Public Records in York County
York County public records are held by several offices serving one of South Carolina's fastest-growing counties, covering Rock Hill, Fort Mill, and the surrounding communities. The Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, and Sheriff's Office each manage a different category of records. Many York County public records are available online at no cost through state and county portals. This guide explains where to find court documents, property records, criminal history, and other public records in York County, and how to request them under South Carolina's open records law.
York County Quick Facts
York County Court Records
The York County Clerk of Court maintains court records for one of South Carolina's most active court systems. The courthouse is at 2 S. Congress Street, York, SC 29745. York County handles a high volume of cases due to the growth of Rock Hill and Fort Mill. The Clerk manages Circuit Court records from both Common Pleas (civil cases) and General Sessions (criminal cases). Family Court records for domestic, juvenile, and child support matters are also held here. The office processes probate filings, marriage licenses, passport applications, and notary services.
The SC Judicial Public Index for York County provides free 24-hour access to court case records across Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court divisions.
The Public Index allows name and case number searches and displays real-time docket updates, judge assignments, hearing schedules, and case status information.
York County's Public Index handles a large number of cases compared to smaller counties, with multiple courthouse locations serving different parts of the county. Public access terminals are available inside the Clerk's office for in-person searches. Copy and certification services are available for records that cannot be obtained electronically. The index is updated in real time as new filings are entered, making it a reliable source for current case information. No account or registration is needed to run a search.
Historical records are available at the courthouse for older cases not yet digitized. The Clerk's staff cannot give legal advice but can direct you to the right records and explain procedures for obtaining certified copies. For legal referrals, the SC Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can be reached at (800) 868-2284.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses no longer appear on the SC Public Index to protect the privacy of individuals listed in court records.
York County Property Records
The York County Register of Deeds office is at the York County Courthouse, 2 S. Congress Street, York, SC 29745. The office phone is 803-684-8517. This office records and preserves all land-related documents for property located in York County. Recorded documents include deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, easements, UCC financing statements, and powers of attorney. York County processes a high volume of real estate transactions due to strong growth in the Rock Hill and Fort Mill areas. Documents are scanned and preserved in digital format after recording, and originals are returned to the submitting party.
The York County government website provides access to Register of Deeds contacts, recording fee schedules, and document standards for submissions.
The county website is the central hub for reaching county offices and confirming current requirements for recording real estate documents in York County.
Property record index searches are available online through the South Carolina Land Records system at no cost. Viewing full document images may require a paid subscription. In-person access to records is available at public terminals inside the Register of Deeds office. E-recording services are available for title companies and legal firms that meet volume requirements and technical standards. Marriage licenses issued in York County are also recorded through this office and can be obtained as certified copies in person or by mail.
Note: Property tax records, assessment values, and GIS parcel mapping for York County are managed by the Tax Assessor and are separate from the Register of Deeds.
York County Criminal Records
The York County Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement records and operates the Moss Justice Center Detention facility. An inmate search tool is available online, allowing searches for current detainees with booking details, charges, and bond amounts. Visitation procedures and contact information are available through the York County website. The Sheriff's Office accepts written FOIA requests for incident reports, accident reports, and other law enforcement documents. CCW permit applications, warrant information, and fingerprinting services are also handled by this office. Multiple precinct locations serve different areas of the county.
For statewide criminal history checks, the SLED CATCH system is the tool to use. Each search costs $25, with a reduced rate of $8 for qualifying charities and nonprofits. A full name and date of birth are required. The SLED records line is 803-896-1443. This system draws from criminal history data maintained across all South Carolina law enforcement agencies. Results reflect records in the SLED database as of the date of the search.
The SC Law Enforcement Division website provides public access to criminal history searches, the sex offender registry, and other statewide law enforcement resources.
SLED CATCH processes background check requests from the public and provides results based on South Carolina's criminal history database.
Sex offender registry information for York County is available through the SLED Sex Offender Registry. For those who have been sentenced to state prison, the SC Department of Corrections maintains a searchable inmate database. Arrest records indicate that a person was taken into custody. They do not constitute proof of guilt or result automatically in a conviction.
How to Get York County Public Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act governs all public records requests made to York County offices. The full text of the law is at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code. Any person may submit a written request to the agency that holds the records. No official form is required. Requests may be delivered in person, mailed, or emailed depending on what the receiving office accepts.
Agencies must respond within 10 business days for records that are two years old or less. For records older than 24 months, the response window is 20 business days. After deciding to produce records, an agency has 30 days to fulfill the request. Paper copies typically cost around $0.25 per page. Electronic records may be provided at no charge. An agency may request a deposit of up to 25% of the estimated total cost before starting production. If an agency fails to respond within the required timeframe, the delay is treated as an approval to release non-exempt records.
Certain categories of records must always be available to the public under South Carolina law. These include the names and salaries of public employees, final agency decisions, minutes of public meetings, crime statistics, and records of public expenditures. A $500 civil penalty applies for willful or arbitrary refusals to comply with the act.
York County Records Search Online
The SC Judicial Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/york/publicindex/ is the main tool for York County court records. It covers all case types including Circuit, Family, and Magistrate Court, and is free to use around the clock. Appellate cases can be searched through SC C-Track Public Access. Both tools require no registration and are available to the public without charge.
Business entity filings, corporate registrations, and charitable organization records are available through the SC Secretary of State Business Filings portal. Older and historical York County records can be researched at the SC Department of Archives and History. Voter registration data and election records are maintained at SCVotes.gov. The full York County government portal at yorkcountygov.com links to the Register of Deeds, Assessor, Sheriff, and other county departments.
These tools together cover court records, property documents, criminal history, business filings, and historical archives for York County. Most searches can be completed without a courthouse visit. In-person access remains needed for certified copies and records not yet available in digital format.
Note: Privacy rules under Title 30, Chapter 2 define what personal information state and local agencies may withhold from public records responses.
Cities in York County
York County includes several growing communities in the Charlotte metro area. Rock Hill and Fort Mill have their own city-level public records resources alongside county offices.
Nearby Counties
York County borders several other South Carolina counties in the upstate region. Each county maintains its own records offices and public records access tools.