South Carolina Arrest Records Search | Criminal Records 2026

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South Carolina statewide guide · SLED, county arrests, courts and record relief

South Carolina Criminal History Lookup: Find the Correct Record the First Time

South Carolina does not combine every arrest, county jail booking, warrant, police report, court case, state-prison record and expungement into one public search.

This guide explains what SLED CATCH contains, how to search county records, what the fees mean, how to request reports, how to verify a same-name result and what to do when a charge should be corrected, expunged or pardoned.

Choose the correct record Run a SLED CATCH search Fix a failed search
An arrest is not a conviction. A booking or police report records an allegation and custody event. Charges may be dismissed, nolle prossed, reduced, expunged or resolved without a conviction. Match at least two independent identifiers before relying on a record.
SLED CATCH

Name-based South Carolina criminal-history report.

Base report fee

$25, nonrefundable.

Recent custody

Search the county sheriff or detention center.

Court outcome

Use the county Public Index.

Facts reviewed

July 23, 2026 using official sources.

Start here

Which South Carolina record answers your question?

SLED STATE REPOSITORY Do you need a statewide criminal-history report?

Use SLED CATCH for a name-based South Carolina criminal-history report containing information supported by submissions to the state repository.

Best for: a printable statewide report, South Carolina arrest and conviction history and permitted background-check purposes.
COUNTY OR CITY Do you need a recent arrest or jail booking?

Search the arresting city police department, county sheriff or detention center. Newly arrested people may not yet appear in a state or court search.

Best for: current custody, booking number, mugshot, bond, release, transfer and arresting agency.
COURT OR SOLICITOR Do you need the case outcome or record relief?

Use the county Public Index for case activity. Contact the handling court or circuit solicitor for certified records, expungement and case-specific correction.

Best for: formal charges, disposition, sentencing sheet, expungement, certified copies and plea history.
Complete search sequence: Check current county custody, obtain the arresting agency and booking identifiers, search the county court case, and use SLED CATCH when a statewide criminal-history report is still needed.

Choose the problem you need to solve

The article explains the official rules inside the page and links out only for live searches, requests or filings.

Record decoder

Seven records commonly mistaken for one another

South Carolina criminal records by custodian and purpose
Record Maintained by What it can show Main limitation
SLED CATCH report South Carolina Law Enforcement Division South Carolina criminal-history information returned from a name-based search. Not a national search, warrant search, sex-offender search or guaranteed fingerprint match.
Police incident or arrest report Arresting or investigating law-enforcement agency Incident narrative, arrest facts, officers, location, alleged conduct and releasable evidence references. Does not establish guilt or the final court outcome.
County jail booking County sheriff or detention center Current custody, booking date, photograph, charges, bond and release or transfer data. A booked charge may differ from the charge later prosecuted.
General Sessions case County clerk of court Felony and higher-level criminal case events, indictments, pleas, orders and sentencing. A Public Index summary may not replace a certified court document.
Magistrate or municipal case Handling summary court Lower-level criminal, ordinance and traffic-related case information. Not every municipal court is included in the statewide Public Index.
SCDC inmate record South Carolina Department of Corrections People currently sentenced to and incarcerated in state correctional custody. Does not include county jail inmates, released people, juveniles or ordinary probation and parole cases.
Sex-offender registry SLED registry system People required to register under South Carolina law. Separate from CATCH and not a complete criminal-history report.
Different identification numbers: A person can have a SLED state identification number, local booking number, incident-report number, warrant number, General Sessions case number and SCDC number. Save each number with its issuing agency.
Statewide name search

How to run a SLED CATCH search accurately

Citizens Access to Criminal Histories, or CATCH, allows a user to view and print South Carolina criminal-history information using a name-based search.

Confirm that a South Carolina-only report is sufficient CATCH does not produce a general nationwide or FBI report. Do not purchase it when the requesting institution specifically requires fingerprints or a national check.
Use the full legal first and last name SLED requires a starts-with match for the first name, last name and date of birth. Enter the beginning of each name exactly and avoid unnecessary punctuation.
Enter the correct date of birth An incorrect date can exclude the expected person or produce a different subject with a similar name.
Account for aliases and former names A maiden name, changed surname, nickname, compound surname or alternate spelling may require another search.
Use the Social Security number cautiously SLED will search it if provided. Private entities may obtain a Social Security number only when it is voluntarily given and otherwise lawfully used.
Review the nonrefundable charge before submitting Verify every search field because a typing mistake does not automatically entitle the purchaser to a refund.
Open and save the completed report Download or print the result promptly. Preserve the search date, submitted identifiers and any transaction or reference number.
Verify significant records with the court Use the county, arrest date, charge and disposition to locate the Public Index case and obtain a certified disposition when necessary.
Name-based search risk: SLED states that fingerprints are the most reliable way to identify a record subject and are least likely to produce a false positive or false negative. CATCH results can differ from a fingerprint-based result.
Open the live SLED CATCH search Call CATCH support
Fees and payment

