Williamsburg County Public Records
How to Find Public Records in Williamsburg County in 2026
WilliamsburgRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to public records maintained by government agencies in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. Members of the public seeking records in Williamsburg County may locate documents spanning court filings, property transactions, vital statistics, and government meeting minutes through a combination of official county portals, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online databases.
Available record categories include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and liens
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Tax and assessment records
- Business licenses and permits
- Voting and election records
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning documents
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
Online Access:
Members of the public may search property and land records through the Williamsburg County government portal. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains the Public Index for court case searches, which does not require registration and is available at no cost for basic case lookups.
In-Person Requests:
Requests may be submitted in person at the Williamsburg County Clerk of Court or the Register of Deeds office. Both offices are located at the Williamsburg County Courthouse, 125 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. Standard business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests should be directed to the appropriate office at P.O. Box 1060, Kingstree, SC 29556. Requests must identify the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, agencies are required to respond within ten business days of receiving a written request.
Phone/Email:
The Williamsburg County Courthouse main line is (843) 355-9321. Specific departmental contact information is available through the Williamsburg County official website.
What Are Public Records in Williamsburg County?
Public records in Williamsburg County are defined under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at § 30-4-20, 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. The following record types are currently maintained by county offices:
| Record Type | Maintaining 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, marriage) | SCDHEC / Probate Court |
| Property tax and assessment records | County Assessor / Treasurer |
| Business licenses and permits | County Administrator |
| Voting and election records | Voter Registration Office |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator |
| Law enforcement records | Williamsburg County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning Department |
The Williamsburg County Register of Deeds maintains land records including deeds, plats, and liens. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) serves as the central repository for certified vital records statewide.
Is Williamsburg County an Open Records County?
Williamsburg County operates in full compliance with South Carolina's open records framework. Under South Carolina's 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 statute affirms 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 follows the state's Sunshine Law provisions, which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public and that records of those meetings be preserved and accessible. At present, no county-specific ordinance restricts access beyond the exemptions already established in state law. The South Carolina Attorney General's office provides guidance on open records compliance, available through the South Carolina Attorney General's website.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Williamsburg County?
The current fee structure for public records in Williamsburg County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Standard fees applicable to most requests are as follows:
| Fee Type | Standard Amount |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.25 per page |
| Certification of documents | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Varies; some records provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Not permitted under state law for routine requests |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours.
- Copy fees: The standard rate for paper copies is $0.25 per page, consistent with state guidelines.
- Certification fees: Certified copies of court documents and deeds carry additional fees set by the respective office.
- Electronic format: Some records available through online portals may be downloaded at no cost; others require payment prior to release.
- Fee waivers: Under state law, agencies retain discretion to waive fees when disclosure is determined to be in the public interest.
Accepted payment methods at county offices include cash, check, and money order. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act governs the limits on fees that public bodies may charge for records production.
Does Williamsburg County Have Free Public Records?
Free inspection of public records is available at Williamsburg County government offices during regular business hours. Under state law, no fee may be charged solely for the act of inspecting records; charges apply only when copies are requested.
The following resources currently provide free access to public records:
- South Carolina Public Index: The SC Judicial Branch Public Index provides free online access to court case information for Williamsburg County, including civil, criminal, and family court filings.
- County Assessor Records: Property assessment data is accessible at no cost through the county's online portal.
- Meeting Minutes and Agendas: County commission meeting minutes and agendas are posted publicly on the Williamsburg County website at no charge.
- Voter Registration Records: Basic voter registration information is available for public inspection through the county's Voter Registration and Elections office.
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 involves the standard per-page fees described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Williamsburg County?
Any person may request public records in Williamsburg 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 requestors to provide identification or explain the reason for their request for most record types.
Key eligibility provisions include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents retain the same access rights as South Carolina residents.
- Identification: Not required for general public records requests, though some offices may ask for identification when releasing records that contain sensitive personal information.
- Purpose: Requestors are not required to state a purpose for most records requests under current law.
- Restrictions by record type: Certain records, such as sealed court files, juvenile records, and adoption records, carry access restrictions regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves may be required to provide proof of identity to protect against unauthorized disclosure of personal information.
As stated in the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "any person has a right to inspect or copy any public record of a public body." This broad standing provision ensures that access to government information remains a right available to all members of the public.
What Records Are Confidential in Williamsburg County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. South Carolina law identifies specific categories of records that are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. Under § 30-4-40 of the South Carolina Code, the following records are exempt from mandatory disclosure:
- 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 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 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: Submitted to government agencies under confidentiality agreements.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the public body is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, consistent with the balancing provisions of state law.
Williamsburg County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Williamsburg County Register of Deeds
125 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Phone: (843) 355-9321
Williamsburg County Register of Deeds
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Williamsburg County Clerk of Court
125 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Phone: (843) 355-9321
Williamsburg County Clerk of Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Williamsburg County Probate Court
125 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Phone: (843) 355-9321
Williamsburg County Probate Court
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Williamsburg County Assessor's Office
125 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Phone: (843) 355-9321
Williamsburg 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
Phone: (803) 898-3630
SCDHEC Vital Records
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM