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Beaufort County Court Records SC | Free Online Search
Find the right Beaufort County court record without jumping between private record sites. This guide shows when to use the South Carolina Public Index, Beaufort County Clerk of Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Register of Deeds, court rosters, online payments and official copy request paths.
Quick answer: To search Beaufort County Court Records SC, start with the official Beaufort County Public Index. Use Beaufort County Clerk of Court for Circuit Court, court rosters and local record help. Use Magistrate Court for traffic, criminal, civil and magistrate dockets. Use Probate Court for estates and marriage records. Use Register of Deeds for deeds, mortgages, plats and liens.
Pick the Correct Beaufort County Court Record Office First
Most search failures happen because the record is not in the office the user searched. Beaufort County is in South Carolina Judicial Circuit 14, County Number 07. Use this decision table before searching, paying or visiting.
Public Index
Best for online case lookup, party search, docket entries, court type, filing date and case status.
Start here for most court case searches.Clerk of Court
Best for Circuit Court records, Common Pleas, General Sessions, Public Index links and roster notes.
Main courthouse record office.Magistrate Court
Best for traffic, criminal, civil, bond, summons, warrants, payments and posted magistrate dockets.
Check date and payment rules carefully.Probate / ROD
Probate handles estates and marriage licenses. Register of Deeds handles land-record documents.
Not all public records are court cases.| You need | Use this official source | Prepare this | Important warning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court, Common Pleas, General Sessions, Family Court case lookup | Beaufort County Public Index | Case number, party name, attorney name or court type. | Online index data is helpful, but official copies may require the court office. |
| Court roster, hearing date or jury/motions roster | Beaufort County Court Rosters | Court type, date, party, attorney or roster category. | Rosters can change; verify before traveling. |
| Traffic ticket, magistrate payment or magistrate civil/criminal docket | Beaufort County Magistrate Court | Ticket number, case number, name, court date and payment amount. | Mailed payments have strict payment-method rules. |
| Divorce, custody, child support or adoption-related record routing | Beaufort County Family Court | Case number, party names, filing year and proof of access if needed. | Some family records may be restricted. |
| Estate, guardianship, marriage license or probate copy | Beaufort County Probate Court | Estate name, applicant names, marriage date, probate case number or document needed. | Marriage license services are appointment-based during listed hours. |
| Deed, mortgage, plat, mechanic lien, tax lien, UCC or land record | Beaufort County Register of Deeds | Owner name, document type, recording date, book/page or document number. | Land records are not court case records. |
How to Search Beaufort County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch links Beaufort County case records through the Public Index. Use it first for case lookup before paying a private people-search or background-check site.
Open the official Public Index
Use the Beaufort County Public Index, not a paid ad or private directory page.
Search with the strongest detail
Case number is best. If you do not have it, try party name, attorney name, court type and filing date clues.
Open the full case detail
Review parties, events, filings, charges, judgments, dispositions, hearing dates and docket entries. Do not rely only on the search result row.
Request official copies when needed
If the record is for court, attorney, employer, housing, title, licensing or agency use, ask the correct office for the required copy type.
Beaufort County Court Rosters, Dockets and Hearing Date Checks
Use court rosters when you mainly need a hearing date or schedule. The Clerk of Court links to Beaufort County Court Rosters for Common Pleas jury trial rosters, Common Pleas motions rosters and General Sessions roster information.
Common Pleas rosters
Use Court Rosters for Common Pleas jury trial and motions rosters. The Clerk page lists jroseneau@bcgov.net for Common Pleas roster questions.
General Sessions
The Clerk page states the Clerk of Court does not schedule General Sessions court dates. Case questions should go to the Solicitor, Public Defender or private attorney.
Magistrate dockets
Magistrate dockets are posted one week before the scheduled court date. Preliminary Hearing dockets are updated each Wednesday.
Beaufort County Magistrate Court Records, Traffic Tickets and Payments
Use Magistrate Court for magistrate traffic, criminal, civil, bond, summons, warrant and docket matters. Payment rules are strict, so verify your ticket, case, court date and payment method before paying.
Check the court name on your ticket
Confirm whether your ticket or summons belongs to Beaufort Magistrate, Bluffton Magistrate, Hilton Head-related payment routing, municipal court or another court.
