Search South Carolina court records in 2026 using official state court resources, including the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search, Public Index, Court Roster Search, C-Track appellate access, Probate Court resources, SLED CATCH criminal history checks, traffic ticket search and federal PACER records.
Need South Carolina Court Records Right Now?
For most south carolina court records, start with the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search. It links users to trial court public index records for counties across the state. Use Court Roster Search for scheduled hearings, Traffic Ticket Search for eligible summary court tickets, C-Track for appellate cases, and SLED CATCH for South Carolina criminal history records.
South Carolina Court Records Overview
South Carolina court records are official records created by courts in the South Carolina Judicial Branch and related county court offices. They may include case numbers, party names, filing dates, charges, complaints, motions, court rosters, judgments, sentencing entries, family court events, probate details, appellate events and public documents when online access is allowed.
The state has different record paths depending on the case type. Trial court public index records are searched through the Judicial Branch Case Records Search. Appellate records are searched through C-Track. Probate matters often require probate court search or county probate court contact. Criminal history checks are handled through SLED CATCH, not through a normal court case search.
What South Carolina court records can you search online?
| Record Type | Official Starting Point | Best Search Method |
|---|---|---|
| Trial court cases | SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search | County public index, case number, party name or county search |
| Court dates and hearings | Court Roster Search | County roster, date, court type or party name where available |
| Traffic tickets | Traffic Ticket Search | Citation number, driver’s license or name where available |
| Family court records | Family Court / county Clerk of Court | Case number, party name and county, with privacy limits |
| Probate records | Probate Court / South Carolina Probate Search | Case number, first name, last name, party or county |
| Appellate cases | C-Track Public Access | Appellate case number, case title, filed date or court |
| Criminal history | SLED CATCH | Name-based South Carolina criminal records check |
| Federal cases | PACER / District of South Carolina | Federal case number, party name or filing date |
SC Public Index and Case Records Search
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search is the official statewide entry point for many trial court public index records. It helps users search case records for counties across South Carolina. The site notes that cookies and JavaScript must be enabled, and some browsers may require pop-up exceptions to view case detail.
How to use South Carolina public index case search
- Open the official case records page Go to sccourts.org/case-records-search. Do not start with random paid data broker sites.
- Select the correct county Choose the county where the case was filed. South Carolina court records are organized heavily by county, so searching the wrong county can return no result.
- Use case number when available Case number is usually more accurate than name search. If you do not have it, search by party name and narrow by county or case type.
- Review the public index result Check case caption, case type, status, filing date, party names, court events, disposition and judgment entries when shown.
- Contact the Clerk for official copies Online index information is helpful, but official copies or certified records usually require the county Clerk of Court.
Search South Carolina Court Records by Case Number
A case number search is the cleanest way to locate a South Carolina court record. It reduces wrong matches and helps the county Clerk of Court identify the exact file if you later request copies, certified documents or archived records.
Micro steps for South Carolina case number lookup
- Find the case number on your paper Look at the summons, complaint, indictment, warrant, family court notice, traffic citation, order, judgment, filing receipt or attorney document.
- Open the official case records search Use the Judicial Branch Case Records Search and select the county where the case was filed.
- Enter the full case number Use the exact number shown on the document, including letters, year, sequence number and punctuation if required.
- Confirm the court type Check whether the result is Common Pleas, General Sessions, Family Court, Magistrate Court, Municipal Court, Probate Court or appellate.
- Save the result details Write down the case number, county, party names, filing date and document names before calling or visiting a clerk.
Search South Carolina Court Records by Name or Party
Name search is useful when you do not know the case number. This supports common searches like “South Carolina court records by name,” “SC public index search by name,” “South Carolina criminal case lookup by defendant,” and “South Carolina civil case search by party.”
How to improve South Carolina name search results
- Search the correct county first Court records are county-based. If you do not know the county, check addresses, arrest location, ticket county, marriage county, lawsuit venue or attorney paperwork.
- Use the full legal name Start with first and last name. Then try middle initial, former name, maiden name, hyphenated name and common spelling variations.
- Try business names carefully For company cases, search legal business name, trade name, abbreviation, punctuation variations and registered entity name.
- Compare every matching record Review party role, filing date, case type, county, disposition and docket entries before assuming the record belongs to the person searched.
