Florence Court Records
Florence is the largest city in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and the seat of Florence County. Court records in Florence span the Florence Municipal Court, the Florence County Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Courts. Whether you are searching for a traffic case, a criminal court filing, or a family law document, this guide explains where to find Florence court records online and how to request copies through the appropriate offices.
Florence Quick Facts
Florence Municipal Court Records
The Florence Municipal Court handles misdemeanor traffic offenses, criminal cases, and city ordinance violations within Florence city limits. Administrative Judge Marcus L. Woodson oversees the court along with five part-time judges who preside over criminal and traffic court, bond hearings, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and the Livability Court program.
The image below comes from the official Florence Municipal Court page, which provides contact information, court jurisdiction details, and links to related county and state resources.
The court's jurisdiction covers misdemeanor traffic and criminal cases along with city ordinance violations that occur within the Florence city limits. For tickets issued by the Florence County Sheriff or State Highway Patrol, those cases go to the Florence County Magistrate's Office at 184 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29506, phone (843) 665-0031.
Other commonly needed Florence contacts listed on the court's page include the Florence County Probate Court at 181 North Irby Street for marriage licenses, Family Court at 180 North Irby Street for child support matters, and the Department of Public Health at 1705 West Evans Street for birth and death certificates.
Note: Background checks for court purposes are handled through SLED at 4400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210, phone (803) 737-9000, or through the online SLED CATCH system.
Florence FOIA Request Process
The image below comes from the Florence FOIA Request page, which explains how to submit public records requests to the City of Florence.
FOIA requests for Florence city records can be submitted by online form, by mail, or hand-delivered to the City Manager's Office at 324 West Evans Street, Florence, SC 29501. The city responds within 10 business days for records less than two years old and within 20 business days for older records. Production of approved records takes 30 calendar days for recent records and 35 days for records over two years old.
Paper copy fees are $0.35 per page. Search and retrieval fees are based on the lowest paid employee with the necessary skills to fulfill the request, starting at $20 per hour. A 25% deposit of anticipated costs may be required before the search begins. Electronic records carry no copy fee, though staff time for format conversion may be charged. Fee waivers are available if the information primarily benefits the general public.
How to Search Florence Court Records
The SC Judicial Department Public Index provides free online access to Florence County court records. The Florence County Public Index is at publicindex.sccourts.org/florence/publicindex/. This includes Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court records searchable by case number, party name, filing date, or court type. Online dockets and court rosters are also available.
The Florence County Clerk of Court, Doris Poulos O'Hara, maintains the official Circuit Court records. The office is at 180 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501, Room 707 (Clerk of Court), Room 608 (Family Court), Room 606 (Probate Court), phone (843) 665-3031. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Court records in Florence date back to the early 1900s.
Civil case files are retained for 15 years after closure for routine matters, and permanently for historically significant cases. Felony criminal records are kept permanently. Misdemeanor records are kept for 15 years after the case closes.
Criminal Court Records in Florence
Felony criminal cases for Florence residents are heard in the Florence County Circuit Court under General Sessions. The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains these records. For statewide criminal history searches, use the SLED CATCH system at $25 plus $1 online or by mail to SLED Records Department, P.O. Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398.
The Florence County Magistrate Court is the Central Traffic Court for the county, located at 184 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501, phone (843) 665-3098. Additional magistrate locations serve the Effingham, Lake City, and Timmonsville areas. These courts handle traffic violations, minor criminal offenses, and small claims matters outside city limits. The Florence County Law Enforcement Center at 6719 Friendfield Road, Effingham, SC 29541 is the main detention facility, with inmate booking accessible at fcso.org/bookings.
Family Court Records for Florence Residents
Family court matters for Florence residents are handled through the Florence County Family Court, located in Room 608 at 180 North Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501. Cases include divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support orders, adoptions, and domestic violence proceedings.
Family court records are searchable through the Florence County Public Index. Records involving juveniles or sealed proceedings are restricted from public access. Contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 665-3031 for guidance on accessing specific family court files or ordering certified copies. Written requests for copies can be submitted by mail or in person during business hours.
Public Records in Florence
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act is at Title 30, Chapter 4. Florence city records requests go through the City Manager's Office FOIA process described above. For Florence County Sheriff records, FOIA requests are submitted through fcso.org. For 911 tapes and CAD reports, contact fcemd.org.
The SC Judicial Branch provides general guidance on court record access for all South Carolina courts, including Florence County. Court records for the Circuit and Family courts are generally public and do not require a FOIA request. Contact the Clerk of Court directly for access to specific case files.
Note: Florence County Probate Court is in Room 606 at 180 North Irby Street and handles wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses for the county.
Florence County Court Records
Florence County Clerk of Court Doris Poulos O'Hara is the official keeper of Circuit Court, Family Court, and Probate Court records for the Florence area. Visit the Florence County page for full court access details and online search tools.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Find court records for other cities in the Pee Dee region and across South Carolina.