Spartanburg Court Records
Spartanburg court records cover a wide range of civil, criminal, and family matters handled by courts in the city and throughout Spartanburg County. Whether you need to look up a case, get a certified copy of a filing, or review a docket, this guide walks you through the main ways to search Spartanburg court records. The South Carolina Public Index provides free online access to most active and closed cases for the county. In-person options are also available at the Spartanburg County Judicial Center.
Spartanburg Quick Facts
Spartanburg Municipal Court Records
The Spartanburg Municipal Court handles traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, and city ordinance cases within the city limits. As of January 22, 2024, the court operates from a new location inside the Spartanburg County Courthouse at 180 Magnolia Street, Suite 1134, Courtroom 1E. Court sessions are held Monday through Thursday. Call the court at 864-596-2038 with your ticket or warrant number to find out your specific hearing time.
The city's Spartanburg Municipal Court also runs a voluntary Homeless Court program. This program helps individuals who were homeless at the time of their charge. Eligible participants may receive dismissal of associated fines or, in some cases, the offense itself. The court is ADA accessible, and accommodations can be arranged by calling 864-596-2038 before your court date.
| Court | Spartanburg Municipal Court 180 Magnolia Street, Suite 1134, Spartanburg, SC 29306 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 864-596-2038 | Juror Line: 864-596-2270 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (payments accepted until 4:30 PM) |
| Website | cityofspartanburg.org/301/Municipal-Court |
The city's municipal court website at Fine Payments outlines all accepted payment methods. Cash, certified checks, debit and credit cards, and money orders are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted. Online payments are available for most municipal cases and may take up to three business days to process. Failure to pay fines can result in driver's license suspension through SCDMV.
The following screenshot from the City of Spartanburg's municipal court page shows the official court location, contact details, and information about court programs available to Spartanburg residents.
The city's official court page is the starting point for anyone dealing with a Spartanburg municipal citation or needing to review a municipal court record.
If you need to pay a fine, the page below from the city shows the full payment options and procedures for Spartanburg Municipal Court fine payments.
Review the fine payment rules carefully before visiting. Mail payments must be sent as a cashier's check or money order only, made payable to the City of Spartanburg, with your ticket number and current address included.
How to Search Spartanburg Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a free online tool called the Public Index. It covers Circuit and Family Court records for Spartanburg County. You can reach the Spartanburg County Public Index directly from the state's case records portal. The system is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Search options include party name, case number, and filing date. The Public Index covers both active and closed cases and includes civil, criminal, and family matters. Most basic case information is free to view. Certified copies of documents are not available online. You will need to contact the Clerk of Court's office to request certified copies in person or by mail.
Not all documents have been digitized. Older records, especially those from before the mid-1990s, may only be available in the Clerk's office. Historical Spartanburg court records dating back to 1785 are also preserved, though access to those materials requires an in-person visit. The SC Judicial Branch case records search page links directly to the Spartanburg Public Index.
For Spartanburg County property records, the Register of Deeds office is separate from the Clerk of Court. Ashley Williams serves as Register of Deeds, located at 366 N Church Street, Main Level, Suite 100, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Phone: 864-596-2514.
Note: The Spartanburg Public Index is the fastest way to look up a case. For certified copies or records not shown online, contact the Clerk of Court at 864-596-2591.Spartanburg County Court Records and the Clerk of Court
Amy W. Cox serves as Clerk of Court for Spartanburg County. Her office is located on the second floor of the Spartanburg County Judicial Center at 180 Magnolia Street, Suite 2100, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Mailing address: PO Box 3483, Spartanburg, SC 29304-3483. Phone: 864-596-2591. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Clerk of Court is the official custodian of civil, criminal, and family court records in Spartanburg County. This office manages jury selection, maintains dockets, collects and disburses child support payments, and files orders of protection. The Grand Jury process is also managed by the Clerk. Public access terminals are available in the office for self-service record searches, and staff can assist with document requests during business hours.
Spartanburg County falls under the 7th Judicial Circuit. Circuit Court includes the Court of General Sessions for criminal matters and the Court of Common Pleas for civil claims over $7,500. Family Court judges handle divorce, child custody, child support, and other domestic matters. Additional resources are available through the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court page and through the county's public records information page.
Copy fees are $0.20 per page. Certification costs $10 per document. Copies requiring an official seal must be requested in person or by mail with valid photo identification.
Criminal Records in Spartanburg
Criminal cases in Spartanburg go through the Court of General Sessions when they involve felonies or certain misdemeanors. These cases are filed with the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court and can be searched using the Public Index system by name, case number, or filing date.
For a broader criminal history check that covers records from across South Carolina, the SLED CATCH system is the state's official option. SLED stands for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. The CATCH background check portal allows you to run a name-based search for a $25 fee plus a $1 convenience charge. Results include conviction records and pending charges from across the state. You will need to provide a full name and date of birth. This is a South Carolina-only search and does not return records from other states.
The Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office also maintains arrest and detention records. For questions about active warrants or booking information, contact the Sheriff's Office directly through the county's official channels.
Spartanburg also has multiple magistrate court locations throughout the county. Bond Court is located at 950 California Avenue in Spartanburg. Chief Magistrate is the Hon. Jason T. Wall. Magistrate courts handle bond hearings, misdemeanor trials, and preliminary hearings for felony cases.
Note: SLED CATCH searches return results from South Carolina databases only. Records from other states require separate requests to those jurisdictions.Family Court Records for Spartanburg Residents
Family Court in Spartanburg County covers divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence matters. The Family Court judges serving Spartanburg include Hon. Pete G. Diamaduros, Hon. Angela J. Moss, and Hon. M. T. Thigpen. Hon. Usha J. Bridges serves Cherokee County but is part of the 7th Circuit bench.
Family Court records are maintained by the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court. Many family court cases are accessible through the South Carolina Family Court system and the Public Index. However, some records involving juveniles, adoption proceedings, or sensitive domestic matters may be sealed or have limited public access under state law.
Child support cases processed in Spartanburg County are managed through the State Disbursement Unit. If you need to verify or look up a support order, the state DSS client portal provides online access to support payment records.
FOIA and Public Records Access in Spartanburg
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, found at SC Code Title 30, Chapter 4, gives the public the right to access most government records. This includes court records not otherwise sealed by law. FOIA requests for Spartanburg County government records can be submitted in writing to: Spartanburg County Government, Attn: FOIA, P.O. Box 5666, Spartanburg, SC 29304.
Angela Walker serves as Clerk to Spartanburg County Council. Her office is at 366 N Church Street, Main Level, Suite 1000, Spartanburg, SC 29303. Phone: 864-596-2528. County Council records and administrative files are handled through that office. The Clerk of Court handles requests for court case files directly.
Most responses to FOIA requests must be provided within 10 business days for records under two years old. Records older than two years may take up to 20 business days. If a written denial is issued, it must include the legal basis for withholding the records. You have the right to appeal that denial.
For public records related to land and property, contact the Register of Deeds at 864-596-2514. Online property record searches are also available through the county's website. Court records are separate from property records and are maintained by the Clerk of Court.
Note: FOIA does not require a reason for requesting records. However, providing details about the specific records you need can speed up the response.Spartanburg County Court Records
For a complete look at court records across Spartanburg County, including Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and magistrate locations, visit the county page. All county-level court resources and contact details are listed there.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Looking for court records in other Upstate South Carolina cities? These nearby communities also have municipal and county court resources.