South Carolina Criminal Court Records
South Carolina criminal court records may include General Sessions felony and serious misdemeanor cases, Magistrate Court cases, Municipal Court cases, traffic-related criminal matters, charges, case status, plea entries, sentencing, bond-related events, warrants noted in a case and public docket activity when available.
How to search South Carolina criminal court records online
- Start with the county public index Open Case Records Search and choose the county where the criminal case was filed.
- Search by case number or defendant name Case number is best. If searching by name, verify the county, case type and disposition carefully.
- Review General Sessions and summary court entries General Sessions usually handles more serious criminal cases. Magistrate and Municipal Courts handle many summary and local matters.
- Use SLED for criminal history If you need a statewide criminal history record, use SLED CATCH instead of relying only on public index search.
South Carolina criminal case search vs SLED background check
A court case search shows court case information. SLED CATCH is a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division service for viewing and printing criminal records information from South Carolina only. These are different tools, and one should not be used as a careless replacement for the other.
Civil, Common Pleas and Judgment Records
South Carolina civil court records may include Common Pleas lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury cases, debt collection, foreclosure, landlord-tenant matters, judgments, liens, motions, orders and appeal-related filings. County public index search is usually the best starting point for civil case lookup.
South Carolina civil court search by party, business or case number
| Search Intent | Where to Start | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina civil case search | County public index | Plaintiff, defendant, filing date, case type and docket |
| Common Pleas court records | Case Records Search | Summons, complaint, motions, judgments and orders |
| Foreclosure records | Public index / county Clerk | Complaint, lis pendens, sale order, master-in-equity entries |
| Judgment search | Public index / Clerk of Court | Judgment date, debtor, creditor, satisfaction and filing county |
| Business lawsuit search | Public index | Company name, registered name, defendant role and case status |
Family, Divorce and Child Support Records
South Carolina Family Court handles cases involving marriage, divorce, legal separation, custody, visitation, child support, alimony, division of marital property, termination of parental rights, adoption, name changes and related domestic matters. Some family court records are searchable, but sensitive details may be restricted.
How to search South Carolina divorce records online
- Start with the county where divorce was filed Divorce records are usually tied to the Family Court in the county where the action was filed.
- Use case number or party name Search by case number if available. If not, search by either spouse’s full legal name.
- Look for the final order or decree The docket may show final order, decree, settlement approval, custody orders or support entries.
- Request certified copies from the Clerk For remarriage, benefits, immigration, legal name change or government filing, request certified copies from the proper county Clerk of Court.
South Carolina child support and custody case records
Child support, custody and visitation records may include private information about children, finances and protected family details. Search results may be limited, and some records may require in-person access, party status or a court order.
Probate, Estate and Marriage License Records
South Carolina Probate Court matters are handled at the county level. Probate Court jurisdiction includes marriage licenses, estates of deceased persons, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under certain limits, involuntary commitments and certain trust or power-of-attorney matters.
How to search South Carolina probate court records
- Use the statewide probate search when available Go to South Carolina Probate Search and search by case number, name or county.
- Select the correct county Probate records are county-based. Use the county where the estate, guardianship, conservatorship or marriage license matter was filed.
- Search by case number or name Try decedent name, estate name, guardian name, protected person name, case number or party name.
- Contact the county Probate Court if needed Some probate documents, older records or certified copies may require county Probate Court contact.
Traffic Ticket and Summary Court Records
South Carolina traffic ticket search helps users look up and pay eligible traffic tickets issued in Summary Court. The Judicial Branch traffic ticket search supports citation number, driver’s license or name searches where available. Some Municipal Court traffic ticket records are also available through the system.
How to search or pay a South Carolina traffic ticket online
- Open the official traffic ticket search Go to South Carolina Traffic Ticket Search.
- Search by citation, license or name Use the citation number first if you have the ticket. It is usually more accurate than a name search.
- Read the court instructions Some traffic matters require court appearance. Do not assume that online payment is available for every charge.
- Pay only through official channels If payment is allowed, use the official state or court payment system. Save your confirmation number.
Court Roster Search and Hearing Dates
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Court Roster Search provides online trial court rosters for counties across South Carolina. It is useful for searches like “South Carolina court date lookup,” “SC court roster search,” “find my court date in South Carolina,” and “South Carolina criminal docket today.”
How to find a South Carolina court date
- Open Court Roster Search Go to sccourts.org/court-roster-search.
