Laurens County Court Records Search
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Laurens County is located in the Upstate region of South Carolina, with its county seat in the City of Laurens. The county court system processes a significant volume of cases each year spanning criminal matters in General Sessions, civil litigation in Common Pleas, family law proceedings, juvenile cases, and probate matters. Several courts operate within the county, including a Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, two Magistrate Courts, and four Municipal Courts. Anyone seeking access to court records in Laurens County should understand which court or office handles the relevant case type, what methods of access are available, and what fees or restrictions may apply.
Individuals looking for court case information in South Carolina can search through official clerk of court offices, public access terminals at courthouses, and electronic search tools. The South Carolina Judicial Branch at SouthCarolinaCourts.us provides statewide resources, including a case records search function and links to county-level court information, which may assist users in locating publicly available court records for Laurens County and other jurisdictions.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Laurens County?
The most direct route to finding a Laurens County court record depends on the type of case and the court that handled it. The Laurens County Clerk of Court is the central repository for documents filed in the Court of Common Pleas (civil), the Court of General Sessions (criminal), Family Court, and Juvenile Court. All initial filings and subsequent pleadings in these courts are maintained by the Clerk’s office in perpetuity.
Online Searching
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers a Case Records Search for trial court records. Users can search civil and criminal case information for all counties in South Carolina. Basic case data, including party names, case numbers, and docket entries, is typically available through this system, though document images may not be accessible online. For family court matters specifically, the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index provides a searchable portal for family court records.
In-Person Searching
Record seekers can visit the Clerk of Court office during business hours to review files and obtain copies. The office is located at:
Laurens County Clerk of Court
Address: 100 Hillcrest Square, Suite B, Laurens, SC 29360
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 287, Laurens, SC 29360
Phone: (864) 984-3538
Fax: (864) 984-7023
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional phone lines at the Clerk’s office include:
- Child Support inquiries: (864) 984-3530
- Traffic Tickets: (864) 681-0583
- Juror Information Line: (864) 984-8800 (available after 6:00 p.m. during weeks of court)
- Juror Clerk: (864) 681-5653
Copy Fees
Records that are not statutorily exempt or sealed by the court can be reviewed in person and copied for a fee:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court records | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $10.00 per document |
Mail Requests
Written requests can be directed to the Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 287, Laurens, SC 29360. Include the full case number or party names, a description of the documents needed, payment for applicable fees, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Are Court Records Public in Laurens County?
Most court records in Laurens County are open to the public. South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq., establishes a broad right of public access to records maintained by public bodies, including court records. No specific reason is required to request access, and records are presumed to be open unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
That said, several important categories of court records are restricted or entirely closed to public inspection:
- Juvenile court records – Under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-19-2010, juvenile court records are confidential and accessible only to authorized individuals.
- Adoption records – Adoption files are sealed and not available for public review.
- Medical records – Health and mental health records submitted to the court are protected from disclosure.
- Grand jury materials – Grand jury proceedings and related records remain confidential.
- Arrest and search warrant affidavits – These documents are not publicly available prior to the warrant being executed.
- Sealed records – Any record specifically sealed by court order is inaccessible to the public.
Additionally, individuals who are currently serving sentences of imprisonment are not granted access rights under FOIA. South Carolina’s expungement laws, found at S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-910 et seq., allow certain criminal records to be expunged upon petition, at which point those records are removed from public access.
Anyone whose public records request is denied should receive an explanation from the custodial office and may pursue the matter through legal channels.
Laurens County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Laurens County are prosecuted in two primary courts depending on the severity of the offense. Felony charges and serious criminal matters proceed through the Court of General Sessions, while lesser offenses are handled by the Magistrate Courts and Municipal Courts.
Court of General Sessions
All felony cases and criminal matters carrying penalties exceeding a $500 fine or 30-day jail sentence are heard in General Sessions Court. The Clerk of Court maintains the complete file for each General Sessions case, including criminal warrants, bond information, hearing requests, indictments, plea entries, and sentencing orders. These records can be searched online through the statewide case records search or reviewed in person at the Clerk’s office.
Individuals who need General Sessions Court forms can access them through the South Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Magistrate Courts
Laurens County’s two Magistrate Courts handle traffic cases and misdemeanor criminal offenses carrying penalties of up to a 30-day jail sentence or $500 fine. Cases with more severe consequences are bound over to General Sessions.
Laurens County Magistrate Court (Laurens)
Address: 100 Hillcrest Square, Laurens, SC 29360
Phone: (864) 681-5689
Fax: (864) 681-0591
Laurens County Magistrate Court (Gray Court)
Address: 329 Main Street, P.O. Box 438, Gray Court, SC 29645
Phone: (864) 876-4390
Municipal Courts
Four municipal courts operate in Laurens County, handling ordinance violations and minor criminal matters within their respective jurisdictions:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Laurens Municipal Court | 250 West Laurens Street, Laurens, SC 29360 | (864) 984-3532 |
| Clinton Municipal Court | 211 N. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325 | (864) 200-4518 |
| Gray Court Municipal Court | 329 W Main Street, P.O. Box 438, Gray Court, SC 29645 | (864) 876-3486 |
| Cross Hill Municipal Court | 439 North Main Street, P.O. Box 337, Cross Hill, SC 29332 | (864) 998-4453 |
Arrest Records and Criminal Background Checks
Arrest records are generated and maintained by local law enforcement. The Laurens County Sheriff’s Office is the primary county-level law enforcement agency and offers several resources for criminal records:
- In-person requests – Visit the Sheriff’s Office or contact the Support Services Division, which manages agency records.
