FAQ
Q: What kind of records are exempt from disclosure?
A: Some records may be exempt from FOIA. This may include information that would put an active criminal investigation at risk, expose personal identifying information or constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy. See the full list as outlined under state law at https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t30c004.php.
Q: Who can submit a Public Records Request?
A: Anyone can submit a public records request. However requests being used for commercial purposes may be denied. Per S.C. FOIA Section 30-2-50:
- (A) A person or private entity shall not knowingly obtain or use personal information obtained from a state agency, a local government, or other political subdivision of the State for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State.
- (B) Each state agency, local government, and political subdivision of the State shall provide a notice to all requestors of records pursuant to this chapter and to all persons who obtain records pursuant to this chapter that obtaining or using public records for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State is prohibited.
- (C) All state agencies, local governments, and political subdivisions of the State shall take reasonable measures to ensure that no person or private entity obtains or distributes personal information obtained from a public record for commercial solicitation.
- (D) A person knowingly violating the provisions of subsection (A) is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars or imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year, or both."
Q: How do I request a public document?
A: Simply enter the information you are looking for into the request field. Please read the information on the right hand side of the request page before submitting your request. The county makes many public records available via its website, so a request is not necessary to access it.
Q: What if I no longer need the requested document?
A: You can cancel a request at any time.
Q: What fees are involved in making a Public Records Request?
A: The county is allowed to charge the actual cost of retrieving and providing the documents. This may include fees for redaction of confidential information. Fees are as follows.
- Search, retrieval and redaction: Hourly rate of the lowest paid staff member able to perform the work. This may vary by department and request.
- Email search and retrieval IT programming fee: $25
- Copies: $0.20 per page
- USB Flash disc: $5 per device
Q: When will I receive a response to my Public Records Request?
A: Once your request is received, Georgetown County will provide an initial determination within 10 business days if the requested records are no more than 24 months old; for records more than 24 months old, the county may take up to 20 business days to make a determination per S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(C). The initial determination will contain information about what documents pertaining to the request are available and an estimated cost for providing the documents. S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(B) allows public agencies to provide reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, redaction and copying of requested documents. A 25% deposit may be required before the retrieval process begins. Once a deposit has been made, the law requires requested records to be provided within 30 days for records under 24 months old and within 35 days for older records. If we need to contact you for clarification or more information to complete your request, the clock on your request will be paused while we wait to hear back from you.
Q: How do I access my request once I’ve submitted it?
A: You will receive updates as we work on your request, including an update once the requested documents have been uploaded to the portal. Simply return to the NextRequest portal and sign in or search for your request to access the information once it has been released.
Q: What if I want a document in a different format than what is provided?
A: The obligation of the County is to make records available for review by the public; employees are not required to analyze data or make data compilations in responding to FOIA requests.