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How to Find Public Records in Cherokee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking government documents may access publicly available information related to public records through CherokeeSCRecords.us, a directory resource that aggregates publicly available data. Cherokee County, South Carolina maintains a broad range of official records through its county offices, and the information available may include court filings, property assessments, vital records, tax documents, and more. Access to specific records depends on the record type, the custodial office, and applicable state law exemptions.
Record categories that members of the public may find include:
- Court records (civil, criminal, probate, and family court)
- Property deeds, mortgages, and assessment records
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage, and divorce)
- Business licenses and permits
- Property tax records
- Voting and election records
- County commission meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget and financial documents
- Law enforcement incident reports (where permitted)
- Land use and zoning records
Records may be searched through official court resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools maintained by county and state agencies.
Online Access:
The Cherokee County Assessor's records search portal provides online access to property assessment data. The county's official website also hosts departmental pages with links to available digital records. No registration is required to use the public property search tool. Court records may be accessed through the South Carolina Judicial Branch's online case search system.
In-Person Requests:
Members of the public may visit the Cherokee County Administration Building to submit records requests in person. The Clerk of Court's Office, located at 125 E. Floyd Baker Blvd., Gaffney, SC 29340, accepts in-person requests during regular business hours. Requestors should bring a valid photo identification and be prepared to describe the record sought with sufficient specificity to allow staff to locate it.
Written/Mail Requests:
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the appropriate custodial office. Requests should include the requestor's full name, mailing address, a description of the records sought, and the preferred format for delivery. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, agencies are required to respond to written requests within a reasonable time.
Phone/Email:
The Cherokee County Administration Building may be reached at (864) 487-2560. Individual departmental contact information is available through the Cherokee County official website.
What Are Public Records in Cherokee County?
Public records in Cherokee County are defined by South Carolina state law as all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body. Under South Carolina Freedom of Information Act § 30-4-20, public bodies are required to make their records available for public inspection and copying.
The following record types are maintained by Cherokee County offices:
| Record Type | Custodial Office |
|---|---|
| Civil, criminal, probate, and family court records | Clerk of Court's Office |
| Property deeds, mortgages, and liens | Register of Deeds |
| Property assessments | County Assessor |
| Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce) | SC Department of Public Health |
| Business licenses and permits | County Administrator / Municipalities |
| Property tax records | County Treasurer / Auditor |
| Voting and election records | County Board of Voter Registration |
| Meeting minutes and agendas | County Administrator |
| Law enforcement records | Cherokee County Sheriff's Office |
| Land use and zoning records | Planning and Zoning Department |
The Cherokee County Clerk of Court's Office serves as the primary custodian of court records. Cherokee County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. Property assessment records are searchable through the county assessor's online portal.
Is Cherokee County an Open Records County?
Cherokee County operates in full compliance with South Carolina's open records framework. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act § 30-4-10 et seq., all public bodies in the state, including county governments, are required to permit public inspection and copying of public records. The Act establishes that "it is vital in a democratic society that public business be performed in an open and public manner so that citizens shall be informed of the performance of public officials and the expenditure of public funds."
The county does not maintain a separate local open records ordinance that supersedes state law. All requests are processed in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Public bodies must respond to requests within ten business days of receipt, either by providing the records, denying the request with a written explanation, or notifying the requestor that additional time is needed.
South Carolina's Government in Sunshine laws further require that meetings of public bodies be open to the public, with limited exceptions for executive sessions. Meeting agendas and minutes are public records subject to disclosure.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Cherokee County?
The fee structure for public records in Cherokee County is governed by state law and individual office schedules. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, fees charged for copies of public records must be reasonable and may not exceed the actual cost of searching for and making copies of the records.
Standard fees applicable to public records requests include:
| Fee Type | Standard Rate |
|---|---|
| Paper copies (letter/legal size) | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certification of documents | Varies by office |
| Electronic copies | Varies; some records provided at no charge |
| Search fees | Permitted only when search is extensive |
| Inspection of records | No charge for in-person inspection |
- The Clerk of Court's Office may charge separate fees for certified copies of court documents.
- The Register of Deeds charges recording fees established by state statute.
- Vital records copies obtained through the South Carolina Department of Public Health vital records office carry a fee of $12.00 per certified copy for birth certificates and $12.00 per certified copy for death certificates.
- Accepted payment methods vary by office and may include cash, check, money order, or credit card.
- Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or for records requested for specific public interest purposes, at the discretion of the custodial office.
Does Cherokee County Have Free Public Records?
Members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. South Carolina law does not permit agencies to charge a fee solely for the act of inspecting records in person. Fees apply only when copies are requested.
Free access to public records is available through the following resources:
- Cherokee County Assessor's Online Portal: Property assessment data, ownership information, and parcel records are available at no cost through the county assessor's records search tool.
- In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at the Clerk of Court's Office, the Register of Deeds, and other county offices during regular business hours without charge.
- South Carolina Judicial Branch: The state court system provides online access to certain case information at no cost through its public case search portal.
- Environmental Records: The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services provides free access to environmental permits, water data, and related public records through its online tools, including records relevant to Cherokee County.
The distinction between free inspection and free copies is significant: while inspection carries no fee, obtaining physical or electronic copies of records is subject to the fee schedule described above.
Who Can Request Public Records in Cherokee County?
Any person may request public records in Cherokee County. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act does not restrict access to residents of the state, and non-residents retain the same rights to request records as residents. Requestors are not required to provide identification for most records requests, nor are they required to state the purpose of their request.
Specific provisions applicable to requestors include:
- Residency: Not required. Non-residents may submit requests.
- Identification: Not required for most public records; may be required for certain sensitive records or for records involving the requestor's own personal information.
- Purpose: Not required to be stated for standard public records requests.
- Restrictions by Record Type: Certain records, such as adoption records, juvenile records, and sealed court files, are restricted regardless of who is requesting them.
- Requesting Your Own Records: Individuals requesting their own records, such as personal vital records, may be required to provide proof of identity and, in some cases, proof of relationship.
Organizations, businesses, and legal entities may also submit public records requests under the same framework applicable to individual persons.
What Records Are Confidential in Cherokee County?
Not all government records are subject to public disclosure. South Carolina Code § 30-4-40 enumerates specific categories of records that are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act's disclosure requirements. The following categories of records are confidential or restricted under state and federal law:
- Sealed court records: Records sealed by judicial order are not available for public inspection.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to juvenile proceedings are confidential under South Carolina law.
- Ongoing criminal investigation records: Law enforcement records compiled in connection with an active investigation are exempt from disclosure.
- Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are redacted from disclosed records.
- Medical records: Protected under both state law and the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
- Adoption records: Sealed by statute and accessible only under specific legal circumstances.
- Child welfare and protective services records: Confidential under state child protection statutes.
- Personnel records: Employee records are exempt with limited exceptions for certain public officials.
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information: Exempt when submitted to a public body in confidence.
- Security plans and critical infrastructure details: Exempt to protect public safety.
When a record contains both disclosable and exempt information, the custodial office is required to redact the exempt portions and release the remainder of the record.
Cherokee County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Cherokee County Register of Deeds
110 Railroad Ave, Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 487-2560
Cherokee County official website
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed on state and federal holidays
Cherokee County Clerk of Court's Office
125 E. Floyd Baker Blvd., Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 487-2571
Clerk of Court's Office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Cherokee County Assessor's Office
110 Railroad Ave, Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 487-2552
Cherokee County Assessor records search
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records
2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-3630
South Carolina vital records office
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-4300
South Carolina Department of Environmental Services
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM