Darlington County public records are made accessible due to federal and state laws—the Federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act. These records include criminal, court, warrants, arrests, divorce and marriage records.
It is not uncommon for South Carolina public records to be located in multiple jurisdictions and agencies which can make the process of finding and retrieving confusing and difficult. In addition, some records can only be accessed under certain stipulations. Lack of knowledge and guidance are two main reasons that challenge those looking to access public records in Darlington County.
Records page provides everything necessary to make searching free public information in Darlington County, South Carolina, quick and efficient.
How To Figure Out if Someone Was Arrested in Darlington County South Carolina for Free: Jail Roster, Mugshots & Charges
The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office is the primary law enforcement agency in the county. It oversees the Darlington County Detention Center and should be the first place to contact when trying to find out if someone is in jail.
Due to the state’s Freedom of Information Act, most criminal records–including those pertaining to the arrest of individuals–are available for public consumption.1
As a result, the County Sheriff’s Office maintains a Darlington County Jail Roster (detainment list) that can be accessed for free and used to query Darlington County bookings. Searchers can enter the name of the offender, description of the charge, or the number of days since offender was booked.
Alternatively, searchers can opt to view a list of all offenders and charges. The tool is helpful for interested parties who may be looking to find someone’s mugshot, as each record has a photo of an offender taken during booking.
Track Down Arrest Details Through the City Police Departments: Arrest records and police reports can also be sought from city police departments that are located within the county—there are only two city police departments located in Darlington County, namely the Darlington Police Department: (843)-398-4026 and the Hartsville Police Department: (843)-383-3011.
The links point to contact information since neither department hosts online police jail rosters that can be used to find recent arrest reports.
If a searcher discovers that the arrest they’re seeking a record of happened in a different county, they can utilize our resource on finding free public records throughout South Carolina instead, as it outlines not only statewide arrest lookup options, but includes ways to obtain criminal, warrant, probation, and other information too.
How To Request Marital & Dissolution of Marriage Records in Darlington County
Vital records such as marriage and public divorce records can be obtained from county and state resources. Such entities include the Darlington County Clerk of Court, the Darlington County Probate Court, and the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control.
South Dakota laws make it such that only certain persons have a right to access copies of these Darlington County public records; approved individuals include the owner of the certificate, immediate family members, and authorized persons such as legal counsel.2
Obtain Records & Certificates of Marriage Through the Darlington County Probate Court: Darlington County marriage records and certificates can be obtained from the probate court only for marriages that took place in Darlington County.3 Any marriage that did not take place in the county will need to be obtained in the county where the vital event was held. Copies of marriage licenses can be requested in person or by mailed written requests. The cost of a certificate is $5.00, payable in cash or by money order. The court will require the applicant to furnish the names of the parties and year of the marriage.
Requests can be sent to the address below.
Darlington County Probate Court
One Public Square,
Second floor, room 208
Darlington, South Carolina 29532
Phone: (843)-398-4310, (843)-398-4311
Fax: 843-398-4076
Order Divorce Records & Certificates From the Darlington County Clerk of Court: The Darlington County Clerk of Court Family Court division is responsible for conducting and granting divorce (or dissolution of marriage) decrees in the county. Divorce records can be acquired either online or through the clerk of court.
Online Requests—Interested parties can view court records from the Darlington County Fourth Judicial Circuit using a Case Records Search Tool provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Walk In/Phone/Email Requests—Searchers can also contact the clerk of court directly on procedures and costs to obtain Darlington County divorce records. The contact information can be found below.
Clerk of Court
One Public Square, Room 404
Darlington, South Carolina 29532
Clerk of Court: (843)-398-4330
Family Court (Support): (843)-398-4333
[email protected]
Find Someone’s Marital Status or if They Are Divorced via the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control
Other than county resources, marriage records and divorce certificates can be requested from the South Carolina Department of Health (SCDHEC).4
Only parties to the vital record, their children, parents, and legal representatives can order certified copies; all other requests to check if someone is married will be issued with a statement that the vital event took place, the court date, and where the divorce or license was granted. These records can be obtained via online requests through VitalChek, mailed requests, or requests by phone.