SLED CATCH charges effective in July 2026

Published SLED criminal-record charges
Request Published amount Important condition
Standard South Carolina record check $25 The base search fee is nonrefundable.
Online service fee effective July 1, 2026 $1.43 per $25 report The CATCH notice states that SLED does not retain this service fee.
Online convenience-fee statement $1 The current CATCH terms also display this separate statement. Confirm the final total shown at checkout.
Approved charitable organization $8 base fee The organization must meet the statutory requirements and use its SLED verification information.
Reduced-report service fee from July 1, 2026 $1.14 per $8 report Applies to the charitable or reduced-fee online report shown in the CATCH notice.
Prospective teacher or substitute teacher No SLED report fee to the local school district Processed through the applicable school-district procedure rather than an ordinary personal search.
Checkout warning: The live CATCH page currently displays both the new July 2026 service-fee notice and an older or separate $1 convenience-fee statement. Read the final payment screen rather than estimating the total.
Mail-in advantage: SLED states that the online convenience fee does not apply to a mailed request. Postage, payment instrument and processing time still apply.
Mail-in report

How to request a stamped SLED record check by mail

Required subject information
  • Full legal name, including middle name
  • Aliases and maiden names
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number when lawfully and voluntarily provided
Required packet items
  • Completed Criminal Record Check form
  • Correct payment payable to SLED
  • Self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Written certification or notarization request when required

Accepted and rejected payment methods

Accepted

Business check, certified check, cashier’s check or money order payable to SLED.

Not accepted

Personal checks and cash.

Report authenticity

The official form warns that a completed mailed record check should not be accepted unless it bears an original SLED stamp.

Mail the completed packet to
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Before mailing

Make a complete copy of the form, payment instrument and envelope for your records.

No public walk-in records counter: The SLED form states that the Records Section has been closed to the public since December 15, 2008.
Download the official mail form
Report interpretation

How to read a South Carolina criminal-history result

Common fields and the correct next action
Field What it identifies What to verify
Subject name The identity name connected with the returned criminal-history information. Middle name, suffix, maiden name and spelling.
Date of birth The birth date recorded for the subject. Do not treat a same-name result with a different birth date as the same person.
SID or state identifier An identifier associated with the South Carolina criminal-history repository. Use it when contacting SLED about the record.
Arresting agency The local or state agency connected with the arrest submission. Request the police narrative from this agency, not automatically from SLED.
Arrest date The date connected with the arrest event. Compare it with the county booking and court-filing timeline.
Charge The offense submitted in connection with the arrest or case. Check whether a later plea, indictment or amendment changed the charge.
Disposition The reported result of the charge or case. Obtain the court’s sentencing sheet, dismissal or certified disposition when the result matters.
Multiple-subject message The submitted name and birth information may correspond with more than one possible record subject. Follow the Special Processing Required instructions and avoid choosing a person based on appearance or name alone.
No result No matching result was returned for the exact search criteria. Retry aliases and county sources; it does not prove no arrest ever occurred.
Repository completeness depends on fingerprint and disposition reporting. Missing fingerprints, direct indictments, aliases and incomplete court updates can affect what appears in the statewide history.
Recent arrest and booking

How to find someone arrested recently in South Carolina

Identify where the arrest occurred Search the city and county of the incident, not merely the subject’s home address.
Find the arresting agency The arrest may have been made by municipal police, a county sheriff, SLED, highway patrol, campus police or another agency.
Check for a city holding period A new arrestee may remain in police intake before transfer to the county detention center.
Search the county detention roster Begin with the legal last name. Add the first name, date of birth or booking number only when needed.
Open every plausible record Compare the date of birth, age, booking date, arresting agency, charges and identifying number.
Record all holds and case references One booking may include several warrants, charges, bond conditions or jurisdictions.
Confirm current physical custody A web result may show release processing, transfer or an older booking. Call before paying, visiting or traveling.
Search the court case next Use the county Public Index to identify the formal case, hearings and disposition.
In-person jail records: South Carolina FOIA requires documents identifying people confined in a jail, detention center or prison during the preceding three months to be available for public inspection during operating hours, unless an exemption applies.
Public Index search

How to search South Carolina criminal court records

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides county-based Public Index access. Users select the county where the case was filed rather than searching every court through one universal name field.

