Anderson County People Search
Anderson County offers several ways to search for people records through local and state offices. The county sits in the Upstate region of South Carolina along Interstate 85, between Atlanta and Charlotte. More than 200,000 people call Anderson County home. You can look up court cases, criminal records, property data, and vital records tied to people in this area. The Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, Sheriff, and Probate Court each hold records that help with a people search in Anderson County. Several online tools make it simple to start your search from home.
Anderson County Quick Facts
Anderson County Court Records Search
The Anderson County Clerk of Court keeps records for General Sessions Court, Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. Criminal warrants, bail bonds, trial lists, and docket entries are all held by this office. The Clerk also stores fees, fines, and costs from court cases. You can search these records in person at 100 South Main Street in Anderson. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Court dockets in Anderson County can be searched through the Anderson County Public Access System, known as ACPASS, at andersoncountysc.org. This system lets you look up case details by name or case number. Family Court records are also part of the ACPASS Public Records Index. The Honorable C. Reena Thomason serves as Clerk of Court, a role she took on in December 2022 after years as Chief Deputy Clerk. For cases not found online, you can call the office or visit in person to ask for help with your Anderson County people search.
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. Title 30, Chapter 4, most court records are open to the public. Anyone can ask to view them. You do not need to be part of the case. Some files tied to children or sealed by a judge may not be available. The Clerk of Court can tell you which records you can access.
Note: Family Court records may have limits on access under S.C. Code sections 63-7-1990 and 63-19-2020, so check with the Clerk before your visit.
People Search Through the Sheriff
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office provides law enforcement services across all 757 square miles of the county. Sheriff Chad McBride leads the office from 305 Camson Road in Anderson. The office runs the Anderson County Detention Center, the Unified E-911 Communications Center, Animal Control, and the Emergency Management Division.
The Anderson County Sheriff's Office website is a key resource for a people search in Anderson County. You can find details on warrants, crime tips, and victim services. The SAVIN system allows you to sign up for alerts when an offender's custody status changes. This gives timely updates by phone or email.
For crime tips, call Crime Stoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC any time of day. The main office number is 864-260-4400. The Detention Center can be reached at 864-260-4363. Dispatch is at 864-260-4444. These lines help with questions about people held in custody or active cases in Anderson County.
Criminal Background Checks in Anderson County
SLED runs the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system, called CATCH. This tool covers all of South Carolina, including Anderson County. A name-based search costs $25 plus a $1 online fee. You need the person's last name, first name, and date of birth to start. A Social Security Number helps but is not required.
The SLED CATCH portal is useful for anyone running a people search in Anderson County. Results show arrest records backed by fingerprint data from law enforcement. The system does not include wanted persons or sex offender status. For those, you need to check other tools. SLED processed over 553,000 background checks online in 2019 alone.
Mail-in requests go to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398. Only business checks, certified checks, cashier's checks, or money orders are accepted by mail. Personal checks and cash are not allowed. Call the Public Dissemination Unit at 803-896-1443 for questions about your Anderson County people search through SLED.
Note: SLED CATCH only covers South Carolina criminal records and does not include national records unless allowed by law.
Anderson County Inmate Records
The South Carolina Department of Corrections runs an online inmate search at public.doc.state.sc.us. This tool shows photos and public data on inmates sentenced to SCDC. You can search by SCDC number, State Identification number, or name. A phonetic match option helps if you are not sure of the exact spelling.
Results include current offenses, sentence length, admission date, and release date. You can also see the inmate's location and physical description. For people from Anderson County who are now in state prison, this is one of the best ways to find them. SCDC headquarters is at 4444 Broad River Road in Columbia. You can reach the Ombudsman at 803-896-9409 or email Ombudsman@doc.sc.gov.
FOIA requests for inmate records can be sent to FOIA@doc.sc.gov. Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, the public has a right to access these records.
Property Records for People Search
The Anderson County Register of Deeds records and indexes all legal documents tied to real and personal property. This office is at 401 East River Street in Anderson. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Property records often link a person to a specific address, which makes them helpful in a people search.
