Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains public records that are available for review, upon request, in accordance with the state's Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).

DPH follows the FOIA Policies and Procedures and the Family Privacy Protection policy when reviewing and fulfilling requests for copies of public records.

What is a public record?

A "public record" includes all books, papers, maps, photographs, cards, tapes, recordings, or other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by a public body. To learn more, see the state's Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).

Find common records

You can use the information below to find common public records quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. If you have a question or are looking for information that is not considered a public record, simply contact Constituent Services using one of the options below.

Also, members of the media should not submit a FOI request to get answers to questions or other information. Simply email Media Relations.

All requests must be submitted in writing. Identify or describe the specific public records you are requesting to help our staff efficiently search. Overly broad or vague requests may make it difficult for staff to respond in a timely manner, or to search for or produce public records at the lowest possible cost to you. The scope of requests may be narrowed by subject, date, or custodian to help ensure that searches are tailored to the specific public records sought and do not yield irrelevant information.

We offer multiple ways to submit your written request. We recommend the online option because it is the fastest option for you to submit and us to process your request.

Online
Fastest option. Your request is in our system and ready to be assigned to staff.
Email
Staff transfers the information from your form into our online system. This two-step process takes a little longer.
Fax
Staff transfers the information from your form into our online system. This two-step process takes a little longer.
Mail
Slowest option.
Your request takes several days to reach us. Then staff transfers the information from your form into our online system.
Process
Complete and submit form
Process
Download, complete, and send the form (pdf) as an email attachment to foi@dph.sc.gov
Process
Download, complete, print, and fax the form (pdf) to 803-898-3816

Process
Download, complete, print, and mail form (pdf) to: 

DPH Freedom of Information Office
2100 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201

South Carolina law (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-2-50) prohibits obtaining or using public records for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State and provides penalties for noncompliance.

The cost you may pay will vary depending on the type of public records you are requesting. However, our fees, effective May 15, 2018, are listed below.

Fee Schedule  
Search fee $23/hour
Redaction fee $23/hour
Scanning paper files fee $23/hour
Download electronic files fee $23/hour
Provide paper copies≤ 25 pagesFree
 ≥ 26 pages$.10/page
Off-site/archive retrieval fee $15/ box

If we cannot email you the requested information due to file size, you can request the options listed on the right.

CD

$2 each
 USB 8 GB$4.42 each
 USB 16 GB$5.10 each
 USB 32 GB$7.14 each


Under South Carolina law, the Office is authorized to furnish public records when appropriate either without charge or at a reduced charge if it determines that waiving or reducing the applicable fees is in the public interest because producing the public records under the circumstances primarily benefits the general public.

In some cases, the Office may require a partial deposit from the requesting party prior to searching for or making copies of public records. If a deposit is required prior to searching for or producing any responsive records, the public records will be furnished or made available within either 30 or 35 calendar days of receipt of the deposit, depending on the age of the documents or public records requested. The full amount of the total cost must be paid by the requesting party when the public records are produced.

The Office will notify the requesting party of its determination and the reasons for such determination within either 10 or 20 working days of receiving the request, depending on the age of the public records requested. Working days do not include Saturday, Sunday, or state holidays.

The Office does not guarantee that a search will yield any responsive public records. If the requested public records exist and are available for public disclosure, the Office will coordinate with appropriate staff to arrange for the retrieval and review. Unless a deposit is required prior to searching for or reproducing responsive records, the public records generally will be furnished or made available for inspection or copying within either 30 or 35 calendar days of the determination of the request, depending on the age of the public records requested.

All FOIA requests will be processed in a manner designed to ensure open access, accountability, and a timely response to the public. Because some of the requested public records could potentially implicate or involve sensitive economic development or law enforcement activities, ongoing litigation, or confidential matters that are otherwise protected or exempt from disclosure under state or federal law, FOIA requests are coordinated through legal counsel.

DPH Freedom of Information Office
803-898-3817
foi@dph.sc.gov

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