Search South Carolina court records online. Access criminal cases, civil suits, small claims, family law, probate, and appellate decisions through official South Carolina court portals.
Access South Carolina Courts online directly. Search court records; from South Carolina county courts to Supreme courts. Find criminal filings, South Carolina dissolution of marriage or divorce records from official state websites. File small claims lawsuits. Link to South Carolina probate sources with helpful information. Bankruptcy courts by jurisdiction or by districts. South Carolina state courts contact information such as telephone numbers and more.
Access court case information through official South Carolina portals and county clerk offices.
Access SC Judicial Dept (free) to search statewide case records. You can typically search by party name, attorney, case number, or filing date. Criminal and civil cases are usually searchable without charge.
South Carolina courts include: Trial Courts (circuit, district, superior), Appellate Courts (Court of Appeals), and the South Carolina Supreme Court. For local matters — misdemeanors, traffic, small claims — search at the county or municipal court level.
For older records or certified copies, contact the county court clerk in the county where the case was filed. Fees for certified copies vary by county (~$1–$5 per page). Clerks can also confirm whether a case is sealed or restricted.
Federal cases (bankruptcy, federal criminal, civil rights) are available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER charges $0.10/page but the first $30/quarter is free for casual users.
As there may be more one source to obtaining South Carolina criminal, civil and divorce records, it is important to search multiple state courts to find the correct records.
South Carolina State Court Structure:
The South Carolina municipal court maintains jurisdiction over misdemeanor, DWI or DUI from up to 30 days and/or $500, and traffic or other violation cases. The municipal court hears preliminary hearings. The South Carolina municipal court has jury trials. The South Carolina probate court has jurisdiction over marriage licenses, estates of deceased persons, guardianships of incompetents, conservator ships of estates of minors and incompetents, minor settlements under $25,000 and involuntary commitments to institutions for mentally ill and/or chemically dependent persons. The probate court also has exclusive jurisdiction over trusts and concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over powers of attorney. The South Carolina magistrate court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, and real property rights cases, from $0 to $7,500. The South Carolina magistrate court has jurisdiction over small claims of up to $7,500. The magistrate court also hears misdemeanor, DWI or DUI, from up to 30 days and/or $500, and traffic or other violation cases. The magistrate court handles preliminary hearings. The magistrate court hears jury trials. The South Carolina family court has exclusive domestic relations jurisdiction. The family court also has jurisdiction over traffic or other violation, but for juvenile cases only. The family court also hears juvenile proceedings. The family court has no jury trials. The South Carolina circuit court has jurisdiction over tort, contract, real property rights, and miscellaneous civil cases. The circuit court has exclusive civil appeals jurisdiction. The South Carolina circuit court hears cases involving misdemeanors over 30 days, and DWI or DUI, second offense or greater. The circuit court has exclusive felony, criminal appeals, and miscellaneous criminal jurisdiction. The circuit court has jury trials except in appeals. The South Carolina court of appeals has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, and original proceeding cases assigned by the Supreme Court. The court of appeals has no discretionary jurisdiction. The South Carolina supreme court has mandatory jurisdiction in civil, capital criminal, criminal, juvenile, disciplinary, certified questions from federal courts, original proceeding, and interlocutory decision cases. The supreme court has discretionary jurisdiction in civil, non capital criminal, administrative agency, juvenile, original proceeding, interlocutory decision cases.Most South Carolina court case information is free to view online through the official court portal: SC Judicial Dept (free). Certified copies of court documents typically cost $1–$5 per page when requested from the county clerk. Federal court records through PACER cost $0.10/page after the $30/quarter free threshold.
Public South Carolina court records include: criminal cases (felonies, misdemeanors), civil lawsuits, small claims, family court (divorce, custody, support), probate (wills, estates), traffic cases, and appellate decisions. Juvenile records, sealed cases, and domestic violence protective orders may be restricted.
Request certified copies in person, by mail, or through the court's online portal from the county court clerk where the case was filed. Provide the case number, parties' names, and the type of document needed. Fees typically range from $1–$10 per page plus certification fees. Processing time is usually 1–5 business days.