Search South Carolina Background Check Records
South Carolina background check records are managed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, known as SLED. The state keeps criminal history data through the SLED CATCH system, which stands for Citizen Access To Criminal Histories. You can search for background check records online, by mail, or in person at county courthouses across South Carolina. Each of the 46 counties also holds court records that show arrests, charges, and case outcomes. This page walks you through how to find and access background check records in South Carolina.
South Carolina Background Check Quick Facts
South Carolina Background Check Through SLED
The main way to run a background check in South Carolina is through the SLED CATCH system. CATCH is a name-based search tool. It pulls criminal history records from the state database. You need the person's last name, first name, and date of birth. A Social Security Number helps but is not required. Each search costs $25 plus a $1 online fee.
SLED CATCH uses a "starts with" match on the name and date of birth you provide. If the name on file differs from what you enter, such as when someone uses an alias, the search may return a false result. When multiple people match a search, the system shows a "Special Processing Required" message. You can call the SLED Public Dissemination Unit at 803.896.1443 for help with those results. The unit is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 4:30pm. You can also reach them at SLEDCATCHAcct@sled.sc.gov. SLED CATCH only covers South Carolina criminal records. It does not include national records or data on wanted persons in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division serves as the central repository for all criminal records in the state. SLED is based at 4400 Broad River Road in Columbia, SC 29210. The main phone line is 803.737.9000. All law enforcement agencies in South Carolina must send arrest data and fingerprints to SLED under Section 23-3-120 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This law makes SLED the most complete source for criminal history in South Carolina.
Note: Fingerprint-based background checks are the most reliable method and are the least likely to produce a false positive or false negative result in South Carolina.
How to Request a Background Check by Mail
Not everyone wants to use the online system. SLED accepts mail-in requests for background checks in South Carolina. You fill out a Criminal Records Check Form and send it with payment. The form asks for the person's last name, first name, and date of birth at a minimum.
Mail your form to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia SC 29221-1398. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Payment must be a business check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order. SLED does not take personal checks or cash for mail-in background check requests. There is no $1 online fee for mail requests. If you need the results notarized or certified, state that clearly in your request. Visit the SLED FAQ page for the form and full details on mail-in background checks in South Carolina.
Charitable groups that meet state rules pay just $8 for a background check in South Carolina. Schools pay nothing for checks on teachers and substitute teachers. These reduced rates come from state law.
South Carolina Court Records for Background Checks
Court records are a key part of any background check in South Carolina. The South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search gives free access to court records from all 46 counties. You can search by party name, case number, or date. The system covers Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, and some Magistrate and Municipal Courts.
Circuit Courts handle the most serious cases in South Carolina. The Court of General Sessions deals with criminal cases. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil matters. These courts keep detailed records that show charges, case status, and outcomes. For a thorough background check in South Carolina, searching court records adds depth beyond what SLED alone provides. Online access for most counties goes back to the early 2000s. Older records require a visit to the Clerk of Court. The South Carolina Court Administration site has links and contact info for every court in the state.
Case information you can find includes party names, filing dates, charges, case status, and sentencing details. Some records also show bond amounts, attorney names, and scheduled hearings. Sealed cases and juvenile records have limits on what the public can view in South Carolina.
Sex Offender Registry Check in South Carolina
A full background check in South Carolina should include a search of the sex offender registry. SLED runs the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry under Sections 23-3-400 through 23-3-465 of the state code. The registry is free to search. You can look up offenders by name, city, county, or zip code.
The registry lists all adult sex offenders age 18 and over. It also includes some offenders ages 12 to 17 who committed certain crimes. The listing shows the offender's name, photo, physical traits, last known address, conviction date, and the law they broke. It notes whether the person is a predator. SLED CATCH does not check the sex offender registry. You must search it on its own as part of your background check in South Carolina.
Other Background Check Resources in South Carolina
South Carolina has several more databases that support a thorough background check. Each covers a different piece of a person's record.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections keeps records on people in state prisons. You can search for current inmates by name. These records show conviction details, sentence length, and facility. The SCDC Ombudsman can be reached at 803-896-9409. For people on probation or parole, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services has a search tool. You can look up active cases by name and birth year, SID number, or county. The department phone is 803-734-9220. DPPPS records reveal whether someone is still under court-ordered supervision in South Carolina.
The SLED Wanted Persons database shows people with active warrants. It lists names, photos, charges, and the agency that issued the warrant. Not all wanted persons appear in this database. Always verify warrant info with the issuing agency. The South Carolina DMV holds driving records that are part of some background checks. The Secretary of State keeps business records and UCC filings. The South Carolina State Library gives access to historical records, old newspapers, and government documents useful for deep background research in South Carolina.
Public Records Access in South Carolina
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act gives the public a right to access government records. The law is in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. It covers all documents held by public agencies. This includes arrest reports, incident records, and court files used in background checks across South Carolina.
Under FOIA, a public body must respond to your written request within ten business days. Records over 24 months old get a 20-day window. If they grant the request, you get the records within 30 calendar days. Fees can cover search, retrieval, and copying costs. The rate cannot exceed the hourly pay of the lowest qualified staff member. Copy charges follow the going commercial rate. Records sent by email have no copy fee in South Carolina.
Some records are off limits. Trade secrets, medical records, and certain law enforcement files that could harm an active case stay private. But basic crime reports are always public. Section 30-4-50 lists items that must be released, including the nature, substance, and location of any reported crime in South Carolina. The Attorney General's FOIA guide explains rights and procedures for both officials and citizens seeking records for a background check in South Carolina.
Note: If a public body does not respond within the time limit, the request is considered approved for all nonexempt records in South Carolina.
South Carolina Background Check Laws
Title 23, Chapter 3 of the South Carolina Code of Laws sets the rules for criminal records and background checks. Section 23-3-120 requires all law enforcement agencies to send fingerprints and arrest data to SLED. This is what makes SLED the central source for background check records across South Carolina.
Section 23-3-130 controls who can get criminal history data. Law enforcement agencies can access it freely. Others need legal grounds. The $25 fee for name-based checks is set by law. Fingerprint-based checks are only done when a statute requires them. SLED does not take fingerprint requests from the general public for standard background checks in South Carolina.
Driving and Business Records in South Carolina
Some background checks in South Carolina require driving records. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles maintains these. Certified driving records show traffic violations, accidents, license status, and suspensions. In Myrtle Beach, for example, taxi permit applicants must provide a 10-year certified driving record from the SC DMV along with a SLED background check.
The South Carolina Secretary of State tracks business registrations and UCC filings. These records can show a person's business ties and financial obligations. UCC searches reveal liens and security interests. For a full picture in a background check, combining criminal records with driving and business records gives the broadest view in South Carolina.
Historical Records for Background Research
The South Carolina State Library holds resources that go beyond what online databases cover. It has historical newspapers, census records, and government documents. These can fill in gaps for older background check research in South Carolina.
For records before the digital era, the State Library is one of the few places to look. Court records online go back to the early 2000s in most counties. Anything older requires a visit to the Clerk of Court or the State Library. Reference staff can help you find what you need for a background check in South Carolina.
Browse South Carolina Background Checks by County
Each county in South Carolina keeps its own court records and works with SLED on criminal history data. Pick a county below for local background check resources and contact information.
Background Check Records in Major South Carolina Cities
City residents use their county court system for criminal records. Pick a city below for local background check resources and links.