Charleston Residents Directory
The Charleston residents directory helps you find public records held by city offices in one of South Carolina's oldest and most well-known cities. Charleston has a long history of record keeping that dates back to the 1700s, and the city still maintains a wide range of files today. You can search for council records, property data, court cases, and vital records through local and county offices. This page walks you through how to look up records in Charleston and where to send your requests.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston City Clerk Records
The Clerk of Council in Charleston is Meg Moughan. This office handles legislative records, council minutes, and official city documents. Charleston residents who need copies of meeting records or city ordinances start here. The office also processes requests under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which allows the public to ask for government records held by city offices.
You can reach the Charleston Clerk of Council to submit a FOIA request or ask about record availability. All requests must go through the City Clerk, who serves as the official custodian of city records. Response times vary based on the scope of your request, but the city follows state law timelines for all FOIA responses.
Charleston also keeps a wide range of historical files. City directories go back to 1782, making them some of the oldest in the state. Alms House Records from 1801 to 1917 are also on file. These records are useful for genealogy work and local history research.
Note: Records less than 75 years old may have restricted access under Charleston's records policy.
Charleston Records Center Directory
The Charleston Records Management Division is at 2 George Street. This office stores older city files and manages the retention schedule for all Charleston departments. If you need a record that is not held at the main clerk's office, the records center is the next place to check.
The records center holds files from across city government. That includes old permits, correspondence, and internal reports. Staff can help you find what you need if you know the general time frame and type of record. Walk-in visits are welcome during business hours, but calling ahead can save you time.
Charleston County Court Records
Court records for Charleston residents are filed at the Charleston County level. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains civil, criminal, and family court case files. This is where you go for lawsuits, judgments, and other legal filings that involve Charleston residents.
The county also runs an online public index where you can search case records by name or case number. The Charleston County Public Index shows party names, filing dates, and case status at no cost. It covers civil and criminal cases going back many years. For copies of actual documents from a case file, you need to contact the Clerk of Court directly or visit their office in person.
The Municipal Court in Charleston is at 180 B Lockwood Boulevard. This court handles city-level violations and minor cases. Records from municipal court are separate from county court files. If you are looking for a traffic ticket or city ordinance violation, start with the municipal court rather than the county clerk.
Note: As of January 2026, home addresses are no longer shown on the public index for new or existing cases statewide.
Search the Charleston Residents Directory
There are several ways to look up records in Charleston. The method you choose depends on what type of record you need and how far back it goes. Online tools work best for recent court cases and property data. Older records often require an in-person visit or a written request to the right office.
For court records, start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search. This free tool lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date across all counties. Select Charleston County from the list to narrow your results. The system shows case status, party names, and filing dates.
To search for a broader range of records, you can use the South Carolina State Records portal. This site pulls together data from multiple government sources and covers criminal records, court records, and vital records across the state. It is a good starting point when you are not sure which office holds the record you need.
For vital records like birth and death certificates, the SC DHEC Office of Vital Records is the state authority. Birth records become public after 100 years. Death records open after 50 years. Until then, only family members and legal representatives can request certified copies. Marriage licenses in Charleston go through the county probate court.
Charleston County Clerk Resources
The Charleston County Clerk of Court office handles a large volume of record requests each year. You can visit the Clerk of Court website for forms, fee schedules, and contact details.
The clerk's office is the central hub for all county-level filings. Charleston residents use this office for certified copies, case lookups, and document filings. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours.
Charleston FOIA Requests
South Carolina law gives the public the right to request government records. Under the Freedom of Information Act, codified at S.C. Code Ann. Section 30-4-10, any person can ask a government body for records it has created or received. Charleston city offices follow this law for all record requests.
To file a FOIA request in Charleston, you write to the City Clerk. Your request should describe the records you want as clearly as you can. Include dates, names, or other details that help staff find the right files. The city must respond within the time frames set by state law. Some records may be exempt from release, such as certain law enforcement files or records protected by other statutes.
There is no fee to submit a request. However, the city may charge for copies, staff time, or other costs tied to filling your request. Fees must be reasonable and follow the limits set by state law.
Note: FOIA covers city records only; county records go through the Charleston County offices.
Historical Records in Charleston
Charleston has some of the oldest city records in South Carolina. The city directories date back to 1782 and cover residents, businesses, and addresses over more than two centuries. These files are a key resource for anyone tracing family history or researching the growth of the city over time.
The Alms House Records from 1801 to 1917 document the care of the city's poor and indigent residents during that era. Orphan House Files from 1800 to 1967 are also part of the city's collection. General research files round out the holdings and cover a mix of topics tied to city governance and daily life in Charleston.
Researchers should be aware that records less than 75 years old may have restricted access. You may need to show a direct connection to the records or a valid research purpose to view certain files. Contact the Records Management Division at 2 George Street for guidance on what is available and how to request access.
Charleston County Residents Directory
Charleston sits in Charleston County, and many record types are managed at the county level. Court filings, property deeds, marriage licenses, and probate records all go through county offices. For a full guide to county-level records and resources, visit the Charleston County residents directory page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities in the region maintain their own residents directory records. Pick a city below to find records and resources in that area.