- Choose the county Select the county where the case is scheduled.
- Review available rosters Open civil, criminal, family or other available rosters depending on your case type.
- Confirm with your notice Use the official court notice or attorney instruction as your primary direction if there is any conflict.
- Re-check before court Schedules can change because of continuances, emergency orders, weather, judicial assignments or court administration updates.
Copies, Certified Copies and Clerk Requests
Online case records are useful for research, but official uses often require a copy or certified copy from the county Clerk of Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Municipal Court or appellate clerk. Copy rules and fees can vary by county and court type.
How to request South Carolina court record copies
- Identify the court and county Find the county, case type and case number before contacting the clerk.
- Use the official Clerk roster Open the South Carolina Clerk of Court roster to locate the correct county office.
- Give exact document details Provide case number, party name, document name, filing date and whether you need certification.
- Ask about fees and delivery Confirm copy cost, certification cost, payment method and whether the request can be handled by mail, email, online or in person.
South Carolina Court Forms and E-Filing
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides searchable court forms by court type, title and form ID. The forms page includes appellate, Common Pleas, Family Court, General Sessions, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court categories. Some forms are also available in translated versions.
How to find South Carolina court forms online
- Open the official court forms page Go to South Carolina Court Forms.
- Choose the court type Select Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, Municipal Court, Common Pleas or another category.
- Search by title or form ID If your clerk, attorney or self-help guide gave you a form number, use the form ID search.
- Read filing instructions before submitting A correct form can still be filed incorrectly if you choose the wrong court, wrong county, wrong fee or wrong service method.
Sealed, Juvenile and Confidential Records
Not every South Carolina court record is available online. Some records are sealed, confidential, restricted by statute, restricted by court rule, protected by privacy law or unavailable through remote public access. A record may exist even when it does not appear in online search results.
Records that may be sealed, restricted or limited online
- Juvenile records and juvenile expungement files
- Adoption records and some termination-of-parental-rights matters
- Sealed criminal records or expunged records
- Protected victim information and domestic violence safety information
- Social Security numbers and financial account details
- Medical, mental health and substance-treatment details
- Confidential family court documents involving children
- Documents sealed by judge order or statute
Expungement and Record Sealing
South Carolina expungement is a legal process used to remove eligible criminal charges or convictions from records and to seal or destroy certain state records of the arrest, charge or conviction. Eligibility depends on the case type, result, statute, timing and court order.
How to start a South Carolina expungement search
- Collect all case numbers Search public index records and collect every case number, charge, disposition, county and sentencing detail.
- Read the official expungement page Start with the Judicial Branch Expungement Application Process.
- Identify the correct process The state provides separate guidance for General Sessions, juvenile records and Magistrate or Municipal Court matters.
- Use the proper solicitor or court channel Many expungement applications must go through the solicitor’s office in the jurisdiction where the charge occurred.
- Wait for eligibility review and signatures SLED and court officials may be involved before an expungement order is finalized.
SLED CATCH vs South Carolina Court Records
South Carolina court records and SLED CATCH criminal history records serve different purposes. Court records show case activity in specific courts. SLED CATCH allows users to view and print South Carolina criminal records information, but it does not provide national criminal record checks except where specifically authorized by law.
Which South Carolina record search should you use?
| Need | Use | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Find a local court case | SC Judicial Branch Case Records Search | Best for trial court public index records |
| Find a court date | Court Roster Search | Best for county trial court schedules |
| Check South Carolina criminal history | SLED CATCH | Best for state criminal records information from SLED |
| Get certified disposition | County Clerk of Court | Certified court documents come from the clerk |
| Search federal cases | PACER | Federal cases are not kept in state trial court public index |
Appellate Court Records and C-Track
South Carolina appellate records are searched separately from trial court public index records. The South Carolina Appellate Court Public Index, also called C-Track Public Access, provides access to case information for cases filed with the Supreme Court of South Carolina and the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
How to search South Carolina appellate case records
- Start with the trial court case Check the county public index for a notice of appeal or appellate-related docket entry.
- Open C-Track Public Access Use South Carolina C-Track Public Access.
- Search by appellate case number or case title If you do not have the appellate number, try party names, filed date range or court selection.
- Review events and documents C-Track may show events, basic case information and documents associated with appellate events when available.
