Greenwood County Court Records
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Greenwood County sits within South Carolina's 8th Judicial Circuit, with most court services centralized at the Greenwood County Courthouse in the city of Greenwood. The Greenwood County Clerk of Court accepts filings and maintains records for the Court of General Sessions (criminal), the Court of Common Pleas (civil), Family Court, and Juvenile Court. The county also operates a Magistrate Court, a Probate Court, and three municipal courts. Whether you need to verify a criminal case, pull civil litigation documents, look into a family law matter, or research an estate proceeding, this guide explains the offices, procedures, fees, and online tools available for accessing Greenwood County court records.
For those searching for court case information across South Carolina, SouthCarolinaCourts.us can help you locate publicly available court case data and identify the correct court or judicial circuit for a particular matter.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Greenwood County?
All major court divisions in Greenwood County are centrally located within the Greenwood County Courthouse complex. Your starting point depends on the type of record and the court that handled the proceeding.
In-Person Searches
The Clerk of Courts office has public access terminals where anyone can search records from the Court of General Sessions, the Court of Common Pleas, and Family Court. Staff can help you navigate the terminals and index books, but the office cannot conduct research on your behalf. Keep in mind that certain information—including details about child support cases, criminal charges, and civil matters—cannot be provided by phone and requires an in-person visit.
Greenwood County Clerk of Court
Address: 528 Monument Street, Room 114, Greenwood, SC 29646
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday (closed on major holidays)
By Mail or Facsimile
You can submit a written records request to the Clerk of Court by mail, fax, or electronic transmission. Include as much identifying information as possible—party names, case numbers, and filing dates all help.
Online Searches
Several online tools are available depending on the record type:
- Family Court records — The FCCMS Family Court Public Portal lets you search family court cases filed anywhere in South Carolina, including Greenwood County. You can look up parties, filings, and hearing times. Confidential cases do not appear on this portal.
- Probate records — The Greenwood County Probate Court search tool allows free lookups by decedent name, case number, or personal representative.
- Property and deed records — The Register of Deeds document search portal supports searches by party name, book-page, legal description, or document number. Judgments, lis pendens, mechanics liens, and claim and delivery filings can also be found through the Case Records Search linked from that portal.
- Court rosters — Common Pleas and General Sessions rosters are posted online 30 days before each term of court and can be viewed through the South Carolina Judicial Branch court roster search.
- Criminal history records — The SLED CATCH system offers name-based criminal history searches for the entire state.
Are Court Records Public in Greenwood County?
Court records in Greenwood County are generally open to public inspection under South Carolina Code of Laws, Title 30. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (Title 30, Chapter 4) requires that records held by public bodies—including courts—be made available to any person upon request, unless a specific statutory exemption or court order applies.
Categories of records that are typically restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile records — Proceedings involving minors are confidential under South Carolina law.
- Sealed records — Any record placed under seal by court order is not accessible to the general public.
- Adoption records — South Carolina is a closed adoption state; once an adoption is finalized, the record is sealed and cannot be released without a court order.
- Certain law enforcement records — Specific investigative files may be exempt under Title 17 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.
- Personal identifying information — Under South Carolina Code § 30-2-330, documents filed for public recording must not contain Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, or financial account numbers unless expressly required by law. If such information appears in a publicly accessible record, any individual may submit a written request to the Clerk of Court to have it redacted at no charge. Requests can be submitted by mail, fax, electronic transmission, or in person and must specify the page number containing the information to be removed. Reach the Clerk of Courts office at ldavis@greenwoodsc.gov to flag records containing sensitive identifiers.
Greenwood County Criminal Court Records
Felony criminal prosecutions in Greenwood County go through the Court of General Sessions, the criminal division of the Circuit Court. The 8th Circuit Solicitor's Office prepares General Sessions dockets, while the Clerk of Court accepts and maintains all warrants, bonds, indictments, and related filings. The Clerk's office also handles collections for fines and restitution payments.
Court Location
Greenwood County Circuit Court (General Sessions)
Address: 528 Monument Street, Room 114, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 942-8546
Fax: (864) 942-8693
Magistrate Court Criminal Jurisdiction
For lower-level offenses carrying a maximum fine of $500 and/or 30 days in jail, the Greenwood County Magistrate Court has jurisdiction. Assessments and court costs are added to fines as provided by state law. All three Greenwood County Magistrates—Judge Tony Foster, Judge Carson Henderson, and Judge Cheryl Warren—hold court at the Central Court location.
