family Court records for domestic relations, juvenile, and child support matters are also on file here. Probate Court records, marriage licenses, passport services, and notary applications are handled by this office as well.

The index is free to use and available around the clock. No account or login is required. Public access terminals are available inside the Clerk's office for those who prefer to search in person. Copy fees apply for printed records obtained at the courthouse. The Clerk's staff can assist with locating older files and archived case records during regular business hours. Certified copies of court documents can be obtained in person. Staff cannot give legal advice or assist with interpreting case outcomes.

Court rosters for upcoming terms in Williamsburg County are posted online and updated as schedules change. Records are open to the public unless sealed by court order. Juvenile records are restricted under South Carolina law. If you need to speak with someone at the office, calling ahead helps confirm document availability and reduces wait time.

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

Williamsburg County Property Records

The Williamsburg County Register of Deeds is also housed at the courthouse at 147 W. Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The main county contact number is 843-355-9323. This office records and maintains all land-related documents for property located in Williamsburg County. Records include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, surveys, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. Documents are assigned sequential identifying numbers after recording. Originals are returned to the submitting party once recorded. The office accepts documents by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.

Property records can be researched online through the South Carolina Land Records system. Index searches are free. Viewing and downloading full document images may require a subscription depending on access level. In-person searches are available at public terminals during office hours. Staff can assist with historical land record research. Microfilm archives are maintained for older records. E-recording options are available for title companies and law firms that meet volume and technical requirements.

Marriage licenses issued in Williamsburg County are recorded here as well. Certified copies can be obtained in person or by mail with the appropriate fee. Historical records preserved in this office extend back many decades and are a resource for genealogical and legal research.

Note: Property tax and assessment records for Williamsburg County are handled through the Tax Assessor's office, which is separate from the Register of Deeds.

Williamsburg County Criminal Records

The Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office manages law enforcement records and operates the county detention center. An inmate roster is available online showing current detainees with booking information, charges, and bond amounts. Written FOIA requests are accepted for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement documents. The Sheriff's Office also handles CCW permit applications, warrant information, fingerprinting services, and sex offender monitoring. Contact information and office details are available through the Williamsburg County website.

For statewide criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH system is the main tool. Each search costs $25, or $8 for qualifying nonprofit organizations. You will need the subject's full legal name and date of birth. SLED's records line can be reached at 803-896-1443. The CATCH system searches criminal history records maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division across all agencies in the state.

Sex offender registry information for Williamsburg County is searchable through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For individuals who have been transferred to state prison, the SC Department of Corrections maintains a searchable inmate database. Arrest records show that someone was taken into custody. They do not prove guilt or result in a conviction on their own.

Requesting Williamsburg County Public Records

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act applies to all public records held by Williamsburg County offices. The law is codified at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code. Any person may submit a written request to the office holding the records. No official form is required, though some offices provide one for convenience. Requests may be delivered in person, mailed, or sent by email depending on the agency's accepted submission methods.

Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records that are two years old or newer. Records older than 24 months carry a 20-business-day response window. Once the agency decides to release records, it has 30 days to produce them. Paper copies typically cost around $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be provided at no charge. A deposit of up to 25% of the estimated total cost may be required before production begins. Failure to respond within the required timeframe is treated as an approval to release non-exempt records.

Under SC law, certain records are always available to the public. These include public employee names and titles, final agency decisions, meeting minutes, crime reports, and records of how public funds are spent. A $500 civil penalty can be imposed for willful or arbitrary refusals to comply with the act.

Note: Privacy protections under Title 30, Chapter 2 govern what personal information may be withheld when responding to records requests.

Williamsburg County Online Public Records

The SC Judicial Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/williamsburg/publicindex/ is the primary online tool for Williamsburg County court records. It covers Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court cases for all 46 counties in South Carolina and is free to use 24 hours a day. Appellate court records can be searched through SC C-Track Public Access. No registration is needed for either tool.

Business entity and corporate filings are available through the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal. Historical records for Williamsburg County, including older land records and government documents, can be researched at the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration and election records are available through SCVotes.gov.

The following tools cover the main categories of Williamsburg County public records online:

• SC Public Index for court case records
• SC Land Records for property document searches
• SLED CATCH for statewide criminal history checks
• SLED Sex Offender Registry for offender location data
• SC Department of Corrections for state inmate records
• SC Secretary of State for business filings
• SC Department of Archives and History for historical documents

Together these portals let you access a wide range of Williamsburg County records from home. Office visits remain necessary for certified copies, documents not digitized, or older records held only in physical form.

Nearby Counties

Williamsburg County sits in the coastal plain of South Carolina. Surrounding counties each maintain their own public records offices and online access tools.

View All 46 Counties