Determine the filing county The arresting city, incident location or detention center can help identify the likely county.
Open the Judicial Branch Case Records Search Select the county by name, city or ZIP code.
Enable required browser functions The court system requires cookies and JavaScript. Some browsers also need a pop-up exception to display case details.
Search by case number when available A case number is more reliable than a name and reduces same-name confusion.
Use a broad name search carefully Try legal names, maiden names, suffixes and spelling variations. Confirm the county and charge before treating the case as a match.
Distinguish court levels General Sessions, magistrate and municipal records may follow different indexing and copy procedures.
Read the case events chronologically Find the charging document, indictments, bond events, plea, trial, dismissal, sentencing sheet and final order.
Order the certified document when needed A Public Index display is useful for research but may not satisfy employment, licensing, immigration or court requirements.
2026 privacy change: Beginning January 1, 2026, home addresses are no longer displayed on the Public Index for new or existing cases.
Municipal limits: Some municipal court records appear in the Public Index, but not every municipal court is included. Contact the handling municipal court when no result appears.
Choose a county and search cases
Court result decoder

What common South Carolina case statuses mean

Use the actual disposition document before stating the result
Status Practical meaning What to obtain
Pending The case has not reached a final disposition. Latest docket entries and next hearing date.
Indicted A grand jury returned a formal charging instrument. The indictment and any superseding indictment.
Dismissed The identified charge or case was dismissed. The dismissal order and confirmation that every count was covered.
Nolle prosequi The prosecutor decided not to continue the identified prosecution at that time. The nolle prosequi entry or formal disposition.
Not guilty The defendant was acquitted of the count decided by the court or jury. Verdict and final disposition for every count.
Guilty plea The defendant entered a guilty plea accepted by the court. Plea, sentencing sheet and any amended charge information.
Nolo contendere The court accepted a no-contest plea with legal consequences specified in the case. Sentencing sheet and judgment.
Closed The system no longer treats the case as active. The final order because “closed” does not explain the outcome.
Police reports and FOIA

How to request South Carolina arrest and incident records

A SLED CATCH report is not the same as the underlying police report. Request the incident narrative from the law-enforcement agency that created it.

FOIA determination and production deadlines

South Carolina Freedom of Information Act timeline
Record age Availability determination Production after approval
24 months old or newer Within 10 business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays. Generally no later than 30 calendar days after the final determination or required deposit.
Older than 24 months Within 20 business days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays. Generally no later than 35 calendar days after the final determination or required deposit.
These are not automatic release guarantees. Exemptions, redaction, deposits, unusually broad requests and written extensions can affect production.

FOIA fee protections

Fees may not exceed actual search, retrieval and redaction cost
Hourly charge is limited to the lowest-paid qualified employee
Copy charges may not apply to electronically transmitted records
No fee for deciding whether a record is legally disclosable
An advance deposit may not exceed 25% of the estimated total
Public bodies must publish a fee schedule online

SLED’s published FOIA rates

$20 per hour

SLED scanning and redaction fee.

$25 per box

Archival retrieval fee.

$5 per disk

CD or DVD charge.

$0.15 per page

Printed copy charge.

Information that helps locate the record

Full legal name of the arrested person
Date of birth when known
Incident date and narrow time range
Street address, city and county
Arresting or investigating agency
Incident, arrest, booking or warrant number
Names of involved officers when known
Exact record type requested
Copy-ready South Carolina FOIA request
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, arrest-warrant affidavit and releasable supplemental reports relating to [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date and time] at [location]. The believed arresting or investigating agency is [agency]. Known identifiers include report number [number], booking number [number], warrant number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount]. If information is withheld, please identify the legal basis and release all reasonably segregable nonexempt portions.
Common lawful redactions: An agency may withhold or redact information that would interfere with a proceeding, invade personal privacy, reveal a confidential source, disclose protected investigative techniques or endanger a person.
SLED Freedom of Information Office
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221
SLED FOIA email

foi@sled.sc.gov

Use this only when SLED maintains the requested record.

