Charleston Court Records
Charleston court records cover a wide range of cases handled across multiple courts in South Carolina's oldest and largest city. The Charleston Municipal Court, Charleston County Circuit Court, and other tribunals all generate public records that residents and researchers may need. Whether you are searching for a traffic case, a criminal filing, or a family court matter, this guide walks you through the main ways to find and request court records in Charleston.
Charleston Quick Facts
Charleston Municipal Court Records
The Charleston Municipal Court is located at 180 Lockwood Boulevard, Charleston, SC 29403. You can reach the court by phone at (843) 724-7460. This court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic offenses, and city ordinance violations that occur within Charleston city limits. It operates as a court of limited jurisdiction under South Carolina law.
The image below comes from the official Charleston Municipal Court page, which lists court hours, payment options, and contact details for the clerk's office.
The court conducts arraignments, trials, and hearings Monday through Friday. Appeals from Municipal Court go to the Circuit Court as de novo trials. The court may also offer diversion programs for qualifying defendants.
Court records are kept by the Municipal Court Clerk and are open for public review under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. You can request records in person during business hours or by submitting a written request to the clerk's office at 180 Lockwood Boulevard. Copy fees apply for reproductions, with higher fees for certified copies.
Note: Online payment is available for traffic tickets and certain fines through the city's payment portal, allowing you to resolve some cases without a court visit.
How to Search Charleston Court Records
The fastest way to find Charleston court records online is through the SC Judicial Department Public Index. This free statewide tool lets you search by name, case number, filing date, and court type. Charleston Municipal Court is among the participating courts, so many of its records appear in the Public Index.
Charleston County also maintains its own Public Index at jcmsweb.charlestoncounty.org/publicindex/. This portal covers Circuit Court cases, Family Court filings, and other county-level records. You can search civil cases, criminal cases, and probate proceedings at no charge. The county index includes records that date back to the early history of Charleston, making it useful for historical research as well.
For in-person searches, the Charleston County Clerk of Court is at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106, Charleston, SC 29401, phone (843) 958-5000. Public access terminals are available in the office. Staff can help with certified copy requests and document reproduction during regular business hours.
Charleston County Circuit Court Records
Charleston County Clerk of Court Julie J. Armstrong oversees Circuit Court records for all cases originating in Charleston. The Circuit Court hears felony criminal cases in General Sessions and civil matters in Common Pleas. Cases appealed from the Municipal Court also appear in the Circuit Court system.
Online services through the county include the Court Plus system, Circuit Court Search, Day Book Search, and Family Court Search. E-filing is available for attorneys submitting documents electronically. Copy fees are charged for document reproduction, and certified copies carry an additional fee. The records maintained by this office span many decades and represent an extensive archive of Charleston legal history.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed in the Public Index for new or existing cases to protect personal privacy.
Criminal Court Records in Charleston
Felony criminal cases in Charleston are tried in the Circuit Court's General Sessions division. The Solicitor's Office prosecutes these matters, and records are maintained by the Charleston County Clerk of Court. For a broader statewide criminal history, you can use the SLED CATCH system, which provides name-based background checks drawn from South Carolina law enforcement records for a fee of $25 plus a $1 convenience charge for online requests.
The Charleston Police Department's Records Division maintains incident reports, arrest records, and accident reports for matters that occur within city limits. Requests can be submitted in person at Police Headquarters or by contacting the Records Division directly. Some records may be exempt from disclosure if they relate to ongoing investigations or contain protected information under state law.
Bench warrant information is handled through the Municipal Court. If you need to check on an open warrant, contact the court at (843) 724-7460 or visit the clerk's office in person at 180 Lockwood Boulevard.
Family Court Records for Charleston Residents
Family court matters for Charleston residents are handled through the Charleston County Family Court system. Cases include divorce and separation, child custody and support, adoption proceedings, and domestic violence protective orders. The Charleston County Clerk of Court maintains these records as part of the unified court system.
You can search for family court cases through the Charleston County Public Index or the statewide SC Judicial Department portal. Some family court records are sealed or restricted by law, particularly those involving minors. Contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 to ask about access to specific family court files. In-person visits to 100 Broad Street, Suite 106 allow you to use public terminals for record searches.
Public Records and FOIA in Charleston
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the state code, gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. Charleston city records requests go through the City Attorney's office, where an online FOIA form is available at charleston-sc.gov. You can also submit requests by mail or in person.
The city generally responds within 10 business days, though complex requests may take longer. Fees can apply for search time, copying, and redaction of exempt content. Certain records are not subject to disclosure, such as personnel files, confidential communications, and materials tied to open investigations. If your request is denied, you may appeal the decision to the South Carolina Administrative Law Court.
For county-level FOIA requests, contact the Charleston County department that holds the records you need. The SC Judicial Branch also provides general guidance on accessing court records statewide.
Note: Records used for commercial solicitation are restricted under state law, so requests that appear to serve that purpose may be subject to additional scrutiny.
Charleston County Court Records
For Circuit Court, Family Court, and Probate records tied to Charleston, the Charleston County Clerk of Court is the official custodian. Visit the county page below for full details on court locations, search tools, and records access.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Explore court records resources for other cities in and around the Charleston area.