Cherokee County Court Records Search
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Cherokee County, South Carolina, operates a structured trial court system that produces and maintains a wide variety of legal records annually. Court records in the county are official legal documents created or received during judicial proceedings and encompass motions, filings, court books, maps, papers, photographs, recordings, judgments, pleadings, and transcripts. Under Section 30-4-10© of the South Carolina Code of Laws, these materials are recognized as public records subject to defined access rules. Information typically found within a court record includes case names and numbers, the identities of parties and counsel, pleadings and filings, court orders and judgments, evidence and exhibits, minutes, and post-trial motions or appeals.
Searching for court records in South Carolina can be done through several channels — the relevant court clerk’s office, in-person at courthouse public access terminals, and various official online tools. SouthCarolinaCourts.us offers a resource for locating publicly available case information and identifying the appropriate court for a given matter within the state’s judicial system.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cherokee County?
The starting point for most Cherokee County court records searches is the Clerk of Court’s Office, which oversees Circuit Court (General Sessions criminal division and Common Pleas civil division) and Family Court. The Clerk manages dockets, receipts, and court records for all matters filed in these divisions. Public access terminals inside the courthouse allow visitors to search case records by party name, case number, or filing date.
For online searches, the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index provides statewide case record access at no charge. Users select Cherokee County from the dropdown menu and enter case party names, case numbers, or relevant dates to retrieve results. Note that as of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed for any new or existing cases in the public index.
Cherokee County Clerk of Court
Address: 125 E. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney, SC 29340
Mailing: P.O. Box 2289, Gaffney, SC 29342
Phone: (864) 487-2571
Fax: (864) 487-2754
Jury Line: (864) 487-2585
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cherokee County falls within the 7th Judicial Circuit of the South Carolina Judicial Branch. The five court types operating in the county — Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal — each maintain their own records and have separate contact information, detailed throughout this guide.
Are Court Records Public in Cherokee County?
Yes, Cherokee County court records are generally public records. South Carolina FOIA, Section 30-4-30(A)(1) grants any person the right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic version of public records held by a public body, unless otherwise restricted by court order or state statute. This right extends to records from Circuit, State, and Magistrate courts, and applies to both in-person inspection and online access through official portals.
However, certain categories of court records are withheld from general public access due to privacy concerns or legal mandates. Records that are restricted from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records, including child custody and child support matters
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
- Expunged criminal records
- Medical records
- Records containing sensitive personal details or trade secrets of a case party
- Certain sealed court cases
Persons seeking access to restricted records must generally demonstrate a recognized legal interest or obtain a court order authorizing release. The Clerk of Court’s office can advise requesters on what documentation or authorization may be required for a specific record category.
Cherokee County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Cherokee County are handled at the General Sessions division of the Circuit Court for felonies and serious misdemeanors, and at the Magistrate and Municipal Courts for lesser offenses. Records from all these levels are maintained by different agencies depending on the nature of the case.
Clerk of Court — General Sessions Division:
Criminal case filings, indictments, judgments, and docket records for General Sessions matters are held by the Clerk of Court. Requesters should visit the courthouse in person, bring a valid government-issued ID, and have basic case information such as the defendant’s name, case number, charge type, or arrest date. The same contact information for the Clerk’s office above applies.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office:
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office handles criminal records related to incidents, bookings, arrests, and investigations conducted by Sheriff’s deputies. The Sheriff’s Office operates an online inmate search portal allowing the public to look up individuals currently held at the Cherokee County Detention Center by name, race, sex, and custody date.
Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 312 East Frederick Street, Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: (864) 489-4722
Cherokee County Detention Center
Address: 315 E. Dr. LM Rosemond Lane, Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: (864) 487-2529
Cherokee County Police Department:
The Cherokee County Police Department holds arrest records, incident reports, and records of law enforcement interactions occurring within Cherokee County’s jurisdiction.
Cherokee County Police Department
Address: 201 Limestone Street, 1st Floor, Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: (864) 489-8115
SLED — Statewide Criminal History Search:
For a comprehensive statewide criminal history background check, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) CATCH portal allows name-based public searches. CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) requires the subject’s first name, last name, date of birth, and gender; Social Security number is optional. A fee applies to retrieve records. Results reflect arrests and convictions recorded by state and local agencies in South Carolina. SLED’s fingerprint-based records are more comprehensive and are used for official employment and licensing background checks.
