Greenville County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Greenville County?

Public records in Greenville County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by various county departments and agencies pursuant to South Carolina's Public Records Act (Title 30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws). These records document government activities, property ownership, legal proceedings, and other matters of public interest. The following categories of public records are maintained and accessible in Greenville County:

Property Records - Real estate transactions, deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property tax assessments maintained by the Register of Deeds Office and Real Property Services
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, judgments, orders, and dockets maintained by the Greenville County Clerk of Court
Vital Records - Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees (with certain access restrictions)
Tax Records - Property tax information, tax maps, and payment records maintained by the Tax Collector's Office
Voter Registration Records - Voter rolls and election results maintained by the Voter Registration Office
Law Enforcement Records - Incident reports, arrest records, and jail records maintained by the Greenville County Sheriff's Office
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) - Maps, parcel data, and property information available through Greenville County GIS
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and zoning information
Government Meeting Records - Minutes, agendas, and recordings of public meetings
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and financial reports

These records are maintained in accordance with state retention schedules and are available for public inspection as provided by law.

Is Greenville County an Open Records County?

Greenville County operates under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the South Carolina Public Records Act, which establish the legal framework for public access to government records. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-15, the General Assembly has determined 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 reached in public activity."

The county adheres to these principles by:

Maintaining a dedicated Public Records Office to facilitate citizen access to government documents
Providing both in-person and online access to many categories of public records
Establishing clear procedures for submitting FOIA requests
Responding to records requests within statutory timeframes (15 business days for records less than 24 months old, and 30 business days for older records)
Publishing many records proactively on county websites

While Greenville County maintains an open records policy, certain exemptions and restrictions apply as specified in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which protects certain categories of sensitive information from disclosure. The county balances transparency with privacy considerations as required by state law.

How Do I Find Public Records in Greenville County in 2025

Members of the public may access Greenville County records through multiple channels established to facilitate transparency and public oversight. The primary methods for obtaining public records include:

Online Access:

The Greenville County Public Records Portal serves as the central hub for digital record retrieval
Property records can be searched through the Real Property Services database
Court records are accessible via the Public Index Search system
Geographic and property information is available through Greenville Maps GIS portal

In-Person Requests:

Visit the appropriate county department during regular business hours
Complete a records request form specifying the documents sought
Present valid identification when required for certain record types

Written Requests:

Submit a FOIA request by mail to the specific department or to:

Greenville County Public Records Office
301 University Ridge, Suite 1600
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7300
Greenville County Public Records
Include your name, contact information, and a detailed description of the records requested
Specify preferred format (paper copies, digital files, inspection only)

Telephone Inquiries:

Call the relevant department directly for guidance on record availability
Staff can provide information on submission procedures and processing times

For specialized records, contact the appropriate custodial department:

Property records: Register of Deeds Office at (864) 467-7240
Court records: Clerk of Court at (864) 467-8551
Tax information: Tax Collector's Office at (864) 467-7050

How Much Does It Cost To Get Public Records In Greenville County?

Greenville County assesses fees for public records in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records. The fee schedule for public records requests in Greenville County is as follows:

Standard Document Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic records: $10.00 per CD/DVD or $5.00 for email delivery (when available)
Large format documents (maps, plats): $5.00-$25.00 depending on size

Search and Retrieval Fees:

Staff research time: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is free)
Document redaction: $20.00 per hour
Computer programming (if required): $75.00 per hour

Specialized Record Fees:

Property record copies at Register of Deeds: $1.00 per page
Court records at Clerk of Court: $0.50 per page
Certified court documents: $5.00 per document
Marriage licenses: $5.00 per copy
Accident reports: $6.00 per report

The county may require advance payment for requests estimated to exceed $100.00. Fees may be reduced or waived if the request is determined to be in the public interest. Payment may be made by cash, check, or money order. Some departments also accept credit card payments with an additional processing fee.

All fees are subject to periodic review and adjustment by the Greenville County Council.

Does Greenville County Have Free Public Records?

