Spartanburg County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Spartanburg County?

Public records in Spartanburg County encompass a wide range of official documents maintained by county government offices pursuant to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified in Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. These records document governmental activities and are generally accessible to the public for inspection and copying. Spartanburg County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property tax information
Vital Records - Marriage licenses (birth and death certificates are maintained by SC DHEC)
Court Records - Civil, criminal, probate, and family court case files
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) filings
Tax Records - Property tax assessments, payments, and delinquencies
Voter Registration - Voter rolls and election results
County Council Records - Meeting minutes, resolutions, and ordinances
Planning and Zoning Documents - Land use plans, zoning maps, and building permits
Sheriff's Office Records - Incident reports, arrest records, and jail inmate information
Environmental Records - Environmental assessments and permits
Financial Records - County budgets, expenditures, and procurement contracts

These records are maintained by various county departments including the Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, Probate Court, Auditor's Office, Treasurer's Office, and Sheriff's Office. Many records are now available through the Spartanburg County Open Data Portal, which provides digital access to numerous public datasets.

Is Spartanburg County an Open Records County?

Spartanburg County is indeed an open records county, operating in compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as established in §30-4-10 et seq. of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This statute explicitly declares that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner."

The county's commitment to transparency is further evidenced by its adoption of Resolution No. 2018-47, which formalized the county's open records policy. This resolution affirms that:

All persons have the right to access public records maintained by Spartanburg County government
County officials shall make reasonable efforts to provide timely access to requested records
The county shall maintain an online presence for frequently requested public information
Records shall be provided at minimal cost to requesters

The county's implementation of the Spartanburg County Open Data Portal further demonstrates its commitment to open government principles by proactively publishing datasets online for public access without requiring formal FOIA requests.

Pursuant to §30-4-30(C) of the South Carolina Code, Spartanburg County must respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days, and in most cases must provide the requested records within 30 calendar days of the determination that the records are available.

How Do I Find Public Records in Spartanburg County in 2025

Members of the public seeking records in Spartanburg County in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain public information. The county has implemented a multi-channel approach to records access:

Online Access:

The Spartanburg County Open Data Portal serves as the primary digital repository for county datasets
Property records can be searched through the Register of Deeds online index
Court records are accessible via the South Carolina Judicial Branch case management system
Tax records and property information are available through the county's GIS mapping portal

In-Person Requests:

Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours
Staff will assist with locating records not available online
Public access terminals are available at most county offices for self-service searching

Written FOIA Requests:

For records not readily available, a formal FOIA request may be submitted
Requests should be directed to the specific department maintaining the records
The County Attorney's Office coordinates complex or multi-department requests

Records Request Form:

The county provides a standardized records request form available on the county website
Forms may be submitted via email, mail, or in person
Requesters should provide specific information about the records sought

When seeking records, requesters should identify the specific documents needed with reasonable particularity to facilitate efficient processing. County staff are available to assist with narrowing overly broad requests.

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

Spartanburg County assesses fees for public records in accordance with §30-4-30(B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which permits charging reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records. The county's fee schedule for public records, as established by County Ordinance No. 2023-12, is as follows:

Copy Fees:
- Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page (black and white)
- Color copies: $0.50 per page
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $5.00 - $25.00 depending on size
Search and Retrieval Fees:
- Staff time: $25.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is free)
- Electronic records search: $15.00 per hour after the first hour
Media Fees:
- CD/DVD: $5.00 per disc
- USB drive: $10.00 per drive (when electronic delivery is not feasible)
Specialized Documents:
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
- Recorded documents (Register of Deeds): $1.00 per page
- Plat copies: $10.00 per plat
Delivery Fees:
- Electronic delivery: No charge
- USPS mail: Actual postage costs
- Expedited shipping: Actual carrier costs

The county requires payment of estimated fees in advance for requests expected to exceed $25.00. Fees may be waived or reduced if the county determines that furnishing the information primarily benefits the general public. All fees collected are deposited into the county's general fund.