Mail Requests for Divorce or Marriage Certificates: Download, print and sign the application for a marriage/divorce certificate. Including a copy of valid government, school, or employee-issued ID (applications without these copies are rejected). A fee of $12.00 for searching the record and an additional $3.00 for each copy that may be needed. Payment is made through cash, cashier’s check, or money order payable to “S.C. DHEC.” Mail the complete application to Vital Records office.
Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Applicants trying to find out if someone is married or attempting to track down divorce records should be aware that processing time can take up to four weeks.
In Person or Drop Off Requests for Marriage Records: Download, print and sign the application for a marriage/divorce certificate. Include the fee of $12.00 for searching the record and an additional $3.00 for each copy ordered; payment is made through cash, cashier’s check, or money order payable to “S.C. DHEC.” Bring a government, employee, or school-issued ID. Drop-off requests will receive a receipt.
Individuals who make in person requests will receive the certificate within 30-45 minutes while drop off requests are either mailed or picked up at the Columbia office. Office hours are business days, 8.30AM to 5.00PM.
These requests should be made at:
Department of Health and Environmental Control State Vital Records Office
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Lastly, interested parties can request vital records online or by phone through VitalChek–South Carolina’s authorized third-party vendor–by proceeding to VitalChek or calling +1-877-284-1008, and paying a non-refundable fee of $17.00 and a $12.85 VitalChek service fee (with separate shipping fees).
Applicants can expect to receive their certificates in 5-7 business days.
How To Access Criminal History Records Darlington County, South Carolina
There are several government agencies that provide access to criminal records. These county, state, and federal resources include are outlined below.
- Darlington County Sheriff’s Office
- City Police Departments
- Darlington County Clerk of Court
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
- South Carolina Sex Offender Registry
- Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
- Bureau of Prisons
Accessing Darlington County Criminal Case Records Through the Darlington Clerk of Court: The Darlington Clerk of Court can be contacted to locate Darlington County public records detailing someone’s criminal history. These court records can be sought from the criminal court, which is also known as the General Sessions. This agency provides information to the Special Law Enforcement Division (SLED) about offender’s disposition of cases and processes criminal warrants.
The Darlington Clerk of Court does not maintain an online database of court records. Instead, interested parties will need to proceed to the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search Tool where they can select “Darlington County” to view court records via the Darlington County Criminal Records Search Tool.
They may also contact the clerk of court in person or via phone.
Darlington Clerk of Court
One Public Square
Room 404
Darlington, South Carolina 29532
(843)-398-4330
[email protected]
Retrieving Information on Anyone’s Previous Crimes via the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office: The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office may also be relied upon to obtain Darlington County criminal records. These come in the form of Darlington County arrest records, which are accessed by using the Darlington County Jail Roster (explained previously in this article).
While arrest records are not considered to be fully criminal records, they will give the requester some insight to an offender’s partial RAP (record of arrest and prosecutions) sheet. However, since the offender has not been through to court or convicted of a crime, it is imperative for the requestor to treat this information similarly to jail records since it’s common for offenders to have their cases dismissed or found not guilty in a court of law.
How To Obtain Statewide Criminal Records Through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) – Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) is responsible for maintaining criminal records derived from all law enforcement agencies in the state of South Carolina. This makes it the primary public records repository for criminal history.5 SLED CATCH provides only criminal history in South Carolina with information drawn from fingerprints submitted by law enforcement agencies.
SLED CATCH criminal record checks are name-based only unless mandated by statutes, in which case fingerprint-based checks are approved. SLED CATCH can be used to acquire criminal records online or via mail. All checks cost $25.00 but an online search carries a $1.00 convenience fee. Charitable organizations are only charged $8.00.
Online Requests for Criminal Records via SLED CATCH: Making an online request is the fastest and most convenient way to obtain criminal records. To initiate this process, individuals can visit the SLED CATCH site, accept the terms and conditions, input necessary information (the social security number is optional), then proceed to make a payment via credit card. The criminal history information will then be displayed and available to print.
