Charleston County Court Records Search
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Charleston County encompasses the City of Charleston, North Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and surrounding municipalities along the South Carolina coast. The county’s court system includes Circuit Court (divided into Common Pleas for civil matters and General Sessions for criminal cases), a Family Court, a Probate Court, multiple Magistrate Courts spread across the county, and several Municipal Courts operating within individual cities and towns. Court records generated across these courts document everything from felony prosecutions and civil lawsuits to divorces, estate proceedings, and traffic offenses.
Locating court records in South Carolina starts with understanding which court handled a particular case. The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide case records search that connects users to county-level Public Index portals, including Charleston County’s Circuit and Magistrate Court records. The Charleston County Clerk of Court also operates its own Public Index portal and provides access through CourtPlus. In-person searches can be conducted at the Clerk of Court’s Office during business hours, and SouthCarolinaCourts.us may assist with identifying publicly available court case information across the state. The specific procedures, fees, and restrictions for each record type are detailed in the sections that follow.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Charleston County?
Charleston County court cases can be searched online at no charge through two primary systems maintained by the Clerk of Court.
Charleston County Public Index
- Navigate to the Public Index Search.
- Choose a search method — by party name or by case number.
- For name searches, enter the last name (and optionally, the first name) of the party.
- Select the case type: Common Pleas (civil), General Sessions (criminal), or Family Court.
- Review results showing case numbers, parties, filing dates, and case status.
CourtPlus
- Visit the CourtPlus website.
- Enter the last and first name of the party involved.
- Select the case type and party type (defendant or plaintiff).
- Click “Search Cases” to retrieve matching records.
Both portals provide access to docket information and documents unless a case has been sealed or otherwise restricted. Appellate cases filed with the South Carolina Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be tracked separately through the C-Track Public Access system.
In-Person Requests
Individuals who prefer an office visit may go to the Clerk of Court during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at the address below. Provide a case number or the full name of a party to facilitate the search.
Charleston County Clerk of Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5000
Email: clerkofcourt@charlestoncounty.org
Copy Fees
Copies of court records obtained from the Clerk of Court cost $0.10 per page for standard reproductions (xerox, computer printout, or microfilm). Certified copies carry an additional $1.00 certification fee. Record retrieval from the archives costs $4.00 per record.
Are Court Records Public in Charleston County?
Court records in Charleston County are presumed public under South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at Section 30-4-20© of the South Carolina Code of Laws. This statute establishes that records maintained by courts, like other public bodies, are available for inspection and copying by any member of the public.
However, SC Code § 30-4-40 identifies several categories of records that a public body may exempt from disclosure. The types of court-related records commonly withheld or restricted include:
- Arrest and bench warrants that have not yet been served
- Personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and financial account numbers
- Expunged or sealed criminal records
- Juvenile delinquency and dependency files
- Grand jury materials and sealed indictments
- Abuse and neglect case files
- Adoption records
- Records subject to a court-issued protective or sealing order
When records have been sealed by judicial order, access requires filing a motion with the court that issued the order and demonstrating that the need for disclosure outweighs the reason for the seal. Routine FOIA requests for unsealed court records can be directed to the Clerk of Court’s office, which processes requests during regular business hours. The Clerk’s office may require that requestors identify themselves and the specific records sought.
Charleston County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Charleston County are processed through General Sessions Court (for felonies and serious misdemeanors at the Circuit Court level), Magistrate Courts (for minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, and preliminary hearings), and Municipal Courts (for local ordinance violations and municipal-level offenses).
Court Locations for Criminal Matters
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court – General Sessions | 100 Broad St., Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 958-5000 |
| Magistrate – Bond Hearings | 3831 Leeds Ave., Suite 200, N. Charleston, SC 29405 | (843) 746-9822 |
| Magistrate – Preliminary Hearings | 3831 Leeds Ave., Suite 100, N. Charleston, SC 29405 | (843) 745-2390 |
| Charleston Municipal Court | 180 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 | (843) 724-7460 |
| North Charleston Municipal Court | 2500 City Hall Lane, N. Charleston, SC 29419 | (843) 740-2601 |
Online Criminal Case Lookup
General Sessions docket information is available through the Clerk of Court’s Public Index and CourtPlus. Searches can be conducted by defendant name or case number, returning results that include charges, hearing dates, and disposition status. The Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office also directs the public to CourtPlus for General Sessions docket information.
Criminal History Records
Law enforcement agencies maintain criminal history records separate from court case files. Two primary channels exist for obtaining this information:
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office — Individuals may request a criminal background check by completing the Criminal Records Check Form and submitting it in person or by mail. The fee is $5.00, payable by cash, check, or money order. The Sheriff’s Office also operates a warrant search tool on its website.
Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
3691 Leeds Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — Statewide criminal history reports are available through the CATCH portal for $25.00 plus a $1.00 convenience fee. Mail requests require a completed SLED Record Check Form with a $25.00 payment, sent with a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Filing Fees — General Sessions (Circuit Court)
No filing fee is charged for criminal appeals from Magistrate or Municipal Court under SC Code § 8-21-310(11). Post-conviction relief cases under § 17-27-20 are also fee-exempt. The standard Circuit Court filing fee for new cases is $150.00. Expungement processing through the Clerk’s office costs $35.00.
Charleston County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Charleston County are resolved through the Circuit Court’s Court of Common Pleas (for cases of any dollar amount) and the Magistrate Courts’ Small Claims division (for claims up to $7,500).
Key Civil Court Contact
Charleston County Clerk of Court – Common Pleas
100 Broad Street, Suite 106
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5000
Fax: (843) 958-5020
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Online Civil Case Search
The Public Index portal allows free searches of Common Pleas cases by party name or case number. CourtPlus provides a similar service. Both return docket entries, filings, and case status information. Document copies can be purchased from the Clerk’s office at $0.10 per page, with certification available for an added $1.00.
Circuit Court Filing Fees (Common Pleas)
Per the South Carolina Judicial Branch fee schedule and the Clerk of Court’s filing fee page:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil action (complaint) | $150.00 |
| Lis pendens with summons & complaint | $150.00 |
| Lis pendens only | $10.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $100.00 |
| Transcript of judgment (from Magistrate, Probate, or federal court) | $35.00 |
| Confession of judgment (no case filed) | $10.00 |
| Civil appeal (from Small Claims, Probate, or administrative agency) | $150.00 |
| Motions | $25.00 |
| Minor settlements | $150.00 |
| Restoration of permanently revoked driver’s license | $200.00 |
Fee waiver is available when a party obtains a court order granting leave to proceed in forma pauperis under Rule 3(b)(1), SCRCP, or when represented by a legal aid or pro bono attorney under Rule 3(b)(2), SCRCP.
Small Claims (Magistrate Court)
The Magistrate Courts handle civil claims up to $7,500. The current small claims filing fee is $80.00, which includes service costs. An additional $10.00 applies per additional defendant. Small claims matters are heard at the Magistrate Court location where the defendant resides or where the claim arose. The North Area Small Claims Court is located at:
Lonnie Hamilton, III Public Services Building
4045 Bridge View Drive, Suite B146
North Charleston, SC 29415
Phone: (843) 202-6650
Charleston County Family Court Records
The Charleston County Family Court has jurisdiction over divorce, annulment, separate support and maintenance, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, name changes, juvenile delinquency, and dependency proceedings.
Charleston County Family Court
100 Broad Street, Suite 143
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-4400
Online Family Court Search
Family Court docket information can be accessed through the Public Index and CourtPlus by selecting the Family Court case type. Searches require at least the party’s last name. Results display case descriptions, party information, and case status. Records involving minors, domestic violence victims, and adoption proceedings may be sealed or redacted and will not appear in public search results.
Family Court Filing Fees
Per the South Carolina Judicial Branch Family Court fee schedule:
| Case Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Divorce, annulment, or separate support | $150.00 |
| Child custody/visitation | $150.00 |
| Child support, alimony, or modification | $150.00 |
| Adoption (domestic or foreign) | $150.00 |
| Paternity | $150.00 |
| Name change or correction of birth record | $150.00 |
| Registration of foreign divorce decree (no custody/support) | $100.00 |
| Protection from domestic abuse | No fee |
| Juvenile delinquency | No fee |
| DSS abuse and neglect | No fee |
No fee is charged to a defendant or respondent for filing an answer, return, or other responsive paper in any civil action per SC Code § 8-21-310(12).
