Dorchester County Court Records Search
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Dorchester County, situated in the South Carolina Lowcountry with primary courthouse facilities in St. George and Summerville, maintains a multi-layered court system that generates and preserves a wide range of legal records. The county operates within the First Judicial Circuit and houses a Circuit Court (encompassing the Court of Common Pleas and the Court of General Sessions), a Family Court, a Probate Court, Magistrate Courts, and several Municipal Courts. Whether someone needs to verify the status of a pending lawsuit, obtain a copy of a criminal disposition, retrieve family court filings, or confirm whether an estate has entered probate, the records are held across several offices and courthouses in the county. This guide walks through the specific procedures, locations, fees, and online tools available for obtaining Dorchester County court records.
Individuals searching for court case information in South Carolina can access records through official clerk offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and web-based search tools maintained by the state judiciary. SouthCarolinaCourts.us may assist users in locating publicly available court case data across all counties, including Dorchester. Multiple online portals exist depending on the type of case—circuit and magistrate records are searchable through one system, family court records through another, and probate records through a dedicated statewide database.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dorchester County?
Dorchester County offers several pathways for locating court case information, spanning online databases, in-person visits, and mail-based requests. The method depends on which court handled the case.
Online Case Search Tools
For Circuit Court (Common Pleas and General Sessions) and Magistrate Court cases, the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search page directs users to the Public Index for Dorchester County. This tool allows searches by party name, case number, or other identifying criteria. Some Municipal Court records are also available through this system.
Family Court case information is accessible through the FCCMS Public Access Portal, a separate statewide system. Users can search family court rosters and case docketing information through this portal.
Probate Court estate records can be searched through the South Carolina Probate Search website. Users should select “Dorchester Probate” from the county dropdown and enter a case number (in the format 2020ES1800025, with no dashes or spaces) or the decedent’s last name.
In-Person Access
The Clerk of Court’s office manages records for both the Circuit Court and the Family Court. Visitors can request records at either courthouse location:
| Court/Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dorchester County Courthouse (Circuit Court, Clerk of Court) | 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477 | (843) 563-0160 |
| Troy Knight Judicial Complex (Family Court) | 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483 | (843) 563-0360 |
| Probate Court | 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477 | (843) 563-5785 |
| Summerville Magistrate Court | 212 Deming Way, Box 10, Summerville, SC 29483 | (843) 832-0370 |
| St. George Magistrate Court | 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477 | (843) 563-0370 |
All offices observe hours of 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding county and state holidays.
When requesting records in person, individuals should be prepared to provide a case number, party name, or other details sufficient to locate the file. The Clerk of Court maintains records for General Sessions (criminal), Common Pleas (civil), Family Court, and Juvenile Court proceedings.
Mail Requests
Written requests for court records can be sent to the appropriate office at the addresses above. Include the case number or party name along with the specific documents needed. Probate Court records may also be requested by mail directed to the Dorchester County Probate Court at 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477.
Are Court Records Public in Dorchester County?
Court records in Dorchester County are generally accessible to the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-30). This statute establishes a broad right of public access to government records, including those generated by the courts. Any person not serving a sentence of imprisonment in South Carolina may submit a public records request.
The Clerk of Court has authority to limit access to confidential portions of court documents and will redact sensitive information to comply with federal and state privacy requirements. Categories of records that are restricted from public access include:
- Sealed court documents (restricted by court order)
- Adoption records
- Juvenile criminal records, which are not treated as criminal convictions under South Carolina law (per S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2030(8))
- Medical files included in court records
- Income tax records
- Trade secrets
- Attorney-client privileged materials
- Records compiled for law enforcement purposes when disclosure would interfere with an investigation
- Mental health, guardianship, and conservatorship records in Probate Court
- Sealed family court documents
Under S.C. Code §§ 63-7-1990 and 63-19-2020, access to certain family court records involving children is also restricted. Rule 78 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure further directs court administrators to develop protocols governing the creation, maintenance, and destruction of court records.
