Pickens County Court Records
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Pickens County sits in the upstate region of South Carolina, with the city of Pickens as its county seat. The county's court system falls within the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit and includes the Circuit Court (divided into the Court of Common Pleas and the Court of General Sessions), Family Court, Probate Court, several Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts. The Pickens County Clerk of Court holds the official records for civil, criminal, and family court proceedings, while the Probate Court and Magistrate Courts keep their own separate files.
If you're searching for court records in South Carolina, the South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a statewide case records search system covering trial courts across all counties. SouthCarolinaCourts.us can also help you find publicly available case information. Beyond those online tools, public access terminals at courthouses, direct contact with the Clerk of Court, and formal written requests are all options worth knowing about.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Pickens County?
How you search depends on the type of case — civil, criminal, or family — and whether you'd rather search online or get help in person.
Online Search Tools
- Pickens County Public Index — The Pickens County Public Index is the main online tool for searching Common Pleas and General Sessions court records. Look up cases by case number, party name, CDR code, date, indictment number, or tax map number. Most Common Pleas filings can be viewed and printed directly from the site; General Sessions searches show filing information but not document images.
- Family Court Case Search — Family Court docketing information is available through the Family Court Public Case/Docket Search portal. Search by party name or case number for divorce, custody, support, adoption, and other Family Court matters.
- Register of Deeds Online Search — The Pickens County Register of Deeds online portal lets you search recorded documents — including deeds, plats, and mortgages — by name, book/page, document type, or recording date.
In-Person Requests
The Clerk of Courts Office is on the first floor of the Pickens County Courthouse and accepts walk-in requests during business hours.
Pickens County Clerk of Court
Address: 214 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: (864) 898-5598
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Email Requests
You can also submit record requests by email to the appropriate department:
- Common Pleas: michelleb@pickenscountysc.gov
- Family Court: lorib@pickenscountysc.gov
- General Sessions: gensessions@pickenscountysc.gov
Required Information
When requesting records, include as much of the following as possible to help staff process your request:
- Case number, arrest warrant/ticket number, or indictment number
- Names of the parties or defendants
- A specific list of documents requested
- For Family Court records, a photo ID may be required
Fees for Copies
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copy fees | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per certification |
| Certified copies of orders (by mail) | $10.00 (includes copies and certification) |
| Staff research minimum | $5.00 (assessed on certain requests) |
| FOIA research/redaction (over 30 minutes) | $15.00 per hour, prorated in 30-minute increments |
Payment is due when copies are produced. Accepted methods include cash, money orders, and cashier's checks payable to the Pickens County Clerk of Court — no personal checks. Mail requests must include a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment. For FOIA requests, you'll need to complete and submit a FOIA Request Form to the Clerk's office.
Are Court Records Public in Pickens County?
Court records in Pickens County are generally public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), codified at S.C. Code Ann. 30-4-10 et seq. This law gives any person the right to inspect, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of public records held by a public body, subject to specific exemptions.
Documents that aren't sealed by the court or protected by law are considered public records and available on request. Keep in mind that the Clerk's office doesn't hold records for Magistrate Court, Municipal Court, or State Grand Jury matters — for those, you'll need to contact the respective courts or agencies directly.
Records That May Be Restricted
South Carolina law and court rules restrict or deny public access to several categories of records:
- Trade secrets, confidential business plans, or proprietary information submitted to the court
- Records whose disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
- Law enforcement records that could interfere with ongoing investigations or jeopardize fair trial rights
- Records that would reveal confidential law enforcement sources or investigative techniques
- Adoption records and files
- Juvenile court proceedings
- Records specifically exempted by other statutes
Redaction Requirements
Records provided by the Clerk's office may have personally identifiable information redacted under South Carolina law. FOIA requests that take more than 30 minutes of staff research or redaction time are subject to a fee of $15.00 per hour, prorated in 30-minute increments.