Charitable organizations and local school districts are eligible for a reduced fee; if this does not apply to the requestor, then they should click the “Not Eligible” button.
Mail Requests for Criminal Records via SLED CATCH: To order criminal records by mail, download and print the SC criminal record check form. Payment can be made using money order, cashier’s/certified check, or a business check made out to “SLED”. Personal checks and cash are not accepted. Include a self-addressed envelope for return of results. It is possible to request to have the criminal records notarized or certified. Mail the request to SLED.
State Law Enforcement Division Records Department
Post Office Box 21398
Columbia SC 29221-1398
Utilize South Carolina’s Criminal Record Custodians & Federal Agencies
The search net for criminal records can be widened by turning to state and federal agencies or record custodians. These include the South Carolina Department Sex Offender Registry and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
South Carolina has a registry of offenders that have been convicted of sex crimes. This database can be used to run a free criminal record check and is accessed using the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry.
National criminal records can be sought using a fingerprint-based background check from the Federal Bureau of Investigations. This type of check costs $18.00 and can be completed online or by submitting a written request. The FBI provides background checks only for the subject of the record and requests can be mailed to:
Federal Bureau of Investigation CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Cluster Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306
Offenders that have been prosecuted for federal crimes are housed by the Bureau of Prisons in facilities located throughout the nation—this public index is retrieved using the Federal Criminal Records Search tool. Results show both released and currently incarcerated offenders dating back to 1982.
How To Get a Background Check Done in Background in Darlington County: Personal & Professional Background Checks
Background checks in Darlington County and in the state of South Carolina are done for personal and professional reasons.
Personal Background Checks: Personal background checks are carried out by individuals to ensure that their criminal history records are accurate and complete. It is often wise to know what is contained in someone’s criminal and personal history, as this is often a requirement when attempting to rent a property, take out a loan, or even attain employment.
Thus, background checks can be done for many purposes and are essentially a search through various public records such as those detailed in this guide. In some cases when needing to look up someone’s criminal record, consent is not needed; namely, when the background checks are name-based level 1 checks.
Professional Background Checks: The second reason background checks are done–thus verifying if someone has a criminal record–is for professional purposes, which include but are not limited to employment, obtaining firearms, licensing purposes, positions that require care of the vulnerable such as the elderly and children, and other volunteer positions.
These types of professional background checks will require written consent from the subject of the record in accordance with state statutes in spite of them being public criminal records.
They are also primarily fingerprint-based checks, which are known as level 2 checks—these checks tend to be more accurate since it’s possible for there to be a false positive when dealing with names and aliases. Additionally, when these checks are performed, employees have a right to review their records and correct them if any errors exist.
Individuals can take action against any discrimination that is imposed on them as a result of background checks through both state and federal agencies, including the ones outlined below:
State Labor and Commission Offices—An employee can lodge a complaint with the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—In instances where an employer obtained a background check without consent, employees can file a report with the FTC.
EEOC—Employers may sometimes discriminate against job applicants and employees alike based on certain criminal and arrest records. In scenarios like this, individuals have the right to file a charge of employment discrimination. The process of how to accomplish this is outlined here and those wronged can file the charge in this public portal.
In Darlington County, there are no specific county agencies that have established processes to perform criminal background checks. However, to perform county personal background checks, the Darlington County Clerk of Court should be contacted to check public records from the General Sessions courts for criminal cases (felony and misdemeanor).
The Darlington County Sheriff’s Office may also be contacted to view arrest records. The process for either of these options is outlined in earlier sections.
Other than county resources, background checks for personal and professional reasons will be performed through state resources—this will primarily be through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). This type of check was covered in detail in the previous section and comprises criminal history records drawn from law enforcement agencies and the Darlington County 4th Circuit Court—essentially covering ONLY criminal records in South Carolina.
National background checks that encompass other states too will be performed through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as mentioned earlier. These checks can be done by private individuals and by companies on employees with consent.
