South Carolina public records law: how to make a request

South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code § 30-4-10 et seq. Rules below are quoted or closely paraphrased from the linked official pages, and each shows the date it was last checked (2026-10-20). Jurisdiction code: SC.

Build a request letter Official source

Statute and who may ask

• A person has a right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body, except as provided by section 30-4-40 or other state and federal laws, under reasonable rules about time and place. The right does not extend to people serving a sentence of imprisonment. A public body need not create an electronic version of a record that does not exist in that form. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(A))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• "Public body" includes state departments, boards, commissions, agencies and authorities, counties, municipalities, townships, school districts and special purpose districts, and any organization supported in whole or in part by public funds or expending public funds. "Person" includes any individual, corporation, partnership, firm, organization or association. (S.C. Code § 30-4-20(a)-(b))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• "Public record" includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings or other documentary materials regardless of physical form, prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body; certain records such as income tax returns, medical records, scholastic records and library patron records are not made open by the Act. (S.C. Code § 30-4-20(c))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• Without a written request, a person appearing in person during office hours may inspect and copy minutes of meetings for the preceding six months, reports of crimes or alleged crimes for at least the preceding fourteen days, records identifying people confined in a jail or prison for the preceding three months, and documents distributed to members at public meetings in the preceding six months, unless exempt. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(D))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

Response deadline

• On a written request, the public body must notify the requester of its determination and the reasons within ten days, excepting Saturdays, Sundays and legal public holidays; if the record is more than twenty-four months old, it has twenty such days. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• If the request is granted, the record must be furnished or made available no later than thirty calendar days after the determination (thirty-five days for records more than twenty-four months old), or after a required deposit is received. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• If no written determination is sent or delivered within the time allowed, the request is considered approved as to nonexempt records; exemptions are not waived by a late response. The deadlines can be extended by written mutual agreement, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

Fee rules

• A public body may charge reasonable fees not exceeding the actual cost of search, retrieval and redaction, at no more than the prorated hourly salary of the lowest-paid employee with the necessary skill and training, and must post its fee schedule online. No fee may be charged for examination and review to decide whether documents are subject to disclosure. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(B))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• Copy charges may not exceed the prevailing commercial rate and may not apply to records transmitted electronically; staff time to convert paper records to electronic form may be charged if the body agrees to do so. Records must be furnished at the lowest possible cost. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(B))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• A deposit of up to twenty-five percent of the anticipated cost may be required before searching or copying, with the full amount due at production. Documents may be furnished free or at a reduced charge when the agency decides that is in the public interest because the information primarily benefits the general public. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(B)-(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

Appeal path and remedies

• A citizen of the State may apply to the circuit court for a declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, or both, no later than one year after the alleged violation. The court must schedule an initial hearing within ten days of service on all parties, and generally conclude the case within six months. (S.C. Code § 30-4-100(A))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• A person who prevails may be awarded reasonable attorney's fees and other costs of litigation specific to the request; a partially prevailing person may be awarded an appropriate portion. (S.C. Code § 30-4-100(B))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• A public body may itself ask the circuit court for relief from unduly burdensome, overly broad, vague, repetitive or otherwise improper requests. (S.C. Code § 30-4-110(A))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

Request-letter wording notes

• Make the request in writing; the response deadlines in § 30-4-30(C) run from a written request. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• Ask for the records by email or electronic transmission, since copy charges may not apply to records sent electronically. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(A)-(B))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• Ask for the public body's posted fee schedule and an estimate, and for a fee waiver or reduction if the information primarily benefits the general public. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(B))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

• If you know the records are more than two years old, expect the longer twenty-business-day and thirty-five-day periods. (S.C. Code § 30-4-30(C))

  Source: S.C. Code of Laws Title 30, Chapter 4, Freedom of Information Act (sections 30-4-10 to 30-4-165, South Carolina Legislature) · last verified 2026-10-20

Not yet researched or not verified

• The exemptions in S.C. Code § 30-4-40 and the open meetings sections
• Any amendments to these sections after 2017 Act No. 67 beyond what the Legislature's code page shows
• Individual public bodies' posted fee schedules and request procedures

This is legal information from public sources, not legal advice. Laws and agency practices change; read the linked official source and consult a lawyer about your situation. Local agencies may have their own forms and contacts.