Marlboro County Court Records Search

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    Marlboro County, South Carolina, is a small county in the northeastern part of the state with Bennettsville serving as its county seat. The county's judicial system encompasses several courts — Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal — each maintaining its own set of records that document legal proceedings ranging from felony prosecutions and civil disputes to domestic matters, estates, and traffic infractions. These records include dockets, pleadings, motions, transcripts, judgments, and case-specific information such as party names, case types, and hearing dates.

    Researchers seeking court records in South Carolina have multiple access points available: clerk offices at the courthouse, public access terminals, and online databases maintained by the state judiciary. SouthCarolinaCourts.us can assist with locating publicly available case information across South Carolina's circuit, family, and magistrate courts. Whether you are searching for a recent criminal matter or an older civil filing, identifying the correct court and its records office is the critical first step.

    How to Look Up a Court Case in Marlboro County?

    Marlboro County courts operate out of the Marlboro County Courthouse and the nearby Marlboro County Justice Complex in Bennettsville. The Clerk of Court, the Honorable Marquita McLain (who took office January 7, 2025), maintains records for both the Circuit Court and the Family Court.

    Marlboro County Court Locations:

    CourtAddressPhoneFax
    Circuit Court (Clerk of Court)105 Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512(843) 479-5615(843) 479-5653
    Family Court105 Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512(843) 479-5613(843) 479-5640
    Probate Court105 Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512(843) 479-5610(843) 479-5668
    Magistrate Court / Bond Court249 Throop Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512(843) 479-5620(843) 479-5646
    Bennettsville Municipal Court501 East Market Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512(843) 479-1582(843) 479-1585
    Clio Municipal Court110 North Main Street, Clio, SC 29525(843) 586-2211(843) 586-7733
    McColl Municipal Court210 East Gibson Avenue, McColl, SC 29570(843) 523-5223(843) 523-5695

    For online case access, the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search provides a Public Index search tool covering circuit and magistrate court cases for all counties, including Marlboro. Marlboro County is part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, alongside Chesterfield, Darlington, and Dillon counties.

    An additional online resource for indexed land and court records is the Marlboro County Clerk of Court eSearch portal, which allows searches by name across indexed records including land records and plat groups.

    For appellate court records, the C-Track Public Access portal maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to cases filed with the South Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

    In-person requests can be directed to the Clerk of Court's office at 105 Main Street, Bennettsville. The Clerk's office handles Common Pleas records, deeds, and family court filings. Specific extension contacts include: Common Pleas (ext. 501), Deeds Office (ext. 503 or 504), and Family Court (ext. 506 or 509).

    Are Court Records Public in Marlboro County?

    Court records in Marlboro County are presumptively public under two key legal frameworks. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) establishes broad public access rights to records maintained by governmental bodies, while S.C. Code § 14-5-10 specifically confirms that circuit courts are courts of record whose documents are open to public inspection.

    Despite this general openness, certain records and categories of information are restricted from disclosure:

    • Sealed records — documents closed by court order are not subject to public inspection
    • Confidential witness and victim identities — names and identifying information of victims and confidential witnesses are protected to preserve individual safety
    • Law enforcement materials — audio and video recordings that could compromise an active investigation or its outcome may be withheld
    • Personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and health records embedded in court documents are restricted
    • Confidential government data — information designated as sensitive under state or federal law

    When records contain a mix of public and restricted information, custodians are generally required to redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. Requesters who are denied access may seek review under the FOIA framework, which provides an avenue for challenging improper denials.

    Marlboro County Criminal Court Records

    Criminal cases in Marlboro County move through multiple courts depending on the stage of proceedings and the severity of the offense. The Marlboro County Magistrate Court and the Bond Court (both located at 249 Throop Street, Bennettsville) handle initial appearances, bond hearings, misdemeanor offenses, and traffic infractions. The Marlboro County Circuit Court — sitting as part of the Fourth Judicial Circuit — handles all felony prosecutions and General Sessions matters. Prosecution of criminal offenses in the Fourth Circuit is handled by the Fourth Circuit Solicitor's Office.

    To search or obtain criminal court records:

    • Online via South Carolina Public Index — Use the SC Case Records Search portal to look up circuit and magistrate court cases by party name or case number for Marlboro County (Circuit Number 4, County Number 34).
    • In person at the Clerk of Court — Visit 105 Main Street, Bennettsville, during business hours. Bring the defendant's name or case number. Inspection of records is free; copies require payment.
    • SLED criminal history records — The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division operates the SLED CATCH (Criminal History Access through CATCH) online database, which provides statewide criminal history records including arrests and court outcomes. Registered users and guests can access the system online. Mail requests require a completed Criminal Records Check Form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $25.00 fee sent to:

    SLED Records Department
    P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398

    For arrest records at the county level, the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office is the appropriate agency:

    Marlboro County Sheriff's Office
    Sheriff: Larry McNeil
    Address: P.O. Box 577, Bennettsville, SC 29512
    Phone: (843) 479-5605 | Fax: (843) 479-2851

    Marlboro County Civil Court Records

    Civil matters in Marlboro County are handled at different court levels based on the amount in controversy. The Marlboro County Circuit Court (Common Pleas division) has general jurisdiction over civil cases involving larger monetary claims and more complex disputes. The Marlboro County Magistrate Court has civil jurisdiction in cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500, consistent with S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-10, and also handles small claims, landlord-tenant matters, and land contract disputes up to that threshold.