Greenwood County Magistrate Court
Address: 528 Monument Street, Room 100, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 942-8655
Fax: (864) 942-8663
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday (payments accepted until 4:30 p.m.)
Municipal Courts
Traffic and municipal ordinance violations are handled by the three municipal courts in the county:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwood Municipal Court | 520 Monument Street, Room 201, P.O. Box 40, Greenwood, SC 29648 | (864) 942-8458 / (864) 942-8474 |
| Ware Shoals Municipal Court | 210 McLane Avenue, P.O. Box 510, Ware Shoals, SC 29692 | (864) 456-7478 |
| Ninety-Six Municipal Court | 120 Main Street West, P.O. Box 8, Ninety-Six, SC 29666 | (864) 543-2200 ext. 201 |
Sheriff's Office and Law Enforcement Records
Arrest records and incident reports can be obtained by contacting the Greenwood County Sheriff's Office:
Greenwood County Sheriff's Office
Address: 528 Edgefield Street, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 942-8600
Fax: (864) 942-8589
Email: dkelly@greenwoodsc.gov
The Sheriff's Office also offers fingerprinting services Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (excluding holidays), at a cost of $10.00 per person for up to two print cards.
Local police departments that handle criminal matters within their jurisdictions include the Greenwood Police Department at 520 Monument Street, Greenwood, SC, Phone: (864) 942-8405, as well as the Ware Shoals Police Department and Ninety-Six Police Department.
Statewide Criminal History Searches
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains the state criminal records repository. You can access criminal history information through two methods:
- Online through SLED CATCH — Visit the CATCH portal to run a name-based search. The fee is $25 plus a $1 convenience fee (non-refundable).
-
By mail — Send a completed request form with the subject's first name, last name, date of birth, and initials, along with a $25 non-refundable fee, to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Restrictions on the release of criminal records in South Carolina are established under Title 17 of the Code of Laws. Records that have been sealed are not accessible to the public unless a court orders otherwise.
Greenwood County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Greenwood County runs through the Court of Common Pleas, the civil division of the Circuit Court, which handles contract disputes, personal injury claims, foreclosures, and other civil actions. Attorneys must e-file civil cases, with the exception of post-conviction relief (PCR) petitions and mechanics liens. Pro se litigants must file hard copies and pay by cash or check only.
Filing Fees – Court of Common Pleas
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summons and Complaint | $150.00 |
| Motion (if filed individually) | $25.00 |
| Magistrate Judgments | $35.00 |
| Lis Pendens | $10.00 |
| Cancellation of Lis Pendens | $1.00 |
| Mechanics Lien (filed in hard copy only) | $25.00 |
| Cancellation of Mechanics Lien (hard copy only) | $10.00 |
No additional charge applies for a Motion filed simultaneously with a Summons and Complaint.
Magistrate Court Civil Jurisdiction
The Magistrate Court hears civil cases where the amount sought does not exceed $7,500 (with the exception of unpaid rent). Common civil actions include landlord/tenant disputes, trespass claims, sales of abandoned property, and claim and delivery matters. Forms needed to initiate most civil actions are available free of charge at the Magistrate Court office or online at sccourts.org.
Searching Civil Court Records
Civil case records can be researched in a few ways:
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Courts office during business hours to use public access terminals or index books.
- Online rosters — Common Pleas rosters are posted 30 days before each term of court. View them through the SC Judicial Branch website by selecting Greenwood County.
- Property-related documents — The Register of Deeds search portal gives you access to deeds, mortgages, plats, satisfactions, and other real estate filings. Documents brought in for recording after 4:00 p.m. will not be processed until the following business day and may take up to one work week to appear online.
A detailed fee schedule for the Register of Deeds is available through the ROD Fees List published by the Clerk of Court.
Court Transcripts
Both Circuit Court and Family Court proceedings are recorded by state-employed court reporters. If you need a transcript, submit a written request directly to the court reporter who recorded the hearing, including the case name and hearing date. You can get court reporters' contact information from your attorney or by calling South Carolina Court Administration at (803) 734-1800.
