Dillon County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Dillon County in 2026
DillonRecords.us provides publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Dillon County, South Carolina. Members of the public may use this resource to locate data across a range of record categories, including court filings, property documents, vital records, and law enforcement logs. The information presented reflects what is accessible through official channels, and completeness may vary depending on the record type, the custodial agency, and applicable state law.
Record categories available through official sources include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and tax assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Arrest logs and incident reports (where permitted)
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Land use and zoning documents
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by state and county agencies.
Online Access: The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index provides online access to court case information. Members of the public may search civil and criminal case records without registration. Property records are accessible through the Dillon County Assessor's online portal. Vital records for births and deaths are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Dillon County Clerk of Court at 401 W. Main Street, Dillon, SC 29536. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should present a valid government-issued photo identification and specify the record sought by name, case number, or date range.
Written/Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Dillon County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 1220, Dillon, SC 29536. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, a description of the record sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, agencies are required to respond within ten business days.
Phone/Email: The Dillon County Clerk of Court may be reached at (843) 774-1425. Email inquiries may be directed through the county's official contact channels.
What Are Public Records in Dillon County?
Public records in Dillon County are defined under South Carolina law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body. Under § 30-4-20 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, public bodies are required to make such records available for inspection and copying.
The following record types are maintained by designated county and state offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil and criminal court records | Dillon County Clerk of Court |
| Property deeds and mortgages | Dillon County Register of Deeds |
| Property tax assessments | Dillon County Assessor |
| Birth and death certificates | SC Department of Public Health |
| Marriage certificates | SC Department of Public Health / Probate Court |
| Divorce decrees | Dillon County Family Court |
| Business licenses | Dillon County Administrator's Office |
| Voting records | Dillon County Board of Voter Registration |
| Meeting minutes and budgets | Dillon County Council |
| Arrest logs and incident reports | Dillon County Sheriff's Office |
Marriage records that occurred prior to July 1950 and after December 2023 may be obtained from the Office of the Probate Court in the county where the marriage license was issued, as noted by the South Carolina Department of Public Health's marriage certificate program. Individuals seeking records of currently incarcerated persons may use the South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search tool, which displays photographs and public information on inmates sentenced to and incarcerated in the state correctional system.
Is Dillon County an Open Records County?
Dillon County operates in full compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which governs public access to government records statewide. Under § 30-4-15, it is the policy of South Carolina that public bodies shall not charge fees that exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records.
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 on their behalf." This principle applies to all county agencies in Dillon County, including the Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Sheriff's Office, and County Council.
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All public records requests are processed in accordance with the procedures and timelines established by the South Carolina FOIA. The South Carolina Press Association and the Office of the Attorney General provide guidance to public bodies on compliance with sunshine laws.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Dillon County?
The current fee structure for public records in Dillon County is governed by state law and the policies of individual custodial offices. Fees may not exceed the actual cost of searching for and copying records, as required under state statute.
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Photocopies (black and white) | $0.25 per page |
| Certified copies (court records) | $1.00–$2.00 per page |
| Vital record certified copies | $12.00 per copy (SCDPH) |
| Driving record (full report) | $10.00 (SCDMV) |
| Electronic record delivery | Varies by office |
| Record search fee | Actual staff time cost |
Members of the public requesting a certified copy of a driving record may obtain one through the South Carolina DMV driving record portal for a fee of $10.00. Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, money order, and personal check. Credit card acceptance varies by department.
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records sought in connection with legal proceedings. Requestors seeking a waiver must submit a written statement of financial hardship to the custodial office.
Does Dillon County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Dillon County government offices during regular business hours. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, no fee may be charged solely for inspecting a public record on-site; fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access is available through the following official resources:
- South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index — Provides free online access to court case records, including civil and criminal filings.
- Dillon County Assessor's Office — Offers free online access to property assessment data and tax records.
- SC Department of Public Health — Provides informational access to vital records guidance at no charge; certified copies carry a fee.
- SC Department of Corrections — The inmate search tool is available to the public at no cost.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: members of the public may review records in person without charge, but obtaining physical or certified copies requires payment of applicable fees. Certain personal records, such as an individual's own driving history, require payment regardless of the requestor's identity.
Who Can Request Public Records in Dillon County?
Any person may request public records in Dillon County, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, nor does it require requestors to provide a reason for their request.
Requestors are not required to:
- Be a resident of South Carolina or Dillon County
- Provide identification for general public records inspection
- State the purpose of the request
However, certain record types carry additional access requirements. Certified copies of vital records, such as birth and death certificates, are restricted to the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a demonstrated legal interest, as administered by the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records office. Child support case information is managed through the South Carolina Department of Social Services, and access to case-specific data may require verification of identity and legal standing.
Individuals requesting their own records are subject to the same procedures as any other requestor, though they may be entitled to access restricted personal records that are not available to the general public.
What Records Are Confidential in Dillon County?
Certain records maintained by Dillon County agencies are exempt from public disclosure under state and federal law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, at § 30-4-40, enumerates specific categories of records that public bodies are not required to disclose.
Exempt and confidential record categories include:
- Sealed court records — Records sealed by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
- Juvenile records — Records pertaining to minors involved in delinquency proceedings are confidential under state law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records — Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt until the investigation is closed.
- Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records — Protected under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and state health privacy statutes.
- Adoption records — Sealed by statute and accessible only through court order.
- 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 disciplinary actions involving public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information — Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details — Exempt to protect public safety.
As stated in the South Carolina FOIA, "a public body may but is not required to disclose information that is specifically exempted from disclosure by statute or that would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy." Agencies apply a balancing test when determining whether partial disclosure of a record is appropriate after redaction of exempt material.
Dillon County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Dillon County Register of Deeds
401 W. Main Street, Suite 101
Dillon, SC 29536
(843) 774-1416
Dillon County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays.
Dillon County Clerk of Court
401 W. Main Street
Dillon, SC 29536
(843) 774-1425
Dillon County Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Dillon County Assessor's Office
401 W. Main Street
Dillon, SC 29536
(843) 774-1412
Dillon 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
South Carolina Department of Public Health
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM