Spartanburg County Court Records
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Spartanburg County runs a multi-tier court system that produces a wide range of public documents — from criminal indictments and civil judgments to family court orders and probate inventories. Every case generates records that are filed and maintained by the county's courts and clerks' offices throughout the life of that case. Whether you're researching a legal matter, verifying a judgment, or running a background check, the first step is knowing which court holds the records you need and how to reach it.
You have several ways to start your search. The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates an online case records search covering Circuit Court, Family Court, and some Municipal Court filings statewide. SouthCarolinaCourts.us is an additional resource that aggregates publicly available case data, though official court sources should always be your final authority for accurate, up-to-date information. You can also contact the Clerk of Court directly, use public-access terminals at the courthouse, or submit a written request by mail.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Spartanburg County?
The main online tool for searching Spartanburg County court records is the South Carolina Judicial Department's Public Index. It covers Circuit Court records for both the Court of General Sessions (criminal) and the Court of Common Pleas (civil). To use it, go to the site, select Spartanburg County from the county list, accept the terms of use, and create a free account. Once logged in, you can search by party name, case number, attorney name, or filing date range.
For Family Court matters, use the separate South Carolina Judicial Department Family Court Public Index, which provides online access to domestic cases. The SC Judicial Branch case records search page also offers consolidated access to trial court records and links to all available county public indexes.
In-Person Searches
The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court maintains records for General Sessions, Common Pleas, and Family Court at the new Spartanburg County Courthouse. Walk-in visitors can use public-access terminals in the clerk's office during business hours.
Spartanburg County Courthouse Clerk of Court
Address: 180 Magnolia Street, 2nd Floor, Suite 2100, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3483, Spartanburg, SC 29304
Phone: (864) 596-2591
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding holidays)
Free parking is available at the Library Street Parking Garage.
Mail Requests
If you're sending a mail request, address it to the specific court division. Include the case name, case number, filing date if known, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and payment for any applicable fees. Division-specific mailing contacts are listed in the relevant sections below.
Are Court Records Public in Spartanburg County?
Court records in Spartanburg County are generally public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. 30-4-10 et seq.). You don't have to explain why you want a record. The law directs courts and government agencies to make records available for inspection and copying within a reasonable time after receiving a request.
That said, several categories are exempt or restricted from public access under Section 30-4-40 of the Act:
- Arrest warrants that have not yet been signed and served on the subject
- Records containing personally identifying information, such as Social Security numbers
- Records sealed by court order
- Records related to charges that have been expunged
- Records from cases involving juveniles or minors
Beyond FOIA exemptions, certain court-specific confidentiality rules apply. Adoption records require a court order to unseal. Mental health commitment records are confidential by statute. Guardianship records for incapacitated adults may have access restrictions depending on the nature of the proceeding.
When copies are provided, Spartanburg County charges uniform fees under its FOIA schedule: $0.20 per black-and-white page, $0.35 per color page, $1.00 per CD, and $1.00 per faxed page. Hourly rates apply when staff time is needed to search, retrieve, or redact records — the Clerk of Court's rate is currently $27.56 per hour, and the Sheriff's Office rate is $39.00 per hour. Submit FOIA requests through the county's online FOIA portal, by mail to Spartanburg County, Attn: FOIA, P.O. Box 5666, Spartanburg, SC 29304, or by fax to (864) 596-2232. The county must provide an initial response within 10 business days (or 20 business days for records more than 24 months old).
Spartanburg County Criminal Court Records
Adult felony and misdemeanor charges in Spartanburg County are heard in the Court of General Sessions, which is part of the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Records from General Sessions — including indictments, pleas, trial transcripts, and sentencing orders — are filed with the Clerk of Court and are generally accessible to the public unless sealed or expunged.
How to Access General Sessions Records
- Online: Search the Spartanburg Public Index using a defendant's name or case number.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court at the Spartanburg County Courthouse, Suite 2100.
- By email: Contact the General Sessions division for filing questions at tlcamp@spartanburgcounty.org or reach out about hearings through amfreeman@spartanburgcounty.org.
