Anderson County Public Records

What Is Public Records in The Anderson County?

Public records in Anderson County, South Carolina encompass a wide range of official documents, files, and information maintained by county government agencies pursuant to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the Public Records Act under Title 30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. These records are created, received, or maintained by public bodies in the transaction of public business.

Anderson County maintains the following categories of public records:

Property Records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, plat maps, and property transfers maintained by the Register of Deeds
Tax Assessment Records - Property valuations, tax rolls, and parcel information available through the Anderson County Assessor's Office
Court Records - Civil and criminal case files, judgments, and court proceedings maintained by the Anderson County Clerk of Court
Vital Records - Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (access restrictions apply)
Business Records - Business licenses, permits, and corporate filings
Tax Records - Property tax payments, delinquencies, and tax sale information through the Anderson County Treasurer
Voter Registration - Voter rolls and election results from the Registration & Elections Office
Law Enforcement Records - Incident reports, arrest records, and jail records from the Anderson County Sheriff's Department
County Government Records - Meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and budgets
Land Use Records - Zoning maps, building permits, and code enforcement actions

The county has established the Anderson County Public Records Portal (ACPASS) to facilitate public access to many of these records in electronic format.

Is Anderson County an Open Records County?

Anderson County operates as an open records county in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq.) and the Public Records Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-1-10 et seq.). These statutes establish the presumption that all records created or maintained by public bodies are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law.

The South Carolina Public Records Act specifically states 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." Anderson County adheres to this principle by maintaining transparency in government operations.

Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a), "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body" subject to certain exceptions and procedures established by law. Anderson County has implemented policies and procedures to facilitate public access to records while protecting confidential information as required by state and federal laws.

The county's commitment to open records is further demonstrated through its investment in the Anderson County Public Records Portal (ACPASS), which provides 24/7 online access to many county records, enhancing transparency and accessibility for citizens.

How Do I Find Public Records in Anderson County in 2025

Members of the public seeking access to Anderson County records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access:

The Anderson County Public Records Portal (ACPASS) serves as the primary online gateway for accessing digital records
Department-specific databases are available through individual agency websites
The Anderson County Courts website provides access to court case information
Property records can be searched through the Register of Deeds online portal

In-Person Requests:

Visit the specific county department that maintains the desired records
The Anderson County Clerk of Court provides access to court records at the courthouse
The Register of Deeds office maintains property records for in-person inspection
The Anderson County Assessor provides property assessment information

Written Requests:

Submit a written FOIA request to the appropriate department
Include specific details about the records being requested
Provide contact information for response
Allow up to 10 business days for initial response as required by S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C)

Research Assistance:

The Anderson County Library System offers research assistance and access to historical records
The South Carolina Courts Self-Help Center provides guidance on accessing court records

For specialized records, requestors should contact the specific agency responsible for maintaining those records. Response times may vary based on the complexity of the request and the volume of records requested.

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

Anderson County assesses fees for public records in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records, as well as for providing copies. The fee schedule for public records in Anderson County is as follows:

Standard Fees:

Paper copies: $0.25 per page for letter/legal size documents
Certified copies: $5.00 per document plus copy fees
Electronic records: $10.00 per CD/DVD or flash drive (when provided by the county)
Research/retrieval: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is free)
Redaction time: $20.00 per hour

Department-Specific Fees:

Register of Deeds: $10.00 for first page of recorded documents, $1.00 for each additional page
Clerk of Court: $5.00 for court record searches, $1.00 per page for copies
Sheriff's Department: $10.00 for incident reports, $25.00 for complete case files
Assessor's Office: $5.00 for property record cards, $25.00 for custom reports

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), the county may require a deposit not exceeding 25% of the total anticipated cost for reproduction of the records prior to searching for or making copies if the search or copying will require more than two hours of employee time or otherwise incur costs exceeding $100.00.

Payment may be made by cash, check, or credit card (where available). Fees may be waived or reduced if the county determines that the request is in the public interest or for other good cause shown.

