Georgetown County Court Records Search
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Georgetown County is part of South Carolina’s 15th Judicial Circuit and maintains its primary court operations at the Georgetown County Judicial Center, located at 401 Cleland Street in Georgetown, SC 29440. The county’s court system includes the Court of Common Pleas (civil), the Court of General Sessions (criminal), Family Court, Probate Court, six Magistrate Courts, a Master-in-Equity, and two Municipal Courts. The Clerk of Court’s office serves as the central custodian for Common Pleas, Family Court, and General Sessions records, handling everything from new civil filings and judgments to criminal case files and juvenile proceedings.
Individuals seeking court records in South Carolina can begin by consulting official court resources, including clerk’s offices, public access terminals available at courthouses, and online case search tools maintained by the state judiciary. SouthCarolinaCourts.us provides case records search functionality that covers trial court filings across all counties, including Georgetown. The Georgetown County page on the state judiciary’s website lists court contact information, judicial assignments, and direct links to case records and court rosters. The county also maintains an online services page with links to court case searches and court dockets.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Georgetown County?
There are several methods to search for court cases filed in Georgetown County, depending on the type of case and the court that handled it.
Online Searches
The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates the Public Index Search, which allows users to look up Common Pleas, General Sessions, and Family Court cases by party name, case number, or attorney. Georgetown County is designated as Circuit Number 15 and County Number 22 within this system. Some municipal court records are also available. For court dockets and trial rosters, the judiciary hosts a separate Court Docket Search portal. Probate Court records can be searched through the South Carolina Probate Search system, which permits queries by case number or party name for any county.
In-Person Searches
Public access computer terminals are available at the Clerk of Court’s office for individuals who wish to conduct their own searches on-site. The clerk’s staff does not perform research on behalf of third parties such as credit bureaus or private companies; those entities must conduct searches themselves using the public terminals or online portals.
Clerk of Court Contact Information
- Physical Address: 401 Cleland Street, 1st Floor, Room 115, Georgetown, SC 29440
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 479, Georgetown, SC 29442
- Phone: (843) 545-3215
- Fax: (843) 545-3088
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email inquiries can be directed to specific divisions:
- General inquiries: clerkofcourt@gtcounty.org
- Common Pleas (civil): commonpleas@gtcounty.org
- Family Court: familycourt@gtcounty.org
- General Sessions (criminal): generalsessions@gtcounty.org
Obtaining Copies
When requesting copies of court documents, the standard fee is $0.50 per page for photocopies and $1.00 per document for certification, based on the Family Court fee schedule. Circuit Court filings follow similar copy-fee structures. It is advisable to call the appropriate clerk’s division to confirm the exact cost and accepted payment methods before visiting or mailing a request.
Are Court Records Public in Georgetown County?
Court records in Georgetown County are generally open to public inspection under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4). This statute grants the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by public bodies, including court offices. However, Section 30-4-40 establishes specific exemptions where disclosure is not required.
Categories of restricted or exempt records include:
- Personal privacy protections: Records containing information of a personal nature whose disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy, including sensitive information about individuals with disabilities when sought for commercial solicitation.
- Law enforcement investigative records: Materials compiled for law enforcement purposes may be withheld if their release would interfere with active investigations, compromise a person’s right to a fair trial, reveal confidential informant identities, expose law enforcement techniques, endanger individuals, or disclose intercepted communications not introduced at trial.
- Attorney-client privilege: Correspondence and work product between an attorney and a public body remain protected.
- Research data: Proprietary research data held by state institutions of higher education is exempt until publicly released or published.
Family Court confidential records carry additional restrictions. Adoption cases, abuse and neglect proceedings, and termination of parental rights cases are automatically confidential. Juvenile matters involving minors under age seventeen are likewise sealed. Any case that a Family Court judge orders sealed is unavailable to the public without a subsequent court order to unseal it. These confidential cases do not appear in the Clerk of Court’s public access system.
To request records that may contain exempt material, individuals should contact the relevant clerk’s division directly. Partial redaction may apply to certain documents that contain both public and protected information.
Georgetown County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Georgetown County are prosecuted in the Court of General Sessions, which has jurisdiction over felony and misdemeanor offenses. The Solicitor’s office for the 15th Judicial Circuit represents the state in these proceedings. Criminal case records — including indictments, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and trial documents — are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are searchable through the Public Index Search.
Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office
Arrest records and incident reports are maintained by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals can contact the Sheriff’s Office for records inquiries or booking information:
- Physical Address: 430 N. Fraser Street, Georgetown, SC 29440
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1292, Georgetown, SC 29442
- Phone: (843) 546-5102
- Fax: (843) 546-2752
- Website:gcsheriff.org
Statewide Criminal Background Checks
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) operates the centralized criminal history repository for the state. Name-based criminal record searches are conducted through the CATCH (Criminal Records Check) system. Key details about using CATCH:
- Each search requires a non-refundable fee of $25, plus a $1.00 convenience fee for online transactions.