- Records copies: Contact Allen Lee at alee@spartanburgcounty.org for copies of General Sessions, Common Pleas, or Family Court records.
Statewide Criminal History Records (SLED)
For a comprehensive criminal history check, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains the statewide repository. You can submit a request three ways:
- Online — Use the SLED CATCH portal: accept the terms, confirm eligibility, pay, and view or print your results.
- By mail — Complete the Criminal Records Check Form and send it with payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope to: SLED Records Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398.
- By phone — Call SLED at (803) 896-1447 or (803) 896-7005.
The fee is $25 per search (non-refundable). Online requests carry an additional $1 processing fee. Qualifying charitable organizations may be eligible for a reduced fee of $8. Mail payments must be in the form of a business check, certified check, cashier's check, or money order.
Arrest Records and Sheriff's Office
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and provides a public bookings search on its website. The non-emergency line is (864) 596-2222. For formal public records requests related to arrest or incident reports, submit a request through the county's FOIA portal or mail it to the address above.
Spartanburg County Civil Court Records
Civil cases in Spartanburg County — money claims, property disputes, injunctions, foreclosures, and other non-criminal matters — go through the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Court is the official keeper of all Common Pleas filings.
Searching Civil Records
Civil case records can be searched through the same Spartanburg Public Index used for criminal cases. Select the Court of Common Pleas filter to narrow your results. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. A free account is required to view full record details.
Filing and Requesting Copies
- Attorneys must use the SC Judicial Branch's e-filing system for most Common Pleas filings.
- Self-represented litigants and members of the public can mail non-exempt filings to: Spartanburg County Clerk of Court, Common Pleas Division, P.O. Box 3483, Spartanburg SC 29304-3483. Include the filing fee, any copies you want clocked and returned, and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- For hearing questions, contact Common Pleas staff at mmartinez@spartanburgcounty.org. For e-filing issues, visit the SC Courts e-filing page.
- For questions on existing case filings: tmassey@spartanburgcounty.org.
Copy fees follow the FOIA schedule: $0.20 per black-and-white page, $0.35 per color page, and $1.00 per CD. A $27.56-per-hour search and retrieval rate applies when staff time is required.
The Spartanburg County State Court System page on the county website offers direct links to the Public Index, court rosters, and online payment services.
Spartanburg County Family Court Records
South Carolina's uniform Family Court system was established by statute in 1976 and handles all matters involving domestic and family relationships, as well as cases involving minors who are neglected, abused, or alleged to have violated state law or a municipal ordinance. The Spartanburg County Family Court hears divorce, legal separation, annulment, spousal support, child custody, child support, domestic violence, adoption, and related cases.
Accessing Family Court Records
Family Court records are generally open to the public unless sealed or involving juveniles. The main online tool is the South Carolina Judicial Department Family Court Public Index, which allows searches by party name for domestic filings. You'll need to create a free account to access it.
In-person requests go to the Clerk of Court at the courthouse address listed above. Mail filings should be directed to: Spartanburg County Clerk of Court, Family Court Division, P.O. Box 3483, Spartanburg SC 29304-3483.
- For general Family Court questions: bbrowning@spartanburgcounty.org
- For hearing-related inquiries: sfleming@spartanburgcounty.org
- For child support information: see the child support page linked on the county's Family Court site.
Marriage and Divorce Records
Marriage certificates issued by Spartanburg County are available from the Spartanburg County Probate Court. Certified copies cost $5.00 each. To request by mail, complete the Request for Marriage Certificate form and send it with a certified check or money order payable to Spartanburg County Probate Court to: 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.
The South Carolina DHEC Vital Records Office also issues certified marriage and divorce records. You can request records in person at any Vital Records office location, by mail, by phone, or online.
- The Spartanburg Vital Records branch is at 118 Dillon Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29307, phone (864) 596-2227.
- Divorce reports from DHEC cost $17 for the initial copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Birth and death records cost $17 for in-person requests and $12 for mailed requests, with each additional copy at $3.
- Only eligible parties — the registrant, immediate family members, and legal representatives — may obtain certified vital records. A valid government-issued photo ID is required.
