Anderson, SC Court Records
Anderson is the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, which means the county's main court facilities are located in the city. Anderson court records include cases from the Anderson Municipal Court, the Anderson County Circuit and Family Courts, and county magistrate courts. The South Carolina Public Index allows free online searches of Anderson County case records. In-person access is available at the Anderson County Clerk of Court at 100 South Main Street. This page explains each court and how to access its records.
Anderson Quick Facts
Anderson Municipal Court Records
The Anderson Municipal Court handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, bond hearings, and minor criminal matters within the City of Anderson. The court operates under standard South Carolina rules for municipal courts as courts not of record. You can find court information and guidelines at cityofandersonsc.com/court.
The image below from the Anderson Municipal Court page shows the court's contact information, bond court details, and procedural guidelines for cases handled in the City of Anderson.
The Anderson Municipal Court page is your starting point for any matter involving a city citation, ordinance violation, or bond hearing within the City of Anderson.
Municipal court decisions in Anderson can be appealed to the Anderson County Court of Common Pleas. Appeals must be filed promptly after the original ruling. The fine or bond amount may need to be posted during the appeal process. For questions about a specific case or scheduled hearing at the Anderson Municipal Court, contact the city directly through the court page on the city's website.
The image below from the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Probate Court page shows the statewide probate system that also applies to Anderson County residents dealing with estate matters.
The Probate Court system handles wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses for Anderson County, supplementing the municipal and circuit court records system available to Anderson city residents.
Anderson County Clerk of Court
C. Reena Thomason serves as Anderson County Clerk of Court. She was appointed in December 2022 and has worked in the Clerk's office since 2005, including as Chief Deputy Clerk since 2014. The office is at 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624. Mailing address: PO Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622. Phone: 864-260-4053. Email: cthomason@andersoncountysc.org. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Clerk is the official custodian of civil, criminal, and family court records in Anderson County. The office collects fees and fines from the Circuit Court, manages jury selection including the Grand Jury process, and disburses child support and alimony payments. Public access terminals are available in the office for self-service searches. Staff can assist during business hours. The Anderson County Clerk of Court page has online services and contact details.
Anderson County is designated as County Number 04 in the state court system and is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit, which includes Anderson and Oconee counties. Circuit court judges rotate between these two counties throughout the year. The Public Information Office for the county can be reached at 864-260-1047 for general inquiries.
The Register of Deeds for Anderson County is Cynthia D. Radford. Phone: 864-260-4054. Real property records, including deeds, mortgages, and plats, are maintained separately from court records.
Searching Anderson Court Records Online
The online case search for Anderson County is available through the SC Judicial Branch case records search portal. Select Anderson County to access the Public Index, which covers Circuit and Family Court cases. You can search by name, case number, or filing date. The Tenth Judicial Circuit records for Anderson are indexed online and searchable by court type, agency, case number, party names, and date range.
Search results include party names, addresses, associated cases, and case numbers. Some documents are directly available through the portal, including notices of electronic filings. Other documents require contacting the Clerk's office. Docket entries, hearing dates, and final judgments are accessible through the system. Certified copies must be requested from the Clerk's office in person or by mail.
The county also maintains its own court records resource at andersoncountycourt.org/court-records. The public records page at andersoncountycourt.org/public-records provides additional information on access procedures. Electronic filing is available for attorneys through the state's SCEF system.
Note: Magistrate court records are not included in the online Public Index. Contact the specific magistrate office for case status on traffic or misdemeanor matters handled outside of Circuit Court.Criminal Records in Anderson
Felony criminal cases and serious misdemeanors in Anderson are processed through the Anderson County Court of General Sessions, which is part of the Circuit Court. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be searched through the Public Index. Anderson County magistrate courts handle smaller criminal matters, misdemeanors, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings for felony charges throughout the county.
Multiple magistrate offices serve Anderson County and provide accessible court services to all communities. The magistrate court conducts bond hearings, preliminary hearings, and trials for misdemeanors. Some evening sessions are available for traffic court. Appeals from magistrate decisions go to the Circuit Court and result in a new trial before a Circuit judge.
For a statewide criminal record search, the SLED CATCH system provides name-based searches of South Carolina records for $25 plus a $1 online fee. Results include convictions and pending charges but are limited to South Carolina records only. The Anderson County Sheriff's Office can be contacted for local arrest information and booking records through the county's official resources.
Family and Probate Court Records in Anderson
Anderson County Family Court handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence, and juvenile matters. Records are held by the Clerk of Court and searchable through the Public Index. Some family records, especially juvenile and sealed adoption cases, are restricted by law. The court can be reached through the Clerk's main number at 864-260-4053.
The Anderson County Probate Court is located on the 2nd floor of the New Courthouse. Mailing address: PO Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622-8002. Phone: 864-260-4049. Fax: 864-260-4811. The Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and involuntary commitments. Marriage license records date back to 1911. Will Ledger images are available for online viewing, providing access to recorded wills and estate documents.
Estate proceedings include probate of wills, administration of intestate estates, and supervision of personal representatives. Probate Court fees are set by state law based on the type of proceeding and the value of assets involved. Contact the Probate Court directly for specific fee information before filing.
Note: Marriage records are issued by the Anderson County Probate Court. Divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court in the Judgment Division.FOIA and Public Records in Anderson
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4 gives the public the right to inspect and copy records held by the City of Anderson and Anderson County. Court records are generally public unless a judge has sealed them or they are protected by a specific legal exemption.
Submit written FOIA requests for Anderson County court records to the Clerk of Court at 100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624 or PO Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622. For Anderson County administrative records, contact the county administration office. City of Anderson records are requested through the city's government. The law requires a response within 10 business days for recent records and up to 20 business days for older ones.
Records can be inspected in person at no charge during business hours. Copy fees and certification costs apply when you request documents to take with you. Electronic formats are available when possible. A written denial with a legal explanation must be issued if any records are withheld.
Anderson County Court Records
Anderson is the county seat of Anderson County. The full county court system, including all magistrate locations, court contacts, and the Public Index, is covered on the Anderson County page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These nearby Upstate South Carolina cities also have court records available through county and state systems.