Federal Court Records in South Carolina
Federal court records are not searched through the South Carolina Judicial Branch public index. Federal civil and criminal cases in the state are handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, and electronic records are accessed through PACER.
How to search District of South Carolina federal court records
- Open PACER Go to pacer.uscourts.gov and sign in or register.
- Select the District of South Carolina Use the District of South Carolina court resources when the federal case was filed in South Carolina.
- Search by party name, case number or filing date The District of South Carolina PACER page explains that PACER can provide dockets, parties, attorneys, judges, case events, nature of suit and judgment or case status information.
- Save documents carefully PACER may charge access fees. Download and save documents you need rather than opening the same item repeatedly.
Official website: scd.uscourts.gov
PACER information: District of South Carolina PACER
Case information: Searching for Case Information
PACER court lookup: South Carolina District Court
South Carolina Judicial Branch Address and Map
For statewide court system contact, official court records navigation and Judicial Branch administration, use the official South Carolina Judicial Branch contact page. For county case copies, contact the specific county Clerk of Court instead of the statewide administrative office.
1220 Senate Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201-3739
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays
Phone: 803-734-1800
Official contact page: Contact South Carolina Judicial Branch
Before contacting a South Carolina court office
- Know the county where the case was filed.
- Have the case number if available.
- Know whether the matter is criminal, civil, family, probate, traffic, appellate or federal.
- Ask the county Clerk if you need certified copies.
- Do not send private identifying information unless the official office asks through a secure process.
Practical Search Tips for South Carolina Court Records
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search South Carolina court records online for free?
Use the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search. Select the county where the case was filed, then search the public index by case number, party name or other available fields.
What is the official South Carolina court records website?
The official statewide court website is sccourts.org. The official case records entry point is the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search page.
Can I search South Carolina court records by name?
Yes. Many county public index searches allow party-name search. For better accuracy, search the correct county and compare case type, party role, filing date and docket activity.
Can I search South Carolina court records by case number?
Yes. Case number search is usually the best method. Use the full case number exactly as shown on your court notice, complaint, traffic ticket, order or filing receipt.
How do I find my South Carolina court date?
Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch Court Roster Search and select the county where your case is scheduled. Also check your official court notice because schedules can change.
Where do I search South Carolina criminal court records?
Start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search and choose the county where the criminal case was filed. For statewide criminal history information, use SLED CATCH.
Is SLED CATCH the same as South Carolina court records search?
No. SLED CATCH provides South Carolina criminal records information through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Court records search shows case information from courts and county public indexes.
How do I search South Carolina divorce records?
Search the Family Court records in the county where the divorce was filed, usually by case number or party name. For certified copies of a divorce order or decree, contact the county Clerk of Court.
Where do I search South Carolina probate records?
Use South Carolina Probate Search when available, or contact the county Probate Court. Probate records may include estates, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses and related orders.
How do I search South Carolina traffic tickets?
Use the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Traffic Ticket Search. You may search by citation number, driver’s license or name where available.
How do I get certified copies of South Carolina court records?
Contact the county Clerk of Court, Probate Court or appellate clerk that maintains the record. Provide the case number, party name, document title and whether you need a certified copy.
Why can’t I find a South Carolina court record online?
The record may be sealed, confidential, expunged, filed in another county, too old, too new, under another name, federal instead of state, or available only by request from the clerk.
How do I search South Carolina appellate cases?
Use South Carolina C-Track Public Access for cases filed with the Supreme Court of South Carolina and the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
How do I search federal court records in South Carolina?
Use PACER for federal court records. Federal cases in South Carolina are handled through the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and related federal courts.
Are South Carolina juvenile court records public?
Juvenile records are often restricted or confidential. Access depends on the case type, law, court order and requester’s role.
How do I expunge a South Carolina criminal record?
Start with the South Carolina Judicial Branch Expungement Application Process page. The process differs for General Sessions, juvenile records and Magistrate or Municipal Court records.
Final Summary
For south carolina court records, start with the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Case Records Search. Use the county public index for trial court records, Court Roster Search for hearing dates, Traffic Ticket Search for eligible tickets, C-Track for appellate cases and Probate Search or county Probate Court for estate and guardianship matters.
Use SLED CATCH for South Carolina criminal history records and PACER for federal court records. If you need official proof, request certified copies from the proper county Clerk of Court, Probate Court or appellate clerk rather than relying on a public index screenshot.