Access Beaufort People Search
Beaufort people search tools help you find public records for residents of this coastal city in Beaufort County, South Carolina. The city serves as the county seat and has a population near 14,000. Beaufort County manages court records, property files, and detention data that cover city residents. State tools like SLED CATCH, the sex offender registry, and the SCDC inmate search also apply. Whether you need court case data, vital records, or criminal history, several search paths exist for finding information about a person in Beaufort.
Beaufort Court Records Search
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index provides access to Beaufort County court records. Select Beaufort from the county dropdown to search for cases tied to city residents. The system covers General Sessions criminal cases, Common Pleas civil matters, Family Court filings, and some magistrate court records. Search by party name, case number, or filing date to find case summaries, docket entries, and hearing schedules.
Only docket data appears online. Full case files and document images require a request to the Beaufort County Clerk of Court. The Clerk handles records for criminal, civil, and family cases. Certified copies cost $5 per document. Regular copies run about $0.25 per page. Visit the Clerk's office during regular business hours or submit a written request. A criminal record search through the office costs $25 per name.
As of January 2026, home address data no longer shows on the public index. Juvenile matters, sealed records, and adoption proceedings are excluded from public access under state law.
Beaufort People Search Criminal History
SLED CATCH is the state tool for criminal history checks. It covers all South Carolina arrests tied to fingerprint records, including those in Beaufort County. A search costs $25 with a $1 online fee. You need the person's last name, first name, and date of birth. Results arrive right away for online searches. Run a check at catch.sled.sc.gov.
The system does not include sex offender data or wanted persons. It only covers South Carolina records. Fingerprint-based searches are more reliable than name-based checks, but SLED only does fingerprint searches when required by statute. Mail-in requests go to PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398. Use a business check, certified check, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted by mail. Contact the SLED Public Dissemination Unit at 803-896-1443 for help.
SLED CATCH processed over 553,000 background checks online in a single year.
Note: Charitable groups that meet state statute requirements pay a reduced fee of $8 per search.
Offender and Inmate Records
The sex offender registry at scor.sled.sc.gov tracks over 10,000 active offenders in South Carolina. Search by name or ZIP code to find offenders near a Beaufort address. The system shows multiple photos, a visual map of where each person lives, and a list of aliases. You can sign up for email alerts when an offender moves into your ZIP code. County sheriff offices and SLED keep this data current.
Using the registry to harass someone is a crime. Misdemeanor penalties include fines up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Felony penalties can reach five years. The registry laws sit in S.C. Code of Laws Title 23, Chapter 3, Article 7. Act 221, passed in May 2022, created a tier-based system that allows some offenders to petition for removal from the registry.
The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs a free inmate search at public.doc.state.sc.us. Search by name or SCDC number. Results show the inmate's photo, facility location, charges, sentence, and release date. A phonetic match option helps when spelling is uncertain. Leave the first name blank for a broader search.
The SORT system is provided at no charge by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Beaufort FOIA Public Records
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act under Title 30, Chapter 4 grants the public right to inspect, copy, or receive records from any government body. Public records include documents, papers, maps, photos, tapes, and electronic data held by a public body. Each agency has a designated FOIA officer. Requests must be in writing.
The response window is 10 business days for files under 24 months old. Older records get 20 business days. If no reply comes in time, the request is considered approved for non-exempt records. After approval, the body has 30 calendar days to produce the files. Fees cannot exceed actual costs. No charge applies for electronic delivery. A deposit of up to 25 percent of total cost may be required.
- Court records from the Beaufort County Clerk of Court
- Property and deed records from the Register of Deeds
- Tax records from the County Treasurer
- Law enforcement records from the Sheriff's Office
- Marriage and estate records from the Probate Court
- Jail records from the Beaufort County Detention Center
The Family Privacy Protection Act bars the use of personal data from a public body for commercial solicitation. Violations carry fines up to $500 or up to one year in jail under S.C. Code Section 30-2-50.
Vital Records for Beaufort
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Birth and death files start from January 1, 1915. Marriage records cover July 1950 through December 2021. Divorce records span July 1962 to December 2014. For older records, check with county probate courts or clerk of courts offices. The DPH took over vital records from DHEC on July 1, 2024.
Birth certificates cost $12 for the first copy. Each extra copy is $3. Death certificates follow the same price. Birth records become public after 100 years. Death records open after 50 years. Until then, only family members and legal representatives may order copies. The Vital Records Office sits at 2600 Bull Street in Columbia. Order online at www.vitalchek.com or call (803) 898-3630. Regional offices also serve parts of the state. For expedited service, call (803) 898-0176.
Marriage and divorce records have limited date ranges, so older files may require a visit to the Beaufort County Probate Court.
Note: The online version of the South Carolina Code of Laws is not the official version, which is the print edition updated each year.
Professional License Lookup
The South Carolina LLR Licensee Lookup at verify.llronline.com covers over 40 professional licensing boards. Search by name or license number to verify someone in Beaufort. The system shows license status, classification, restrictions, and disciplinary actions. Fields range from real estate and nursing to contracting, pharmacy, and cosmetology. This is a useful step in a Beaufort people search when you need to confirm professional credentials.
The main LLR phone number is 803-896-4300. The agency promotes public health and safety through regulation, licensing, and enforcement across the state.
Beaufort County People Search
Beaufort is the county seat of Beaufort County. The county runs its own systems for court filings, property deeds, tax records, and detention data. For a wider search that covers all of Beaufort County, visit the county government website or use the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index to search county-wide records.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
People in nearby cities have their own local records and courts. Pick a city below to find people search tools for that area.