Aiken County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Aiken County?

Public records in Aiken County are defined according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, specifically under § 30-4-20(c), as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, data processing software, and other material prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body." These records document the activities and operations of government agencies serving Aiken County residents.

The Aiken County Government maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, family, and probate court cases maintained by the Clerk of Court, including judgments, orders, and case filings
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property transfers maintained by the Register of Deeds
Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (note that vital records are primarily maintained at the state level through the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control)
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
Tax Records: Property tax assessments, tax maps, and payment records maintained by the Aiken County Assessor and Treasurer
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Council meetings, boards, and commissions
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial audits
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and land development plans

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments. For example, the Clerk of Court maintains judicial records, while the Register of Deeds handles property and land records. Historical records may be available through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Is Aiken County an Open Records County?

Aiken County adheres to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This comprehensive statute establishes the public's right to access government records throughout the state, including Aiken County.

Under § 30-4-15 of the South Carolina Code, the General Assembly has declared 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 and in the formulation of public policy."

The law presumes that all records created, maintained, or received by public bodies are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. Aiken County government offices comply with these state requirements and have established procedures for responding to public records requests in accordance with statutory timelines.

Aiken County also adheres to South Carolina's open meetings laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws," which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with proper notice. These provisions are outlined in § 30-4-60 through § 30-4-80 of the South Carolina Code.

The county's commitment to transparency is reflected in its online resources, where many public records are made available through the Aiken County Government website and associated departmental pages.

How to Find Public Records in Aiken County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Aiken County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the county's digital platforms:
- Court records can be searched through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index
- Property records can be accessed via the Register of Deeds online portal
- County Council agendas and minutes are posted on the county website
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:
- For court records, visit the Clerk of Court
- For property records, visit the Register of Deeds
- For tax records, visit the Aiken County Assessor or Treasurer
Written Requests: Submit a formal FOIA request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Email Requests: Many departments accept records requests via email. Contact information for specific departments is available on the Aiken County Government website.
Criminal Records: Background checks and criminal history information can be requested through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Historical Records: Older county records may be available through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Under South Carolina FOIA (§ 30-4-30), agencies must respond to records requests within 10 business days, indicating whether the request will be fulfilled. For records less than 24 months old, the agency must then produce the records within 30 calendar days. For older records, the timeframe extends to 35 calendar days.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Aiken County?

Aiken County assesses fees for public records in accordance with § 30-4-30(B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which permits agencies to charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records, as well as for providing copies.

Current standard fees for public records in Aiken County include:

Copy Fees:
- Black and white copies: $0.25 per page
- Color copies: $0.50 per page
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$5.00 per page
Search and Retrieval Fees:
- Staff time: $20.00 per hour (first hour may be waived)
- Electronic records: Actual cost of media (CD, DVD, flash drive)
Specialized Record Fees:
- Certified copies of court documents: $5.00 per document
- Recorded deeds and mortgages: $10.00 for the first page, $1.00 for each additional page
- Marriage licenses: $50.00 (includes one certified copy)

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (in most offices). Some departments may charge additional convenience fees for credit card transactions.

The South Carolina FOIA stipulates that "fees may not exceed the actual cost of searching for or making copies of records." Agencies must develop a fee schedule and make it available to the public. Deposits may be required for requests expected to exceed $100 in costs.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available when the county determines that furnishing the information primarily benefits the general public. Requests for fee waivers should be included with the initial records request and include justification for the waiver.

Does Aiken County Have Free Public Records?

Aiken County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost:

In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to § 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, members of the public have the right to inspect any non-exempt public record during normal business hours at no charge. Individuals may examine records on-site at the appropriate county office without incurring fees, provided advance arrangements are made with the custodian of records.
Online Resources: The county offers free access to numerous digital records through its online platforms:
- The Aiken County Government website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, ordinances, and various reports
- The Public Index Search allows users to view basic court case information
- Property ownership information can be searched through the county's GIS mapping system
Free Public Records Sources:
- County Council meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents and financial reports
- Election results
- County ordinances and regulations
- Public notices and announcements

While inspection is free, fees may still apply if copies are requested or if extensive staff time is required for search and retrieval. Additionally, certain specialized records (such as certified copies of vital records or court documents) always carry statutory fees that cannot be waived.

The county's public libraries also provide free computer access for residents to search online public records databases maintained by the county and state government.

Who Can Request Public Records in Aiken County?

Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, specifically § 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 the provisions of the law. This broad eligibility extends to:

South Carolina residents
Non-residents and out-of-state requestors
Business entities and organizations
Media representatives
Attorneys and legal representatives
Government agencies

The law does not require requestors to:

Provide identification (though it may be needed for certain restricted records)
State the purpose of their request
Explain how the information will be used
Be directly involved in or affected by the subject matter

However, certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

Restricted Records: Some records are only available to specific individuals:
- Criminal history records may require fingerprint verification for complete reports
- Adoption records are typically only available to parties directly involved
- Juvenile court records have strict confidentiality protections under § 63-19-2010
Personal Records: When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is required to protect privacy and prevent identity theft.
Commercial Solicitation: § 30-4-50(B) prohibits obtaining personal information from public records for commercial solicitation purposes.
Bulk Data Requests: Large volume or database requests may be subject to additional review and restrictions, particularly if they contain personally identifiable information.

The county may ask requestors to complete a standard form, but cannot require this as a prerequisite for fulfilling a clearly stated request. Anonymous requests are generally accepted for non-restricted records, though providing contact information is necessary to receive the requested materials.

What Records Are Confidential in Aiken County?

Certain records maintained by Aiken County are exempt from public disclosure under Title 30, Chapter 4 of the South Carolina Code, specifically § 30-4-40, which enumerates specific exemptions from disclosure. These confidential records include:

Personal Privacy Information:
- Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and medical records
- Personal identifying information on recreational licenses and registrations
- Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees and officials
- Tax returns and financial information submitted for business licenses
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records that would harm the investigation if released
- Information that would endanger the life, health, or property of any person
- Confidential informant identities and information
- Security plans and vulnerability assessments
Juvenile Records: Court records involving minors are confidential under § 63-19-2010, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses
Family Court Records: Certain domestic relations matters including adoption, abuse and neglect cases, and juvenile delinquency proceedings
Personnel Records: Employee personnel records, including performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information (basic employment data remains public)
Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice, work product, and materials prepared in anticipation of litigation
Economic Development Information: Proprietary commercial or financial information provided for economic development projects prior to announcement
Security Information: Infrastructure details, security plans, and information that would jeopardize public safety if disclosed
Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information, trade secrets, and confidential commercial data
Test Questions and Scoring Keys: Materials used for licensing, employment, or academic examinations

Under § 30-4-40, public bodies may apply a balancing test to determine if disclosure "would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy." Additionally, § 30-4-70 provides exemptions related to closed meetings and executive sessions of public bodies.

The confidentiality of these records is maintained to protect individual privacy, ensure public safety, and comply with state and federal laws. Redacted versions of some exempt records may be available upon request, with confidential information removed.

Aiken County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Aiken County Register of Deeds
828 Richland Avenue West, Suite 1400
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1528
Register of Deeds

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

Aiken County Clerk of Court
109 Park Avenue SE
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1710
Clerk of Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Aiken County Administration Building
828 Richland Avenue West
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 642-1500
Aiken County Government

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

The Register of Deeds Office is responsible for recording and maintaining land records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and related documents. The Clerk of Court maintains judicial records for Circuit and Family Courts. Both offices provide public access terminals for record searches during regular business hours and offer assistance with locating and obtaining copies of public records.