Submit a SLED FOIA request Email SLED FOIA
Warrant verification

How to check a possible South Carolina warrant

SLED CATCH does not include wanted-person information. A CATCH result cannot confirm that a person has no active warrant.
Identify the likely county or municipality Warrants are issued and served through courts and law-enforcement agencies with jurisdiction over the case.
Search the county Public Index Look for warrant-related events, failure-to-appear entries and case status.
Check the county sheriff’s official resources Some sheriffs publish active-warrant or wanted-person pages; others require a telephone or in-person inquiry.
Contact the issuing court A magistrate, municipal or General Sessions court can help identify the case connected with the warrant.
Confirm the identity Use the full name, date of birth, case number and warrant number. Do not rely on a same-name listing.
Use a safe resolution path A person checking their own status should contact a South Carolina attorney, the issuing court or law enforcement for instructions.
Do not confront, detain or travel to locate a person shown as wanted. Warrant information can change, and mistaken identity can create a dangerous situation.
Troubleshooting

No South Carolina arrest record found? Follow this order

The arrest occurred recently The person may still be in police intake, identification, medical screening or transfer to the county detention center.
The name changed Search a maiden name, former surname, compound surname, suffix, alias and alternate spelling.
The date of birth was entered incorrectly CATCH uses the name and date of birth as matching fields. One incorrect digit can change the result.
The person was not fingerprinted or the submission is incomplete The statewide repository depends heavily on fingerprint and agency reporting.
The record belongs to another state CATCH is limited to South Carolina and does not provide an ordinary national search.
The case is municipal Not every municipal court appears in the Public Index. Contact the handling municipal court directly.
The person was released or transferred Search county booking archives, SCDC, another county or federal custody as appropriate.
The record was expunged Expunged information may no longer be available publicly, although limited sealed or nonpublic information may remain for authorized purposes.
The result says Special Processing Required More than one possible record subject may match the search. Follow the SLED processing instructions rather than selecting a person yourself.
The court has not transmitted the disposition Obtain a certified court disposition and contact SLED when the state history is incomplete.
Call script for a missing record “I am trying to locate an arrest, booking or court record for [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The event may have occurred on [date] in [city and county] through [agency]. I have [report, booking, warrant or case number]. Can you identify the office that maintains the record or confirm whether the person was released, transferred or listed under another name?”
State prison custody

What the SCDC Inmate Search includes and excludes

The South Carolina Department of Corrections search displays photographs and public information for inmates currently sentenced to and incarcerated in SCDC.

The search includes
  • People currently sentenced to SCDC custody
  • Public inmate information available as of midnight the previous day
  • Photographs when available
  • SCDC identifying information
The search excludes
  • People held only in county detention centers
  • People released from SCDC
  • Probation, parole and other community supervision
  • Juvenile offenders housed by the agency
  • Current SCDC fugitives
Data timing: The search reflects SCDC information as of midnight the previous day. Court, transport and release activity can occur after that point.
SCDC inmate-information line

1-866-727-2846

Report a search discrepancy

Ombudsman@doc.sc.gov

Search current SCDC inmates Check the released-inmate list
Victim and custody notifications

How South Carolina VINE and victim registration work

Automated inquiry

SC VINE is a free service available to the public for offender-location and projected-release information.

Search methods

Search by offender or SCDC number, SID number or name.

Language and assistance

The automated service is available in English and Spanish, and operators are available to assist callers.

SC VINE automated inquiry

1-866-727-2846

SCDC Victim Services registration

1-800-835-0304

803-896-1733

VictimServices@doc.sc.gov

Registration is separate from an ordinary search. SCDC states that online victim registration is not currently supported. Contact the Division of Victim Services to have the registration form mailed.
Open the South Carolina VINE search
Record accuracy

How to correct an inaccurate South Carolina criminal record

Match the error to the agency that controls it
Error First office to contact Evidence to prepare
Wrong person or incorrect identity match SLED Public Dissemination or CJIS Government identification, fingerprints, CATCH report and court records.
Missing dismissal or changed disposition Handling court and SLED Certified true copy of the final disposition or expungement order.
Incorrect police incident narrative Arresting or investigating agency Report number, recordings, photographs, court order and written correction request.
Incorrect county custody or release data Sheriff or detention center records unit Booking number, release document, bond receipt and court order.
Incorrect Public Index entry County clerk of court or handling summary court Case number and filed document showing the correct entry.
Expunged record remains on a private report Third-party reporting company Certified expungement order, updated SLED report and dispute letter.
Purchase or obtain the record showing the problem Save the full CATCH report or third-party report, not merely a cropped screenshot.
Identify the originating agency Record the arresting agency, court, case number, SID, arrest date and disposition.
Obtain certified proof Ask the handling court for a certified true copy of the dismissal, amended charge, sentencing sheet or expungement order.
Describe the exact correction State which field is wrong and what the official record should show.
Send the correction to the responsible agency A private website cannot change the official SLED, court or sheriff record.
Verify the result Obtain a new CATCH report or court record after the agency confirms the update.
SLED CATCH Public Dissemination Unit

803-896-1443

Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Email support

SLEDCATCHAcct@sled.sc.gov

Record destruction and expungement

South Carolina expungement routes explained

SLED cannot begin the expungement or remove a charge without a qualifying court order. Start with the circuit solicitor or the magistrate or municipal court that handled the charge.
GENERAL SESSIONS Felony or higher-level charge

Apply to the circuit solicitor in the circuit where the offense occurred. The solicitor coordinates SLED verification, signatures, filing and agency distribution.