- FOIA requests – Contact the Sheriff’s FOIA helpline at (864) 681-4509 or email CSnow@lcsosc.com.
- Inmate search – The Sheriff’s Office provides an online inmate search portal to find information about individuals currently in custody.
Laurens County Sheriff’s Office
Address: 216 West Main Street, Laurens, SC 29360
Phone: (864) 984-4967
Statewide Criminal Records via SLED
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains criminal history records at the state level. The CATCH portal (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) allows online criminal records checks for a $25 fee plus a $1 online convenience fee. For mail-in requests, use the Criminal Records Check Form and send it with payment (business check, certified check, cashier’s check, or money order) and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Laurens County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Laurens County are divided between the Court of Common Pleas and the Magistrate Courts based on the amount in controversy.
Court of Common Pleas
The Court of Common Pleas exercises general civil jurisdiction, including cases involving contract disputes, personal injury claims, real property matters, foreclosures, and appeals from lower courts and administrative agencies. All civil filings in Common Pleas are maintained by the Laurens County Clerk of Court, who serves as the official custodian for complaints, answers, motions, orders, and judgment entries.
Civil case records from Common Pleas can be searched through the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s online case records search tool. Document images are not available online, so individuals needing copies of specific filings should contact the Clerk’s office directly. Applicable Common Pleas Court forms are available through the Judicial Branch website.
Magistrate Courts – Small Claims and Civil Matters
The Laurens County Magistrate Courts handle civil cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500, as well as landlord-tenant disputes including eviction proceedings. Civil cases exceeding the small claims threshold are transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.
Property Records
The Clerk of Court also functions as the Register of Deeds in Laurens County. Deeds, mortgages, plats, judgments, and state and federal tax liens affecting real property title are recorded in the Clerk’s office. Property records can be searched through Laurens Deeds, a resource maintained for searching the county’s recorded land documents.
Requesting Civil Records
To obtain copies of civil court records:
- Identify the correct court (Common Pleas or Magistrate Court) based on the nature and amount of the claim.
- Search online via the statewide case records tool or visit the Clerk’s office.
- Request copies at $0.50 per page, or certified copies at $10.00 per document.
- For mail requests, send the case details and payment to the Clerk of Court at P.O. Box 287, Laurens, SC 29360.
Individuals who need legal representation for civil or criminal matters and cannot afford an attorney can pick up application forms at the Clerk’s office. A non-refundable $40 application fee applies.
Laurens County Family Court Records
The Laurens County Family Court handles domestic relations cases, including divorce, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, domestic violence protection orders, and matters related to the Department of Social Services such as abuse and neglect proceedings. The Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court filings and is responsible for the collection, disbursement, and enforcement of child support and alimony payments.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family court records can be searched using the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, which provides an online searchable database for family court case information. In-person access is available at the Clerk of Court office at 100 Hillcrest Square, Suite B, Laurens, SC 29360. Standard Family Court forms are published on the South Carolina Judicial Branch website.
Confidentiality Restrictions
Certain family court records carry confidentiality protections. Juvenile court records are confidential under South Carolina law. Adoption records are sealed. Domestic violence filings may have redacted victim information. Records involving abuse and neglect proceedings often contain restricted information due to the sensitive nature of the cases and the involvement of minors.
Child Support Payments
Laurens County implemented the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit (SDU) for processing child support payments. Support payments that were previously made to the Clerk of Court should now be sent to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202-3302
For questions about payment methods or schedules, contact the SDU Customer Service Center at (800) 768-5858 (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays). Purge payments ordered by a judge as a condition of compliance must still be paid in cash or money order at the Clerk of Court’s payment window.
Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in Laurens County are issued by the Laurens County Probate Court. Both parties must appear together in person to apply. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period between application and issuance. Applicants must bring two forms of identification, including a Social Security card and a government-issued photo ID. Minors under 18 must present a certified long-form birth certificate and be accompanied by a parent or guardian who consents.
Marriage license fees (cash only):
| Residency | Fee |
|---|---|
| One or both parties reside in Laurens County | $45.00 |
| One or both parties reside in South Carolina | $65.00 |
| Neither party resides in South Carolina | $75.00 |
Certified copies of marriage licenses can be obtained from the Probate Court for $5.00. The South Carolina Department of Public Health also maintains marriage certificates recorded between July 1950 and December 2023. Requests to the state agency require completion of the marriage/divorce application form, valid identification, and a $12 standard search fee ($17 for expedited processing).
Divorce Records
Divorce decrees are preserved by the Laurens County Clerk of Court and can be requested from the Clerk’s office. Certified copies of divorce records are restricted to eligible individuals: the divorced parties, their adult children, a current or former spouse, or an authorized legal representative. The state Department of Public Health maintains reports of divorce for a $12 standard search fee and provides a dedicated application form.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are not maintained by local courts but rather by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. These records are confidential, with access limited to specified eligible individuals. Separate application forms exist for birth records and death records. Birth certificates become public after 100 years, and death certificates after 50 years. The standard search fee is $12, or $