Document Availability Timing
Documents from recently resolved cases may not be immediately available. The Clerk's office advises allowing 2–3 business days after case adjudication before submitting a records request.
Pickens County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Pickens County are prosecuted in the Court of General Sessions, the criminal division of the Circuit Court. General Sessions handles all felonies and misdemeanors that exceed Magistrate Court jurisdiction. The Clerk of Court's General Sessions department holds the official records for all criminal proceedings.
General Sessions Contact
Deputy Clerk of Court for General Sessions: Brittany Williamson
Phone: (864) 898-5651
Fax: (864) 898-5863
Email: gensessions@pickenscountysc.gov
Mailing Address: Attn General Sessions, P.O. Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671
Searching Criminal Court Records
The Pickens County Public Index lets you search General Sessions case filings online by case number, defendant name, or indictment number. Filing information is viewable online, but document images for General Sessions cases aren't available through the Public Index — you'll need to request those from the Clerk's office directly.
Criminal court rosters, including plea and trial rosters from the Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor's Office, can be viewed on the court rosters page.
Payments of Fines, Fees, and Court Costs
Fines and court costs imposed by a Circuit Court judge are collected through the Clerk of Courts office. The office does not accept personal checks, online payments, or phone payments. Accepted methods are cash, money order, or cashier's check payable to the Pickens County Clerk of Court. Mailed payments should include the defendant's name and ticket/warrant number and be sent to Attn: General Sessions Accounting, P.O. Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671.
State Criminal Background Checks
For a comprehensive South Carolina criminal history search, use the SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) database, run by the State Law Enforcement Division. A few things to know:
- Fee: $25.00 per search (non-refundable), plus a $1.00 convenience fee for online submissions
- Searches match on the subject's last name, first initial, and date of birth
- If search criteria don't yield a match, fingerprint-based identification may be required
- Mail-in requests are accepted with a completed Criminal Records Check Form, payment (business check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order — no personal checks or cash), and a self-addressed stamped envelope
Mail requests to:
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division
P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398
Pickens County Sheriff's Office
Arrest records and incident reports are generated and held by law enforcement agencies, not the Clerk of Court. The Pickens County Sheriff's Office can be reached at (864) 898-5500 and is located at 216 C. David Stone Road, Pickens, SC 29671.
Pickens County Civil Court Records
Civil disputes in Pickens County go through the Court of Common Pleas, the civil division of the Circuit Court. The court has jurisdiction over cases involving amounts exceeding $7,500, including contract disputes, property claims, personal injury actions, and real estate matters.
Common Pleas Contact
Deputy Clerk of Court for Common Pleas: Michelle Broom
Phone: (864) 898-5866
Hearing inquiries: (864) 898-5862
Email: michelleb@pickenscountysc.gov
Fax: (864) 898-5863
Mailing Address: Attn Common Pleas, P.O. Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671
Civil Filing Fees
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a complete filing fee schedule for Circuit Court cases. Key fees include:
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| New civil case filing | $150 |
| Foreign judgment | $100 |
| Transcript of judgment (federal/magistrate) | $35 |
| Lis pendens (without summons and complaint) | $10 |
| Appeal from Probate Court or administrative agency | $150 |
Pickens County uses electronic filing for all Common Pleas pleadings submitted by attorneys licensed in South Carolina.
Searching Civil Court Records
The Pickens County Public Index includes a complete list of Common Pleas filings. Unlike General Sessions records, most Common Pleas case images can be accessed and printed directly from the site. Search by case number, party name, or date range.
You can also request civil record copies in person, by mail, or by email following the procedures and fee schedule described above. Allow 2–3 business days after case adjudication before requesting documents.
Transcript Requests
If you need a transcript from Common Pleas proceedings, the South Carolina Judicial Branch provides guidance on its transcript request page.
Pickens County Family Court Records
The Pickens County Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters, including annulment, divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation, termination of parental rights, adoption, child support, alimony, division of marital property, and name changes. The court also has exclusive jurisdiction over minors under age 17 accused of violating state laws or municipal ordinances.