Use online payment only from the official route
The Magistrate payments page links to the Beaufort online payment system and says you must have your ticket number available.
Know payment-method limits
Magistrate Court lists in-person payments from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and accepts exact cash, credit card, money orders or cashier’s checks. Credit card service is not available by phone.
Mail correctly if paying before court
Mailed payments must be received by 4:00 p.m. the day before court if paying before the court date. Do not mail cash, and include a copy of the ticket.
Beaufort County Family Court Records: Divorce, Custody and Support
Family Court is the right direction for divorce filings, divorce records, custody, support and adoption-related routing. These records can involve privacy rules, so do not assume every document is fully public online.
Family Court may help with
- Divorce filings and divorce records
- Child custody matters
- Child support matters
- Adoption-related record routing
- Self-represented divorce packet questions
Before requesting family records
- Prepare case number if known.
- Use full legal names and filing year.
- Ask whether access is restricted.
- Ask whether certification is needed.
- Use official SC self-help resources for forms.
Beaufort County Probate Court Records and Marriage License Copies
Use Probate Court for estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage license records, probate forms and related court business. Probate Court has offices in Beaufort, Hilton Head Island and Bluffton, with marriage license applications accepted by appointment during listed hours.
Beaufort office
102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902. Phone: 843-255-5850. Office hours are listed as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; building closes to the public at 4:30 p.m.
Hilton Head office
County Government Center South, 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. Phone: 843-255-5866. Closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
Bluffton office
4819 Bluffton Parkway, Myrtle Park Building, 3rd Floor, Bluffton, SC 29910. Phone: 843-255-5872. Closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for lunch.
How to Request Beaufort County Court Record Copies
Online results help you find a record, but official copies should come from the office that keeps the record. Before paying, ask whether you need a plain copy, certified copy, docket printout, transcript, marriage certificate copy, probate copy or recorded land document.
Identify the record owner
Use Clerk of Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, Probate Court, Register of Deeds, Records Management or the Solicitor depending on the record type.
Prepare exact details
Have case number, full names, court type, filing year, hearing date, document title and your contact information ready.
Ask if the record is public
Family, adoption, juvenile, sealed, confidential and some probate records may not be fully public online.
Confirm fee and delivery
Ask about current fee, payment type, mail, pickup, email, certification and processing order before sending money.
| Record type | Start with | Useful official detail |
|---|---|---|
| Circuit Court / Common Pleas / General Sessions | Beaufort County Clerk of Court | Clerk office phone is 843-255-5050; courthouse is 102 Ribaut Road, Room 119. |
| Magistrate traffic or criminal payment | Beaufort County Magistrate Court | Ticket number is required for online payment; no personal checks for mail payments. |
| Family Court case | Beaufort Family Court | Divorce, custody, support and adoption-related records may require office guidance. |
| Marriage license or probate record | Beaufort Probate Court | Certified marriage copies need applicant names and marriage date. |
| Deed, mortgage, plat, lien or UCC | Register of Deeds | ROD lists copies at $0.50 per page and $10.00 to certify a document; confirm current costs before ordering. |
Records People Confuse With Beaufort County Court Records
If the Public Index does not show what you need, the record may belong to another county office or court system. Use this table before assuming the record does not exist.
| If you need | Use this official route | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Deeds, mortgages, plats, mechanic liens, tax liens or UCC filings | Register of Deeds | ROD records land transactions and related real property documents. |
| Older or inactive county records | Records Management / FOIA | Records Management stores permanent and inactive county records and points public document requests to FOIA. |
| Birth or death certificates | South Carolina vital records route or local Vital Records contact | Vital records are not Clerk of Court case files. |
| Federal bankruptcy or federal court case | U.S. Courts / PACER guidance | Federal court records are separate from Beaufort County trial court records. |
| Appellate case record | South Carolina Appellate C-Track | Appeals are separate from county trial court index records. |
Checklist Before Calling or Visiting for Beaufort County Court Records
Use this checklist before you visit the courthouse, call a court office, mail a payment, or request certified copies.
Bring or prepare
- Photo ID if requesting records in person
- Case number if known
- Full party names
- Court type and filing year
- Ticket number for payments
Ask before paying
- Is this the correct office?