Greenwood County Family Court Records
The Greenwood County Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and family-related legal matters. Established as part of South Carolina's uniform statewide Family Court system in 1976, this court handles divorce, legal separation, alimony, child custody and visitation, child support, termination of parental rights, adoptions, paternity, domestic violence protection orders, name changes, division of marital property, and most juvenile criminal cases involving individuals under age seventeen. Family Court judges are elected for staggered six-year terms and rotate among counties within the 8th Judicial Circuit. Unlike Circuit Court, Family Court does not use juries, and appeals go to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Court Location
Greenwood County Family Court
Address: 528 Monument Street, Room 114, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 942-8611
Fax: (864) 942-8693
Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summons and Complaint | $150.00 |
| Summons, Complaint, and Motion | $175.00 |
| Motion (if filed individually) | $25.00 |
Family Court forms are available through sccourts.org. The Clerk of Court also provides a name change petition packet with instructions for self-represented litigants.
Searching Family Court Records Online
The FCCMS Family Court Public Portal is the main online resource for looking up family court case information in Greenwood County. The portal updates in real time and lets you search for parties, filings, and hearing schedules in any family court case filed across South Carolina. Confidential cases—including adoptions and other sealed matters—will not appear in the public portal results. Attorneys can access additional case details through the FCCMS Attorney Portal, which requires a bar ID and password.
Adoption Records
South Carolina is a closed adoption state. When an adoption is finalized, the court record is sealed. The Clerk of Court cannot provide copies of adoption records without a court order. If you need access to a sealed adoption file, consult with an attorney about your available legal options.
Orders of Protection
If you've been threatened or feel threatened by another person, you may seek a temporary or final order of protection through the Family Court. For help with filing, contact the Greenwood County Victims Advocates Office at (864) 942-8577 or (864) 942-8534.
Child Support
All child support payments in South Carolina go to the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) at P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202. The SDU customer service line is (800) 768-5858. Parents and custodians can check payment status, update contact information, and review payment history through the Child Support Client Portal. Payment history printouts are also available from the Clerk of Courts office for $0.50 per page.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage licenses are issued by the Greenwood County Probate Court (see next section). Divorce decrees and dissolution records are held by the Clerk of Court under Family Court filings. Certified copies of marriage records may also be requested from DHEC Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. DHEC charges $12 for a marriage record and $3 for each additional copy. Access through DHEC is limited to the bride, groom, their legal representative, a current or former spouse, or children of the married parties.
Birth and Death Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Greenwood County Vital Records Office:
Greenwood County Vital Records Office
Address: 1736 S. Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 227-5970
The fee is $12 per copy, with $3 for each additional copy requested at the same time. Requesters must be at least 18 years old and must be the individual named on the record, a parent, spouse, or legal representative. Applications may be submitted in person or by mail. Statewide vital records services are also available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Greenwood County Probate Court Records
The Greenwood County Probate Court handles estate administration, trust disputes, involuntary commitments for mental illness or substance abuse, marriage licensing, guardianship and conservatorship appointments, and approval of minor and wrongful death settlements. The Probate Judge is elected countywide to a four-year term. The court interacts with approximately 1,500 families each year and issues roughly 600 marriage licenses annually.
Court Location
Greenwood County Probate Court
Address: 528 Monument Street, Room 205, Greenwood, SC 29646
Phone: (864) 942-8625
Fax: (864) 942-8620
Office Hours: 7:45 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Marriage License Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday
Services Provided by the Probate Court
- Probating estates and distributing assets
- Resolving disputes in estates and trusts
- Issuing marriage licenses and certified copies
- Appointing and supervising guardians and conservators
- Handling involuntary commitment proceedings for alcohol, drug, or mental health issues
- Approving minor settlements and wrongful death settlements
The Probate Court does not hear criminal cases, is not affiliated with the probation system, and does not prepare wills. If you need a will drafted, contact a private attorney or call the South Carolina Lawyers Referral Service at (800) 868-2284.
Searching Probate Records
The Greenwood County Probate Court search tool is available online at no cost. You can search by decedent name, case number, or personal representative. The county notes that the database is for reference purposes and does not guarantee completeness.
Marriage License Requirements
Applicants must be at least 18 years old or have parental consent. A mandatory 24-hour waiting period applies after the application is filed and the fee is paid before the license is issued. Applications should be submitted during marriage license hours.
Wills and Intestate Succession
A valid will in South Carolina must be in writing, signed by a testator who is at least 18 years old, and witnessed by two individuals. When someone dies without a will, South Carolina's law of intestate succession governs how probate property is distributed—generally following the deceased's family tree unless non-probate transfer arrangements are already in place.
Estate Planning Considerations
The Probate Court recommends that all individuals consider having a Last Will and Testament, a Durable Power of Attorney for business affairs, a Health Care Power of Attorney, and a Declaration of a Desire for a Natural Death (Living Will). These documents should be prepared with the help of a licensed attorney.