Charleston County Residents Directory

The Charleston County residents directory provides access to public records kept by local offices in one of South Carolina's most populated areas. You can search court records, property files, and other documents tied to Charleston County residents through several online tools and in-person visits. The Clerk of Court, Register Mesne Conveyance, and Records Management Division each hold different types of records. This guide walks you through each office, the search tools they offer, and how to get copies of the documents you need from Charleston County.

Charleston County Clerk of Court

Julie J. Armstrong serves as Clerk of Court for Charleston County. Her office sits at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, in the heart of Charleston at the famed "Four Corners of Law." The Clerk handles all Circuit Court and Family Court records. Over 65 staff members work in this office. They process court filings, store case files, and help the public find records each day. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Charleston County Clerk of Court is known as the most technology-based clerk's office in South Carolina. It was the first in the state to put images of Common Pleas cases online. The office also runs a passport acceptance facility that handles more than 14,000 applications each year. You can visit the Charleston County Clerk of Court website to learn more about available services and record types held at this office.

Copy costs for Charleston County court records are low. Common Pleas copies cost $0.11 per page. Add $1.00 for each certified document. Family Court and General Sessions copies share the same per-page rate.

CourtPlus Online Directory Search

Charleston County offers CourtPlus, a free online system for searching court records. You need to create an account to use it. Once logged in, you can search by case number, party name, or South Carolina Bar number. The system covers both Circuit Court and Family Court records. It works on phones, tablets, and desktop computers.

CourtPlus gives registered users the ability to save a list of favorite cases. You get alerts when something new is filed on a case you follow. Scanned documents entered as evidence are viewable unless a judge sealed them. The system also lets you check child support and alimony payment details, look up juror summons, and search for estates and wills. Visit CourtPlus to set up your free account and start searching Charleston County records.

Note: CourtPlus requires a valid email address for registration, and some sealed records will not appear in search results.

Charleston County Public Index

The Charleston County Public Index is a separate tool from CourtPlus. It provides access to both court records and recorded property documents. You can search by case number, party name, attorney, or property details. The Charleston County Public Index lets you view case information, party names, filing dates, and document images in many cases.

Results update in real time as staff enter new filings. Civil, criminal, and family court cases all appear in this index. The system is free to use. You do not need an account. If you need certified copies, contact the Clerk of Court directly or visit the courthouse. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. Section 30-4-10, most records held by public bodies are open to the public for review.

Property Records in Charleston County

The Register Mesne Conveyance, or RMC, handles all real estate records in Charleston County. This office sits at 101 Meeting Street. Phone the office at (843) 958-4800 for questions. The RMC records deeds, mortgages, plats, and other property documents. Historical records go back centuries in this county.

You can search Charleston County property records through the Public Index. Look up documents by party name or property details. A Recording Alert service is also available for property owners who want to know when a new document is filed against their name. Certified copies of recorded documents can be picked up in person or requested by mail. The Charleston County residents directory for property records is one of the most complete in South Carolina, given the county's long history of land transactions.

Note: Recording fees vary by document type, so call ahead to confirm costs before you visit.

Charleston City Clerk Records

The City of Charleston keeps its own set of records through the Clerk of Council office. This is separate from the county Clerk of Court. The city clerk handles meeting minutes, ordinances, and other city government documents. These records can help you trace decisions made by city leaders over the years.

City records often overlap with county records in ways that matter for residents directory searches. A property may show up in both the county's RMC files and the city's zoning or permit records. Checking both sources gives you a fuller picture. The city clerk's office can point you toward the right department for the type of record you need.

Charleston Records Management Division

The City of Charleston also runs a Records Management Division led by Meg Moughan. This office is at 2 George Street. It houses records created by city departments over many decades. The Records Management Division holds General Research Files on businesses, streets, events, buildings, and persons in Charleston.

Some of the most unique records in the Charleston County residents directory come from this division. The Alms House Records cover 1801 through 1917 and are available on microfilm at the Charleston County Public Library. Orphan House and Oak Grove Files span 1800 to 1967. These files document residents who passed through those institutions. Access to records less than 75 years old is restricted to former residents, their relatives, or those with a court order. Older records are open to the public.

The Charleston Archive at the Charleston County Public Library holds many original records from this division. If you are doing historical research on Charleston County residents, both the archive and the Records Management Division are valuable starting points.

State Records for Charleston County

Several state-level tools supplement the Charleston County residents directory. The South Carolina State Records portal provides a central search across more than 45 million public records from all 46 counties. You can search by name and filter results to Charleston County. This portal covers court records, property files, and vital records.

For vital records like birth and death certificates, the SC DHEC Office of Vital Records is the main source. DHEC keeps records going back to January 1915. The fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $12. Marriage and divorce records are also available through DHEC by mail or through authorized vendors. Under South Carolina law, birth records become fully public after 100 years, and death records open after 50 years.

The SC Judicial Branch Public Index gives you access to court records from every county. Select Charleston County from the dropdown and search by name or case number. Basic case details are free to view. For copies of actual filings, contact the Charleston County Clerk of Court.

Note: As of January 2026, home addresses no longer appear on the SC Judicial Branch Public Index for new or existing cases.

Getting Charleston County Records

There are several ways to get records in Charleston County. Online searches work best for quick lookups. Visit the Public Index or CourtPlus from any device. For certified copies, go to the Clerk of Court at 100 Broad Street. Bring a valid photo ID.

You can also submit a written public records request. Under S.C. Code Ann. Section 30-4-30, the county must respond within 10 business days. Include your name, contact details, and a clear description of what you need. Mail or email requests are accepted. In-person visitors can review records for free during office hours. Copies start at $0.11 per page, and certified copies add $1.00 per document.

• Online through CourtPlus or Public Index
• In person at the Clerk of Court or RMC
• Written request by mail or email
• Phone inquiry at (843) 958-5000

Cities in Charleston County

Charleston County includes several cities and towns. Residents in each city can access county records through the same offices listed above.

Each city page has local details on accessing the residents directory for that area of Charleston County.

Nearby Counties

Charleston County borders several other South Carolina counties. If you are searching for a person who may live in a neighboring area, check the residents directory for these counties as well.

View All 46 Counties