It is also possible to conduct background checks through third-party vendors. This is especially true in cases where citizens may not know where to start their search or simply do not know which jurisdiction holds the record they are looking for. These vendors operate within the boundaries set by statutes and make the process of finding criminal records a more private one.
How To Look Up Warrants for Free in Darlington County
Warrant information is considered public record, so interested parties hoping to check if someone has a warrant may do so for free through the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s department has a Darlington County Most Wanted List for anyone looking to run a warrant search. This list contains charges, mugshots, and additional information on offenders with Darlington County warrants.
Warrant information can also be sought by contacting the Darlington Clerk of Court by using the case search tool to search court dockets of criminal cases for any outstanding and active warrants that may be issued. The clerk can also be reached at (843)-398-4330.
The Darlington Central Criminal Domestic Violence Court is a division of the Darlington judiciary and issues a significant amount of outstanding warrants. Their contact information is (843)-332-9661.
How To Check Darlington County Probationer Information via the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole & Pardon Services
The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS) oversees the supervision for offenders in South Carolina. Probation is defined as the community supervision of an offender convicted in a court of law in lieu of a prison term—as a result of this supervision, the offender does pay a fee to offset the cost of their supervision.6
The SCDPPPS allows for the search of individuals on probation through the South Carolina Probation Finder Tool, which can help interested parties determine if someone is on probation or not.
For more information contact the SCDPPPS.
How To Acquire Court Documents in Darlington County: Search the County Courthouse, Clerk of Court & Online Case Records Search Tool
Various types of Darlington County court records can be obtained from the Darlington County Clerk of Court, which has several divisions including the criminal court (also known as General Sessions), family court, and court of common pleas:7
Additionally, Darlington County has a probate court which handles marital matters, a magistrate court that deals with traffic violations and criminal misdemeanors, and a municipal court which handles civil matters.
Darlington County judicial records are accessed using the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search Tool which guides to the Darlington County Case Search Records Tool. This tool can be used to look up information on different types of court records such as criminal, civil, probate, and family case records.
Contact the Darlington County Clerk of Court directly to inquire about court records.
Darlington Clerk of Court
One Public Square
Room 404
Darlington, South Carolina 29532
(843)-398-4330
[email protected]
How To Obtain Vital Records in Darlington County: Certificates of Birth & Death
There are two options of obtaining birth and death records and certificates, they can be retrieved either through the Darlington County Coroner’s Office or via the South Carolina Department of Public Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC).
Requesting Death Records From the Darlington County Coroner’s Office: The Darlington County Coroner’s Office is the central repository for all death records. The office can be reached by email or phone for inquiries, while the physical address is listed below as well.
Darlington County Coroner’s Office
315 Pearl St.
Darlington, South Carolina 29532
(843)-393-5640
[email protected]
Ordering Records of Birth & Death Through the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control (SCDHEC): Birth certificates and death certificates can be ordered from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) through several ways including online, mail and phone requests.8, 9 Only persons named on the certificate, immediate family members, and legal representatives can obtain these vital records. Birth and death records become public after 100 and 50 years respectively.
Mail Requests for Birth and Death Certificates— Download, print, and sign the birth application form or the death application form. Include a photocopy of a government, school, or employer-issued ID. The fee for the service is $12.00 and each certificate of birth will cost $3.00; the same applies for death certificates.
Mail the fee, documents, and application form to the office of vital records.
SC Department of Health and Environment Control Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
In Person & Drop Off Requests for Birth and Death Certificates—Complete either the certificate of birth application form or the certificate of death application form. Ensure you have valid ID (government, school or employer-issued), and visit the SCDHEC any weekday between 8.30AM and 5.00PM.
Hand in or drop off the forms and fees to the below address.
SC Department of Health and Environment Control Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Processing time is 2 days for drop offs, but in person requesters will receive the certificate within 30-45 minutes if the request is submitted before 4PM.
Online & Phone Requests for Birth and Death Certificates— Online requests are done either through VitalChek or GO Certificates, which are both state-authorized online third-party vendors. Phone requests can also be completed by contacting VitalChek at +1-877-284-1008. A non refundable search of $17.00 applies to both sets of certificates with additional copies incurring a $3.00 charge; processing fee for VitalChek and GO Certificates is $8.75 and $8.70 respectively. Applicants can expect to receive their documents in 5-7 business days.
