Archives, Catholic Diocese of Charleston South Carolina

It is the policy of each diocese to identify, properly arrange, maintain, and safeguard records required to conduct its spiritual and temporal affairs. Each parish is obligated, under Canon Law, to have parochial registers of baptisms, marriages, and deaths, and any other registers prescribed by the conference of bishops, or the local bishop. It is the obligation of each pastor to see that these registers are accurately inscribed and carefully preserved (Canon 535), and it is the responsibility of the diocese, acting in and through the pastors of the various parishes, to supervise how these records are used, by whom, and for what purpose.

The publication of the Sacramental Records Handbook (MS Word, Adobe PDF) of the Diocese of Charleston is intended to help parish clergy and personnel satisfy the serious obligation of properly maintaining, recording, and preserving sacramental records. While it is not being promulgated as particular law, its provisions should be observed. Of course, the dictates of Canon Law, as well as federal and state law, always apply.

Please note that forms referenced in the manual are available for download from the Documents & Forms page of this website.

The Bishop of Charleston has approved a General Records Management Policy for the departments of the Diocese of Charleston.  In response, the Office of the Archives has compiled general and office record retention schedules that have been reviewed by legal, financial, and canonical counsel.  Archives is currently moving to implement the use of records retention schedules on an office by office basis.  In the the process we are identifying and correcting any issues or concerns that develop. Please contact the Archivist, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , to receive and discuss the retention schedules relevant to your office.

General Records Management Policy (Adobe PDF)

Guidelines for the development of a parish or school records management program, including records retention schedules, are found in the Records Management for Parishes and Schools manual, 1993, compiled by David P. Gray.  Due to copyright restriction, this manual is password protected.  Please contact Archives with your request for a password.

General information on religious records management may be found in Jeanette Bergeron's Manual for South Carolina Religious Archives and Recordskeeping, 1999.