Greenville County provides certain public records at no cost to promote transparency and public access to government information. The following records are available without charge:

Free Online Access:

Property tax information - Basic property ownership and assessment data
Court case indexes - Case names, numbers, and filing dates
County GIS maps - Basic parcel information and geographic data
County Council meeting minutes and agendas
Voter registration verification

Free In-Person Services:

Inspection of public records during regular business hours (no copies made)
Self-service computer terminals at various county offices
Assistance from the Greenville County Law Library for legal research

Free Records for Qualifying Individuals:

Veterans and their immediate family members may receive one free copy of military discharge records
Indigent individuals may request fee waivers for certain vital records with proper documentation
Victims of crimes may receive one free copy of incident reports related to their case

The Greenville County Library System also provides free public access to many government resources, including legal research databases and public computers for accessing online county records.

While inspection of records is generally free, fees may still apply for copies, certification, or extensive research as outlined in the county fee schedule.

Who Can Request Public Records In Greenville County?

Public records in Greenville County are available to all requestors without regard to citizenship or residency status, pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. The following entities may request and receive public records:

Any individual person, regardless of age, citizenship, or residency
Business entities, corporations, and organizations
Media representatives and journalists
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies and officials
Non-profit organizations and advocacy groups
Academic researchers and educational institutions

Requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request, and the county may not deny access based on the intended use of the records. However, certain specialized records may have additional identification requirements:

Vital records (birth/death certificates) require proof of relationship or legal interest
Medical examiner reports require proof of relationship to the deceased
Certain law enforcement records may require verification of identity
Juvenile court records have restricted access under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010

The county may require requestors to provide contact information for processing purposes and may ask for clarification of requests to ensure efficient retrieval of records. Anonymous requests may be accepted for certain readily available records, but follow-up communication may be limited.

All requestors must comply with established procedures for submitting requests and paying applicable fees as determined by county policy.

What Records Are Confidential In Greenville County?

Greenville County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws that exempt specific information from public disclosure. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 and other applicable statutes, the following records are generally not available for public inspection:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
Medical and mental health records protected under HIPAA
Personnel records containing personal information about county employees
Individual tax returns and financial information
Victim information in certain criminal cases, particularly involving sexual offenses
Records pertaining to minors, including juvenile court and child welfare records

Security and Law Enforcement Exemptions:

Active criminal investigation records that would impede law enforcement
Security plans, access codes, and infrastructure vulnerability assessments
Attorney-client privileged communications and work product
Emergency response plans and security procedures
Certain law enforcement techniques and procedures

Other Protected Records:

Records protected by federal law, including FERPA educational records
Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
Economic development negotiations prior to final agreement
Draft documents and pre-decisional deliberative materials
Certain procurement information during active bidding processes
Records of executive sessions of public bodies

The South Carolina Office of the Attorney General provides guidance on public records exemptions, and the county follows these interpretations when processing requests. Partial disclosure may be possible after redaction of confidential information. Requestors may appeal denials through procedures established in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.

Greenville County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The Greenville County Register of Deeds Office serves as the official repository for land records and other important documents in Greenville County. The office operates under the authority of S.C. Code Ann. § 30-5-10 et seq.

Greenville County Register of Deeds
301 University Ridge, Suite 1300
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-7240
Greenville County Register of Deeds

Public Counter Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records
Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
Maintenance of military discharge records (DD-214 forms)
Recording of business names and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings
Public search terminals for document research

Recording Requirements:

Original documents must be submitted with original signatures
Documents must be legible and suitable for scanning
Legal descriptions must be complete and accurate
Recording fees must be paid at time of submission
Documents must comply with South Carolina recording statutes

Fee Schedule:

Standard document recording: $15.00 for first page, $5.00 for each additional page
Plats and large format documents: $25.00 per sheet
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus $1.00 per page
Marriage licenses: $50.00 ($20.00 with premarital preparation course certificate)

The Register of Deeds maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1786. Historical records are available on microfilm, while more recent documents (post-1977) are accessible through the office's electronic database. Remote online access to the index and images is available through subscription services.