SLED Online Background Check: How to Run SC Criminal Records Searches

What is SLED and How Does SLED CATCH Work?

SLED stands for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the state's official criminal justice agency. When people search for "SLED online background check," they're typically looking for SLED CATCH—which stands for Citizens Access to Criminal Histories.

SLED CATCH is a name-based search system that allows you to view and print criminal records information from South Carolina only. This is an important distinction: SLED checks don't include records from other states, federal courts, or the national criminal database. If someone has a criminal history in Georgia, North Carolina, or anywhere else, it won't appear in a SLED check.

The system requires a "starts with" match on the subject's last name, first name, and date of birth to retrieve results. Without the exact date of birth, you cannot run a SLED check—this is a verification measure to ensure you're accessing records for the correct person.

SLED Background Check Costs and Fees

A standard SLED criminal records check costs $25.00, which is non-refundable regardless of the results. If you run the check online, there's an additional $1.00 convenience fee. SLED does not retain any portion of this convenience fee—it goes to the payment processor.

Some organizations qualify for reduced rates:

• Charitable organizations: Eligible for a reduced fee of $8.00 if they meet requirements set forth by state statute
• School districts: Criminal records checks for prospective teachers and substitute teachers are provided to local school districts without charge

For mail-in requests, accepted payment methods include business checks, certified checks, cashier's checks, or money orders. Personal checks and cash are not accepted.

Step-by-Step Guide to Running a SLED Check Online

To run a SLED background check online, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official SLED CATCH website at catch.sled.sc.gov
2. Read and accept the Terms & Conditions for a Criminal History Search
3. Enter the subject's full legal name (first and last)
4. Enter their date of birth
5. Pay the $26.00 total fee ($25.00 + $1.00 convenience fee) with a credit or debit card
6. View and print your results immediately

Make sure you have a working printer installed on your device before starting—you'll want to save your results right away.

What If You Get a "Special Processing Required" Message?

Sometimes the SLED database returns an error or special processing message when it finds multiple results for a name and date of birth. This can happen when:

• Multiple people share similar names and birthdates
• The subject has used aliases
• There are discrepancies in the records

If you encounter this message, you'll need to contact the SLED Public Dissemination Unit at (803) 896-1443 for assistance. This can add days or weeks to your timeline.

Critical Limitations of SLED Background Checks

Before relying solely on SLED for your background screening needs, understand these significant limitations:

South Carolina Records Only

SLED CATCH only searches South Carolina criminal records. This is the single biggest limitation for businesses that hire candidates who may have lived in multiple states. Someone could have serious felony convictions in another state that won't appear on a SLED check.

Name-Based Search Limitations

SLED CATCH is a name-based search only. Fingerprint-based searches are the most reliable method and the least likely to result in a false positive or false negative result. SLED CATCH results can differ significantly from fingerprint-based searches. SLED only conducts fingerprint-based background checks when required by statute—you can't request one voluntarily.

No Sex Offender Information

SLED CATCH does not check for persons registered as sex offenders. You'll need to separately search the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry at scor.sled.sc.gov—which is free—but this adds another step to your screening process.

No Wanted Person Information

Information on wanted persons is not included in a SLED CATCH report. This means active warrants won't show up in your search results.

Mail-In Requests: When You Need Certified Results

Some situations require a certified or notarized SLED background check—particularly court proceedings like probate matters. Requests for certified criminal record checks can only be processed by mail.

To request a certified check:

1. Download and complete the Criminal Record Check Form from catch.sled.sc.gov
2. Specifically state on the form that results must be notarized and/or certified
3. Include payment via business check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order
4. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope
5. Mail everything to: SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia SC 29221-1398

Mail-in requests have no convenience fee, but processing takes significantly longer than online checks—often one to two weeks depending on volume.

