Chesterfield County, South Carolina Court Records

Chesterfield County sits in the northeastern corner of South Carolina, bordering North Carolina, with the town of Chesterfield as its county seat. The county's court system includes a Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, six Magistrate Courts, and five Municipal Courts — together handling everything from felony prosecutions to estate administration. If you need to find, request, or understand a court record, the most important thing to know first is which court handled the case and which office holds the files.

For a broader search across the state, SouthCarolinaCourts.us can point you toward court locations, case search tools, and county-specific contact information. The South Carolina Judicial Branch also runs a statewide public case records search covering Circuit Court, Family Court, and some Magistrate Court filings.

How to Look Up a Court Case in Chesterfield County?

Chesterfield County's courts belong to South Carolina's Fourth Judicial Circuit. The Honorable Christy F. Gaddy serves as Clerk of Court and is the official custodian of records for both the Circuit Court and the Family Court, overseeing dockets, receipts, fines, and case files for both divisions.

Chesterfield County Clerk of Court
Address: 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709
Mailing: P.O. Box 529, Chesterfield, SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-2574 | Fax: (843) 623-6944
Public Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Several courts share the main courthouse address. Their phone and fax numbers are listed below:

Court	Phone	Fax
Circuit Court	(843) 623-2574	(843) 623-6944
Family Court	(843) 623-6301	(843) 623-6944
Probate Court	(843) 623-2376	(843) 623-9886
Magistrate Court – Bond Court	(843) 623-2261	(843) 623-2088

You have three main options for searching Chesterfield County court cases:

Online via SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search. The South Carolina Judicial Branch runs the Case Records Search portal, giving free public access to Circuit Court, Family Court, and some Municipal Court filings statewide. You can search by party name or case number. The Chesterfield County Public Index is a separate tool for local records, including bond court histories and criminal case lookups.
In-Person at the Clerk of Court's Office. Stop by 200 West Main Street during public hours to inspect records or request copies on the spot. Self-service copies cost $0.25 per page; copies made by staff run $2.00 per document.
By Mail. Send a written request to P.O. Box 529, Chesterfield, SC 29709. Include enough detail to identify the record — party names, approximate filing date, and case number if you have it.

If you need a court transcript, you'll need to contact the assigned court reporter directly. To get the reporter's name and contact information, call South Carolina Court Administration at (803) 734-1800.

Are Court Records Public in Chesterfield County?

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (Title 30, Chapter 4) gives the public the right to inspect, copy, or receive electronic copies of records held by government bodies, including courts. Most Chesterfield County court records are open to anyone — you don't need to explain why you want them.

That said, the FOIA does allow certain types of records to be withheld or restricted. In the court records context, information that is commonly exempt or limited from public view includes:

Adoption records and proceedings
Juvenile court records and proceedings
Records containing trade secrets or proprietary business information
Documents whose release would be an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Investigatory materials compiled by law enforcement where disclosure could interfere with an active investigation
Scholastic records, medical records, and hospital medical staff reports
Records sealed by a specific court order

When a document contains both public and exempt information, the office can redact the restricted portions and release the rest. If you believe a record has been improperly withheld, you can pursue remedies under the FOIA's enforcement provisions.

Chesterfield County Criminal Court Records

Felony cases and certain misdemeanors are prosecuted in the Chesterfield County Circuit Court, General Sessions division. Misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations go to the county's Magistrate Courts or Municipal Courts.

Criminal Record Statements from the Clerk of Court

The Circuit Clerk's Office can issue a written statement of any criminal matter in its records for $10.00 per statement. You'll need to appear in person with valid photo identification, your Social Security number, and your date of birth. Keep in mind that Magistrate Court cases don't appear in these statements — you'll need to research those separately at the relevant Magistrate Court.

Arrest Records and Booking Information

Booking records for the Chesterfield County Detention Center are managed by the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office. For an arrest within the past 12 hours, call the Detention Center directly at (843) 623-3385. For older booking records, the Sheriff's Office points the public to the SC Judicial Branch Public Records Index — select "Bond Court" from the court agency dropdown, then search by name. You can also view physical booking reports in person at the Detention Center at 319 Goodale Road, Chesterfield, SC during business hours.

Sheriff's Office general line: (843) 623-2101
Non-emergency: (843) 623-6838

Magistrate and Municipal Courts

Six Magistrate Courts and five Municipal Courts across Chesterfield County handle lower-level criminal matters. Two key Magistrate Court locations are:

Magistrate Court – Bond Court
Address: 319 Goodale Road, Chesterfield, SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-2261 | Fax: (843) 623-2088

Magistrate Court – Patrick
Address: 129 Turnage Street, Patrick, SC 29584
Phone: (843) 498-6665 | Fax: (843) 498-6379

Municipal courts within the county include Cheraw (200 Market Street, (843) 537-8411) and Pageland (310 West McGregor Street, (843) 672-6437). If you're paying a traffic ticket, find the Trial Officer (Magistrate) name on the left side of the ticket — that's who receives payment.