Dorchester County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Dorchester County are prosecuted in the Court of General Sessions, which is the criminal division of the Circuit Court. This court handles felonies and certain criminal matters that exceed the jurisdiction of lower courts. The Magistrate Courts have jurisdiction over misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses carrying penalties of a fine and/or up to 30 days in jail. The Circuit Court also hears criminal appeals from the Magistrate and Municipal Courts.
Searching Criminal Case Records
Criminal case records from the Court of General Sessions can be searched online through the Dorchester County Public Index. Users can enter a party name or case number to retrieve case information, filings, and disposition data. Alternatively, individuals may contact the Criminal Clerk at the Circuit Court office at (843) 563-0231 or visit the Clerk of Court’s office during business hours at the Dorchester County Courthouse:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd.
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
Arrest Records and Criminal Background Checks
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is the primary statewide source for criminal history records. SLED provides name-based criminal record checks through the CATCH online portal for a non-refundable fee of $25, payable by credit or debit card (plus a $1 service charge). Fingerprint-based searches are available upon court order or pursuant to specific state or federal statutory requirements.
For mail-based requests, individuals can complete a Criminal Records Check Form and send it with a $25 check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Requesters may specify whether they need a notarized or certified criminal history check. A reduced fee of $8 is available for qualifying charitable organizations.
It is important to note that while most adult criminal records are publicly accessible, juvenile criminal records maintained by SLED and the Department of Juvenile Justice are confidential. South Carolina law does not classify juvenile adjudications as criminal convictions, and access to a complete criminal history record is generally restricted to the named individual and law enforcement.
Dorchester County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Dorchester County is handled by two primary courts depending on the dollar amount and nature of the dispute. The Court of Common Pleas, which is the civil division of the Circuit Court, has general jurisdiction over civil matters. The Magistrate Court handles civil disputes where the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500 (commonly referred to as small claims), as well as evictions, restraining orders, and claim and delivery (replevin) actions.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
Civil case records from the Court of Common Pleas are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be accessed through the Dorchester County Public Index online. In-person requests should be directed to the Civil Clerk at (843) 563-0108 or the Clerk of Court office at 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477.
Magistrate Court civil records are available at either the Summerville or St. George Magistrate Court locations. The Magistrate Court page provides links to various civil forms, including the Small Claims Complaint, Claim and Delivery form, Eviction forms, Notice to Quit, Counterclaim, and Amended Complaint.
Filing Fees
Circuit Court filing fees for civil cases in South Carolina are set by statute:
- New civil cases: $150
- Foreign judgments: $100
- Transcripts of judgment from Magistrate or Federal Court: $35
- Lis Pendens (without a Summons and Complaint): $10
- Reinstatement of permanently revoked driver’s license: $200
For Magistrate Court, the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office civil process page lists service fees of $15 per summons and complaint for small claims, $25 for claim and delivery, and a $25 non-refundable fee for returned papers.
Property Records
While separate from court records, property records are frequently needed alongside civil litigation. The Dorchester County Register of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, plats, UCC filings, and state tax liens. Online searches are available through the Property Deed Search portal. The Register of Deeds office is located at 201 Johnston Street, St. George, SC 29477, and can be reached at (843) 563-0181 or (843) 832-0181. Copies are $0.50 per page per the Register’s fee schedule.
Dorchester County Family Court Records
The Dorchester County Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters involving domestic and family relationships. This court hears cases concerning divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, termination of parental rights, adoption, child support, alimony, division of marital property, and legal name changes. The Family Court also exercises jurisdiction over minors under age 17 alleged to have violated state law or municipal ordinances, with certain exceptions for traffic, fish, and game violations.
Location and Contact
Dorchester County Family Court
Troy Knight Judicial Complex
212 Deming Way, P.O. Box 1885
Summerville, SC 29483
Phone: (843) 563-0360 (Family Court) / (843) 563-0160 (Clerk of Court)
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records are generally considered public unless restricted by law or court order. Public access to family court case information is available online through the FCCMS Public Access Portal. Individuals may also visit the Family Court office during business hours or submit a written request. Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page. Files older than 20 years may be archived and could require additional retrieval time.