When SLED Isn't Enough: Comprehensive Background Checks

For employers, landlords, and organizations that need more than just South Carolina criminal records, SLED CATCH has serious gaps. A candidate could have:

• Felony convictions in neighboring states (NC, GA, FL, TN)
• Federal criminal charges
• Civil court judgments
• Eviction records
• Employment verification issues
• Education fraud

None of this shows up in a SLED check.

For B2B applications—like vetting potential business partners, verifying sales leads, or screening contractors—you need a more comprehensive approach. Our free background checker provides trust scores and consolidated reports that go beyond single-state criminal records.

Background Checks for Sales and Recruiting Professionals

If you're in sales or recruiting, you're likely running background checks for different reasons than traditional HR screening. You might need to:

• Verify a prospect's business credibility before a large deal
• Confirm a candidate's background before presenting them to a client
• Check if a potential business partner has concerning history

For these use cases, a $26 SLED check for a single state rarely provides enough information. You need a multi-source approach that includes public records, business registrations, and social verification.

Galadon's Background Checker was built specifically for these B2B scenarios. It aggregates data from multiple sources to generate comprehensive trust scores, helping you make faster decisions about who to work with.

Combining Background Checks with Contact Verification

Smart sales teams don't stop at background checks. Before reaching out to a prospect—especially for high-value deals—you should verify their contact information is accurate.

Our email verifier confirms whether an email address is valid, risky, or invalid before you send outreach. This saves you from wasted effort on bounced emails and protects your sender reputation.

For recruiters, combining background screening with verified contact information creates a more complete picture of candidates. You can use our mobile number finder to locate cell phone numbers when you need to reach candidates directly.

Expungement and Record Corrections

If you're running a SLED check on yourself and find errors, you have the right to correct erroneous criminal records information. Here's what you need to know:

For expunged charges that still appear:

1. Mail a certified true copy of the expungement order along with your recently purchased background check
2. Include a stamped, self-addressed return envelope
3. Send to: SLED Expungement Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221

SLED will expunge the charge and send an updated records check if your original check was purchased within the last thirty days.

Important note: SLED only holds records from the state criminal history repository. If an expunged charge still appears on third-party background checks, you'll need to dispute errors directly with those companies—SLED cannot help with records they don't control.

Frequently Asked Questions About SLED Background Checks

How long does a SLED online background check take?

Online SLED CATCH results are typically available immediately—you can view and print them as soon as payment processes. However, if the system returns a "Special Processing Required" message, resolution can take several days to weeks.

Can I run a SLED background check on someone else?

Yes, SLED CATCH is a public access system. However, you must have the person's full name and date of birth. The system has terms and conditions about appropriate use, and criminal records information should be handled carefully and used only for appropriate purposes.

Does a SLED check show arrests or only convictions?

SLED CATCH shows arrest records supported by fingerprint submissions from law enforcement agencies, as well as dispositions (outcomes) of those arrests. Both arrests and convictions can appear.

Why would I need a SLED check specifically?

Many South Carolina employers, landlords, licensing boards, and volunteer organizations specifically require SLED background checks. If someone asks for a "SLED check," they typically need the official state records—not a third-party report.

Can I request a rush or expedited SLED check?

For online checks, results are already instant. For mail-in or special processing situations, you would need to contact the relevant court or Solicitor's office to request expedition—SLED processes these in the order received.

Making the Right Choice for Your Background Check Needs

SLED CATCH serves an important purpose: providing official South Carolina criminal records at a reasonable cost. For situations that specifically require SC state records—like licensing applications, certain employment requirements, or court proceedings—it's the right tool.

But for comprehensive due diligence on business contacts, candidates, or partners, you need broader coverage. A single-state, name-based search leaves too many gaps for high-stakes decisions.

Whether you're verifying a prospect before a major contract, screening a candidate before client presentation, or checking out a potential business partner, consider using Galadon's suite of free B2B tools. Start with our Background Checker for comprehensive trust scores, and combine it with email verification and contact discovery for complete due diligence.