Chesterfield County Civil Court Records

Civil cases in Chesterfield County split between two court levels based on the dollar amount at stake. The Circuit Court's Court of Common Pleas handles disputes where the amount or value of property in controversy exceeds $7,500. Claims at $7,500 or below — small claims — go to Magistrate Court under S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10.

Common Pleas Records

Common Pleas files are kept by the Clerk of Court at 200 West Main Street. Cases land on the non-jury roster 120 days after filing and on the jury roster after 365 days. You can check the current court roster through the South Carolina Judicial Branch's website and search case records using the Case Records Search portal.

To get copies of civil case documents, visit the Clerk's Office in person or send a written mail request. Self-service copies are $0.25 per page; staff-produced copies are $2.00 per document.

Property Records

Deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, and other land records are recorded and maintained by the Chesterfield County Register of Deeds, directed by Faye H. Williams.

Register of Deeds
Address: 178 Mill Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-7060 | Fax: (843) 623-6982
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The Register of Deeds has an official online records search for real property documents. Records are also available through the statewide SC Land Records portal, which supports searches by name, document number, and property description. You can view documents and order copies through the portal for a subscription fee, or visit the Mill Street office in person.

Chesterfield County Family Court Records

The Chesterfield County Family Court covers divorce and separation, child custody and parenting time, child support, domestic violence protective orders, adoption, and juvenile matters. It shares the courthouse at 200 West Main Street with the Circuit Court and uses the same Clerk of Court's Office for records.

Resident Family Court Judges are the Honorable C. Heath Ruffner (Office: (843) 623-5034) and the Honorable Cely Anne Brigman (Office: (843) 398-4012).

Divorce Records

Divorce case files are held by the Clerk of Court's Office. Certified copies of the Report of Divorce, covering the period from July 1962 through December 2023, are also available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Fees for divorce records through SCDPH are:

In-person and online requests: $17.00 (search fee plus one copy)
Mail and drop-box requests: $12.00 per copy
Each additional copy ordered at the same time: $3.00

Submit a completed divorce order application form along with a photocopy of valid photo ID and the applicable fee to the Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.

Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Chesterfield County are issued by the Probate Court. The fee is $50.00 for South Carolina residents and $75.00 for non-residents. Both parties must appear together and bring a driver's license or photo ID plus a Social Security card. A mandatory 24-hour waiting period applies before the license can be issued. Certified copies from the Probate Court cost $10.00 per copy, payable by cash, local check, or money order — available in person or by mailing a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Probate Court.

For marriage records covering July 1950 through December 2023, you can also order certified copies through the South Carolina Department of Public Health using the marriage certificate application form. The search fee and one copy are $12.00 by mail or $17.00 in person; additional copies cost $3.00 each.

Birth and Death Records

Birth certificates for Chesterfield County births going back to 1915 are available through SCDPH. Only the person named on the certificate, or someone with a legally recognized relationship to the registrant, may obtain a certified copy. The search and first copy cost $12.00 by mail or $17.00 in person; each additional copy ordered at the same time is $3.00. Use the birth certificate application and submit it with valid ID and the required fee to SC DHEC – Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Death certificates follow the same fee structure and access restrictions — bring accepted identification along with your request form and payment.

Child Support

To verify a child support payment, call the automated line at (843) 623-5568 — have your account or case number ready before you call. The Clerk of Court accepts payments by personal check or money order only (no credit cards or online payments). Mail payments to Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 529, Chesterfield, SC 29709, noting the case number on your payment. Cash payments can be made in person at the office.

Court forms for Family Court proceedings — including petitions and orders — are available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch forms library.

Chesterfield County Probate Court Records

The Chesterfield County Probate Court manages estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, involuntary mental health and chemical dependency commitments, and marriage license issuance. Probate records are generally public and can be accessed by contacting the court directly.

Chesterfield County Probate Court
Address: 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709
Phone: (843) 623-2376 | Fax: (843) 623-9886
Email: probatecourt@chesterfieldcountysc.com

Estate Administration

The Probate Court processes four types of estate proceedings depending on the decedent's situation:

Testate (with will): The will is admitted to probate either informally, without a hearing, or formally, with a hearing to confirm its validity.
Intestate (without will): The estate is distributed under South Carolina's laws of intestate succession.
Small Estate Affidavit: A simplified option for personal property only, valued at less than $25,000, that avoids full administration.
Will Filed Only: Used when a valid will exists but there are no assets that require formal administration.

Once a death certificate is in hand, interested parties should call the Probate Court to schedule an appointment. The Personal Representative — typically named in the will — takes on responsibility for collecting and safeguarding estate assets, notifying interested parties, filing a property inventory, paying allowed claims, and distributing remaining assets to the rightful beneficiaries.

Guardianship and Conservatorship

A guardian is appointed by the court to handle the personal and custodial needs of an incapacitated adult. A conservator manages that person's finances and property. Both appointments require going through the Probate Court, and anyone considering either role is strongly encouraged to consult an attorney before starting the process.

Involuntary Commitment

Requests for involuntary mental health or substance abuse commitments don't start at the Probate Court. Instead, they begin at the Tri-County Community Mental Health Center, located at 207 Commerce Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709, Phone: (843) 623-7132 After an evaluation there, the matter may come before the Probate Court for a hearing.