Common documents: application, disposition, fee instruments and Order for Destruction of Arrest Records.
SUMMARY COURT Magistrate or municipal dismissal

Contact the court that handled the case when the person was found not guilty or the charge was dismissed or nolle prossed.

Eligible qualifying summary-court nonconvictions are processed without a court expungement fee.
ELIGIBLE CONVICTION Low-level, drug or youthful-offender record

Eligibility depends on the offense, sentence, waiting period, prior and later convictions, pending charges and whether the remedy has been used before.

Obtain case-specific eligibility review before paying nonrefundable fees.

General Sessions process and fees

Published General Sessions expungement payments
Payment Amount Payable to
Administrative fee $250 Circuit solicitor
SLED verification fee $25 when applicable SLED
Clerk filing fee $35 when applicable County clerk of court
Separate payments: The Judicial Branch directs applicants to provide separate certified checks or money orders for the applicable solicitor, SLED and clerk fees.
Administrative-fee exemption: An applicant seeking expungement of a dismissed, discharged or nolle-prossed General Sessions charge under Section 17-1-40 is exempt from the $250 administrative fee unless the dismissal was part of a plea arrangement in which the person pleaded guilty and was sentenced on other charges.
Apply through the circuit solicitor Use the circuit where the offense occurred, not the county where the applicant currently lives.
Submit the application and separate payments The solicitor determines which published fees apply.
Solicitor sends the application to SLED SLED verifies whether the record appears eligible under state law.
Required signatures are obtained Depending on the route, signatures may include the PTI director, summary court judge and circuit court judge.
The signed order is filed The solicitor files the court order with the clerk of court.
The order is distributed Copies go to the relevant governmental agencies and the applicant or attorney.

Summary-court dismissal process

Person was fingerprinted

For an eligible not-guilty, dismissed or nolle-prossed summary-court charge, the court initiates the expungement process at no cost.

Person was not fingerprinted

The defendant applies to the summary court using Application for Expungement form SCCA 223E. The process is also without a court expungement fee.

Two principal summary-court exceptions: The automatic or application process does not apply when the dismissal occurred only at a preliminary hearing or when related charges from the same event remain pending in both summary court and General Sessions.
Qualifying disposition occurs The person is found not guilty or the charge is dismissed or nolle prossed.
Agency objection period begins The prosecution or law-enforcement agency may object within 30 days only because other charges remain pending or the record is not eligible.
No-objection order timing The summary judge signs the order no sooner than 31 days and no later than 40 days after disposition.
Certified orders are distributed The court sends the order to the necessary law-enforcement, prosecution, detention, court and other agencies.
Internet public records are removed Eligible summary-court criminal charges must be removed from internet-based public records no later than 30 days from disposition.

Common conviction-expungement categories

Selected eligibility rules—not a complete legal determination
Record category General timing Important limits
Crime punishable by no more than 30 days or $1,000 Application may be possible after 3 years from conviction. No other conviction, including out-of-state conviction, during the waiting period; motor-vehicle offenses excluded; other conditions apply.
Qualifying first unlawful firearm or weapon possession Application may be possible after 3 years. The offense must fall within the statutory penalty limit and all other eligibility requirements.
Domestic violence in the third degree Application may be possible after 5 years from conviction. No other conviction during the waiting period and other statutory restrictions.
Qualifying first simple-possession or prescription-drug conviction Application may be possible 3 years after sentence completion, including probation and parole. First-offense, conviction-history, conditional-discharge and pending-charge rules apply.
Qualifying first possession-with-intent-to-distribute conviction Application may be possible after 20 years from completion of the relevant sentence. No other drug or felony conviction during the statutory period and other restrictions.
Youthful Offender Act conviction Potentially after completion of the sentence and the required statutory waiting period. Offense exclusions and conviction-history requirements must be reviewed.
Pending-charge and one-use rules matter. Several South Carolina conviction-expungement statutes restrict relief when other criminal charges remain pending and limit how often a person may use a particular expungement provision.