How To View Free Property Records in Darlington County via the Assessor’s Office
Property records detailing land ownership, property boundaries, and dates of transfer of ownership are part of Darlington County public records and anyone can access them for free. Individuals may track down these records by contacting official agencies including the Darlington County Assessor’s Office and the Darlington Clerk of Court.
The Darlington County Assessor’s Office Property Search Tool can be used to locate real property in the county for free using several criteria including owner name, parcel number, address, and GIS address point, as displayed below:
The Darlington Clerk of Court operates a Darlington County Property Search Tool, an online directory that offers property records for free gathered from records maintained by the court.
The Darlington County Treasurer Property Search Tool helps users narrow down available records in the database to locate free information on real estate, vehicle, and watercraft property.
An Overview of Darlington County Public Record Custodians
There are multiple agencies that are at the disposal of those looking to acquire public records whether they are marriage, criminal, court records, and other helpful information. Below is an overview of the main agencies from which searchers can request desired records. This summary is categorized by record type.
Criminal Records
- Darlington County Sheriff’s Office
- Darlington County Clerk of Court
- South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
Court Records
Warrant Information
Probation Information
Vital Records
- Darlington County Probate Court (divorce records)
- Darlington County Clerk of Court (divorce records)
- Darling County Court Case Records Search Tool (divorce records)
- Darlington County Coroner’s Office (death records)
- South Carolina Department of Health (SCDHEC) (all vital records)
Finding and retrieving Darlington County public records can prove to be a daunting task for many due to the complex nature of accessing these records, but–with these empowering insights and streamlined instructions, public records can quickly be acquired by anyone.
References
1Legislature, S. C. (1999). Freedom of Information Act. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c004.php>
2Health, S. C. (2019). About Vital Records. Retrieved 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/about-vital-records>
3Judge, D. C.-P. (2023). DARLINGTON COUNTY PROBATE COURT. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.darcosc.com/government/probate_judge/index.php>
4Control, S. C. (2019). Vital Records. Retrieved 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records>
5Division, S. C. (2020). SLED CATCH. Retrieved 2023, from <https://catch.sled.sc.gov/>
6Legislature, S. C. (2008, June 11). Board of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t24c021.php>
7Court, D. C. (2023). CLERK OF COURT. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.darcosc.com/government/clerk_of_the_court/index.php>
8Control, S. C. (2019). Birth Certificates. Retrieved 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/birth-certificates>
9Control, S. C. (2019). Death Certificates. Retrieved 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/death-certificates>
10Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. (2023). W.Glenn Campbell Detention Center – Inmates. Retrieved 2023, from <http://bookings.darlingtonsheriff.org/dcn/inmates>
11South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2017, June). Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application. Retrieved 2023, from <https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/D-0639.pdf>
12South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. (2023). South Carolina Record Check Subject. CATCH. Retrieved 2023, from <https://catch.sled.sc.gov/CRCRecordSearch.aspx>
13Darlington County Sheriff’s Office. (2023). Darlington County’s Most Wanted. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.darcosc.com/departments/sheriff/most_wanted.php>
14Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. (2023). Name Database Search and Fee Payment. Retrieved 2023, from <https://www.dppps.sc.gov/Offender-Supervision/Offender-Search>
15Darlington County Assessor’s Office. (2023). Property Search Tool. Retrieved 2023, from <https://qpublic.schneidercorp.com/Application.aspx?App=DarlingtonCountySC&Layer=Parcels&PageType=Search>
16Darlington County, South Carolina Clerk of Court. (2023). Property Check. Quick Name Search. Retrieved 2023, from <https://cotthosting.com/scdarlingtonexternal/LandRecords/protected/v4/SrchName.aspx>
17Darlington County Treasurer. (2023). Online Tax Payment. Tax Search. Retrieved 2023, from <https://darlingtontreasurer.qpaybill.com/Taxes/TaxesDefaultType4.aspx>