    The Clerk of Court at 105 Main Street maintains all Circuit Court civil (Common Pleas) filings. The following process applies for requesting civil records:

    • In person: Visit the Clerk of Court during business hours. Inspection of records is free; copies are available for a fee.
    • Online: Civil case records from the Circuit Court are searchable through the SC Case Records Search portal. The Marlboro County eSearch portal provides index-level access to certain Clerk of Court records.
    • By mail: Written requests may be submitted to the Clerk of Court, PO Drawer 996, Bennettsville, SC 29512-0996.

    For Magistrate Court civil matters, contact the Magistrate's Office directly at 249 Throop Street, (843) 479-5620, as those records are maintained separately from Circuit Court filings. The Chief Magistrate for Marlboro County is Mia David-Weaver.

    Marlboro County Family Court Records

    The Marlboro County Family Court handles all domestic relations and child welfare matters filed within the county. Located at 105 Main Street, Bennettsville — in the same courthouse complex as the Circuit Court — the Family Court presides over:

    • Divorce and legal separation
    • Child custody and visitation
    • Child support establishment and modification
    • Domestic violence and protective orders
    • Adoptions
    • Juvenile delinquency and child abuse and neglect proceedings
    • Termination of parental rights

    Family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Because many family matters involve minor children or sensitive personal circumstances, certain documents within family court files may be restricted from general public access by court order or statute, even when the underlying case is a matter of public record.

    Marriage Records in Marlboro County are handled by two different offices depending on the date of the marriage. For marriages recorded before July 1950 and after December 2023, contact the Marlboro County Probate Court at (843) 479-5610, as those records were issued and maintained at the county level. For marriages between July 1950 and December 2023, certified copies are obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Vital Records Office.

    Under S.C. Code Chapter 61-19-303, marriage records are not fully public — access is restricted to the named spouses, their adult children, legal representatives, and other authorized individuals. Requesters must sign a data release agreement and provide valid photo identification.

    Marriage certificate fees and request options (July 1950–December 2023 records through DPH):

    MethodFeeProcessing Time
    Online/Phone: (VitalChek)$17 + $12.85 service fee + $3/additional copy5–7 business days
    By Mail$12 standard search fee + $3/additional copy\~4 weeks
    In-Person (Columbia)$17 + $3/additional copySame day (when available)

    Note: As of June 19, 2025, in-person and drop-off services at the DPH Vital Records Office are temporarily unavailable. Mail requests through DPH Vital Records are the primary option. The application form (D-0639) must be completed and submitted with payment to: S.C. Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.

    Divorce records for Marlboro County proceedings between July 1962 and December 2023 are similarly maintained by the DPH Vital Records Office. The application form (D-0639) and the same fee structure apply. Requesters must provide full names of both spouses, the date of divorce, the county where the case was heard, and their relationship to the parties.

    Birth and death certificates are restricted vital records maintained by the DPH Vital Records Office. Birth certificates are available to individuals at least 18 years of age, including the registrant, a parent, or legal representative. The fees are: $17 for the first certified copy (expedited, in-person or online), $12 for mail-in standard processing, and $3 for each additional copy. The birth certificate application form is available at DPH Vital Records. Death certificates follow the same fee structure and are accessible to immediate family members and legal representatives; the application form (D-2594) is available through DPH.

    Marlboro County Probate Court Records

    The Marlboro County Probate Court operates at 105 Main Street, Bennettsville — Phone: (843) 479-5610, Fax: (843) 479-5668 Each South Carolina county has an elected Probate Judge who serves a four-year term. The Probate Court in Marlboro County exercises jurisdiction over a range of matters including:

    • Administration of deceased persons' estates (testate and intestate)
    • Validation and filing of wills
    • Guardianships of minors and incapacitated adults
    • Conservatorships
    • Minor settlements under $25,000
    • Involuntary commitment proceedings for mental health treatment
    • Marriage licenses (for marriages issued prior to July 1950 and after December 2023)
    • Trust administration

    Probate court records in Marlboro County can be accessed through several channels:

    • Online search via SouthCarolinaProbate.net — The South Carolina Probate Search portal allows users to search statewide probate case records by case number or by name (last name, first name, and/or middle name), filtering results for Marlboro County specifically.
    • In-person at the Probate Court — Visit 105 Main Street, Bennettsville, during regular business hours to inspect files or request copies of specific probate records.
    • By mail — Submit a written request to the Probate Court at 105 Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512, identifying the decedent or subject by name and, if known, the case number.

    Probate records typically available for inspection include wills submitted for probate, estate inventories, petitions for appointment of personal representatives, guardianship filings, and conservatorship orders. Records involving minors may contain restricted portions. The South Carolina Probate Code (Title 62) governs all probate proceedings in Marlboro County and establishes the procedural framework for estate administration, guardianships, and related matters.