greenville public records south carolina overview for first-time searchers

What falls under public records

In Greenville County, you can locate court filings, deeds, liens, marriage and probate records, property cards, and certain law enforcement reports. Agencies typically involved include the Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Probate Court, Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Greenville for municipal items.

How to start

Begin with the county websites: use the case search for civil or criminal dockets, the Register of Deeds index for land records, and GIS for parcels. When documents are restricted, request copies under South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act, noting fees and redactions.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Assuming everything is online: older files may only exist in a clerk’s vault.
• Skipping exact names or parcel IDs: typos can hide results.
• Overlooking jurisdiction: city records differ from county holdings.
• Ignoring statutory exemptions for juveniles, medical data, or active investigations.
• Not budgeting for certified copies, per-page fees, or search time.

For accuracy, confirm office hours before visiting, bring identification, and record instrument numbers so follow-up requests are quick and precise.