Magistrate and Municipal Courts:
| Court | Address | Phone | Fax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magistrate Court – Blacksburg | 101 S. John Street, Suite A, Blacksburg, SC 29702 | (864) 839-2492 | (864) 839-3415 |
| Magistrate Court – Gaffney | 312 E. Frederick Street, Gaffney, SC 29342 | (864) 487-2433 | (864) 902-8425 |
| Gaffney Municipal Court | 201 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC 29342 | (864) 487-8524 | (864) 487-6221 |
| Blacksburg Municipal Court | 105 S. Shelby Street, Blacksburg, SC 29702 | (864) 839-2332 | — |
Some Municipal Court records are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index, though coverage varies by municipality.
Cherokee County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Cherokee County is managed through the Common Pleas division of the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court’s office serves as the official custodian of civil filings, including personal injury suits, contract disputes, property disputes, small claims actions, and other non-criminal civil matters.
Searching Civil Records:
- Online: The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index provides free access to civil case information statewide. Select Cherokee County from the dropdown, then search by party name, case number, or filing date.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court’s office at 125 E. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney, SC 29340, during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Public access terminals at the courthouse allow self-directed searches.
- By mail: Submit a written request to the Clerk’s office at P.O. Box 2289, Gaffney, SC 29342. Include case details sufficient to locate the record (party name, case number, filing date), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the applicable copying fees.
Requesters appearing in person should bring a valid government-issued ID and any known case details. Staff at the Clerk’s office can assist with locating records when complete information is not available, though requesters are encouraged to have as much identifying information as possible before visiting.
Cherokee County Family Court Records
Family Court matters in Cherokee County — including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protective orders, and related proceedings — are handled through the Family Court division, which shares the courthouse with the Circuit Court. The Clerk of Court’s Family Court department manages all filings, dockets, and records for these cases.
Cherokee County Family Court
Physical: 125 E. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney, SC 29340
Mailing: P.O. Box 2289, Gaffney, SC 29342
Family Court Office Phone: (864) 487-2570 | Fax: (864) 902-1119
Child Support Office Phone: (864) 487-2577 | Fax: (864) 902-1119
Family Court records involving children — including adoption files, child custody proceedings, and juvenile matters — are confidential under South Carolina law and are not accessible to the general public. Parties to such cases and their attorneys may access their own records. Divorce records, however, are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are searchable through the Public Index.
Marriage Records:
Marriage licenses issued in Cherokee County are maintained by the Probate Court. Certified copies of licenses issued from 1988 to the present can be purchased online through the South Carolina Probate Court search portal by selecting Cherokee County from the dropdown and entering the relevant party name. Copies of marriage licenses issued before 1988 must be requested by mail. Send a written request along with a $5.00 certified check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Cherokee County Probate Court
P.O. Box 22, Gaffney, SC 29342
Personal checks are not accepted for pre-1988 marriage license requests, and sending cash is not recommended.
Birth and Death Records:
Vital records for births and deaths that occurred in Cherokee County are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s Vital Records division. Birth records are available for South Carolina births occurring since 1915. Death certificates are restricted to immediate family members. The Cherokee County Vital Records Office is located at 400 South Logan Street, Gaffney, SC 29340. Birth and death certificates may also be ordered online or by phone through VitalChek, the state’s authorized third-party vendor, at (877) 284-1008 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Cherokee County Probate Court Records
The Cherokee County Probate Court has jurisdiction over the administration of decedents’ estates, guardianships and conservatorships, marriage license issuance, and involuntary commitment proceedings. The Probate Judge is elected countywide to a four-year term, and most routine matters are handled informally by court staff.
Cherokee County Probate Court
Address: 110 Railroad Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340
Phone: (864) 487-2583
Searching Probate Records:
Estate cases and open probate matters can be searched online through the South Carolina Probate Court search portal. To search Cherokee County records, select “Cherokee” from the county dropdown, then enter the decedent’s or party’s name. The portal supports searches by case number or any combination of first name, last name, and middle name, and a percent sign (%) can be used as a wildcard in search fields.
In-Person and Mail Requests:
Certified copies of probate records are available by visiting the Probate Court during regular business hours. Requesters should call (864) 487-2583 before visiting to confirm appointment availability and to identify exactly what documents are needed. Mail requests should include essential case details, applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope sent to the court at 110 Railroad Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340.
Probate Court forms for estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch forms library under the Probate Court tab. For contested or complex probate matters, the court strongly recommends retaining an attorney, as Probate Court staff cannot provide legal assistance with formal contested actions.
Guardianship records for legally incapacitated persons and certain other sensitive probate matters are treated as restricted under South Carolina law and are not available through the public search portal. Parties with an authorized interest in sealed or restricted probate records should contact the Probate Court directly to discuss the applicable process for obtaining access.