How To Find Court Records In South Carolina

Court records in South Carolina are official documents that capture the proceedings and outcomes of legal cases. While these records serve as valuable sources of information, navigating them can often feel overwhelming.

This difficulty is partly because the state has multiple courts operating at different levels. Moreover, many counties also maintain their own local records, further multiplying the number of sources available to the public.

Fortunately, CourtCaseFinder can simplify the process. Instead of tracking down each courthouse individually, the platform allows you to search across applicable state courts in every county and city throughout South Carolina. When applicable, it also covers a wide range of case types, including civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters.

Depending on availability, a search may provide details, such as case numbers, filing dates, parties involved, and court locations, compiled into one streamlined report. While this convenience makes record searches much easier, having an idea of the specific court and type of record you need can help you find results even faster.

How To Access South Carolina Public Court Records

You can find court records in many ways. CourtCaseFinder provides a quick, centralized search by compiling publicly available documents. However, official access to South Carolina court records is also available directly through government agencies, whether by mail, online, or in person.

Online

You can use the SC Judicial Branch's Case Search tools. By selecting the appropriate county, you can search by name or case number to view case summaries, docket entries, and other records, when available. Using the case number, you can determine which county a case was filed in and the court handling the case with the published case search help.

For appellate matters, the South Carolina Appellate Case Management System portal, starting May 1, 2012, lets you view Supreme Court and Court of Appeals filings and events.

You can search the portal by using case details such as case number, court, or by participants' details such as last name, first name, and even SC Department of Corrections (SCDC) Inmate number.

Another alternative is the opinion advanced search, which allows you to find court records by case number, judge, author, court type, and date.

In-Person

You can visit the county Clerk of Court's office to request records in person. Clerks maintain all court files and can provide paper copies, though fees may apply for per-page copies or certifications. The Clerk's office manages dockets, processes fees and fines, maintains official records, and submits reports to state and federal agencies.

By Mail

Some counties allow written requests. For example, Kershaw County charges a non-refundable search fee plus copying costs, and requires payment by certified check or money order. Application procedures vary by county, so check with the relevant Clerk's office.

South Carolina Court Records: What is Public and What is Not?

South Carolina's court records are, by default, open to the public under the state's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). FOIA provisions grant you the right to inspect, copy, or receive electronic transmissions of public records unless specifically exempt.

Typically, these details appear in public court records:

• Case titles, numbers, and filing dates
• Names of involved parties
• Court locations and type (e.g., trial, district, municipal)
• General case statuses or outcomes (e.g., disposition, judgment)
• Docket summaries and event listings

However, some court records are not public or sealed from being accessed, which may contain:

• Juvenile court records (to protect minors)
• Adoption-related cases and related documents
• Records containing personal identifying information whose disclosure may invade privacy or jeopardize fair proceedings
• Any records sealed or expunged by court order
• Documents revealing confidential sources or endangering someone's safety

Access to these records is restricted and may only be granted to authorized individuals or through a formal court order.

Who Oversees the Courts in South Carolina?

The South Carolina Judicial Department oversees the operation and administration of all state courts, including trial courts, appellate courts, and county-level courts. This unified court system endeavors to maintain consistency and accountability across every county and judicial circuit.

At the top of this system is the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court, who serves as both the judicial leader of the state and the administrative head of the Judicial Department. The Chief Justice provides overall direction, sets judicial policy, and ensures the efficient operation of the court system statewide.

Currently, John W. Kittredge is the elected chief justice in SC Supreme Court. He took office in 2024.

Supporting this leadership, the Office of Court Administration handles the day-to-day management of the courts. Its responsibilities typically consist of:

• Implementing policies set by the Chief Justice
• Coordinating the assignment and scheduling of judges
• Managing court budgets and resources
• Overseeing technology systems used in courts, such as electronic filing and public access portals
• Providing training and support services to judges and clerks of court

Together, the Chief Justice and the Office of Court Administration maintain the integrity and accessibility of South Carolina's courts, making sure they operate smoothly and in accordance with the law. This structure allows the public, attorneys, and court staff to rely on a consistent system of justice throughout the state.

