Dorchester County, SC Public Records
Dorchester County has an estimated population of 174,663 (2024) across 569 square miles of land. In South Carolina, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds (Register of Mesne Conveyances, or the Clerk of Court in some counties). Court cases are handled by the South Carolina Judicial Branch; use the official links below to find the courthouse and clerk for Dorchester County.
📍 Dorchester County at a Glance
| Population (2024 est.) | 174,663 Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Land area | 569 sq mi Source: www2.census.gov ↗ |
| Largest community | SummervillePopulation 44,274 (2024 est.) |
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🏛️ Courthouse & Records Offices in Dorchester County, SC
These are the main offices to visit in person in Dorchester County: the Clerk of Court for court case files, and the Register of Deeds for the records listed below. Details come from official state and court directories; hours and services can change, so call or check the official website before you go. Anything the official source does not list is marked “Not stated”.
⚖️ Dorchester County Clerk of Court (Dorchester County Courthouse)
| Address | 5200 East Jim Bilton Boulevard, St. George, SC 29477 |
| Directions | Get directions ↗ |
| Phone | (843) 563-0160 |
| Hours | Not stated |
| Records available | Circuit Court (General Sessions criminal and Common Pleas civil) and Family Court case records for the county |
| Official website | Not stated |
| Sources | sccourts.org/…/courthouse-search ↗ sccourts.org/…/clerk-roster ↗ |
| Last verified | October 17, 2026 |
📜 Dorchester County Register of Deeds
| Address | PO Box 38, St George, SC 29477-0038 (mailing address) |
| Phone | (843) 563-0181 |
| Hours | Not stated |
| Records available | Recorded real-property documents (deeds, mortgages, liens, plats) |
| Official website | Not stated |
| Sources | sccourts.org/…/roster ↗ |
| Last verified | October 17, 2026 |
⚖️ Criminal Records in Dorchester County, SC
Criminal case records for Dorchester County are kept by the court that heard each case. In South Carolina, felony cases are tried in the Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions); lesser offenses are heard by county magistrate courts and city municipal courts. Many court records are public and can be viewed or copied at the clerk's office of the court that heard the case. Source: sccourts.org ↗
⚖️ Where to get criminal records for Dorchester County
| State court system | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
🔍 Background Check in Dorchester County, SC
A people search for Dorchester County pulls together public records such as court cases, property records and address history. It is for personal use only: under the FCRA it may not be used to screen tenants, employees, or for credit or insurance decisions. The official record sources for Dorchester County are listed below.
🔍 Where to get background check for Dorchester County
| Sex offender registry | South Carolina Sex Offender Registry (SLED) Source: scor.sled.sc.gov ↗ |
| State court system | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
📋 Arrest Records in Dorchester County, SC
Arrest and booking records for Dorchester County are created by the arresting agency — usually the local police department, the county sheriff's office or the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Once someone is charged, the case becomes a court record at the court that handles criminal cases for the area.
📋 Where to get arrest records for Dorchester County
| State court system | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
🏛️ Court Records in Dorchester County, SC
Court records for Dorchester County include civil suits, small claims, landlord-tenant cases, criminal cases, family matters and probate (estates). Below are the courts that serve Dorchester County, with addresses from the official South Carolina Judicial Branch directory.
🏛️ Where to get court records for Dorchester County
| State court system | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
🏠 Property Records in Dorchester County, SC
In South Carolina, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds (Register of Mesne Conveyances, or the Clerk of Court in some counties). Property tax assessments are kept by the County Assessor.
🏠 Where to get property records for Dorchester County
| Land records | In South Carolina, deeds, mortgages and other land records are recorded by the county Register of Deeds (Register of Mesne Conveyances, or the Clerk of Court in some counties). |
📜 Vital Records in Dorchester County, SC
Certified birth and death certificates for South Carolina are issued by the state vital records office; in some places a county or local office can also issue copies. Statewide records can also be ordered from the South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records.
📜 Where to get vital records for Dorchester County
| State vital records office | South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records Source: dph.sc.gov ↗ |
🔒 Sex Offender Registry in Dorchester County, SC
The official sex offender registry for Dorchester County is maintained by the state. Search it directly — it is free and updated by law enforcement. Registry information may not be used to threaten, intimidate or harass anyone.
🔒 Where to get sex offender registry for Dorchester County
| Official registry | South Carolina Sex Offender Registry (SLED) Source: scor.sled.sc.gov ↗ |
📄 Divorce Records in Dorchester County, SC
Divorce cases in South Carolina are heard by the Family Court in each county. The full divorce case file, including the final decree, is kept by the clerk of that court. Some state vital records offices also issue divorce certificates or verifications; check with the South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records.
📄 Where to get divorce records for Dorchester County
| Divorce court | Divorce cases in South Carolina are heard by the Family Court in each county. |
| State vital records office | South Carolina Department of Public Health – Vital Records Source: dph.sc.gov ↗ |
| State court system | South Carolina Judicial Branch |
Largest Communities in Dorchester County
Summerville (44,274), North Charleston (31,238), St. George (1,855), Ridgeville (1,234), Harleyville (740), Reevesville (197), Lincolnville (3) 2024 population estimates, U.S. Census Bureau.