Marion County Public Records

How to Find Public Records in Marion County in 2026

Members of the public seeking government documents in Marion County, South Carolina may access publicly available information through MarionSCRecords.us, which aggregates data related to county-level public records. Marion County maintains a range of official documents that may be inspected or obtained through designated government offices and online portals. The categories of records that may be available include:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
Vital records such as birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates
Business licenses and permits
Voter registration and election records
Law enforcement incident reports and arrest logs (where permitted)
County commission meeting minutes, agendas, and budget documents
Land use, zoning, and planning records

Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.

Online Access: The Marion County government website provides access to select county records and department contacts. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains an online case search portal for court records. Property records may be searched through the Marion County Assessor's and Register of Deeds offices. No registration is required to conduct basic online searches through most county portals.

In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Marion County Register of Deeds, the Clerk of Court, or the County Assessor's Office to inspect records in person. The Records Building in Marion, SC is a fireproof structure that houses the county's historical archives and is open to the public during regular business hours.

Written/Mail Requests: Written requests should include the requester's full name, contact information, a specific description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, agencies are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed fifteen business days.

Phone/Email: The Marion County Clerk of Court may be reached at (843) 423-8230. The Register of Deeds office may be contacted at (843) 423-8237. Email contacts are available through the respective department pages on the county website.

What Are Public Records in Marion County?

Public records in Marion 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, a "public record" encompasses documents created or received by any state or local government body in the course of its official duties.

The following record types are maintained by specific Marion County offices:

Record Type	Maintaining Office
Civil and criminal court records	Clerk of Court
Property deeds and mortgages	Register of Deeds
Tax assessments	County Assessor
Vital records (birth, death, marriage)	SC Department of Public Health
Business licenses	County Administrator / Municipal offices
Voter registration	Marion County Board of Voter Registration
Meeting minutes and budgets	County Administrator's Office
Arrest logs and incident reports	Marion County Sheriff's Office
Land use and zoning records	Planning and Zoning Department

Historical county records dating to the early nineteenth century, including plat books from 1800–1875, are indexed through the Marion County records collection at the SC Archives. Birth and death certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records office.

Is Marion County an Open Records County?

Marion County fully complies with South Carolina's open records framework. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act § 30-4-15, all public bodies in the state are required to make their records available for public inspection and copying. The Act establishes that "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 on their behalf."

The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance; state law governs all public records access. The South Carolina Attorney General's Office provides guidance on FOIA compliance to public bodies throughout the state. Agencies subject to the Act include county councils, boards, commissions, and all offices funded by public money. Sunshine law provisions require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that agendas be posted in advance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Marion County?

The fee structure for public records in Marion County is governed by state statute and individual office schedules. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30(b), fees charged for copies of public records may not exceed the actual cost of searching for and making copies of the records.

Standard fees currently in effect include:

Fee Type	Amount
Paper copies (per page)	$0.25 – $1.00 (varies by office)
Certified copies of court documents	$1.00 – $2.00 per page + certification fee
Vital record certified copies (birth/death)	$12.00 per copy (SCDPH)
Electronic records	Actual cost of duplication
Search fees	Actual staff time, where applicable

Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for records requested in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency. Fees for records maintained by the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, and Assessor's Office may differ; requesters are advised to confirm current fees directly with the relevant office prior to submitting a request.

Does Marion County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available in Marion County. South Carolina law provides that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge during regular business hours. The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while viewing records in person carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies is subject to the fee schedule described above.

The following resources provide free access to certain records:

The Marion County government website offers free access to select property and tax information online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch's online case search portal allows free searches of court case information
The South Carolina Public Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), provides free public access to registered sex offender information statewide, including Marion County residents
The SC Department of Archives and History provides free online access to historical county records, including resources for African American genealogy research in South Carolina, which covers colonial, state, and county government records from 1671 to approximately 2010

Who Can Request Public Records in Marion County?

Any person may request public records in Marion County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requesters to provide identification or explain the reason for their request for most record types.

Specific provisions apply in the following circumstances:

Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates): Access is restricted to the subject of the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or others with a demonstrated legal interest, pursuant to state vital records statutes
Juvenile court records: Access is restricted under state law to protect the privacy of minors
Criminal history records: Detailed background check reports require authorization; however, publicly available arrest logs and incident reports may be inspected by any person
Personnel records: Access to certain employee records is limited under state exemptions

Non-residents retain the same rights as residents under the FOIA. Requesters seeking their own records, such as personal court files or vital records, may be required to present valid government-issued identification to verify identity.

What Records Are Confidential in Marion County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under South Carolina law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act enumerates specific exemptions, and additional confidentiality protections arise from federal law and other state statutes.

Records that are currently exempt from public inspection include:

Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection
Juvenile records: Records pertaining to minors involved in family or juvenile court proceedings
Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation
Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records
Medical and health records: Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records: Sealed under South Carolina adoption statutes
Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under state and federal child protection laws
Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary records, and similar documents, with limited exceptions for final disciplinary actions
Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Submitted to government agencies in confidence
Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety

As stated in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "the exemptions from disclosure provided in this chapter shall be construed narrowly in order to provide the public with the greatest possible access to the activities of public bodies." Agencies bear the burden of demonstrating that a specific exemption applies before withholding a requested record.

Marion County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Marion County Register of Deeds
2523 E. Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-8237
Marion County Register of Deeds

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Marion County Clerk of Court
2523 E. Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-8230
Marion County Clerk of Court

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays

Marion County Assessor's Office
2523 E. Highway 76, Marion, SC 29571
(843) 423-8225
Marion County Assessor

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records
2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
SC Department of Public Health – Vital Records