Sealed family court documents, adoption records, and juvenile case files are not accessible to the general public. Under South Carolina Code §§ 63-7-1990 and 63-19-2020, access to records involving child welfare proceedings is limited to authorized parties.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees filed in Dorchester County are available from the Clerk of Court’s office. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) maintains divorce certificates for events occurring between July 1962 and December 2014. Copies from SCDHEC cost $12 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy requested at the same time. These records are restricted to divorcees, their adult children, current or former spouses, or legal representatives. Third parties may only request divorce indexes, which confirm limited details such as the date and county of divorce. Applications with valid photo ID can be submitted to:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
For divorces occurring before July 1962 or after December 2014, the Dorchester County Clerk of Court maintains the records.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in South Carolina have been required since July 1, 1911. In Dorchester County, marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Indexes of marriage records are available from the Probate Judge’s office where the marriage occurred, and the SC DHEC can provide marriage index certificates confirming that a marriage took place. Marriage certificates are considered confidential in South Carolina and are not available for general public review.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Dorchester County are obtained through the South Carolina DHEC. Birth records are restricted to the registrant, parents, legal guardians, or authorized representatives and become public after 100 years. Death records are restricted to immediate family and legal representatives and become public after 50 years. Each copy costs $12, with additional copies at $3 when ordered simultaneously. Eligible parties must complete an application form and provide valid identification.
Dorchester County Probate Court Records
The Dorchester County Probate Court oversees estates of deceased persons, probate of wills, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under $25,000, involuntary commitments, trusts, and powers of attorney. The Probate Judge also has concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over powers of attorney matters.
Accessing Probate Records
Unless otherwise noted, all Probate Court documents are public records. The public can view estate files online through SouthCarolinaProbate.net by selecting “Dorchester Probate” from the county dropdown, entering the case number or decedent’s last name, and clicking “Do Search”. Viewable documents will display a watermark, but purchased copies are clean. If the desired estate file cannot be found and the decedent passed away before 2004, inquiries may be directed to estatedivision@dorchestercountysc.gov.
Copies of Probate Court documents may also be requested by mail or in person at:
Dorchester County Probate Court
5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd.
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-5785 or (843) 563-0105 or (843) 832-0105
Hours: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays
Records concerning mental health, guardianship, and conservatorship contain protected and confidential information and are not available for public review.
Probate Filing Fees
The estate filing fee schedule for Dorchester County Probate Court is based on estate value. The initial filing fee is $25, with remaining costs billed after the inventory is filed:
| Estate Value | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 – $4,999 | $25.00 |
| $5,000 – $19,999 | $45.00 |
| $20,000 – $59,999 | $67.50 |
| $60,000 – $99,999 | $95.00 |
| $100,000 – $599,999 | $95.00 + 0.15% of amount over $100,000 |
| $600,000 and above | $845.00 on first $600,000 + 0.25% of excess |
Small estate affidavits (for collection of personal property) carry reduced fees: $12.50 for estates up to $100, $25 for estates between $101 and $5,000, and $45 for estates between $5,001 and $9,999.99.
Additional fees pursuant to S.C. Code § 8-21-770 include $0.50 per page for copies, $5 for certified copies, $10 for filing a will only, $25 for probating a will, $150 for a Summons and Petition for Guardianship or Conservatorship, and $150 for petitions to determine heirs (non-refundable). A complete list of additional probate fees is published on the county website.
Opening an Estate
If the decedent was a resident of Dorchester County at the time of death and passed within the last ten years, an individual may open probate without an attorney by completing the Opening Probate Worksheet available from the Estate Division. The completed worksheet and required documents must be submitted to the court, after which the estate clerk will assign a date for an Opening Probate Seminar. If more than ten years have elapsed since the decedent’s death, a formal Petition to Determine Heirs is required, which involves personal service on all heirs, a publication requirement, and a court hearing, with a $150 filing fee.