Criminal Records
The Criminal Records Section is primarily responsible for the maintenance and proper storage of all written records. This section provides the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with arrest data for Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics. Additionally, the Criminal Records Section processes incident reports, fingerprint cards, tickets, subpoenas, background/criminal history requests, insurance requests, Freedom of Information Act requests, telephone inquiries and walk-in requests.
HOW TO REQUEST REPORT COPIES
Report copies can be obtained by coming directly to our Records Office located at either of the following locations
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Beaufort Location: 2001 Duke Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
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Hilton Head Location: 70 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head, SC 29928
Or report copies can also be obtained by online electronic request by following these steps:
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Open the Freedom of Information Request Form
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Complete the FOIA Request form
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Save the completed FOIA Request Form to your computer
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Email completed form to foia@bcgov.net .
Upon receipt of your request, we will send confirmation of receipt along with notification of the total fee charged for the requested copy(s).
CHARGES/FEES
Copies of incident reports filed with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office can be obtained for a fee in accordance with Beaufort County Ordinance Sec. 2-435 (See excerpt below):
Sec.2-435 Copies of Official Records
(a) Service Charges. The following uniform services charges are established for the provision of supplying copies of official records requested by private organizations and individual citizens; county departments, other public and governmental agencies are excluded from paying these fees:
(1) Simple Copy of a Record
1. First Page . . . $1.00
2. each additional page . . . $0.25
The entire ordinance code for Section 2-435 can be viewed at: http://www.municode.com/Resources/gateway.asp?pid=10400&sid=40 .
If documentation of a law enforcement incident includes audio or video recordings, a copy of these may be provided via a CD/DVD which would incur a fee of $2.50/each.
PAYMENT
Payment must be mailed (MONEY ORDERS and CERTIFIED CHECKS ONLY) along with a copy of the confirmation and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Beaufort County Sheriff's Office
P. O. Box 1758
Beaufort, SC 29901
The requested copy(s) will be forwarded upon receipt of payment.