Divorce records can also be obtained directly from the Spartanburg County Family Court. Visit the courthouse in person or search the Family Court Public Index online.
Spartanburg County Probate Court Records
The Spartanburg County Probate Court handles wills, administration of decedents' estates, conservatorships for minors, appointment and supervision of guardians for incapacitated adults, involuntary mental health commitments, and the issuance of marriage licenses.
Spartanburg County Probate Court
Address: 180 Magnolia Street, Suite 302, Spartanburg, SC 29306
Phone: (864) 596-2556
Fax: (864) 596-2011
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Walk-In and Appointment Services
The Probate Court handles preliminary estate consultations on a walk-in basis between 9:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. A ransomware attack in April 2023 affected the court's computer database, so limited appointment availability and staff constraints remain ongoing considerations. It's strongly recommended that you schedule appointments in advance and arrive early to allow time for parking and courthouse security screening.
Reviewing Physical Files
The Probate Court's research room is open to the public. To review a physical file, schedule an appointment by emailing mbradley@spartanburgcounty.org with the following information:
- Your name and phone number
- Name of the decedent or subject
- Case number (if known)
- Clerk assigned to the case
- Whether the file is active or closed
Once your email is received, the court will contact you to schedule an appointment. Calling ahead at (864) 596-2556 is also recommended for guidance on your specific request.
Probate Estate Filing Fees
South Carolina probate filing fees are set by statute and scale with the value of the estate. Fees begin at $25.00 for estates under $5,000 and increase based on total estate value. The Probate Court can confirm the current fee schedule at the time of filing. Certified copies of marriage licenses from the Probate Court cost $5.00 per copy.
Court Locations Summary
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court (Clerk of Court) | 180 Magnolia St., Suite 2100, Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2591 |
| Court of General Sessions | 180 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2591 |
| Court of Common Pleas | 180 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2591 |
| Family Court | 180 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2591 |
| Probate Court | 180 Magnolia St., Suite 302, Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2556 |
| Magistrate Court Courthouse | 180 Magnolia St., Spartanburg, SC 29306 | (864) 596-2564 |
| Magistrate Court Boiling Springs | 4224 Highway 9, Boiling Springs, SC 29316 | (864) 578-2885 |
| Magistrate Court Chesnee | 201 West Cherokee Street, Chesnee, SC 29323 | (864) 461-3402 |
| Magistrate Court Detention Center | 950 California Avenue, Spartanburg, SC 29303 | (864) 596-3424 |
| Magistrate Court Greer | 13465 East Wade Hampton Blvd., Suite 18, Greer, SC 29651 | (864) 879-0063 |
| Magistrate Court Inman | 10471 Asheville Hwy., Suite 12, Inman, SC 29349 | (864) 708-0048 |
| Magistrate Court Pacolet | 1425 North Highway 150, Pacolet, SC 29372 | (864) 474-0344 |
| Spartanburg Municipal Court | 145 West Broad Street, Spartanburg, SC 29304 | (864) 596-2038 |
| Cowpens Municipal Court | 5332 Main Street, Cowpens, SC 29330 | (864) 463-3201 |
| Duncan Municipal Court | 50 Hughes Street, Duncan, SC 29334 | (864) 439-2664 |
| Inman Municipal Court | 20 South Main Street, Inman, SC 29349 | (864) 472-6200 |
| Landrum Municipal Court | 100 North Shamrock Avenue, Landrum, SC 29356 | (864) 457-7281 |
| Lyman Municipal Court | 81 Grove Road, Lyman, SC 29365 | (864) 485-0206 |
| Wellford Municipal Court | 127 Syphrit Road, Wellford, SC 29385 | (864) 439-4875 |
| Woodruff Municipal Court | 231 East Hayne Street, Woodruff, SC 29388 | (864) 476-8131 |
For a complete list of Spartanburg County Magistrate Court locations and contact details, visit the county's official courts page. Court forms for all South Carolina trial courts — including General Sessions, Common Pleas, Family Court, and Magistrate — are available through the SC Judicial Branch court forms directory.