Family Court Contact
Phone: (864) 898-5363
Docket Clerk: (864) 898-5652
Email: pcfcdocket@pickenscountysc.gov
Support Enforcement Clerk: (864) 898-5918
Mailing Address: Attn Family Court, P.O. Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671
Searching Family Court Records
Family Court case information can be searched through the Family Court Public Case/Docket Search portal. When requesting copies, have your docket numbers and party names ready, specify the documents you need, and be prepared to show photo identification.
Family Court Filing Fees
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes a Family Court fee schedule. The $150 filing fee applies to most actions, including divorce, child custody/visitation, child support, adoption, name changes, and paternity. No filing fee is required for DSS abuse and neglect actions, juvenile delinquency actions, protection from domestic abuse, or cases filed in forma pauperis.
If you can't afford the filing fee, you may request a waiver of filing fees by submitting the appropriate form.
Self-Represented Litigant Forms
The Clerk's office provides packets for certain Family Court actions that can be filed without an attorney:
- Uncontested Divorce — Available through the SC Judicial Branch divorce packet, for cases where the couple has been separated for one year and all issues are resolved
- Child Visitation — Available through the SC Judicial Branch visitation packet, for non-custodial parents without an existing visitation order
- Child Support Modification — Available through the SC Judicial Branch child support modification packet, for private actions seeking to increase or decrease support
For cases administered by SC DSS Child Support Enforcement, contact the Greenville Regional Office at (864) 282-4650.
Child and Spousal Support Payments
Since August 5, 2019, all child and spousal support payments in South Carolina are processed through the State Disbursement Unit (SDU) rather than the local Clerk of Court. Pay online or mail to: South Carolina State Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202-3302. Call the SDU at (800) 768-5858 for help.
Marriage Licenses
Marriage licenses in Pickens County are issued by the Probate Court, not the Clerk of Court. Key requirements:
- Both applicants must appear together with valid photo ID and original Social Security cards
- Fee: $50.00 cash or money order (checks not accepted)
- Minimum age: 18, or 16 with parental consent and a certified birth certificate
- A 24-hour waiting period applies; one party must return to pick up the license after the period expires
- The ceremony must be performed in South Carolina
The Pickens County Probate Judge performs marriage ceremonies by appointment for a $50.00 cash fee.
Vital Records
Certified copies of birth and death certificates, as well as marriage and divorce records from specific date ranges, can be obtained through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Vital Records Office in Columbia. The fee is $17 for the initial search (non-refundable) plus $3 for each additional copy. For marriage licenses issued before July 1950 or after December 2023, contact the Pickens County Probate Court directly.
Pickens County Probate Court Records
The Pickens County Probate Court handles estate administration, guardianship and conservatorship for minors and incapacitated persons, trust matters, involuntary commitment proceedings, wrongful death and survival actions, and the issuance of marriage licenses.
Probate Court
Address: 222 McDaniel Avenue, B-16, Pickens, SC 29671
Phone: (864) 898-5903
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Types of Proceedings
The Probate Court adjudicates the following matters:
- Probate of wills and appointment of personal representatives
- Administration of decedents' estates (with or without a will)
- Guardianship and conservatorship for minors and incapacitated adults
- Trust proceedings
- Involuntary commitment
- Wrongful death and survival actions
Accessing Probate Records
Probate Court records are maintained separately from Circuit Court and Family Court records. Direct your request to the Probate Court office at the address above — in-person visits are welcome during office hours. Staff can provide forms and procedural guidance, though by law the court cannot offer legal advice about estate matters.
The county website provides probate forms for download, including applications related to estate administration.
Appeals from Probate Court
Decisions of the Probate Court may be appealed to the Circuit Court. The Circuit Court filing fee for an appeal from Probate Court is $150.
If you're unsure whether you need to open a probate proceeding or have general questions about the process, contact the Probate Court at (864) 898-5903 during regular business hours, or consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.