South Carolina Background Check Resources
Background checks are governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Most state laws concerning public records and background checks are very liberal and straightforward. In the State of South Carolina, public records are readily available to anyone wishing to obtain them through appropriate official state agency channels. Background checks are instrumental in the parties' ability to enter into various legally binding contracts, and as such, are always a good idea. Background checks generally require a written permission prior to performing the inquiry. Occasionally, it is possible to obtain such reports without permission, but the results may lack in-depth details.
If the background check adversely affects the consumer, the party accessing public records must provide a copy of the report and a summary of the consumer's rights under FCRA, and allow the consumer reasonable time to contest the report. Due to the increasing threat of identity theft, some states (i. e. California) may now require the employer to provide a copy of the background check report to the consumer regardless of its content.
Call the telephone numbers (or visit websites) listed below to learn how to access the specific background check information you're seeking. Public record information may be accessible online, by phone, mail, or in person.
It's always best to call before sending written inquiries in order to obtain the exact address and ordering information.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE WEB SITE:
http://www.sc.gov/
Attorney General
http://www.scattorneygeneral.com/
Archives
http://scdah.sc.gov/
Legislation Records
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/
Criminal Records
Records Check Department
c/o SLED
PO Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29211-1398
http://www.sled.state.sc.us/sled/default.asp?Category=CATCH_SSN&Service=crc
Vehicle Ownership Information
Department of Public Safety
PO Box 1993
Blythewood, SC 29016
http://www.scdps.org/
Vital Statistics (marriage/divorce/birth/death)
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
(877) 284-1008
http://www.scdhec.gov/administration/vr/index.htm
Workers Compensation
Workers Compensation Commission
PO Box 1715
1612 Marion St.
Columbia, SC 29202-1715
(803) 737-5700
http://www.wcc.sc.gov/
Business/Corporate Records
UCC/Tax Liens
Secretary of State
Post Office Box 11350
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 734-2158
http://www.scsos.com/Business_Filings
Civil Records
South Carolina Court of Appeals
Clerk of Court
P.O. Box 11629
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 734-1890
http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/appeals/clerk.cfm
CIVIL AND CRIMINAL INFORMATION BY COUNTY:
Aiken
828 Richland Avenue West
Aiken SC 29801
(803) 642-2012
Barnwell
57 Wall Street
County Administration Building
Barnwell, SC 29812
(803) 541-1000
Cherokee
210 N. Limestone Street
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 487-2560
Darlington
1 Public Square, Room 210
Darlington, SC 29532
(843) 398-4100
Edgefield
124 Courthouse Square
Edgefield, SC 29824
(803) 637-4000
Florence
180 North Irby Street
Florence, SC 29501
(843) 665-3035
Greenville
Law Enforcement Center
4 McGee Street, Ste 119
Greenville, SC 29601
(864) 467-5257
Horry
Office of Records Management
PO Box 2195
Conway, SC 29528-2195
(843) 915-5420
Jasper
PO Box 1149
651 Grays Highway
Ridgeland, SC 29936
(843) 726-7703
Kershaw
515 Walnut St.
Camden, SC 29020
(803) 425-1500
Laurens
3 Catherine St.
Laurens, SC 29360
(864) 984-1882
Marlboro
PO Box 419 - 205 E Market St.
Bennettsville, SC 29512
(843) 479-5600
Newberry
1309 College Street
PO Box 156
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 321-2100
Orangeburg
979 Middleton St. SE
Orangeburg, SC 29115
(803) 533-6000
Pickens
222 McDaniel Ave
Pickens, SC 29671
(864) 898-5844
Richland
2020 Hampton Street, Rm 4058
P O Box 192
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 576-2050
Saluda
400 West Highland
Saluda, SC 29138
(864) 445-4500
Union
210 West Main Street
Union, SC 29379
(864) 429-1600
Williamsburg
147 West Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
(843) 355-9321
York
2 South Congress St
York, SC 29745
(803) 684-8526