What Types of Courts Exist in South Carolina?

South Carolina has various courts that handle different court cases as mandated by law.

The system has two major classifications: the Appellate courts, which consist of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, and the Trial Courts, which include Family Courts and Probate Courts. Together, these courts hear matters ranging from criminal and civil disputes to family, probate, and local ordinance cases.

Below is a table outlining the court type, its jurisdiction, and common cases handled for each court:

Court Type	Jurisdiction	Common Case Types
Supreme Court	The highest appellate court in South Carolina is the final authority on state law	Constitutional issues, death penalty appeals, disciplinary cases involving judges and lawyers
Court of Appeals	An intermediate appellate court reviewing decisions from lower courts, except for cases with death sentences	Civil appeals, criminal appeals, and administrative agency appeals
Circuit Court	General jurisdiction trial court, divided into Common Pleas (civil) and General Sessions (criminal); limited appellate jurisdiction on probate, magistrate, and municipal courts	Felonies, major civil disputes, appeals from probate, magistrate, and municipal courts
Family Court	All domestic and family relationship matters, including divorce, custody, adoption, support, and related issues; cases involving minors under 18, except certain traffic, fish, and game violations	Divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence
Probate Court	County-level court handling estate, guardianship of incompetents, and mental health matters; not exceeding $25,000 in minor settlements; exclusive jurisdiction on trusts; and shared jurisdiction with Circuit courts on powers of attorney	Wills, estates, conservatorships, guardianships, involuntary commitments
Magistrate Court	Local court with limited criminal trial jurisdiction on cases with penalties not exceeding 30 days imprisonment, fine of $500, or both; civil trial jurisdiction not exceeding the controversy amount of $7,500	Minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, civil cases under a set dollar limit, and landlord-tenant disputes
Municipal Court	City-level court, cases transferred from general sessions with a penalty of not exceeding one year of imprisonment, a fine of $5,000, or both	City ordinance violations, traffic cases within city limits
Master-in-Equity Court	Specialized division within circuit courts in some counties with a population of 130,000	Foreclosures, equity matters such as the partition of property
Treatment Court	Alternative/diversionary courts focusing on rehabilitation instead of traditional sanctions	Nonviolent offenses involving substance use; participants undergo treatment programs, frequent court reviews, mandatory treatment sessions, and regular drug testing

What Federal Courts Are In South Carolina?

South Carolina is served by a single federal judicial district: the District of South Carolina. This district is divided into several divisions across the state, including Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Florence.

Judges in these courts are nominated by the President of the United States, confirmed by the Senate, and serve lifetime appointments under Article III of the U.S. Constitution. If you disagree with a decision in the District of South Carolina, you may appeal to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Federal courts hear cases under two primary types of jurisdiction: diversity jurisdiction and federal question jurisdiction.

The diversity jurisdiction applies to civil cases involving more than $75,000 between citizens of different states, provided the plaintiffs don't share citizenship with any defendant.

On the other hand, federal question jurisdiction covers cases involving the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, or treaties. Some cases may qualify for both federal and state courts. In these instances, the plaintiff may choose where to file, though the defendant can request to move the case to federal court if eligible.

Federal courts also handle matters that are exclusively federal in nature. These can include bankruptcy, immigration, patents, copyrights, maritime disputes, and cases where the federal government is a party. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina, located in Columbia, is dedicated solely to bankruptcy filings and proceedings.

Court	Jurisdiction	Contact Information
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina	Federal trial court with jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases arising under federal law	Courthouses: Anderson, Greenville, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Spartanburg Columbia (HQ): Courthouse, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 765-5816
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina	Handles bankruptcy filings and related matters under federal bankruptcy law	Courthouses: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville Columbia (HQ): Bankruptcy Courthouse, 1100 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 765-5436

How Many Cases Are Handled Annually in [State] Courts?

South Carolina's annual judicial reports show strong activity across its court system, with thousands of cases filed and resolved each year. While exact numbers vary by year and case type, the latest fiscal year data offers a useful snapshot of recent trends. The latest cases filed in trial courts are approximately 220,000.