Does Spartanburg County Have Free Public Records?

Spartanburg County does provide certain public records at no cost to requesters. The following records and services are available without charge:

Online Resources:
- All datasets published on the Spartanburg County Open Data Portal
- Property tax information through the Treasurer's Office online portal
- County Council meeting minutes and agendas
- County ordinances and resolutions
- Election results and voter precinct information
In-Person Services:
- Public inspection of records during regular business hours (no copies made)
- The first hour of search and retrieval time for any FOIA request
- Self-service research using public access terminals
- Assistance from county staff in locating publicly available information
Waiver Eligibility:
- Indigent persons may request fee waivers with proof of financial hardship
- Nonprofit organizations conducting research in the public interest
- Academic researchers whose work will benefit the county

Additionally, the South Carolina Courts Self-Help Center provides free access to court forms and legal information for self-represented litigants. The South Carolina Secretary of State also offers free business entity searches and certain corporate filings online.

Pursuant to §30-4-30(B) of the SC FOIA, the county may waive or reduce fees when it determines that furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.

Who Can Request Public Records In Spartanburg County?

The right to access public records in Spartanburg County extends to all persons regardless of citizenship or residency status, in accordance with §30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The following entities may request and receive public records:

Individual Citizens:
- Any person, regardless of age, citizenship, or residency
- No requirement to state purpose or reason for request
- No requirement to identify oneself when inspecting records in person
Business Entities:
- Corporations, LLCs, and other business organizations
- Professional service providers (attorneys, title companies, etc.)
- Commercial data aggregators and information services
Media Organizations:
- Newspapers, television and radio stations
- Online news outlets and bloggers
- Documentary filmmakers
Nonprofit Organizations:
- Advocacy groups and community organizations
- Research institutions and think tanks
- Educational foundations
Government Agencies:
- Other county, municipal, state, or federal agencies
- Law enforcement organizations
- Regulatory bodies

While the law provides broad access rights, requesters must comply with established procedures for obtaining records. The county may require contact information for communicating about the request and for billing purposes when applicable fees are assessed. Anonymous requests are permitted for in-person inspection but may not be feasible for records requiring search and retrieval.

The county may not inquire about the purpose of a request except to establish fee waiver eligibility or to clarify which records are being sought.

What Records Are Confidential In Spartanburg County?

Certain records maintained by Spartanburg County are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to §30-4-40 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and other applicable state and federal laws. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
- Medical and mental health records
- Personnel records containing personal information of public employees
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees and officials
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Information that would interfere with a prospective law enforcement proceeding
- Records that would disclose law enforcement techniques
- Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Security Information:
- Infrastructure vulnerability assessments
- Security plans for public buildings and facilities
- Computer network security information
- Emergency response protocols
Legal and Judicial Records:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Attorney work product
- Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
- Records subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Economic Development Records:
- Trade secrets submitted to the county
- Proprietary commercial information
- Economic development negotiations prior to announcement
Other Protected Records:
- Adoption records
- Certain tax information protected by state law
- Library patron records
- Records protected by federal laws (HIPAA, FERPA, etc.)

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by §30-4-40(B). The county must cite the specific legal basis for any denial of access to requested records.

Spartanburg County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Spartanburg County Register of Deeds
366 North Church Street, Suite 1000
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 596-2514
Spartanburg County Register of Deeds

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

The Register of Deeds Office serves as the official custodian of land records for Spartanburg County. This office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining documents related to real property transactions within the county. Services provided include:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records
Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
Maintenance of indices for property records dating back to 1785
Processing of real estate transfer affidavits
Recording of military discharge documents (DD-214 forms)

Documents may be submitted for recording in person, by mail, or through electronic recording for approved submitters. The office maintains public search terminals for in-person research of property records. Staff members are available during business hours to assist with locating records but cannot provide legal advice regarding property matters.

Recording fees are established by South Carolina Code §8-21-310 and are currently $15.00 for the first page and $5.00 for each additional page. Additional fees may apply for certain document types as prescribed by state law.