The ACPASS system also holds property data. You can search by owner name, TMS number, or street name. Results show the owner's name, mailing address, deed info, plat info, lot number, and acreage. The office also runs a free fraud alert service that sends warnings about potential real estate fraud tied to your name. Identity theft protections are in place, and you can ask for redaction of sensitive numbers from public internet records at no cost.
- Search by owner name, TMS number, or street name
- View deed info, plat details, and acreage
- Free property fraud alert service
- Request redaction of sensitive data at no charge
- Tax estimator tool available through ACPASS
The Assessor's Office at 864-260-4028 maintains property values, ownership data, and tax maps. All appraisers are licensed through the SC Real Estate Appraisers Board. Anderson County conducts a full reassessment every five years. The last one took place in 2021 and was put into effect in 2022.
Anderson County Vital and Probate Records
The Anderson County Probate Court handles estates, marriage licenses, guardianships, and involuntary commitments. The court is at 100 South Main Street in Anderson. Marriage licenses cost $46, cash only, and both parties must appear together. A 24-hour waiting period applies after the application.
For birth, death, marriage, and divorce records at the state level, the South Carolina Department of Public Health manages vital records. Birth and death records go back to January 1, 1915. Marriage records cover July 1950 through December 2021. Divorce records are available from July 1962 to December 2014. The Vital Records Office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. You can order copies online through VitalChek or call DPH Vital Records at 803-898-3630. Certified birth or death copies cost $12 for the first and $3 for each one after that.
The Sex Offender Registry at scor.sled.sc.gov is another resource for an Anderson County people search. You can search by name or by ZIP code. SLED maintains over 10,000 active registrations across the state. The South Carolina Code of Laws Title 23, Chapter 3 governs this registry. Using the registry to harass or threaten a listed person is a crime.
Note: Birth records become public after 100 years and death records after 50 years under state law.
Other People Records in Anderson County
The Anderson County Coroner's Office investigates deaths that occur by violence, suicide, criminal means, or when a person was not under a doctor's care. Coroner Greg Shore leads a team that includes deputy coroners, a forensic pathologist, and administrative staff. The office is at 301 Camson Road in Anderson.
FOIA requests for coroner records go to the Chief Deputy Coroner at accoroner@andersoncountysc.org. The office responds within 10 business days for records under 24 months old. Copy fees are $0.25 per page for black and white and $0.35 for color. A deposit of up to 25% of the total cost may be required. Death certificates are not issued by the Coroner. Those come from the funeral home or SC DPH Vital Records.
Anderson County Magistrate Courts handle traffic, criminal, and small claims cases. The Central Traffic Court is at the Ronnie Townsend Building, 2404 North Main Street in Anderson. Magistrate courts operate in Anderson, Belton, Honea Path, Piedmont, Starr, and Williamston. These courts issue arrest warrants, search warrants, and set bonds. Cases heard here often come up in a people search in Anderson County.
- Criminal jurisdiction covers cases with fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail
- Civil jurisdiction limited to $7,500 or less
- Emergency Orders of Protection issued when Family Court is closed
- Online payment takes up to 3 business days to post
Tax Records for Anderson County People Search
The Anderson County Treasurer collects real property, personal property, motor vehicle, and other taxes. Treasurer Jason P. Phillips has served since 2004. Real property tax notices go out on October 1st each year and are due by January 15th. Late payments after that date face penalties on January 16, February 2, and March 17.
Tax records tie a person's name to property ownership and payment history. You can pay and search tax records online through ACPASS at andersoncountysc.org. The main office is at 401 East River Street in Anderson. A second office in Powdersville at 4 Civic Court handles tax matters as well. Vehicle taxes must be paid before you can register with the SC DMV. Unpaid vehicle taxes lead to a notice sent to the DMV to suspend your license or registration.
Cities in Anderson County
Anderson County includes several cities and towns. Court records for residents across the county are filed at the Anderson County Clerk of Court or local magistrate courts.
Anderson is the county seat and the largest city. Clemson is home to Clemson University. Each city falls under Anderson County for circuit and family court matters.
Nearby Counties
Anderson County borders several other counties in the Upstate region. If you are not sure where a person's records are filed, check the address. Court records must be filed in the county where the person lives.