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Lexington County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Lexington County?

Public records in Lexington County are defined according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically under § 30-4-20(c), as "all documents, papers, letters, maps, books, photographs, films, sound recordings, magnetic or other tapes, electronic data-processing records, data processing software, and other material prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body." These records document the activities and operations of government agencies serving Lexington County residents.

Lexington County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records maintained by the Lexington County Clerk of Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and property assessments maintained by the Register of Deeds Office
  • Vital Records: Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates (note that vital records are primarily maintained at the state level through the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control)
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business names
  • Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax maps available through the Lexington County Assessor's Office
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration information and election results maintained by the Lexington County Voter Registration and Elections Office
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Council meetings, boards, and commissions
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County financial reports, budgets, and expenditure records
  • Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions) maintained by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

Each record type is maintained by specific county departments, with many now available through online portals maintained by Lexington County government offices. The Lexington County website serves as the central hub for accessing these various record systems.

Is Lexington County an Open Records County?

Lexington County adheres to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq., which establishes the public's right to access government records. This state law applies to all public bodies in South Carolina, including Lexington County government agencies.

Under § 30-4-15 of the South Carolina FOIA, the General Assembly has explicitly declared that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be advised of the performance of public officials and of the decisions that are reached in public activity and in the formulation of public policy."

Lexington County government offices comply with these transparency requirements by making most records available for public inspection and copying during normal business hours. The county maintains various online databases to facilitate public access to frequently requested records, demonstrating its commitment to open government principles.

County departments follow standardized procedures for processing FOIA requests in accordance with state law. While Lexington County does not have a separate county-specific public records ordinance that supersedes state law, individual departments may have specific policies regarding the practical implementation of records requests.

The county also complies with South Carolina's open meetings laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws," which require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public with proper notice given. These provisions are outlined in § 30-4-60 through § 30-4-80 of the South Carolina Code.

How to Find Public Records in Lexington County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Lexington County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

  1. Online Access: Many records are available through the Lexington County website. The county maintains several searchable databases:

  2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

    • For court records, visit the Clerk of Court's office at the Lexington County Judicial Center
    • For property records, visit the Register of Deeds office
    • For tax records, visit the Auditor's or Treasurer's office

  3. Written Requests: Submit a formal FOIA request in writing to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:

    • Requestor's name and contact information
    • A clear description of the records sought
    • Preferred format for receiving the records
    • Date range of records (if applicable)

  4. Email Requests: Many departments accept FOIA requests via email. Contact information for specific departments can be found on the county website.

  5. Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at certain county offices for public use in searching electronic records.

For specialized records, contact the specific department:

  • For law enforcement records: Lexington County Sheriff's Department
  • For property assessment information: Lexington County Assessor's Office
  • For marriage licenses and probate records: Lexington County Probate Court

County officials are required to respond to FOIA requests within 10 business days, as stipulated in § 30-4-30(C) of the South Carolina Code. For voluminous or complex requests, the response time may be extended to 30 calendar days with written notification to the requestor.

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

Lexington County charges fees for public records in accordance with § 30-4-30(B) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, which permits agencies to establish and collect "reasonable fees" for the search, retrieval, and redaction of records.

The current standard fee structure for Lexington County public records includes:

  • Copy Fees:

    • Black and white copies: $0.25 per page
    • Color copies: $0.50 per page
    • Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$5.00 per page depending on size

  • Search and Retrieval Fees:

    • Staff time: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (first hour is typically free)
    • Electronic records: Actual cost of media (USB drive, CD, etc.)

  • Specialized Record Fees:

    • Certified copies of court documents: $5.00 per document
    • Marriage licenses: $50.00
    • Recording fees (Register of Deeds): $10.00 for the first page, $5.00 for each additional page
    • Criminal record checks: $25.00 per name search

Accepted payment methods include:

  • Cash (in-person only)
  • Check or money order
  • Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
  • Online payments for certain record types

The county may require advance payment if fees are expected to exceed $100.00. Departments will typically provide a fee estimate for large requests before proceeding with the search and retrieval process.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available if the request is determined to be in the public interest, primarily benefiting the general public rather than the individual requestor. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Does Lexington County Have Free Public Records?

Lexington County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with South Carolina law. Under § 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, "Any person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body" during normal business hours, subject to reasonable rules concerning time and place.

The following records are available for free inspection:

  • In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine most non-exempt records at no charge during regular business hours at the appropriate county office. While inspection is free, copying or printing these records may incur fees.

  • Online Resources: Lexington County provides several free online databases:

  • Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals available at certain county offices allow free searching of electronic records, though printing may incur fees.

  • Publicly Posted Documents: Documents required by law to be publicly posted, such as certain notices, meeting agendas, and election information.

