Bamberg County Court Records
Bamberg County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court, who also serves as Register of Deeds for the county. The office handles Circuit Court and Family Court filings, along with real property documents. You can search Bamberg case information through the Bamberg County Public Index at no charge. The Clerk manages criminal, civil, and family court records as part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. This guide explains how to access Bamberg court records and what resources are available.
Bamberg Court Records Quick Facts
Bamberg County Clerk of Court
The Honorable Jannie C. Johnson was elected Clerk of Court on November 3, 2020, and began her four-year term on January 1, 2021. She serves both Circuit Court and Family Court for Bamberg County. Clerk Johnson is a member of the SC Association of Clerks of Court and Register of Deeds and actively participates in professional development training.
The mailing address is PO Box 150, Bamberg, SC 29003-0150. Phone: (803) 245-3025. Fax: (803) 245-3088. Email: johnsonj@bambergcounty.sc.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, with the office closed on state holidays.
Visit the official Bamberg County Clerk of Court page at bambergcounty.sc.gov/clerk-of-court for office information, court procedures, copy fee schedules, and links to online record access tools.
The Bamberg County Clerk of Court also serves as Register of Deeds, recording and maintaining all real property documents for the county in one office.
Copies and scans of court documents cost $0.50 per page, payable at the time of service. The office accepts cash, check, and money order. A drop box is also available for after-hours document submission. The office does not provide legal advice, but staff can explain procedures and direct you to the right resources.
Note: Court hearings are currently held at the Bamberg Civic Center at 2477 Main Highway, Bamberg, SC 29003, due to courthouse renovations that began July 1, 2022.
Bamberg County Court Records Search
The SC Public Index case records search at sccourts.org gives you free access to Bamberg County court records online. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. No registration or payment is required for basic case information. The system shows party names, case types, filing dates, case status, and upcoming hearing dates.
Bamberg County is designated as County Number 05 in the state court system. The 5th Judicial Circuit includes Richland and Kershaw counties, with judges rotating among all counties in the circuit. Court rosters for Bamberg are posted online showing scheduled cases, hearing dates, and assigned judges.
For copies of actual court documents, contact the Clerk's office at (803) 245-3025. Documents can also be mailed to Bamberg Clerk of Court, PO Box 150, Bamberg, SC 29003. Include specific case information and payment when submitting by mail. Processing time follows the 10 business days standard under state law.
Bamberg Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court in Bamberg has two divisions. General Sessions handles criminal matters, including receipt of criminal warrants, transmission to the solicitor, bond management, and jury selection for criminal trials. Common Pleas handles civil cases over $7,500, including scheduling of jury and non-jury trials and motion hearings.
Filing a new civil case in Bamberg Circuit Court costs $150. Criminal records from General Sessions include charges, court proceedings, sentencing, and outcomes. These records are searchable through the Public Index and are generally open under South Carolina law. The Circuit Court fee schedule on the SC Judicial Branch website covers all filing cost details.
Land records for Bamberg County are available online through sclandrecords.com, with records from 2007 to present accessible through the system. The Clerk, acting as Register of Deeds, records all deeds, mortgages, and other real property instruments for the county. A Recording Fraud Alert service is available free to property owners and sends email alerts when documents are recorded under your name.
Bamberg County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Bamberg County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and abuse or neglect cases. Family Court duties include scheduling hearings, juvenile records maintenance, and rules to show cause for support enforcement. The Family Court filing fee is $150 for divorce and custody matters.
The Bamberg County Family Court portal page at bambergcounty.sc.gov provides access to the Family Court Public Portal and attorney access information for Bamberg family cases.
The Family Court Public Portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov allows online access to family case information for Bamberg County proceedings.
Child support information is not provided by phone. You must appear in person with photo identification to obtain support information from the Clerk's office. Support payments are processed through the State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202-3302. Payments are mailed the day after posting. Call 800-768-5858 for child support account questions.
Many Family Court records are confidential by law. Juvenile matters, adoption proceedings, and certain mental health cases are sealed and are not available through standard public searches. Mediation services are available for family court matters to help parties reach agreements outside of contested hearings.
Bamberg County Magistrate Court
The Magistrate Court in Bamberg handles criminal offenses where fines do not exceed $500 and jail time does not exceed 30 days. Civil matters up to $7,500 also fall under its jurisdiction. The court conducts bond hearings, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and trials for misdemeanors and traffic violations.
Traffic offenses, including speeding and DUI charges, go through the Magistrate Court. The chief magistrate sets court schedules and assigns cases. Magistrate court records are maintained separately from Circuit Court records. Contact the magistrate office directly for records involving summary court matters. Appeals from magistrate decisions go to the Circuit Court and result in a de novo trial.
Bamberg County Probate Court
The Probate Court in Bamberg handles estates, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and involuntary mental health commitments. Estate proceedings include probating wills, administering intestate estates, and supervising personal representatives. Marriage licenses are issued to qualified applicants meeting statutory requirements.
Records of probate proceedings are generally open to public inspection. Exceptions apply to adoption files and certain mental health matters, which are sealed by law. Probate Court fees are set by state law based on the type of proceeding and the value of assets involved. Forms for probate matters are available at the courthouse and on the SC Judicial Branch website.
Criminal Records and Background Checks in Bamberg
Statewide criminal background checks are available through the SLED CATCH system for $25 plus convenience fees. This is a name-based search covering South Carolina criminal history statewide. Results are returned immediately when ordered online. SLED CATCH is the primary official source for SC criminal history and is maintained by the SC Law Enforcement Division.
For incidents specific to Bamberg County, contact the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office. They maintain arrest records and can provide warrant information. The Magistrate Court also holds records for warrants and criminal charges filed at the summary court level. Certain records are restricted from public access, including juvenile files, sealed cases, and expunged matters.
Bamberg FOIA and Public Record Access
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. Bamberg County court records are open to inspection, with exceptions for sealed, confidential, and juvenile matters. The full legal framework for public records is in Title 30 of the South Carolina Code.
Records requests can be submitted in person during business hours, by mail to PO Box 150, Bamberg, SC 29003, by phone at (803) 245-3025, or by email at johnsonj@bambergcounty.sc.gov. The office has 10 business days to respond to written FOIA requests. Copy fees of $0.50 per page apply to all reproductions of court documents.
Nearby Counties
Bamberg County borders these counties, each with its own court records system and Public Index access.