What happens after SLED receives the order?

Allow four weeks SLED advises allowing four weeks from receipt of the expungement order to remove the charge.
Do not wait for routine confirmation SLED states that it does not send ordinary confirmation because of the volume of expungement correspondence.
Purchase a new CATCH report After four weeks, use a new report to verify that the public state history changed.
When the charge still appears Send SLED a certified true copy of the order, the recently purchased report and a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Use a report purchased within 30 days SLED states that it can return an updated record check when the submitted original report was purchased within the previous 30 days.
Dispute third-party reports separately SLED cannot correct a private background company’s database. Send that company the certified order and updated official report.
SLED Expungement Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221
Send when an expunged charge remains

Certified true copy of the order, recent CATCH report and stamped self-addressed envelope.

Choose the correct expungement process View General Sessions forms
Private mugshot and booking sites

South Carolina’s no-fee booking-record removal law

South Carolina prohibits specified publishers from charging a fee or other consideration to remove, revise or refrain from publishing South Carolina arrest and booking records, including booking photographs.

When the publisher must remove the record

The request is sent in writing by certified mail with return receipt
It is sent to the publisher’s registered agent, principal office or primary residence
The request identifies the person’s name
It identifies the arrest date
It identifies the arresting law-enforcement agency
It includes certified documentation of the qualifying outcome
It describes the exact page or publication location
It includes the complete URL when the record is online
Removal deadline: When the statutory conditions are satisfied, the publisher must remove the record without requiring payment within 30 days after receiving the request.
Booking-record removal request
I request removal of the South Carolina arrest and booking record published at [complete URL or publication description]. The record concerns [full legal name], arrested on [date] by [agency]. Certified documentation showing that the charges were [dismissed, discharged, expunged or resolved by a not-guilty finding] is enclosed. This request is sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, under South Carolina law. Please remove the arrest, booking information and booking photograph without fee within the legally required period.
Preserve proof: Keep the certified-mail receipt, delivery confirmation, screenshot, URL, certified disposition and a complete copy of the request.
Pardon after conviction

South Carolina pardon process, fee and timeline

A pardon is different from expungement. SCDPPPS defines a pardon as full forgiveness from the legal consequences of the crime and conviction. It restores civil rights but does not automatically erase the historical court file.

Application fee

$100, nonrefundable.

Average timeline

Approximately 7–9 months to hearing.

Support letters

Signed and dated within the last 6 months.

Restitution

Must be paid in full.

Approval

At least two-thirds of the Board.

Required application components

Current official pardon application
Complete applicant information
Signed and dated application
Notarized Release of Information section
Recently dated signed letters of support
Names and contact details of support-letter writers
Certified proof that restitution is paid
$100 qualifying payment instrument

Accepted application payment

Accepted

USPS money order or cashier’s check from a certified financial institution, payable to SCDPPPS.

Incomplete packet

An application without the required nonrefundable fee is returned to the sender.

Eligibility timing guidelines

When the Board may consider an applicant
Applicant status General consideration point Condition
Former probationer Any time after discharge from supervision All restitution must be paid in full.
Parolee After successfully completing 5 years of supervision, or after discharge when the maximum parole period is less than 5 years All restitution must be paid in full.
Person discharged from sentence Any time after discharge All restitution must be paid in full.
Current inmate Before parole eligibility only in extraordinary circumstances Proof of extraordinary circumstances and full restitution payment.
Terminally ill inmate When life expectancy is one year or less Two separate physician statements and other required documentation.

Rights restored by a pardon

Right to register to vote
Right to vote
Right to serve on a jury
Right to hold public office, subject to statutory exceptions
Certain testimonial protections
Eligibility for occupational licensing, subject to other law
Voting after sentence completion: SCDPPPS notes that a person generally regains the right to register and vote once the entire sentence, including probation and parole, is satisfied, unless sooner pardoned.
Paroles, Pardons and Release Services
Attn: Pardon Application Processing
293 Greystone Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29210
Mail and phone
P.O. Box 207
Columbia, SC 29202

803-734-8989

Download the current pardon application
Employment and tenant screening

How to protect yourself when a private background report is used

A SLED report requested directly by a person is different from an employment or tenant-screening report sold by a consumer reporting company. Reports used for employment are governed by the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act and federal antidiscrimination law.