- Searches require an exact match of the subject’s last name, first initial, and date of birth. A Social Security Number, if provided, will also be checked.
- Qualifying charitable organizations under state law pay a reduced fee of $8.00.
- Criminal records checks for prospective teachers and substitute teachers are provided at no cost to local school districts under Section 501©(3) of the federal tax code.
For mail-in requests, submit a completed Criminal Records Check Form with payment by certified check, business check, cashier’s check, or money order (personal checks and cash are not accepted) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
The CATCH system does not provide information about wanted persons or registered sex offenders. For sex offender data, the public may consult the South Carolina Sex Offender Registry at no charge.
Criminal Appeals
Appeals from Magistrate or Municipal Court criminal matters to General Sessions do not require a filing fee under S.C. Code § 8-21-310(11). Cases disposed of in General Sessions are appealed to the South Carolina Supreme Court or Court of Appeals.
Georgetown County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Georgetown County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the Magistrate Courts based on the amount in controversy. The Court of Common Pleas handles claims where the amount or property value exceeds $7,500, while Magistrate Courts handle claims of $7,500 or less. The Master-in-Equity Court hears non-jury civil matters referred from Common Pleas, including most foreclosure cases, partition actions, judicial sales, and judgment collection proceedings. Parties cannot initiate cases directly in the Master’s Court; cases arrive by Order of Reference from Common Pleas.
Circuit Court (Common Pleas) Filing Fees
Based on the statewide fee schedule:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil case (most types) | $150 |
| Lis Pendens (without Summons and Complaint) | $10 |
| Cancellation of Lis Pendens | $1 |
| Transcript of Judgment from Magistrate/Federal Court | $35 |
| Foreign Judgment | $100 |
| Reinstatement of permanently revoked driver’s license | $200 |
| Appeals from Magistrate (civil), Probate, or administrative agencies | $150 |
Foreign judgment filings require a certified sealed copy of the judgment, a sealed exemplification from the original court, and an affidavit confirming the judgment is final, uncontested, and unsatisfied in whole or in part.
Magistrate Court Filing Fees
Small claims and other civil matters at the Magistrate level carry separate fee schedules:
| Case Type | Filing Fee |
|---|---|
| Summons and Complaint | $80 |
| Claim and Delivery | $65 |
| Eviction (Order and Rule to Evict) | $40 |
| Writ of Ejectment (after eviction) | $10 |
| Judicial Sale | $35 |
| Restraining Order | Free |
After a Magistrate Court judgment is entered and the required time limit expires, the prevailing party may present a Transcript of Judgment to the Clerk of Court and pay the $35 filing fee to place it on the defendant’s record. Alternatively, a party may obtain an Execution Order and present it to the Sheriff’s Office (with a $25 Sheriff’s filing fee) to initiate property seizure proceedings.
Georgetown County Magistrate Court Locations
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown Magistrate | 333 Cleland Street, Georgetown, SC 29442 | (843) 545-3381 |
| Andrews Magistrate | 110 N. Morgan Avenue, Andrews, SC 29510 | (843) 545-3631 |
| Murrells Inlet Magistrate | 14329 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 | (843) 545-3635 |
| Pawleys Island Magistrate | 14329 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 | (843) 545-3633 |
| Pleasant Hill Magistrate | 9974 Pleasant Hill Drive, Hemingway, SC 29554 | (843) 545-3637 |
Small claims cases must be filed in the Magistrate Court whose district encompasses the defendant’s place of residence or business. The Georgetown County courts page provides an overview of each court division and its jurisdiction.
Pro Bono and Legal Aid Resources
Individuals who cannot afford an attorney and meet income guidelines may contact the South Carolina Center for Equal Justice at (888) 346-5592. Those who do not qualify for legal aid but still lack the financial means to hire a lawyer may request assistance through the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program at (803) 799-4015. For individuals able to pay, the South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service can be reached at (800) 868-2284.
Georgetown County Family Court Records
The Georgetown County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic matters. Case types heard in Family Court include alimony, annulments, name changes, child support, custody and visitation, division of marital property, divorces, domestic violence, legal guardianships, paternity, and separate maintenance and support. The Clerk of Court’s Family Court division maintains all records from these proceedings.
Filing Fees
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic cases filing fee | $150 (unless waived by a judge) |
| Lis Pendens filed with Summons and Complaint | $150 |
| Lis Pendens only | $10 |
| Cancellation of Lis Pendens | $1 |
| Motions / Rule to Show Cause | $25 (no fee for RTSC strictly for child/spousal support) |
| Copies | $0.50 per page |
| Certifications | $1 per document |
A Motion Fee Schedule (PDF) is available for download from the county’s website.
