Berkeley County, SC Public Records
Berkeley County public records are all documentary items generated, utilized, or retained by a local government agency on behalf of the population. These are available for public viewing and inspection with no legal exemptions. Vital records like births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are only accessible to certain requesters. These include the parents, legal representatives, and the person named on the record. While births and deaths are obtained from the vital records division of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, marriages are sourced from the license division of the county probate court. Divorces are obtained from the County Clerk of Courts. Property records are also accessible by all record seekers, provided there are no legal restrictions. They can be viewed via the County Register of Deeds.
Courts in Berkeley County
Court Records in Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County court records are available to all record seekers, provided there are no legal exemptions. The county has a magistrate, county circuit, probate, and municipal courts, so interested parties may view the records by visiting the courthouse records rooms. Requesters may also contact the County Clerk of Courts for cases heard by family courts, the Court of General Sessions, and the Court of Common Pleas. Alternatively, record requesters can use the County circuit public index, which is maintained by the Court Clerk’s office. South Carolina also has a case records search page, part of the state Judicial Branch platform. Some records, though, are not available to all parties as they contain confidential information. These may be juvenile incidents, abuse, child custody, or bankruptcies.
Jails and Prisons in Berkeley County
Find Inmate Search and Jail Records in Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County inmate records can be viewed by all requesters. They are produced and maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, which also provides an inmate search platform. By entering the inmate’s full name into the portal, they can access their physical descriptions, criminal charges, sentencing information, and current status. Other information may be accessed by contacting the county detention center or viewing their information page. Visitors are also allowed access to inmates weekly, provided there is approval and scheduling. They must adhere to facility rules, though, including wearing conservative clothing and not carrying contraband. Minors are only allowed to visit inmates with their parents or legal guardians. Berkeley County has two jails and prisons serving a population of 236,701 residents. It is ranked 42nd out of 46 in jails per capita.
Police Departments and Sheriff Offices in Berkeley County
Arrest Records in Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County arrest records are available to all record seekers with the provision there are no legal constraints. Arrest reports include details on the person’s physical details, witness statements, the arresting officer, and the context of the incident. They are generated by law enforcement agencies like the sheriff’s office and local police departments. Some records are deemed confidential, though, as they entail bankruptcies, juvenile-related information, child custody, or ongoing criminal investigations. Eligible requesters can also get criminal records from the SLED CATCH portal provided by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Each search costs $25 to implement via the platform. There are seven police departments in Berkeley County, and the crime rate is 40.54 per 1,000 residents.
Other Counties in South Carolina
- Abbeville
- Aiken
- Allendale
- Anderson
- Bamberg
- Barnwell
- Beaufort
- Calhoun
- Charleston
- Cherokee
- Chester
- Chesterfield
- Clarendon
- Colleton
- Darlington
- Dillon
- Dorchester
- Edgefield
- Fairfield
- Florence
- Georgetown
- Greenville
- Greenwood
- Hampton
- Horry
- Jasper
- Kershaw
- Lancaster
- Laurens
- Lee
- Lexington
- Marion
- Marlboro
- Mccormick
- Newberry
- Oconee
- Orangeburg
- Pickens
- Richland
- Saluda
- Spartanburg
- Sumter
- Union
- Williamsburg
- York
Popular Cities in Berkeley
- Bethera
- Bonneau
- Charleston
- Cordesville
- Cross
- Goose Creek
- Hanahan
- Huger
- Jamestown
- Ladson
- Moncks Corner
- Pineville
- Pinopolis
- Russellville
- Saint Stephen