Berkeley County Court Records Search

Berkeley County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina, with its county seat in Moncks Corner and a judicial system that serves a population spread across both rural and suburban communities north of Charleston. The county’s courts handle everything from felony criminal prosecutions and civil litigation to family law disputes, probate matters, and minor magistrate-level offenses. Court records generated by these proceedings are maintained by the Clerk of Court, the Probate Court, and individual magistrate and municipal courts throughout the county.

Residents of South Carolina looking for court case information can begin by consulting official clerk offices, public access terminals located at courthouses, and online search tools maintained by the state judiciary. The South Carolina Judicial Branch, accessible through SouthCarolinaCourts.us, provides statewide case-records search functionality and courthouse directories that can help the public locate docket information, hearing dates, and case dispositions for matters filed in Berkeley County and elsewhere across the state.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Berkeley County?

There are several ways to search for a court case in Berkeley County, depending on whether the matter was heard in Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, or Probate Court. The method you choose will depend on the type of case, the level of detail you need, and whether you can visit the courthouse in person.

Online Search

The most convenient starting point for Circuit Court and Family Court cases is the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search. This tool allows queries by party name, case number, or attorney and returns basic docket data including case type, filing date, and disposition status. Some municipal court records are also available through this portal, though coverage varies.

For Berkeley County specifically, the Public Index maintained by the state judiciary provides case-level data for matters filed locally. Users can search by name or case number and review hearing schedules, charges, and case status at no cost.

In-Person Search

The Clerk of Court office in Moncks Corner maintains physical case files and provides public access terminals for searching records on site. Walk-in visitors can review files, request copies, and speak with staff during business hours.

Berkeley County Clerk of Court
Address: 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Mailing: P.O. Box 219, Moncks Corner, SC 29461-0219
Phone: (843) 719-4400
Charleston callers: (843) 723-3800 ext. 4400
St. Stephen callers: (843) 567-3136 ext. 4400
Fax: (843) 719-4509

FOIA Requests

Individuals who need specific documents or records not readily available online can submit a formal request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Berkeley County maintains a dedicated FOIA request page where requesters can submit written inquiries for court-related and other public records held by county offices.

Steps for requesting records by mail or in person:

Identify the case type and, if possible, the case number or full names of the parties involved.
Visit the Clerk of Court office or submit a written request specifying the documents needed.
Include payment for any applicable copy fees (amounts vary by document type and certification requirements).
For mail requests, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order or cashier’s check payable to the Clerk of Court.

Are Court Records Public in Berkeley County?

Court records in Berkeley County are presumed open to public inspection under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Title 30, Chapter 4). This statute establishes a broad right of access to records held by public bodies, including the courts, and places the burden on the government to justify any withholding of information.

However, not all court documents are available for public review. South Carolina law and court rules create specific categories of restricted or confidential records. The following types of information are generally shielded from public access:

Sealed records — Cases or filings sealed by court order, including certain settlement agreements and plea negotiations
Juvenile proceedings — Records involving minors in delinquency, abuse, neglect, or dependency cases
Adoption files — Sealed upon finalization under South Carolina adoption statutes
Domestic violence protective orders — Certain details may be redacted or restricted to protect victims
Mental health commitment proceedings — Filed in Probate Court and treated as confidential under therapeutic division protocols
Grand jury proceedings — Sealed unless and until an indictment is returned
Personal identifying information — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, dates of birth of minors, and similar data are routinely redacted from publicly accessible documents

The South Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains a C-Track Public Access system that provides electronic access to certain case data while limiting the display of sensitive personal information. This system operates under rules that balance the constitutional right of public access against privacy protections mandated by statute and court policy.

When requesting records from the Clerk of Court, requesters should be aware that processing times may vary. The FOIA statute requires a response within 15 business days, though actual document production depends on the complexity of the request and the volume of records involved.

Berkeley County Criminal Court Records

Criminal cases in Berkeley County are prosecuted in the Court of General Sessions (Circuit Court level) for felonies and serious misdemeanors, and in Magistrate Court for lesser criminal offenses, preliminary hearings, and bond proceedings. Both courts generate records that include arrest warrants, indictments, motions, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and related filings.

Where to search for criminal case records:

Online — Use the SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search or the Berkeley County Public Index for Circuit Court criminal cases. These tools display charges, hearing dates, and dispositions.
In person — Visit the Clerk of Court at 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner.
Magistrate Court records — Contact the specific magistrate court location where the case was heard (see table below).