Case Type	Approx. Annual Volume
Criminal Cases	~61,000
Civil Cases	~97,000
Family & Probate	~40,000
Housing Cases	~8,000
Juvenile Cases	~3,000
Small Claims	~11,000

How Do I File a Case in South Carolina Courts?

Filing a case in South Carolina requires following specific steps, which may vary depending on the type of court and case. Below is a statewide roadmap you can follow.

Confirm The Right Court and Venue

The first step is to determine which court to file your case in. Usually, you'd be filing with circuit courts for most civil cases. Just note the appropriate circuit courts. If you're unsure which court is the right one, you can always review the table above for the jurisdiction of each court and locate the specific court using the state court search directory to help you with this part.

Prepare The Required Documents

After determining the right court, prepare the required documents, such as forms, coversheets, and other related documents. You can browse the SC Judicial Branch court forms portal to find the correct form. This portal allows you to search for the form's title, type of court, or form ID.

Note that each court has its specific forms and coversheets. For example, the common pleas court uses the Civil Action Coversheet SCCA 234. On the other hand, cases related to family court jurisdictions use the Family Court Coversheet SCCA 467 or other case-specific forms, which may differ depending on the family-related case.

File at the Correct Office

For attorney-filers, you can use the statewide E-Filing System (SCEF) in participating counties. However, before you can use the system, you need to register for the SC Judicial branch's Attorney Information System (AIS).

Conversely, self-represented filers must file in person or by mail. Bring your originals and copies to the Clerk of Court (Circuit/Family), the Magistrate's Court office, or the Probate Court.

Pay the Filing Fee

Court fees are an essential part of the legal process, as they cover the administrative costs of handling cases. The amount varies depending on the type of case filed, with fees generally starting at around $10 and reaching up to $200 per case.

However, not all cases require a filing fee, for example, cases from the Bankruptcy Court, appeals from lower courts, or requests for a change of venue within the same court may be exempt.

Filing fees also apply to motions, though the cost depends on the type of motion and the court's conditions. Some motions may be filed free of charge, while others typically start at $25 per motion.

For cases submitted electronically, additional technology fees may apply on top of the regular court or motion fees.

After filing, you must comply with Rule 4 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure (SCRCP) by serving the other party. In South Carolina, sheriffs commonly handle service of process. Once service is complete, you are required to file proof of service in accordance with the rules.

How Is the South Carolina Court System Unique?

South Carolina operates one of the few unified statewide judicial systems in the country. This means all courts are directly administered by the South Carolina Judicial Department, which is led by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

This structure creates consistency in how cases are handled across all 46 counties and distinguishes South Carolina from states where courts operate more independently at the local level.

Another unique feature is the presence of treatment courts designed to address particular issues outside the traditional trial framework.

Additionally, some counties have a Master-in-Equity court, a rare division within the Circuit Court that specializes in non-jury civil matters such as property disputes and foreclosures. These specialty courts reflect South Carolina's commitment to both efficiency and problem-solving approaches within its unified judicial system.

South Carolina Courthouses, Sheriff's Offices, Police Departments, Jails, & Prisons

• Abbeville
• Aiken
• Allendale
• Anderson
• Bamberg
• Barnwell
• Beaufort
• Berkeley
• Calhoun
• Charleston
• Cherokee
• Chester
• Chesterfield
• Clarendon
• Colleton
• Darlington
• Dillon
• Dorchester
• Edgefield
• Fairfield
• Florence
• Georgetown
• Greenville
• Greenwood
• Hampton
• Horry
• Jasper
• Kershaw
• Lancaster
• Laurens
• Lee
• Lexington
• Marion
• Marlboro
• Mccormick
• Newberry
• Oconee
• Orangeburg
• Pickens
• Richland
• Saluda
• Spartanburg
• Sumter
• Union
• Williamsburg
• York

Where to Find Additional Information About South Carolina Courts?

• South Carolina Judicial System
• South Carolina Legislator
• United States District Court for the District of South Carolina
• The Supreme Court of South Carolina

FAQs