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South Carolina · How-To Guide

How do I access court records?

Clerk of Court (county level - each of SC's 46 counties) / South Carolina Judicial Department (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Identify what type of record you need: Circuit Court (felonies, civil over $7,500, appeals from magistrate/municipal); Family Court (divorce, domestic, juvenile, child support, DSS); Magistrate's Court (civil up to $7,500, criminal misdemeanors); Municipal Court (city ordinances, traffic)
  2. Search online:
  3. SOUTH CAROLINA JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT (eCourts/Public Index): publicindex.sccourts.org - South Carolina's statewide court records public access system; searchable by name or case number; covers Circuit Court and Family Court cases across all 46 counties; free public access
  4. SC COURTS CASE SEARCH: Additional search options at sccourts.org
  5. For full case documents or certified copies: contact the Clerk of Court in the county where the case was filed
  6. In-person access: visit the county courthouse; bring photo ID and case details
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
  • Case number or full legal name of parties
Fee
Public Index online: free for case docket information; certified copies: varies by court; contact specific county Clerk of Court for current schedule
Processing Time
Online: immediate; same day or by mail for certified copies
Online Option
Yes - publicindex.sccourts.org (statewide Circuit Court and Family Court public case index)
Where to Go
County Clerk of Court (Circuit/Family Court); Magistrate Court Clerk (smaller civil/criminal); publicindex.sccourts.org for online search
County-specific variations apply

SC's 46 counties are organized into 16 judicial circuits. Richland County (Columbia - 5th Circuit), Greenville County (13th Circuit), Charleston County (9th Circuit), Horry County (15th Circuit), Lexington County (11th Circuit), and Spartanburg County (7th Circuit) have the most active court systems. Family Court records are typically sealed or restricted. Magistrate Court records may have limited online access.

South Carolina Notes

Important state-specific details

  • SC Public Index (publicindex.sccourts.org): SC's excellent statewide court public records system; covers Circuit Court and Family Court in all 46 counties.
  • Marriage records: at County Probate Court (same office that issues marriage licenses) - NOT at Clerk of Court.
  • Divorce records: Family Court (Clerk of Court or Family Court Clerk in the county where divorce was filed).
  • Criminal history background checks: SC Law Enforcement Division (SLED) - sled.sc.gov | (803) 896-7219; fee-based.
  • SC Sex Offender Registry: scsorsite.sled.sc.gov - searchable online; managed by SLED.
  • Juvenile records: sealed; special access rules.
  • SC Freedom of Information Act (SC FOIA): public records presumed open; agencies must respond within 10 business days; copies within reasonable time.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
SC Judicial Department - sccourts.org | (803) 734-1800; SC Public Index: publicindex.sccourts.org; SLED (criminal records) - sled.sc.gov | (803) 896-7219