York County Public Records

What Are Public Records in York County?

Public records in York County, South Carolina, are defined under § 30-4-20 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials prepared, owned, used, or retained by any public body in the conduct of its official business. Members of the public may inspect or obtain copies of these materials subject to the exemptions established by state law.

The following categories of public records are currently maintained by various York County offices and state agencies:

Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court matters) — maintained by the York County Clerk of Court
Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats) — maintained by the York County Register of Deeds
Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates) — issued through the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records office
Business records (licenses, permits, and assumed name filings) — maintained by the York County Business Services and the South Carolina Secretary of State
Tax records (property tax bills and assessment records) — maintained by the York County Auditor and Treasurer
Voting and election records — maintained by the York County Board of Voter Registration and Elections
Meeting minutes and agendas (County Council, planning boards, and commissions) — available through the York County Clerk to Council
Budget and financial documents — published by the York County Finance Department
Law enforcement records (arrest logs and incident reports, where permitted) — available through the York County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
Land use and zoning records — maintained by the York County Planning and Development Services

Is York County an Open Records County?

York County fully complies with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which establishes the public's right to access government records and meetings. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, all public bodies are required to make their records available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours. The Act affirms that it is the policy of South Carolina that public bodies must conduct their affairs openly and that the records of public bodies must be open to public scrutiny.

Key provisions of the Act currently in effect include:

Public bodies must respond to written records requests within ten business days of receipt
Agencies may not require a requester to state the purpose of a records request as a condition of access
Denial of access must be made in writing and must cite the specific statutory exemption relied upon

York County government offices adhere to these requirements and do not impose additional local ordinances that restrict access beyond what state law permits. The county's compliance with South Carolina's Sunshine Laws ensures that governmental meetings and records remain accessible to all members of the public.

How to Find Public Records in York County in 2026

Members of the public may obtain York County public records through several official channels. The following steps outline the standard process currently in use:

Identify the custodial office. Determine which county or state agency maintains the record being sought. Property records are held by the Register of Deeds; court records by the Clerk of Court; vital records through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Submit a written FOIA request. Prepare a written request identifying the records sought with reasonable specificity. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or by email to the appropriate office.
Use online portals where available. The York County government website provides online access to property records, GIS mapping, and tax information. The South Carolina Highway Patrol maintains traffic incident records for York County, which falls within Troop Four's jurisdiction.
Allow the statutory response period. Under current law, the responding agency has ten business days to fulfill the request, notify the requester of a delay, or issue a written denial.
Request certified copies when needed. For legal purposes, certified copies of deeds, court judgments, or vital records must be requested directly from the custodial office, often with an applicable fee.

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

Standard fees for public records in York County are governed by § 30-4-30(c) of the South Carolina FOIA, which permits public bodies to charge fees that are reasonable and uniform. Current fees vary by record type and the office processing the request:

Photocopies: Generally $0.25 per page for standard black-and-white copies
Certified copies of deeds and recorded documents: Fees set by the Register of Deeds, currently $1.00 per page for certified copies
Vital records (birth and death certificates): $12.00 per certified copy, as established by the South Carolina Department of Public Health
Court record copies: Set by the Clerk of Court; standard copies are typically $0.50 per page, with additional fees for certification
Research or staff time fees: May apply when a request requires extensive retrieval or redaction, as permitted under state law

Accepted payment methods vary by office but generally include cash, check, money order, and credit or debit card. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requesters or for requests determined to be in the public interest, at the discretion of the custodial agency.

Does York County Have Free Public Records?

Free inspection of public records is available to all members of the public under South Carolina FOIA, which requires that records be made available for in-person review at no charge during regular business hours. Fees apply only when copies are requested. The following government resources currently provide free online access to York County records:

The York County Assessor's online portal provides free access to property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel maps
The York County Register of Deeds offers free online index searches for recorded land records
The South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index provides free online access to civil and criminal court case information
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services maintains a publicly accessible records locator tool for environmental permits, including septic tank records in York County
Child support case information may be accessed through the South Carolina Department of Social Services child support portal

Who Can Request Public Records in York County?

Any person, regardless of residency, citizenship, or stated purpose, is entitled to request public records from York County agencies under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The Act does not restrict access to residents of the state or county, nor does it require requesters to identify themselves or explain the reason for their request as a condition of access.

Specific provisions currently in effect include:

Identification: Requesters are not required to provide identification to inspect public records, though identification may be required when requesting certified copies of vital records or records pertaining to specific individuals
Residency: Non-residents of South Carolina retain the same rights of access as residents under state law
Purpose: Agencies may not condition access on the requester's stated purpose, except for certain restricted record categories
Requesting your own records: Individuals seeking records about themselves, such as criminal history background checks, may be required to submit a notarized request or provide government-issued identification; the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division processes criminal history requests for individuals seeking their own records
Restricted categories: Certain records, including juvenile records, adoption files, and sealed court documents, are accessible only to authorized parties as defined by statute

What Records Are Confidential in York County?

Certain categories of records are exempt from public disclosure under South Carolina law. § 30-4-40 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act enumerates the following exemptions currently applicable in York County:

Sealed court records — records sealed by judicial order are not subject to public inspection
Juvenile records — records pertaining to minors involved in family or juvenile court proceedings
Ongoing criminal investigation records — law enforcement records compiled in connection with active investigations
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account data, and similar identifiers are redacted prior to disclosure
Medical and health records — protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Adoption records — sealed by statute and accessible only through court order
Child welfare and protective services records — maintained as confidential by the South Carolina Department of Social Services
Personnel records — employee records are exempt except for names, titles, compensation, and dates of employment
Trade secrets and proprietary business information — submitted to government agencies under assurances of confidentiality
Security plans and critical infrastructure details — exempt to protect public safety

When a record contains both exempt and non-exempt information, the custodial agency is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder, applying a balancing standard consistent with the Act's policy of maximum public access.

York County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

The York County Register of Deeds serves as the principal custodian of recorded land records, including deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens. The Clerk of Court maintains court records for all case types heard in York County.

York County Register of Deeds York County Courthouse, 2 N. Congress St., York, SC 29745 (803) 684-8526 York County Register of Deeds Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

York County Clerk of Court York County Courthouse, 2 N. Congress St., York, SC 29745 (803) 628-3059 York County Clerk of Court Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

York County Assessor's Office 1070 Heckle Blvd., Suite 108, Rock Hill, SC 29732 (803) 909-7300 York County Assessor Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

York County Sheriff's Office 1675 York Hwy., York, SC 29745 (803) 628-3059 York County Sheriff's Office Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 898-3630 South Carolina Department of Public Health Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.