Court Records in Cherokee County

Cherokee County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court in Gaffney, the county seat. The office handles filings for Circuit Court and Family Court cases in the county. You can search Cherokee County court records at no cost using the Cherokee County Public Index. Cherokee County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit and sits in the Upstate region of South Carolina near the North Carolina border. This page covers how to find court records, what is available online, and how to request copies.

Cherokee County Clerk of Court

The Cherokee County Clerk of Court operates out of the Cherokee County Courthouse in Gaffney. The office serves as the official record keeper for all Circuit Court proceedings, including both the Court of General Sessions and the Court of Common Pleas. Family Court records are also maintained by this office. Staff handle case filings, docket maintenance, certified copies, jury management, and collection of court fees and fines.

The office is organized into divisions to handle the different types of court business efficiently. General Sessions staff process criminal matters. Common Pleas staff handle civil cases. Family Court staff work with domestic and juvenile cases. Each division has deputy clerks with specific knowledge of their case types. The Clerk's office also manages jury summons and jury payment processing for Cherokee County.

The Cherokee County government website hosts the official Clerk of Courts office page, which includes information about court services, filing procedures, jury information, and contact details for the Gaffney courthouse. Visit cherokeecountysc.gov/clerk-of-courts-office for current hours and staff contacts.

The Cherokee County Clerk of Court page lists contact information, office hours, filing instructions, and fee schedules for all court divisions serving Cherokee County residents.

How to Search Cherokee County Court Records

The most direct way to search Cherokee court records online is through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index. The SC case records search portal lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or date range. No account is needed. The Cherokee County-specific portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/cherokee/publicindex shows Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in the county.

Your browser must have cookies and JavaScript turned on for the Public Index to work. Some browsers may also need pop-up exceptions enabled to view full case details. The system is updated regularly with new filings and case activity. As of January 1, 2026, home address details have been removed from search results in line with state privacy law under § 30-2-330.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a Cherokee County clerk information page with court rosters, magistrate court details, and direct contact information for court divisions in Gaffney. Visit sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=11 for the full clerk listing.

This SC Judicial Branch page for Cherokee County lists all resident circuit judges, family court judges, magistrate courts, and probate court contacts for cases filed in Gaffney and throughout Cherokee County.

For in-person searches, visit the Clerk's office at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Gaffney during regular business hours. Staff can assist you with using public access terminals at the courthouse.

Cherokee County Circuit Court Records

Cherokee County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit, which also includes Spartanburg County. Resident circuit judges handle cases in both counties, with additional at-large judges rotating through to manage caseload. The 7th Circuit is one of the busiest circuits in the state given the size of the Spartanburg area.

Circuit Court in Cherokee County is divided into two main tracks. The Court of General Sessions handles criminal matters including all felonies and any misdemeanors prosecuted by indictment. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil cases above $7,500. Court records from both divisions are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are part of the public record under S.C. Code § 14-3-410.

The Circuit Court filing fee for new civil cases in Cherokee County is $150. Criminal matters are initiated by warrant or indictment rather than a standard filing fee. Additional fees apply to motions, certified copies, and judgment recordings. Copy fees are typically $0.25 per page with additional charges for certification.

Note: Court rosters showing scheduled hearings and judge assignments for Cherokee County are available through the SC Judicial Branch public index system.

Cherokee County Family Court Records

The Family Court in Cherokee County handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, adoptions, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges assigned to the 7th Circuit hold hearings at the Cherokee County Courthouse in Gaffney. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile delinquency matters for Cherokee County residents.

Two family court judges cover Cherokee County as part of the 7th Circuit. The Honorable R. K. Kelly and the Honorable Usha J. Bridges both serve the circuit. Judicial assignments may rotate between Cherokee and Spartanburg counties depending on caseload and scheduling needs. Filing fees for Family Court matters are established by state statute and posted on the Family Court fees page.

Juvenile delinquency records, adoption files, and abuse and neglect proceedings are sealed by law. These records are not available through any standard public search. Child support payments for Cherokee County cases go through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.

Magistrate Court Records in Cherokee County

The Magistrate Court in Cherokee County handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, bond hearings, and civil disputes up to $7,500. Magistrate judges are elected by the county legislative delegation and serve as the entry point for most routine legal matters. Preliminary hearings for felony arrests are conducted in magistrate court before cases move to Circuit Court.

Magistrate court records in Cherokee County are separate from those held by the Clerk of Court. For traffic ticket records, use the SC Judicial Branch traffic ticket search tool online. For other magistrate matters, contact the magistrate court directly in Gaffney. Bond court operates extended hours to handle after-hours arrest processing and first appearances.

Probate Court Records in Cherokee County

The Cherokee County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and involuntary mental health commitments. The probate judge is elected for a four-year term. Most probate records are public and searchable through the SC Probate online system as well as in person at the probate court office in Gaffney.

Marriage licenses in Cherokee County are issued by the Probate Court. Both applicants must appear together with valid photo identification. Historical marriage records from 1950 onward are held by the Probate Court. Records prior to 1950 may be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Estate files opened in Cherokee County Probate Court are part of the public record after final disposition, with limited exceptions for sensitive financial data.

Criminal History Records and SLED CATCH

The SLED CATCH system is the official source for South Carolina criminal history records. CATCH covers all criminal convictions statewide, not just Cherokee County. A name-based search costs $25 plus a $1 online convenience fee. Results come back right away when ordered online. Fingerprint-based searches are also available for greater accuracy.

Mail-in requests for criminal history from SLED go to: SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Payment must be by money order, certified check, or business check. Personal checks are not accepted. The search typically takes two to four weeks by mail.

For Cherokee County-specific warrant information, contact the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office or the Clerk of Court in Gaffney. Active warrants and pending charges from Cherokee County courts may also appear in the Public Index system.

Public Records Access and FOIA

Court records in Cherokee County are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. and under the general public records laws in Title 30 of the South Carolina Code. The right to inspect public court records is grounded in § 30-4-30, which requires agencies to make records available during regular business hours.

FOIA requests to the Cherokee County Clerk of Court should be submitted in writing. Include the specific case number, party names, or document description. Provide your contact information for the response. Enclose payment for copy fees. The Clerk's office has 10 business days to respond. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an additional charge per document. In-person requests during business hours are often the fastest approach for current cases.

The SC Judicial Branch website is the central resource for information about all court levels across South Carolina, including the Cherokee County courts in Gaffney.

Note: Records expunged by court order will not appear in any standard search, including the Public Index and SLED CATCH.

Nearby Counties

Cherokee County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit with Spartanburg County. York and Union counties border Cherokee to the south and east.

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