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Charleston County are issued by the Probate Court’s Marriage License Division. The license fee is $70.00, and certified copies cost $5.00 each. The division is located at:
Charleston County Probate Court – Marriage License Division
100 Broad Street, Suite 469
Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (843) 958-5183
The Probate Court has maintained marriage license records from 1879 to the present.
Divorce Records
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court’s Family Court office at 100 Broad Street, Suite 143. Copies can be requested in person or by mail. Additionally, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (formerly DHEC) maintains statewide records of marriages and divorces. A records search costs $12.00 per record, which includes one certified copy if the record is located. Additional copies are $3.00 each. Expedited processing is available for an additional $5.00 fee. Requests can be submitted through the DPH Vital Records office.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are administered by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Only authorized individuals may obtain certified copies — birth certificates are limited to persons named on the record, their parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives, while death certificates are restricted to immediate family members or legal representatives. The local vital records office serving Charleston County is:
Teddie E. Pryor, Sr. Social Services Hub
3685 Rivers Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
Phone: (843) 953-0032
Fees for vital records include $12.00 per search (includes one certified copy if found), $17.00 for expedited searches, $3.00 per additional copy, and a $15.00 special filing fee for amendments, adoption-related changes, or delayed registrations. Detailed fee information is published on the DPH fees page.
Charleston County Probate Court Records
The Charleston County Probate Court handles estates of deceased persons, wills, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships of incapacitated adults, minor conservatorships, involuntary commitments, minor and wrongful death settlements, and marriage licenses. The court is presided over by Judge Irvin G. Condon and operates through three divisions: Estate, Commitment and Guardianship, and Marriage License.
Probate Court Locations
| Division | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estate Division | 84 Broad St., 3rd Floor, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 958-5030 | (843) 958-5044 |
| Commitment & Guardianship | 100 Broad St., Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 958-5180 | (843) 958-5191 |
| Marriage License | 100 Broad St., Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401 | (843) 958-5183 | (843) 958-5191 |
Online Probate Search
Estate and will records can be searched through the Estate and Will Search Portal, which displays case number, case name, and filing details. In-person requests for copies should be directed to the appropriate Probate Court division during business hours.
Probate Filing Fees
Probate filing fees are calculated on the gross value of probate assets, per SC Code § 8-21-770(B):
| Estate Value | Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than $5,000 | $25.00 |
| $5,000 – $19,999.99 | $45.00 |
| $20,000 – $59,999.99 | $67.50 |
| $60,000 – $99,999.99 | $95.00 |
| $100,000 – $624,999.99 | $95.00 plus 0.15% of value between $100,000 and $600,000 |
| $625,000 and above | Amount from tier 5 plus 0.25% of value above $600,000 |
Other Probate Court Fees
- Filing a will for record only: $10.00
- Certified copy of estate record: $5.00
- Exemplified/authenticated copy: $20.00
- Recording certified records from other counties: $20.00
- Conservatorship accounting filing: $10.00
- Guardianship petition filing: $150.00
- Guardian ad litem appointment: $3.50
- Approval of settlement order (minors/incompetents): $150.00
- Photocopies: $0.50 per page (copy machine) or $0.25 per page (microfilm)
- Certificates of appointment (after initial four): $0.50 each
Guardianship and Conservatorship Filings
Individuals seeking to establish a guardianship or conservatorship must file specific forms available through the Probate Court forms page. Required documents for a dual guardianship and conservatorship petition include Form #520GC (Dual Petition), Form #524GC (Notice of Right to Counsel), Form #539GC (Examiner Report), and Form #120PC (Proof of Delivery), along with a SLED report and credit report for the proposed guardian/conservator. The guardianship filing fee is $150.00; conservatorship fees start at $25.00 and are assessed on a sliding scale based on asset value.