Before an employer obtains a third-party report

Employer must provide a clear written disclosure
Disclosure should be in a stand-alone format
Employer must obtain written authorization
Background checks must not be ordered discriminatorily

Before a negative employment decision

Pre-adverse-action notice The applicant receives notice that the employer may act because of the report.
Copy of the report The employer provides the report it relied upon.
Summary of FCRA rights The applicant receives the federal Summary of Your Rights.
Opportunity to dispute The applicant can identify a same-name record, missing dismissal, expunged charge or other error before the final decision.
Final adverse-action notice When the employer proceeds, it must identify the reporting company and explain the right to dispute and obtain another free report within the allowed period.
Strong dispute packet: Include government identification, the incorrect report, certified disposition, expungement order, updated CATCH report and a short explanation identifying every incorrect field.
Do not assume the reporting company checked SLED correctly. Private databases can combine people with similar names, omit final dispositions or retain records after an official correction.
Review federal background-check rights
Separate searches and protected records

Records not included in an ordinary CATCH search

SO
Sex-offender registry

CATCH does not include registry searching. Use the separate free SLED registry and verify possible errors with the registry unit.

JW
Juvenile records

Juvenile information follows separate confidentiality and expungement rules and is not treated as an ordinary adult public record.

WT
Wanted persons

CATCH expressly excludes wanted-person information. Contact the applicable sheriff, court or law-enforcement agency.

FB
FBI history

A standard CATCH report is South Carolina-only. National fingerprint checks require a legally authorized purpose and process.

EX
Expunged information

Expunged records are removed from ordinary public availability, although limited sealed or nonpublic retention is authorized for specific purposes.

AP
Appellate cases

Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases use the separate C-Track Public Access system.

Search the S.C. Sex Offender Registry Search appellate cases
Record lifecycle

How one South Carolina arrest becomes several records

Incident or investigation The law-enforcement agency creates the incident report, recordings, photographs and investigative file.
Arrest and warrant The arresting agency and court create arrest, warrant and probable-cause records.
Fingerprint and booking A custodially arrested person is fingerprinted during booking, and the prints are submitted to the SLED repository under state reporting rules.
County detention record The sheriff or jail creates custody, property, bond, housing, release and transfer records.
Prosecutor decision The solicitor may prosecute, amend, reduce or discontinue the charge.
Court disposition The clerk or summary court records dismissal, plea, conviction, acquittal, sentence and related orders.
SLED history update Reported fingerprint, charge and disposition data become part of the state repository.
Correction, expungement or pardon Later certified records and court or pardon orders can change the legal status or public availability of the information.
Official contacts

South Carolina arrest and criminal-record contacts

Contact the office that controls the record
Office Contact Use this office for
SLED Public Dissemination Unit 803-896-1443
SLEDCATCHAcct@sled.sc.gov 		CATCH search support, result questions, refund processing and special-processing issues.
SLED Headquarters 803-737-9000
4400 Broad River Road
Columbia, SC 29210 		General SLED routing and agency information.
SLED Records Department P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398 		Mailed criminal-record checks and name-change fingerprint packets.
SLED FOIA Office foi@sled.sc.gov
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221 		Public records maintained by SLED, not records belonging to another police agency.
County clerk or summary court Use the Judicial Branch county search. Court cases, certified dispositions, sentencing sheets and summary-court expungements.
Circuit solicitor Contact the circuit where the offense occurred. General Sessions expungement applications, diversion records and prosecutor-held case information.
SCDC 803-896-8500
P.O. Box 21787
Columbia, SC 29210 		State correctional custody and general SCDC questions.
SCDC Victim Services 1-800-835-0304
VictimServices@doc.sc.gov 		Victim registration, notification and custody-status inquiries.
SCDPPPS Pardons 803-734-8989
293 Greystone Boulevard
Columbia, SC 29210 		Pardon applications and pardon-process questions.
Map and directions

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division headquarters

SLED headquarters is located at 4400 Broad River Road in Columbia. The criminal-record mail process uses a separate post-office-box address, and the records counter is not open for public walk-in service.

Do not travel to submit an ordinary record-check form. Use CATCH online or mail the official packet to the SLED Records Department.
Official information incorporated

How this South Carolina guide was researched

The article incorporates the operational facts from SLED CATCH and its official mail form, the SLED Criminal Justice Information Services and FOIA pages, South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index and expungement instructions, current South Carolina statutes, SCDC inmate and victim-services information, and SCDPPPS pardon requirements.

Information explained here

Search fields, report limits, costs, accepted payments, court routing, FOIA deadlines, correction steps and record-relief procedures.

External actions retained

Live CATCH searches, county case lookups, SCDC searches, report submissions and official applications.

Update-sensitive items

Checkout fees, court data, custody, forms, office procedures and statutory eligibility should be reconfirmed before action.

