Dorchester County Court Records
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Dorchester County sits in South Carolina's Lowcountry, with courthouse facilities in both St. George and Summerville. The county's court system spans several layers—a Circuit Court (split into the Court of Common Pleas for civil matters and the Court of General Sessions for criminal cases), a Family Court, a Probate Court, Magistrate Courts, and several Municipal Courts. Records are distributed across multiple offices depending on case type, so knowing where to start saves real time. Whether you're checking on a pending lawsuit, pulling a criminal disposition, locating family court filings, or confirming whether an estate is in probate, this guide walks through the procedures, locations, fees, and online tools you'll need.
For a broader starting point, SouthCarolinaCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case data across all counties, including Dorchester. Different portals handle different case types—circuit and magistrate records use one system, family court records use another, and probate records have their own dedicated statewide database.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Dorchester County?
Your options depend on which court handled the case. Dorchester County offers online searches, in-person visits, and mail-based requests—each suited to different situations.
Online Case Search Tools
For Circuit Court (Common Pleas and General Sessions) and Magistrate Court cases, start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search page, which links directly to the Public Index for Dorchester County. You can search by party name, case number, or other identifying information. Some Municipal Court records also appear in this system.
Family Court cases are handled through a separate statewide tool—the FCCMS Public Access Portal. Use it to search family court rosters and case docketing information.
For Probate Court estate records, use the South Carolina Probate Search website. Select Dorchester Probate from the county dropdown, then enter a case number (formatted like 2020ES1800025, with no dashes or spaces) or the decedent's last name.
In-Person Access
The Clerk of Courts office manages records for both the Circuit Court and the Family Court. You can visit either courthouse location depending on the case type:
| 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 are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding county and state holidays. When you visit, bring a case number, party name, or any identifying details that can help staff locate the file. The Clerk of Court holds records for General Sessions (criminal), Common Pleas (civil), Family Court, and Juvenile Court proceedings.
Mail Requests
You can send a written request to the appropriate office at the addresses above. Include the case number or party name and specify exactly which documents you need. Probate Court records can be requested by mail at Dorchester County Probate Court, 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477.
Are Court Records Public in Dorchester County?
Court records in Dorchester County are generally open to public inspection under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code § 30-4-30), which establishes a broad right of public access to government records. Any person not currently serving a prison sentence in South Carolina may submit a public records request.
That said, the Clerk of Court has authority to limit access to confidential portions of documents and will redact sensitive information to meet federal and state privacy requirements. Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Sealed court documents (restricted by court order)
- Adoption records
- Juvenile criminal records, which South Carolina law does not treat as criminal convictions (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 active 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 directs court administrators to develop protocols for creating, maintaining, and destroying court records.
Dorchester County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal cases in Dorchester County go through the Court of General Sessions, the criminal division of the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court also hears criminal appeals from Magistrate and Municipal Courts. Magistrate Courts handle misdemeanor criminal and traffic offenses where the penalty is a fine and/or up to 30 days in jail.
Searching Criminal Case Records
You can search Court of General Sessions records online through the Dorchester County Public Index. Enter a party name or case number to pull up filings, case information, and disposition data. If you prefer to reach someone directly, contact the Criminal Clerk at (843) 563-0231 or visit the Clerk of Courts office during business hours:
Dorchester County Circuit Court
5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd.
St. George, SC 29477
Phone: (843) 563-0160
Arrest Records and Criminal Background Checks
For formal criminal history reports, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is your go-to statewide source. SLED runs name-based criminal record checks through the CATCH online portal for a non-refundable fee of $25, plus a $1 service charge, payable by credit or debit card. Fingerprint-based searches require a court order or a specific state or federal statutory basis.
If you prefer to submit by mail, 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
You can specify whether you need a notarized or certified copy of the criminal history check. Qualifying charitable organizations may be eligible for a reduced fee of $8.
Keep in mind that while most adult criminal records are publicly accessible, juvenile criminal records held by SLED and the Department of Juvenile Justice are confidential. South Carolina law does not classify juvenile adjudications as criminal convictions, and full criminal history access is generally limited to the named individual and law enforcement.
Dorchester County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Dorchester County are split between two courts based on the dollar amount and nature of the claim. The Court of Common Pleas, the civil division of the Circuit Court, handles general civil matters. The Magistrate Court covers civil disputes up to $7,500 (small claims), evictions, restraining orders, and claim and delivery (replevin) actions.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
Court of Common Pleas records are kept by the Clerk of Court and can be searched online through the Dorchester County Public Index. For in-person requests, contact the Civil Clerk at (843) 563-0108 or visit 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 links to 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
Property records come up regularly alongside civil litigation. The Dorchester County Register of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, plats, UCC filings, and state tax liens, with online searches available through the Property Deed Search portal. The office is 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 domestic and family-related legal matters. That includes 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 court also handles cases involving minors under age 17 alleged to have broken state law or municipal ordinances, with limited 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 public unless restricted by law or court order. You can search case information online through the FCCMS Public Access Portal, visit the Family Court office in person 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 take additional time to retrieve.
Sealed family court documents, adoption records, and juvenile case files are not available to the general public. Under South Carolina Code §§ 63-7-1990 and 63-19-2020, access to child welfare proceedings is limited to authorized parties.
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees filed in Dorchester County are available from the Clerk of Courts office. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) maintains divorce certificates for events that occurred between July 1962 and December 2014. Copies from SCDHEC cost $12 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Access is restricted to divorcees, their adult children, current or former spouses, or legal representatives—third parties may only request divorce indexes, which confirm limited details like the date and county of the divorce. To request a copy, submit an application with valid photo ID to:
SC DHEC
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
For divorces that happened before July 1962 or after December 2014, contact the Dorchester County Clerk of Court directly.
Marriage Licenses
South Carolina has required marriage licenses since July 1, 1911. In Dorchester County, licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Indexes of marriage records are available from the Probate Judge's office in the county where the marriage took place, and SC DHEC can issue marriage index certificates confirming that a marriage occurred. Marriage certificates themselves are confidential under South Carolina law and are not available for general public review.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates for Dorchester County are obtained through 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 at the same time. Eligible parties must complete an application and provide valid identification.
Dorchester County Probate Court Records
The Dorchester County Probate Court handles 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 holds concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court over powers of attorney matters.
Accessing Probate Records
With a few exceptions, all Probate Court documents are public records. You can view estate files online at SouthCarolinaProbate.net—select Dorchester Probate from the county dropdown, enter the case number or decedent's last name, and click Do Search. Documents viewable online will carry a watermark, but purchased copies are clean. If you can't find an estate file and the decedent died before 2004, reach out to estatedivision@dorchestercountysc.gov.
You can also request copies 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 involving 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 the total estate value. The initial filing fee is $25, with any remaining balance 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 under 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). The county website publishes a complete list of additional probate fees.
Opening an Estate
If the decedent lived in Dorchester County at the time of death and passed away within the last ten years, you may open probate without an attorney by completing the Opening Probate Worksheet available from the Estate Division. Submit the completed worksheet and required documents to the court, and the estate clerk will schedule a date for an Opening Probate Seminar. If more than ten years have passed since the decedent's death, a formal Petition to Determine Heirs is required—this involves personal service on all heirs, a publication requirement, a court hearing, and a $150 filing fee.