Criminal background checks require a formal search through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). The CATCH system allows online criminal record checks for a fee of $25 plus a $1 convenience charge. Results reflect statewide criminal history data maintained by SLED. Requests can also be mailed to:

SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398

Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Resources

The Sheriff’s Office provides an online inmate lookup tool for checking the current detention population at the Berkeley County Detention Center. This resource shows active bookings, charges, bond amounts, and booking photographs.

Sheriff’s Office – Detention Center
Address: 300 California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461

For arrest reports, incident reports, and other law enforcement records, contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office directly. Certain investigative records may be exempt from disclosure under FOIA if their release would compromise an active investigation or endanger a person’s safety.

Magistrate Court Locations

Court	Address	Phone
Bond Court	300 California Ave, Moncks Corner, SC 29461	(843) 719-4549
Central Traffic & Criminal Domestic	223 N Live Oak Dr, Moncks Corner, SC 29461	(843) 719-4050
Goose Creek Magistrate	303-B N Goose Creek Blvd, Goose Creek, SC 29445	(843) 553-7080
Moncks Corner Magistrate (Preliminary)	223 N Live Oak Dr, Moncks Corner, SC 29461	(843) 719-4535
Moncks Corner Magistrate (Small Claims)	223 N Live Oak Dr, Moncks Corner, SC 29461	(843) 719-4264
St. Stephen Magistrate	113 Ravenell Dr, St. Stephen, SC 29479	(843) 567-7400

Additional information about the county’s magistrate courts is available through the Berkeley County government website.

Berkeley County Civil Court Records

Civil matters in Berkeley County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas (Circuit Court) for claims exceeding the magistrate court jurisdictional threshold, and Magistrate Court for small claims and minor civil disputes. The Clerk of Court maintains the official record for all Circuit Court civil filings, including complaints, answers, motions, discovery materials, and judgments.

How to access civil case records:

Online — Search the Berkeley County Public Index by party name or case number. Docket entries, filing dates, and case status are displayed.
In person — Visit the Clerk of Court office at 300-B California Avenue during regular business hours. Staff can assist with locating files and processing copy requests.
By mail — Send a written request to the Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 219, Moncks Corner, SC 29461-0219, specifying the case number or names of parties and the documents needed, along with the appropriate fee.

Small claims cases (filed in Magistrate Court) are maintained at the magistrate court location where the action was initiated. The Goose Creek Magistrate Court handles small claims for its jurisdiction at (843) 553-6099, and the Moncks Corner location processes small claims at (843) 719-4264.

Property and real estate records — Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records are filed with the Berkeley County Register of Deeds rather than the Clerk of Court. The Register of Deeds provides a searchable online database covering recorded instruments. Document inspection carries a $10 fee, with additional per-page copy charges.

Register of Deeds
Address: 1003 North Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Mailing: P.O. Box 6122, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4084 or (843) 723-3800
Fax: (843) 719-4851
Website: Berkeley County Register of Deeds

Civil judgments, liens, and lis pendens filings that affect real property may appear in both the Clerk of Court records and the Register of Deeds index, so searchers conducting title work or judgment searches should review both systems.

Berkeley County Family Court Records

Family Court in Berkeley County handles divorce, child custody, child support, visitation, adoption, guardianship of minors, domestic violence protective orders, and juvenile delinquency and abuse/neglect proceedings. The Family Court operates under the same Clerk of Court administration as the Circuit Court but maintains separate case files and docketing.

Berkeley County Family Court
Address: 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4500
Fax: (843) 719-4509

Accessing family court records:

In person — File review is available at the Clerk of Court office. However, many family court records carry access restrictions. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and records involving allegations of abuse or neglect are confidential and generally available only to parties, their attorneys, and authorized agencies.
Online — Basic docket information for family court cases may appear in the statewide case records search, but detailed documents in sensitive matters are typically not available electronically.
DSS-related cases — The South Carolina Department of Social Services maintains a public access case search portal for child welfare cases that intersect with the family court system.

Confidentiality restrictions in family court:

Juvenile delinquency records are not open to the general public
Adoption records are sealed upon finalization
Domestic violence protective order files may have restricted access to protect petitioner safety
Guardian ad litem reports and certain custody evaluations are typically filed under seal or with limited access

Marriage and divorce records:

Marriage licenses in Berkeley County are issued by the Probate Court (see below). Certified copies of marriage certificates can be obtained from the Probate Court’s Marriage License Division at (843) 719-4519.