Last official-source review: July 23, 2026.
Frequently asked questions

South Carolina arrest and criminal-record questions answered

How do I search South Carolina arrest records?

Use SLED CATCH for a statewide name-based criminal-history report. Use the arresting agency and county detention center for a recent booking, and the county Public Index for the court case.

How much does SLED CATCH cost?

The standard base fee is $25 and is nonrefundable. The July 2026 CATCH notice also lists a $1.43 online service fee. Review the live checkout because the terms still display a separate $1 convenience-fee statement.

Is SLED CATCH nationwide?

No. It is a South Carolina criminal-history search. A national fingerprint check requires a separate legally authorized process.

Is CATCH fingerprint-based?

No. CATCH is name-based. SLED states that fingerprint searches are more reliable and are conducted only when required or authorized by statute.

What information should I enter?

Enter the legal first name, last name and date of birth accurately. Consider aliases, maiden names and prior surnames. A Social Security number may be searched when lawfully provided.

Why did CATCH return Special Processing Required?

More than one possible subject may match the name and birth information. Follow SLED’s processing instructions rather than choosing a record based only on name or appearance.

Does CATCH include active warrants?

No. Wanted-person information is excluded. Check the relevant sheriff and court, then confirm directly with law enforcement.

Does CATCH search the sex-offender registry?

No. Use the separate free South Carolina Sex Offender Registry.

How do I mail a SLED background-check request?

Complete the official form, include proper payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope, and mail it to SLED Records Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398.

Can I pay by personal check?

No. SLED accepts a business check, certified check, cashier’s check or money order for mailed requests. Personal checks and cash are not accepted.

How do I find a person arrested today?

Identify the arresting city and county. Check the city police department and county detention center because a new arrestee may not appear immediately in CATCH or the court index.

How do I search a South Carolina criminal court case?

Use the Judicial Branch Case Records Search, choose the filing county and search its Public Index. Enable cookies, JavaScript and pop-ups when required.

Why is a municipal case missing?

Only some municipal courts participate in the Public Index. Contact the municipal court that handled the charge.

How do I request an arrest report?

Send a specific FOIA request to the agency that created the report. Include the subject, date, location, agency and record identifiers.

How long does a South Carolina FOIA request take?

The agency generally has 10 business days for an availability determination, or 20 business days for records older than 24 months. Production generally follows within 30 or 35 calendar days after approval or deposit.

Can an agency charge a large deposit?

The advance deposit may not exceed 25% of the reasonably anticipated production cost under South Carolina FOIA.

Does SCDC show county jail inmates?

No. The SCDC search covers inmates currently sentenced to and incarcerated in state correctional custody, not ordinary county detention.

How current is the SCDC inmate search?

SCDC states that its search reflects public information as of midnight the previous day.

How do I correct an incorrect SLED record?

Obtain the report, identify the arrest and court case, collect certified proof and contact the agency that controls the incorrect information. CATCH support is available at 803-896-1443.

Where do I apply for expungement?

Apply through the circuit solicitor for a General Sessions record. Contact the handling magistrate or municipal court for an eligible summary-court nonconviction.

How much does General Sessions expungement cost?

Published fees are $250 to the solicitor, $25 to SLED when applicable and $35 to the clerk when applicable. Some dismissed cases are exempt from the administrative fee.

How long should I wait after SLED receives an expungement order?

SLED advises allowing four weeks. It does not routinely send confirmation, so a new CATCH report can be used to verify the update.

Can a mugshot website charge me to remove a dismissed arrest?

South Carolina law prohibits specified publishers from requiring payment and provides a no-fee removal process when the written request and documentation satisfy the statute.

How much does a pardon cost?

The SCDPPPS pardon application fee is $100 and is nonrefundable.

Does a pardon erase the conviction?

No. A pardon forgives legal consequences and restores civil rights, but it is different from an expungement and does not automatically destroy every court record.

Accuracy, identity and legal-use notice

County Arrest Records is an independent informational guide. It is not SLED, SCDC, SCDPPPS, the South Carolina Judicial Branch, a county sheriff, a circuit solicitor or a law firm.

Arrest, warrant, custody, court and criminal-history information can change after release, transfer, plea, dismissal, correction, expungement or pardon. Confirm the person through multiple identifiers and obtain the current official document before making an employment, housing, licensing, legal, financial, safety or publication decision.

Every arrested person is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Expungement and pardon eligibility are case-specific. This guide explains official procedures but is not legal advice.

Last reviewed against official South Carolina sources: July 23, 2026.

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