Does Anderson County Have Free Public Records?

Anderson County provides certain public records at no cost to requestors in accordance with South Carolina law and county policy. The following records are available without charge:

Free Online Access:

Basic property information through the Anderson County Assessor website
Court docket information via the Anderson County Courts portal
County ordinances, resolutions, and meeting minutes on the county website
Voter registration verification through the Registration & Elections Office
Tax payment status via the Treasurer's Office online portal

Free In-Person Access:

Public inspection of records during regular business hours (copying fees may apply)
Self-service computer terminals at various county offices
Public access computers at the Anderson County Library System locations

Fee Waivers:

Records requested by other government agencies for official purposes
Records provided in the public interest as determined by the custodian
Records requested by indigent individuals who demonstrate financial hardship (case-by-case basis)
The first hour of search and retrieval time for any public records request

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B), "The records must be furnished at the lowest possible cost to the person requesting the records." Anderson County adheres to this requirement by providing reasonable access to records while balancing the need to recover costs associated with extensive requests.

Who Can Request Public Records In Anderson County?

Under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a)), "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body" subject to certain exceptions. Anderson County adheres to this statutory requirement by processing requests from:

South Carolina residents
Out-of-state residents
Foreign nationals
Media representatives
Businesses and corporations
Non-profit organizations
Government agencies
Attorneys and legal representatives
Incarcerated individuals (subject to security restrictions)

The law does not require requestors to:

State the purpose of their request
Identify themselves
Prove citizenship or residency
Demonstrate a "need to know"

However, requestors must:

Provide sufficient information to identify the records sought
Submit requests to the appropriate county department
Follow established procedures for record requests
Pay applicable fees for search, retrieval, and copying

Anderson County may require verification of identity for records with access restrictions, such as vital records, certain law enforcement records, or records containing personally identifiable information. The county processes all requests without discrimination based on the identity of the requestor or the purpose for which the records are sought, except as specifically authorized by law.

What Records Are Confidential In Anderson County?

Anderson County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40 and other applicable statutes, the following records are exempt from public disclosure:

Personal Privacy Protections:

Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information
Medical and mental health records (protected under HIPAA)
Personnel records containing personal information about public employees
Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
Victim information in certain criminal cases
Adoption records and family court records involving minors

Security and Law Enforcement Exemptions:

Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations
Security plans for public buildings and infrastructure
Information that would endanger life, health, or property if disclosed
Critical infrastructure details and emergency response protocols
Certain law enforcement techniques and procedures

Government Operations Exemptions:

Attorney-client privileged communications
Documents prepared in anticipation of litigation
Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
Certain economic development records during negotiations
Drafts and working papers of policy decisions
Executive session minutes and recordings

Other Protected Records:

Income tax returns and information
Certain educational records (protected under FERPA)
Library patron records
Certain election materials during preparation
Grand jury proceedings and materials

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, Anderson County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record when feasible, in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40(b). The county bears the burden of proving that an exemption applies when withholding records from disclosure.

Anderson County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Anderson County Register of Deeds
100 South Main Street, Room 101
Anderson, SC 29624
(864) 260-4053
Anderson County Register of Deeds

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

The Anderson County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of property records and other vital documents for the county. The office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining the following types of records:

Deeds and property transfers
Mortgages and satisfactions
Liens and lien releases
Plats and surveys
Military discharge papers (DD-214)
Business trade names and partnerships
Power of attorney documents
Marriage licenses (recording only)

The Register of Deeds maintains records dating back to the county's formation in 1826. Historical records are available for research purposes, with many recent documents accessible through the office's online portal. Staff members are available during business hours to assist with record searches and provide certified copies of recorded documents.

Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 30-5-10, the Register of Deeds is required to record all instruments in writing that are authorized or required by law to be recorded in the office. Documents presented for recording must meet specific formatting requirements and be accompanied by the appropriate recording fees.