- Is the record public?
- Plain or certified copy?
- Current fee?
- Accepted payment method?
Save afterward
- Payment receipt
- Confirmation number
- Staff instructions
- Request date
- Pickup, mail or email details
Beaufort County Court Records Contacts and Phone Script
Call the right office for the record. This is especially important for General Sessions, Family Court, magistrate tickets, probate marriage copies and land records.
| Office | Address / mailing | Phone / email | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County Clerk of Court | 102 Ribaut Road, Room 119, Beaufort, SC 29901; mailing PO Box 1128, Beaufort, SC 29901-1128 | 843-255-5050; fax 843-255-9412 | Circuit Court records, Public Index routing, Common Pleas, General Sessions and Clerk office help. |
| Common Pleas roster questions | Clerk of Court roster contact | jroseneau@bcgov.net | Common Pleas jury trial and motions roster questions. |
| Beaufort Magistrate / Bond Court | Beaufort Court / Bond Court near Ribaut Road; verify exact court location before visiting. | 843-255-5700 | Beaufort magistrate, bond court, ticket, traffic/criminal and some civil matters. |
| Bluffton Magistrate | 4819 Bluffton Parkway, 2nd Floor, Bluffton, SC 29910 | 843-255-5610 | Bluffton-area magistrate records and payment questions. |
| Beaufort County Probate Court | 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902; mailing PO Box 1083, Beaufort, SC 29901-1083 | 843-255-5850 | Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage license records and probate filings. |
| Register of Deeds | 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902; mailing PO Drawer 1197, Beaufort, SC 29901 | 843-255-2555 Ext. 0; pbaxley@bcgov.net for document requests listed by ROD | Deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, UCCs, land records and property fraud alert information. |
Beaufort County Court Records Map and Office Visit Tips
The Beaufort County Courthouse is listed at 102 Ribaut Road, Room 119, Beaufort, SC 29901. Magistrate, Probate, Bluffton, Hilton Head and Register of Deeds services can use different rooms, buildings or mailing addresses, so confirm before leaving home.
Beaufort County Court Record Not Found? Try These Fixes
Wrong office
Try Public Index, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Register of Deeds or Records Management based on the record type.
Wrong spelling
Try last name only, alternate spelling, maiden name, business name or fewer search terms.
Browser issue
SC case search may require cookies, JavaScript and pop-up permissions to view case detail.
Roster timing
Magistrate dockets are posted one week before court. Check closer to the date and verify before traveling.
Restricted record
Family, adoption, juvenile, sealed, confidential or some probate records may not be fully public online.
Not a court case
Land records, vital records, police reports, appellate cases and federal records use different systems.
Common Mistakes When Searching Beaufort County Court Records
- Confusing Beaufort County SC with Beaufort County NC. This guide is for South Carolina only.
- Searching land records in the court index. Deeds, mortgages, plats and liens belong with Register of Deeds.
- Assuming all Family Court records are public. Some family or adoption-related records may be restricted.
- Relying on a roster without rechecking. Magistrate dockets and court rosters can change without notice.
- Mailing cash or a personal check for magistrate payments. Official payment rules say do not mail cash and personal checks are not accepted.
- Using a private record site first. Start with the official Public Index, Clerk, Magistrate, Probate or Register of Deeds page.
- Ordering the wrong copy type. A docket printout, certified court copy, marriage certified copy and land-record certified copy are different.
Beaufort County Court Records SC: Fast Answer for Bing, Copilot and AI Search
Beaufort County court records are searched mainly through the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Beaufort County Public Index. The Beaufort County Clerk of Court handles Circuit Court records, Public Index access, court rosters and Clerk office routing. Magistrate Court handles traffic, criminal, civil, ticket payments and posted dockets. Probate Court handles estates, guardianships and marriage license records. Register of Deeds handles deeds, mortgages, plats, liens and real property records. For official use, contact the office that owns the record and verify copy type and fee before payment.
| Question | Direct answer |
|---|---|
| Where do I search Beaufort County court records online? | Use the official Beaufort County Public Index from the South Carolina Judicial Branch. |
| What judicial circuit is Beaufort County SC? | Beaufort County is in South Carolina Judicial Circuit 14 and is listed as County Number 07. |
| Where are Beaufort Magistrate dockets? | Use the Beaufort County Magistrate Online Court Docket page. Dockets are posted one week before court and may change. |
| Where are marriage license copies? | Use Beaufort County Probate Court. Applicant names and marriage date are required for certified recorded marriage license copies. |
| Where are Beaufort County deed records? | Use the Beaufort County Register of Deeds, not the court case index. |
Official Beaufort County Court Records Links
Beaufort Public Index
Official Beaufort County case-record search through South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Open Public IndexSC Case Records Search
Statewide case-record page with browser notes, Public Index links and county routing.
Open SC Case SearchBeaufort Courthouse
South Carolina Judicial Branch courthouse listing with Clerk, court and office contacts.
Open Courthouse ListingClerk of Court
Public Index access, court rosters, roster information and online payment links.
Open Clerk of CourtCourt Rosters
Common Pleas, General Sessions and other roster access through the Public Index roster system.
Open Court RostersMagistrate Court
Traffic/criminal, civil, bond, payments, warrants, summons and online docket guidance.
Open Magistrate CourtOnline Payments
Official Beaufort County online payment path for eligible court payments.
Open Online PaymentsProbate Court
Estates, guardianships, marriage licenses, probate offices and probate forms.
Open Probate CourtRegister of Deeds
Land records, deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, UCCs and document requests.
Open Register of DeedsRecords Management
Permanent and inactive county records and FOIA document request routing.
Open Records Management14th Circuit Solicitor
General Sessions prosecution and case-status routing for the five-county circuit.
Open SolicitorBeaufort County Court Records FAQs
How do I search Beaufort County court records online?
Use the official Beaufort County Public Index through the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Search by case number, party name, attorney name or court type, then open the case detail for docket information.
Is Beaufort County in South Carolina Judicial Circuit 14?
Yes. The South Carolina Judicial Branch lists Beaufort County in Judicial Circuit 14 and County Number 07.
Where is the Beaufort County Clerk of Court?
The South Carolina Judicial Branch lists the Beaufort County Courthouse at 102 Ribaut Road, Room 119, Beaufort, SC 29901. The Clerk of Court mailing address is PO Box 1128, Beaufort, SC 29901-1128, and the office phone is 843-255-5050.
Why can’t I open case details in the South Carolina Public Index?
The South Carolina Judicial Branch says public case-record search requires cookies and JavaScript. Some browsers may also require a pop-up exception to view case detail.
Where do I find Beaufort County court rosters?
Use the Beaufort County Court Rosters link from the Clerk of Court page or the Public Index roster system. For Magistrate Court dockets, use the Magistrate Online Court Docket page.
When are Beaufort Magistrate Court dockets posted?
Beaufort County Magistrate Court says dockets are posted one week before the scheduled court date. They are current as of the posting date and may change without notice. Preliminary Hearing dockets are updated each Wednesday.
How do I pay a Beaufort County Magistrate Court ticket?
Use the official Beaufort online payment link or pay through the methods listed by Magistrate Court. The payment page says ticket number is required for online payment, personal checks are not accepted, and mailed payments should include a copy of the ticket.
Where do I get Beaufort County divorce records?
For divorce filings and divorce records, contact Beaufort County Family Court. Some family records may have privacy limits, so ask the office whether the record is public and whether certification is required.
Where do I request a Beaufort County marriage license copy?
Use Beaufort County Probate Court. Certified copies of recorded marriage licenses may be requested by mail or in person. Applicant names and the date of marriage are required.
Are Beaufort County deeds and mortgages court records?
No. Deeds, mortgages, plats, tax liens, mechanic liens, UCCs and related land documents are handled by the Beaufort County Register of Deeds, not the court case index.
Best Next Step for Beaufort County Court Records
Start with the Beaufort County Public Index for court case lookup. Use the Clerk of Court for Circuit Court and roster help, Magistrate Court for traffic or magistrate payment issues, Family Court for divorce and custody records, Probate Court for estate and marriage license records, and Register of Deeds for land records. If you need the record for official use, ask the correct office for the right copy type and fee before paying.
Official-source check completed July 14, 2026. Court portals, payment rules, rosters, copy fees, office contacts, public access rules and request procedures can change. Verify directly with the official court before relying on any record.