The Lexington County Register of Deeds offers limited free online searching of property records, though obtaining official copies may require payment. Similarly, the Lexington County Clerk of Court provides basic case information online at no charge, while detailed documents typically require payment.

It is important to note that while inspection of records is generally free, fees may apply for copying, certification, extensive search and retrieval, or specialized formats. Additionally, some records may only be available through formal FOIA requests that could incur processing fees.

Who Can Request Public Records in Lexington County?

Under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, specifically § 30-4-30(A), "any person" has the right to request public records from Lexington County government agencies. This broad eligibility extends to:

  • South Carolina residents
  • Out-of-state residents
  • Foreign nationals
  • Organizations, businesses, and associations
  • Media representatives
  • Attorneys and legal representatives
  • Government agencies

Requestors are not generally required to:

  • Provide identification for most record types (though ID may be required for certain sensitive records)
  • State the purpose of their request
  • Explain how they intend to use the information
  • Be physically present in Lexington County or South Carolina

However, certain exceptions and special provisions apply:

  • Requesting Your Own Records: When requesting records containing personal information about oneself, identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure.

  • Restricted Records: Some records have statutory restrictions on who may access them. For example:

    • Certain vital records may only be available to the person named in the record, immediate family members, or legal representatives
    • Some law enforcement records may have restricted access during ongoing investigations
    • Records containing confidential information may require proof of legal authority to access

  • Commercial Solicitation: Under § 30-4-50(B), obtaining public records for commercial solicitation is prohibited. Requestors may be asked to certify that information will not be used for this purpose.

  • Voluminous or Repeated Requests: While anyone may request records, the county may implement reasonable measures to manage excessively large or frequent requests that burden resources.

Government agencies in Lexington County may ask requestors to complete a standard FOIA request form, but cannot deny a request solely because a form was not used, as long as the request contains sufficient information to identify the records sought.

What Records Are Confidential in Lexington County?

Certain records maintained by Lexington County are exempt from public disclosure under South Carolina law. The primary exemptions are outlined in S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-40, which protects specific categories of information from mandatory disclosure. These confidential records include:

  • Personal Privacy Information:

    • Social Security numbers, personal financial information, and medical records
    • Personnel records, including performance evaluations (though certain personnel information is public)
    • Home addresses and telephone numbers of public employees and officials
    • Information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy

  • Law Enforcement Records:

    • Records of ongoing criminal investigations
    • Information that would interfere with a prospective law enforcement proceeding
    • Records that would disclose law enforcement techniques
    • Juvenile criminal records (with limited exceptions)
    • Victim information in certain cases

  • Legal and Judicial Records:

    • Records subject to attorney-client privilege
    • Materials prepared in anticipation of litigation
    • Sealed court records and expunged criminal records
    • Family Court records involving juveniles
    • Adoption records

  • Security and Infrastructure Information:

    • Security plans and vulnerability assessments
    • Critical infrastructure details
    • Emergency response protocols
    • Information that would jeopardize public safety

  • Business and Economic Development Records:

    • Trade secrets and proprietary commercial information
    • Economic development negotiations prior to announcement
    • Tax returns and specific taxpayer information

  • Other Protected Records:

    • Certain academic records protected under FERPA
    • Library patron records
    • Certain procurement information during active bidding
    • Draft documents and pre-decisional deliberative materials

Under § 30-4-40(b), public bodies may, but are not required to, exempt these records from disclosure. In some cases, a balancing test is applied to determine if the public interest in disclosure outweighs privacy concerns or potential harm.

Additionally, other state and federal laws may create specific confidentiality provisions that supersede the FOIA, including HIPAA for health information, FERPA for education records, and various provisions of the South Carolina Code addressing specific record types.

Lexington County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Lexington County Register of Deeds
212 South Lake Drive, Suite 301
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8190
Register of Deeds

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

The Register of Deeds Office serves as the official repository for all land records in Lexington County. This office is responsible for recording, indexing, and maintaining documents related to real property transactions, including:

  • Deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Liens
  • Plats
  • Easements
  • Power of attorney documents
  • Military discharge papers (DD-214)
  • Business name registrations (DBA/Fictitious Names)

For court-related records, contact:

Lexington County Clerk of Court
205 East Main Street
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8212
Clerk of Court

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

For property tax and assessment records, contact:

Lexington County Assessor's Office
212 South Lake Drive, Suite 101
Lexington, SC 29072
(803) 785-8190
Assessor's Office

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lookup Public Records in Lexington County

Lexington County Clerk of Court records

Lexington County government information

Property records through the Register of Deeds

Public record resources for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Property tax information search

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