Child and Spousal Support Payments
As of June 1, 2019, all regular child support and alimony payments ordered in Georgetown County are directed to the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit (SDU), not to the Clerk of Court’s office. Payments should be mailed to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202
Purge payments ordered as a result of a contempt finding (Rule to Show Cause) must still be paid directly at the Georgetown County Clerk of Court’s office in cash, cashier’s check, or money order — personal checks are not accepted. For SDU payment questions, contact the toll-free line at (800) 768-5858, available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Confidential Cases
Adoption proceedings, abuse and neglect cases, and termination of parental rights are confidential and do not appear in the public access system. Juvenile cases involving minors under age 17 are also sealed. Any case ordered sealed by a Family Court judge requires a court order to unseal before public access is permitted.
Divorce Records
Access to certified copies of divorce records is restricted under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-8 to the divorced parties, their adult children, a current or former spouse, or authorized legal representatives. Individuals outside these categories may request only a formal statement confirming that the divorce occurred, along with the date and basic public details. Requests are directed to the Clerk of Court’s Family Court division at 401 Cleland Street, 1st Floor, Room 115, Georgetown, SC 29440, or by calling (843) 545-3215.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses are issued through the Georgetown County Probate Court Marriage Division. Certified copies of marriage certificates follow the same access restrictions under § 44-63-8 — only the married couple, their adult children, a current or former spouse, or legal representatives may obtain certified copies. Others may request a statement confirming the marriage, date, and location from the Probate Court.
Marriage License Fees
| Applicant Residency | Fee |
|---|---|
| Either or both applicants reside in Georgetown County | $50 |
| Neither resides in Georgetown County but one resides in South Carolina | $75 |
| Both applicants reside outside South Carolina | $115 |
Active duty military members are treated as residents of the county and state where their installation is located. Applicants may apply by mail by sending a completed Application for License and Certificate of Marriage (PDF), copies of valid government-issued photo identification for both applicants, the appropriate fee (cashier’s check or money order payable to Georgetown County Treasurer), and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Probate Court / Marriage Division
P.O. Drawer 421270
Georgetown, SC 29442
For express delivery, use the physical address: 401 Cleland Street, Judicial Center, Georgetown, SC 29440. South Carolina imposes a statutory 24-hour waiting period between application and issuance. Questions should be directed to the Probate Court at (843) 545-3274.
Birth and Death Records
Birth records become publicly accessible 100 years after the date of birth under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. Death records become public 50 years after the date of death under § 44-63-84. Before those periods expire, certified copies are available only to the registrant (if of legal age), parents, guardians, or legal representatives. The Georgetown County Department of Social Services handles vital records inquiries at 330 Dozier Street, Georgetown, SC 29440, Phone: (843) 546-5134 Statewide vital records copies may also be requested from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Georgetown County Probate Court Records
The Georgetown County Probate Court operates in four broad divisions: Estate, Protective Court (guardianships and conservatorships), Therapeutic Court (involuntary commitments), and Marriage License. The court does not write wills and does not hear criminal cases.
Estate Division
This division handles probating wills, interpreting wills, resolving will contests, overseeing estate administration, appointing personal representatives, and supervising the transfer of decedent assets. Both informal proceedings (used when there is no dispute) and formal proceedings (requiring a summons and petition, similar to civil litigation) are available. Questions about heirs, successors, and property belonging to an estate are routinely addressed in this division.
Protective Court Division
Guardianships may be established for adults who lack the capacity to make personal decisions due to incapacity. Conservatorships address the management of an incapacitated person’s financial assets and are also appointed for minors who will receive assets totaling more than $15,000 annually. The court determines the level of incapacity, defines the scope of constitutional rights being removed, and provides ongoing oversight of fiduciary management. Trust-related litigation — including dissolution, successor trustee appointments, and enforcement — also falls within this division.
Therapeutic Court Division
Involuntary commitment hearings for mental illness, intellectual disability, substance abuse, and tuberculosis are conducted through this division. If an individual is determined to be a danger to themselves or others and in need of treatment, the Probate Court may order inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Additional Matters
The Probate Court also approves wrongful death and survival action settlements, approves minor settlements under $25,000, makes determinations under the South Carolina Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, and may hear actions to determine paternity, common-law marriage, or marital agreement interpretation when those issues arise in connection with pending estate, trust, guardianship, or conservatorship matters.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case records can be searched online through the South Carolina Probate Search system by selecting Georgetown County and entering a case number or party name. Probate forms for estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary commitments are available from the South Carolina court forms page.
Contact Information
- Physical Address: 401 Cleland Street, Room 140, Georgetown, SC 29440
- Mailing Address: P.O. Box 421270, Georgetown, SC 29442
- Phone: (843) 545-3274