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How to Find Public Records in Clarendon County in 2026
Members of the public seeking publicly available information related to public records in Clarendon County, South Carolina may access a range of documents through official government channels and directory resources such as ClarendonRecords.us. Depending on the record type and the custodial office, available information may include court filings, property documents, vital records, tax assessments, and more. Access and completeness vary by record category and the office responsible for maintaining those documents.
Record categories that members of the public may encounter include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax and assessment records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Online Access: The Clarendon County official website provides access to select county records and department contacts. Property records and tax information may be searched through the county's online portal. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains the Public Index for court case records, which is accessible without registration.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Clarendon County Clerk of Court or the Register of Deeds to inspect records in person. The Clerk of Court is located at 21 Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should be directed to the appropriate custodial office and must include the requester's name, contact information, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for response. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, agencies are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email: The Clarendon County Clerk of Court may be reached by phone at (803) 435-4443. Specific email contacts are listed on the county's official department pages.
What Are Public Records in Clarendon County?
Public records in Clarendon County are defined under South Carolina law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body. Under South Carolina Freedom of Information Act § 30-4-20, public bodies are required to make such records available for inspection and copying.
The following record types are maintained by various county offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Clerk of Court |
| Probate and estate records | Probate Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Register of Deeds |
| Vital records (birth, death) | SCDHEC / Probate Court |
| Marriage and divorce records | Probate Court / Clerk of Court |
| Business licenses | County Administrator / Municipalities |
| Property tax records | County Treasurer / Assessor |
| Voting and election records | County Board of Voter Registration |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator |
| Law enforcement records | Clarendon County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
The Clarendon County Register of Deeds maintains land records including deeds, plats, and liens. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History also holds historical public records for the state.
Is Clarendon County an Open Records County?
Clarendon County follows the open records requirements established under state law. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, all public bodies in the state, including county offices, are required to make public records available for inspection and copying upon request. The Act applies to all agencies, departments, institutions, and political subdivisions of the state.
As stated in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are made by such officials in formulating and executing public policy." This principle governs the operations of all Clarendon County offices that maintain public records.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All requests are processed in accordance with the provisions of § 30-4-30, which establishes the framework for public access, response timelines, and permissible exemptions. The South Carolina Attorney General's office provides guidance on compliance with the Freedom of Information Act for public bodies statewide.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Clarendon County?
The current fee structure for public records in Clarendon County is governed by state law and the policies of each custodial office. Fees vary depending on the type of record, the format requested, and the office providing the documents.
Standard Copy Fees:
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (per page) | $0.25 (standard rate) |
| Certified copies (vital records) | Varies by record type |
| Certification fee (court documents) | Set by Clerk of Court |
| Electronic format | May be provided at no additional cost |
| Search fees | Permitted where authorized by statute |
- Inspection of records is available at no charge in most offices.
- Certified copies of birth and death certificates are subject to fees set by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
- The Register of Deeds charges recording fees for land documents as established by state statute.
- Accepted payment methods include cash, check, and money order; some offices accept credit cards.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for records requested for personal use, subject to the discretion of the custodial office.
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act permits agencies to charge fees that reflect the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying records, but prohibits fees that are designed to discourage access.
Does Clarendon County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Clarendon County government offices during regular business hours. Under state law, members of the public have the right to inspect records without charge; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access is available through the following official resources:
- South Carolina Public Index: The SC Judicial Branch Public Index provides free online access to court case records for Clarendon County, including civil, criminal, and family court filings.
- County Assessor Records: Property assessment data may be reviewed at no cost through the county assessor's office or online portal.
- Register of Deeds: Land records may be inspected in person at no charge at the Register of Deeds office.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County council meeting minutes and agendas are posted on the Clarendon County official website at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person is free, obtaining physical or certified copies involves applicable fees as described in the fee schedule above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Clarendon County?
Any person may request public records in Clarendon County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, and requesters are not required to provide identification or explain the reason for their request in most circumstances.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents of South Carolina retain full rights to request public records.
- Identification: Not required for most record types, though some offices may request identification for administrative purposes.
- Purpose: Requesters are not required to state the purpose of their request under the Freedom of Information Act.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
- Personal records: Individuals requesting their own records (e.g., criminal history, vital records) may be required to provide proof of identity to ensure proper disclosure.
- Third-party records: Requests for records pertaining to other individuals may be subject to privacy restrictions as outlined in state exemptions law.
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act affirms that "any person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body."
What Records Are Confidential in Clarendon County?
Not all records maintained by Clarendon County offices are available for public inspection. South Carolina law establishes specific categories of records that are exempt from disclosure. The following records are currently exempt or restricted under state law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in the juvenile justice system are confidential.
- Ongoing investigation records: Law enforcement records related to active investigations are exempt to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar information are protected from disclosure.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Maintained as confidential by the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt where disclosure would cause competitive harm.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
These exemptions are codified under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act § 30-4-40, which enumerates the categories of information that public bodies may withhold from disclosure. When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder.
Clarendon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Clarendon County Register of Deeds
21 Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102
(803) 435-4443
Clarendon County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Clarendon County Clerk of Court
21 Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102
(803) 435-4443
Clarendon County Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Clarendon County Probate Court
21 Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102
(803) 435-4444
Clarendon County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Clarendon County Assessor's Office
21 Mill Street, Manning, SC 29102
(803) 435-4423
Clarendon County Assessor
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control – Vital Records
2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
SCDHEC Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM