Court Records in Bluffton, SC
Bluffton court records include cases handled by the Bluffton Municipal Court, the Beaufort County Magistrate Court serving the Bluffton area, and the Beaufort County Circuit and Family Courts. Searching Bluffton court records is possible online through the South Carolina Public Index or in person at the Town of Bluffton and Beaufort County offices. This guide covers where to find court records, how to submit requests, and what information is available to the public for Bluffton and surrounding Beaufort County.
Bluffton Quick Facts
Bluffton Municipal Court Records
The Bluffton Municipal Court is located at Town Hall, 20 Bridge Street, Bluffton, SC 29910. The mailing address is P.O. Box 386, Bluffton, SC 29910. The court fax number is 843-706-4503. The court handles traffic citations, city ordinance violations, and minor criminal matters within the Town of Bluffton. Fines are due in full on the day of your court appearance.
The following image from the Town of Bluffton's official municipal court page shows the court's contact information, accepted payment methods, and procedures for residents with scheduled hearings.
The town's official court page is your best first stop for information on scheduled hearings, accepted payments, and how to request a continuance in Bluffton.
Payment options at the Bluffton Municipal Court include cash (do not mail cash), cashier's checks made payable to the Town of Bluffton Municipal Court, credit cards including Discover, Mastercard, and Visa, money orders, and personal checks from local residents only if the account is in good standing. If you need to change your address on a court record, that request must be submitted in writing by email or fax, and you should call to confirm it was received.
The page below from the Town of Bluffton outlines the fine payment rules, continuance request process, and certified copy procedures for Bluffton court records.
Mail payments must be received within 5 to 7 business days to be considered on time. Personal checks are not accepted if you are paying after your scheduled court date.
| Court | Bluffton Municipal Court 20 Bridge Street (Town Hall), Bluffton, SC 29910 |
|---|---|
| Fax | 843-706-4503 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | townofbluffton.sc.gov/206/Municipal-Court |
To request a certified copy of a disposition from Bluffton Municipal Court, submit a written request that includes your name, date of birth, ticket number, the violation charged, a contact number, and your current mailing address. Continuance requests must also be submitted in writing and received at least 24 hours before your scheduled court date. Jury trial requests must be in writing before the original court date. The defendant will be notified by U.S. mail when the jury trial is scheduled.
Searching Bluffton Area Court Records Online
Beaufort County court records, including those tied to cases involving Bluffton residents, can be searched through the South Carolina Public Index. The SC Judicial Branch case records search links to the Beaufort County Public Index. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Basic case information is free. Document copies require contacting the clerk's office.
For municipal court case information, the Town of Bluffton directs residents to the Beaufort County Public Index and to select the Summary Court option. Not all municipal records are included in the online system. Traffic ticket records are sometimes available, but ordinance matters may require a direct inquiry to the court.
The Beaufort County Clerk of Court handles Circuit Court and Family Court records for the county. The clerk's office maintains the official record of civil, criminal, and family court proceedings. Family Court can be reached at 843-255-5700. Probate Court for Beaufort is at 843-255-5850, and the Hilton Head office of Probate Court is at 843-255-5866. The Beaufort County Clerk of Court page provides access to public index searches, court rosters, and jury trial schedules.
Note: Some Bluffton Municipal Court records are not included in the county's online Public Index. Call the court directly to confirm whether a specific case can be located online.Beaufort County Magistrate Court Records in Bluffton
The Beaufort County Magistrate Court serving the Bluffton area is known as Central Court South. It is located at 4819 Bluffton Parkway, 2nd Floor, Bluffton, SC 29910. Phone: 843-255-5200. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Payment hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Magistrate court handles minor civil cases (up to $7,500), misdemeanor criminal matters, traffic violations within the county, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. This court is a court not of record, meaning appeals result in a new trial in Circuit Court. For Hilton Head Island matters, fines can also be paid at this Bluffton location.
Online payments through the magistrate court can be made at the Beaufort County online payment portal. A $1.00 fee plus 1.83% of the payment amount applies to online transactions. Accepted in-person payments include cash (exact change only), credit card, money orders, and cashier's checks. Personal checks and phone credit card payments are not accepted. Mail payments for Central Court South go to: PO Box 840, Bluffton, SC 29910.
Defendants in magistrate court have three options: guilty, not guilty, or nolo contendere (no contest). A not guilty plea entitles you to a bench trial or a jury trial. A written jury trial request must be submitted at least five days before your court date. The South Carolina Magistrate Court overview has more detail on how these courts operate statewide.
Note: If you cannot resolve your matter through the Bluffton Magistrate Court, appeals to the Court of Common Pleas must be filed within 10 days of the court's decision.Criminal Records for Bluffton Residents
Felony criminal records for Bluffton residents are filed with the Beaufort County Clerk of Court and handled by the Circuit Court's Court of General Sessions. These records can be searched through the Beaufort County Public Index. For misdemeanor records handled at the magistrate or municipal level, you may need to contact those courts directly.
Statewide criminal history searches are available through the SLED CATCH system. This is a name-based search that covers conviction records and pending charges across South Carolina. The fee is $25 plus a $1 convenience charge. You must provide a full name and date of birth. Results are generally available right away when submitted online.
The Bluffton Police Department is located at 101 Progressive Street, Bluffton, SC 29910. You can file a police report, obtain a case number, and request a courtesy summons through the police department. The department can also provide guidance on accessing incident reports, which are separate from court records.
FOIA Requests and Public Access in Bluffton
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4, applies to all public bodies in Bluffton including the Town of Bluffton and Beaufort County. The FOIA gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. Most court records are public unless sealed by a judge or otherwise protected by law.
FOIA requests for town records can be submitted in writing to the Town of Bluffton. For Beaufort County court records, submit your request to the Beaufort County Clerk of Court. The law requires a response within 10 business days for records under two years old. Records older than two years may take up to 20 business days. Production of the records must happen within 30 calendar days of the response.
Important note on privacy: Section 30-2-50 of the South Carolina Code prohibits using personal information from public records for commercial solicitation. Doing so is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 or up to one year in jail. This protection applies to records obtained through any public records request in Bluffton or anywhere in South Carolina.
Beaufort County Court Records
Bluffton is part of Beaufort County, which maintains Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and magistrate records for the entire county. The Beaufort County court page has full contact information, online search access, and resources for both Bluffton and Hilton Head Island residents.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Lowcountry cities near Bluffton also have court record resources available through Beaufort County and the state system.