Divorce decrees and records of dissolution are maintained by the Clerk of Court as part of the Family Court file. Certified copies of divorce records can also be obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Vital Records division.

Vital records fees through the SC Department of Public Health:

Standard records search: $12 per record (includes one certified copy; nonrefundable if record is not found)
Expedited search: $17 per record (includes $5 expedite surcharge; turnaround within 10 business days)
Additional certified copies: $3 each
Special filing fee (amendments, legitimations, paternity acknowledgments): $15 per record

Payment for mail requests must be by money order or cashier’s check payable to S.C. DPH. In-person payments accept money orders, cashier’s checks, credit/debit cards, and cash (no bills larger than $50). Fee authority is established under SC Code of Regulations 60-19 §1300.

Birth certificates are restricted records and are not available to the general public. South Carolina law limits access to the person named on the certificate, their spouse, parent, sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, authorized agent, or attorney with proof of authority. Death certificates become publicly available after 50 years, and birth certificates after 100 years. Fraudulent requests for vital records constitute a felony under N.C. Gen. Stat. 130A-26A — note that South Carolina maintains its own parallel criminal penalties for fraudulent vital record requests.

Berkeley County Probate Court Records

The Berkeley County Probate Court exercises jurisdiction over estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship of incapacitated adults, involuntary mental health and substance abuse commitments, and the issuance of marriage licenses. The court is divided into four functional divisions: Estate, Guardian/Conservator, Therapeutic, and Marriage License.

Berkeley County Probate Court
Address: 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4519
Charleston callers: (843) 723-3800 ext. 4519
St. Stephen callers: (843) 567-3136 ext. 4519
Fax: (843) 719-4527
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

An additional office location is at 1003 Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC 29461, Phone: (843) 719-4234, Fax: (843) 719-4111

Probate Judge: Keith W. Kornahrens (serving since 2002)
Associate Judge (Therapeutic Division): Crystal S. Smalls (serving since 1990)

Estates Division

The Estates Division handles the probate of wills, appointment of personal representatives, estate inventories, accountings, and distribution of assets. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM on a first-come, first-served basis. The filing fee for opening an estate is $25, payable to Berkeley County Probate Court.

When opening an estate, the court requires:

Names and addresses of all heirs
Birth year of any minor heirs
The original will (if one exists)
A certified death certificate
Proposed personal representative information

The Berkeley County Probate Court Estates Division page provides detailed checklists and filing instructions. A document drop-box is located at the front of the courthouse and is available from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for filing submissions.

Guardian and Conservator Division

This division appoints guardians for incapacitated adults and conservators for adults or minors who require financial management. Proceedings are initiated by petition and require supporting medical or psychological documentation. These cases are generally accessible to parties and their counsel, though certain medical records attached to filings may be restricted.

Therapeutic Division

Involuntary commitment proceedings for mental health treatment or substance abuse are handled through this division. These records are confidential and access is strictly limited to authorized parties, legal representatives, and the court.

Marriage License Division

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. The division files executed licenses with the South Carolina Department of Public Health (formerly DHEC) and provides certified copies upon request. The statewide fee for a marriage certificate through DPH is $12 (standard search) or $17 (expedited). Certified copies from the Probate Court may carry a separate local fee.

Probate records search:

Probate case information can be searched through the South Carolina Probate Court search tool or by contacting the Probate Court directly. In-person file review is available during office hours, and certified copies can be requested at the counter or by mail.

Municipal Courts in Berkeley County

For completeness, the following municipal courts operate within the county and maintain their own records for local ordinance violations and minor criminal matters:

Municipality	Address	Phone
Bonneau	P.O. Box 70, Bonneau, SC	(843) 825-3385
Goose Creek	519 N Goose Creek Blvd, Goose Creek, SC 29445	(843) 569-4230
Hanahan	1255 Yeamans Hall Rd, Hanahan, SC 29410	(843) 576-5262
Jamestown	7604 Highway 41, Jamestown, SC	(843) 257-2233
Moncks Corner	118 Carolina Ave, Moncks Corner, SC 29461	(843) 719-7918
St. Stephen	124 Hood St, St. Stephen, SC 29479	(843) 567-3116

Records from municipal courts must be requested directly from the court where the case was filed. Some municipal court data may also appear in the statewide case records search, though availability varies by municipality and case type.