Search Court Records in Barnwell County
Barnwell County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds at the Judicial Offices in Barnwell. The Clerk manages Circuit Court and Family Court records for the county as part of the 6th Judicial Circuit. Case information is searchable online through the Barnwell County Public Index at no cost. This page covers how to access Barnwell court records, what the office handles, and how to submit records requests.
Barnwell Court Records Quick Facts
Barnwell County Clerk of Court
The Honorable Rhonda McElveen serves as Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds for Barnwell County. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina and was elected Clerk in 2008 after more than 20 years operating a manufacturing business. Her educational background spans chemistry, computer science, and mathematics, bringing broad analytical skills to court administration.
Clerk McElveen has implemented technological improvements in record-keeping throughout her tenure. She is a member of the Family Court Case Management System Committee, the Change Control Board, and the Legislative Committee for Clerks of Court and Register of Deeds. She is a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow and received the 2009 Barnwell County Community Service Award.
The Judicial Offices are at 54 Irving Street, Barnwell, SC 29812. The mailing address is PO Box 723, Barnwell, SC 29812. Phone: 803-541-1020. Fax: 803-541-1025. The Family Court phone is (803) 541-1114 and fax is (803) 259-7496. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The official Barnwell County Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds page is at barnwellcountysc.us. It covers the office's responsibilities, contact information, and links to online court resources for Barnwell County court records.
The Barnwell County Clerk of Court is the elected official responsible for maintaining all Circuit Court and Family Court records, as well as real property documents recorded in Barnwell County.
Barnwell County Court Records Online Search
To search Barnwell County court records online, visit the SC Public Index case records search at sccourts.org. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. No account is needed, and basic case information is free. The system shows case types, party names, docket entries, and hearing schedules. Records update in real time as the Clerk's office enters new case information.
Barnwell County is designated as County Number 06 in the state court system. The 6th Judicial Circuit includes Barnwell, Allendale, and Edgefield counties, with judges rotating among all three. Family Court personnel in Barnwell include Dale Moore Gable and Vicki J Snelgrove, who handle domestic relations and juvenile matters. Magistrates Lawson J. Holland, Jr. and Susan Anderson handle summary court matters in the county.
For certified copies of court records, contact the Clerk's office at 803-541-1020. In-person requests are accepted during regular business hours. Mail submissions should include the case number, party names, and payment.
Note: Online searches display case summaries and docket entries but do not provide access to full document images. Physical copies of court documents must be obtained directly from the Clerk's office.
Barnwell Circuit Court and Criminal Records
Barnwell County belongs to the 6th Judicial Circuit. Circuit Court handles two main divisions. General Sessions covers felony criminal cases. Common Pleas handles civil disputes where the amount at issue exceeds $7,500. Filing a new civil case costs $150. The Circuit Court fee page on the SC Judicial Branch website has full details on filing costs.
Criminal records from General Sessions in Barnwell include charges, court proceedings, and outcomes for felony cases. These records are searchable through the Public Index and are open to the public except where sealed by law. Court rosters showing upcoming cases, hearing dates, and assigned judges are posted regularly. Probate Judge Myrna Still Dill oversees estate proceedings and marriage licenses in Barnwell County, separate from the Clerk of Court.
Barnwell Family Court Records
The Family Court in Barnwell handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges for the 6th Circuit specialize in domestic relations and bring focused expertise to these cases. Filing fees for divorce and custody matters are $150 per the Family Court fee schedule.
Child support payments are processed through the SC State Disbursement Unit. This became effective February 4, 2019, for all Barnwell County cases. Payments go to SC State Disbursement Unit, PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202-3302. Payors can make payments online, by phone, or by mail. Call 800-768-5858 for account inquiries. Payment history is also available through the State Disbursement Unit customer service line.
Many Family Court records are confidential. Juvenile files and adoption proceedings are sealed by law. These records are not available through standard public record searches. The Family Court handles all juvenile records maintenance for Barnwell County cases. Mediation services are also available to help parties reach agreements outside of contested hearings.
Barnwell County Magistrate Court Records
Barnwell County Magistrate Courts handle criminal offenses where fines do not exceed $500 or imprisonment does not exceed 30 days. Civil matters up to $7,500 also fall under magistrate jurisdiction. The Magistrate Court conducts bond hearings, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and trials for misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations.
Barnwell Municipal Court, located at 1810 Burr Street, Barnwell, SC 29812, handles violations of municipal ordinances and traffic offenses within the city limits. Phone: 803-259-1838. Municipal court records may be accessed through the city directly. Appeals from both magistrate and municipal court decisions go to the Circuit Court and result in de novo trials.
Barnwell County Probate Court Records
Probate Judge Myrna Still Dill oversees all estate proceedings in Barnwell County. The Probate Court handles probate of wills, administration of intestate estates, guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults, conservatorships, and issuance of marriage licenses. Records of probate proceedings are generally open to inspection, except adoption files and mental health proceedings, which are sealed.
Probate Court fees are established by state law based on the type of proceeding and value of assets. Forms for probate matters are available at the courthouse. Marriage licenses issued in Barnwell County are part of the permanent probate record archive.
Criminal Records and Background Checks in Barnwell
The SLED CATCH portal provides statewide criminal background checks for $25 plus convenience fees. This name-based system covers criminal history from across South Carolina and delivers immediate results online. SLED CATCH is the official and most comprehensive source for South Carolina criminal records at the state level.
For Barnwell County specifically, contact the Barnwell County Sheriff's Office for arrest records and warrant information. The Magistrate Court also maintains records of warrants and criminal charges filed at the summary court level. Restricted records, including juvenile files and expunged matters, are not accessible through standard public record searches.
Public Records and FOIA in Barnwell County
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq., guarantees the public the right to inspect and copy government records. Court records in Barnwell County are open to public inspection subject to statutory exceptions. The full legal framework is in Title 30 of the South Carolina Code.
Submit records requests to the Barnwell Clerk of Court at PO Box 723, Barnwell, SC 29812-0723, or by calling 803-541-1020. The county website at barnwellcountysc.us lists contact information for all departments and provides access to court calendars and county news. The office has 10 business days to respond to written FOIA requests.
Nearby Counties
Barnwell County is in the 6th Judicial Circuit. These bordering counties each have their own court records and Public Index access.