Beaufort SC Phone Directory
The Beaufort phone directory lists contact numbers for city and county offices in Beaufort, South Carolina. Beaufort sits in Beaufort County along the coast. It has a population of about 14,000. This guide covers city hall, police, records, and courts. Each entry has a phone number or web link so you can reach the right office on the first try. All contacts come from official sources like the City of Beaufort website and the Beaufort County government.
Beaufort Quick Facts
Beaufort Phone Directory Overview
Beaufort is one of the oldest towns in South Carolina. It was founded in 1711. The city sits on Port Royal Island in the Lowcountry. Its small size means most offices are close to each other. That makes it fast to get help in person if you need it.
The City of Beaufort runs its own set of departments. These include police, planning, code enforcement, and public works. Each one has a phone line. The city website at cityofbeaufort.org lists all of them. County offices handle courts, property records, and tax files. Both city and county numbers are part of this phone directory. Knowing which level of government holds your record saves time and cuts down on transfers between offices.
Note: The City of Beaufort and Beaufort County are separate bodies. City offices handle local matters. County offices manage court records, property filings, and tax rolls.
Beaufort County Court Records Directory
The Beaufort County Clerk of Court is the main office for court records access. You can search case records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch public index. This tool lets you look up records across all courts in Beaufort County. It is free to search. The index covers civil, criminal, and family court cases.
Results may include case numbers, filing dates, and party names. The public index gives you basic case data. For certified copies, you will still need to call or visit the clerk's office. Staff can tell you what fees apply and how long it takes. The search works best when you have a name, date, or case number ready. Broad searches may return many results, so use specific terms when you can.
Online tools like this cut wait times. You do not need to call or drive to the courthouse for a quick lookup. Still, some records are only on file in person. Older documents may not be in the digital system yet. When the portal does not have what you need, the phone directory listings on this page can point you to the right office in Beaufort County.
Beaufort County Property Phone Directory
Property records in Beaufort fall under county control. The Beaufort County Property Appraiser keeps data on all parcels in the county. Their website at beaufortcounty.org offers a free search tool. You can look up any parcel by address, owner name, or tax map number.
Each listing shows the parcel size, land use code, and assessed value. It also shows the owner of record. This data is public. Anyone can view it at no cost. The site updates on a regular cycle, so recent sales may take a few weeks to show up.
For questions about your tax bill or a value dispute, call the county tax office. The property appraiser sets values. The tax office sends bills. These are two distinct offices. Both sit in the county complex. If you are unsure which one to call, start with the property appraiser. Staff there can direct you if your question falls under a different department in Beaufort County.
Note: Property tax disputes in Beaufort County follow a set appeals process. Call the property appraiser first to learn the steps and deadlines.
Beaufort FOIA Requests
South Carolina law gives the public the right to request government records. The Freedom of Information Act is found at S.C. Code Section 30-4-40. It applies to city and county offices in Beaufort. You can file a FOIA request with any public body that holds records.
The process is simple. Write a clear request. State what records you want. Be as specific as you can. Send it to the right office. The city or county must respond within the time frame set by state law. Most offices reply in 10 to 15 business days. Some requests take less time. Others take more if the files are large or spread across departments.
Fees vary by office. Copy costs, staff time, and media charges all factor in. Black and white copies tend to cost around $0.10 to $0.25 per page. Ask for a fee estimate before you agree to proceed. This helps you avoid surprise charges. If you think a fee is too high, state law lets you ask for a review. The FOIA process in Beaufort works best when you plan your request ahead of time.
Beaufort Police Phone Directory
The Beaufort Police Department handles law enforcement within city limits. It is a small force that serves the city's 14,000 residents. The department runs patrol, investigations, and records divisions. For non-emergency calls, use the department's main line.
Police reports are public under South Carolina law with some exceptions. Active case files may be held back. Sealed records are off limits. For most closed cases, you can get a copy of the incident report. Call the records division to ask about a specific report. Have the date, case number, or names of those involved ready. This helps staff find the file fast.
- Incident reports for closed cases
- Accident reports and crash data
- Arrest records that are part of the public file
- Call logs and dispatch records
If you live outside city limits but still in Beaufort County, the Beaufort County Sheriff handles law enforcement in your area. Make sure you call the right agency. City police cover Beaufort proper. The sheriff covers the rest of the county. This distinction matters when you request records or file a report.
Beaufort Court Records Directory
Court records for Beaufort residents are held at the county level. The Beaufort County Clerk of Court stores civil, criminal, and family court files. These records date back decades. Most are open to the public. The South Carolina Judicial Branch runs a free case search tool that covers all 46 counties in the state.
You can search by name or case number. The tool shows basic case data. It does not show full documents. For copies of filings, motions, or orders, you need to contact the clerk's office. Staff can tell you the cost and how long it takes. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. Plan for a few days of wait time if you make your request by mail.
Beaufort County also handles traffic court, probate, and magistrate court cases. Each court type has its own process and its own set of records. Probate court deals with wills, estates, and guardianships. Magistrate court handles small claims and minor offenses. Use the phone directory to reach the right court division in Beaufort County so your request goes to the correct desk.
Note: The South Carolina Judicial Branch case search is free. Use it before you call the clerk's office. It may have the basic data you need.
How to Use This Phone Directory
Start with what you need. Pick the section that fits your request. Each part of this page covers a different type of office or record in Beaufort. Once you find the right listing, call or visit the website to get your answer.
Have your details ready. Know the type of record you want. Dates, names, and case numbers all help. Staff at any Beaufort office will serve you faster when you provide clear facts up front. This also cuts hold time on the phone.
Most offices in the Beaufort phone directory are open on weekdays. Hours tend to run from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Some close for lunch. State holidays mean closures too. Call ahead if you plan to visit in person. Mid-morning tends to be the best time to reach staff by phone. Lines are less busy then. If you cannot reach someone, try the website. Many Beaufort offices accept requests by email or through online forms.
Beaufort Area Government Resources
Several key resources serve Beaufort residents beyond what this page lists. The city website has a full staff directory. The county site has details on every department from tax collection to road maintenance. State agencies also play a role. The South Carolina Secretary of State handles business filings. The state DMV manages driver records. Each of these has its own phone line and website.
- City of Beaufort main site for department contacts
- Beaufort County government for tax and property data
- South Carolina Judicial Branch for court case searches
- Beaufort Records Portal for public record lookups
- SC FOIA statute for your rights under state law
When in doubt, start with the city or county website. Both have search bars that help you find the right page fast. From there, you can get a phone number, email, or mailing address for the office you need in Beaufort.
Beaufort County Phone Directory
Beaufort is the county seat of Beaufort County in South Carolina. County offices handle court records, property filings, and other public documents for all cities and towns in the county. For a full list of county office phone numbers, visit the Beaufort County phone directory page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities near Beaufort have their own phone directory pages. Pick a city below to find local contact numbers for that area.