Chester County Court Records
Chester County court records are maintained at the Clerk of Court office in Chester, the county seat. The office handles records for Circuit Court and Family Court proceedings filed in the county. You can search Chester court records for free using the Chester County Public Index through the SC Judicial Branch. Chester County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit along with Lancaster and Fairfield counties. This page explains your options for searching and obtaining Chester County court records.
Chester Court Records Quick Facts
Chester County Clerk of Court
The Chester County Clerk of Court operates from the Chester County Courthouse in the city of Chester. The clerk and staff serve as the official record keepers for all Circuit Court and Family Court matters in the county. Duties include processing new filings, maintaining docket entries, collecting fees, managing jury summons, and providing certified copies of court documents to those who need them.
| Office | Chester County Clerk of Court Chester County Courthouse Chester, SC 29706 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | chestercountysc.gov/courts/clerk-of-court |
The Chester County Clerk's office maintains public access terminals where visitors can search case records in person. Staff can assist you in navigating the system but cannot provide legal advice. Copies made at public terminals carry standard copy fees. The office handles all real estate document recording as well, serving as Register of Deeds for Chester County.
The Chester County government website hosts the official Clerk of Court page with information about court services, filing instructions, and office contacts. Visit chestercountysc.gov/courts/clerk-of-court for current information about hours, fees, and how to submit records requests.
The Chester County Clerk of Court page covers all court divisions serving the county, including contact information for the Clerk's office, filing procedures for new cases, and public access terminal availability.
Searching Chester County Court Records Online
The SC Judicial Branch provides online access to Chester County court records through the Public Index system. Use the SC case records search to look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date. No registration is required. The Chester County portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/chester/publicindex covers Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in Chester County.
Search results show case summaries, docket entries, party information, and attorney assignments. Home addresses are no longer displayed as of January 1, 2026, following the privacy requirements in state law. Your browser must have cookies and JavaScript enabled. Some browsers may need pop-up exceptions to view full case details.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a Chester County court information page with current judge assignments, magistrate court contacts, and public index access. Visit sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=12 for the full court roster and clerk contact details for Chester County.
The SC Judicial Branch page for Chester County lists all resident and at-large circuit judges, family court judge assignments, magistrate court locations, and probate court contact information for Chester County.
Note: Certified copies of Chester County court records cannot be obtained through the online system. You must request them in person or by mail from the Clerk of Court in Chester.
Chester County Circuit Court Records
Chester County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit, which includes Chester, Lancaster, and Fairfield counties. Circuit judges rotate among these counties on a regular schedule. The 6th Circuit has both resident judges who are based in the circuit and at-large judges who rotate statewide.
The Court of General Sessions handles felony criminal matters and serious misdemeanors prosecuted by indictment. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil disputes above the $7,500 jurisdictional threshold. Both courts are part of the Circuit Court division. All filings, motions, judgments, and case dispositions from these courts are public records maintained by the Clerk under S.C. Code § 14-9-150.
The Circuit Court filing fee in Chester County is $150 for new civil case filings. Additional fees apply for motions, certified copies, and other court services. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page with a separate certification charge per document.
Chester County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Chester County handles divorce, separation, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges assigned to the 6th Circuit hold proceedings at the Chester County Courthouse. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile cases in Chester County.
Most Family Court records are public, but the law seals specific types. Juvenile delinquency records are restricted. Adoption files are sealed. Abuse and neglect proceedings carry additional confidentiality protections. Divorce and custody records are generally accessible to the public through the Public Index and through the Clerk's office. The Family Court fee schedule is set at the state level and applies uniformly across all counties.
Child support payments for Chester County cases are processed through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit. Send payments to PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202. Questions about support payments can be directed to 800-768-5858.
Chester County Magistrate Court Records
The Magistrate Court in Chester County handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal charges, small claims, and bond hearings. Criminal jurisdiction covers cases where the maximum fine does not exceed $500 and jail time does not exceed 30 days. Civil cases up to $7,500 are within magistrate court jurisdiction.
Magistrate courts in Chester County also handle preliminary hearings for felony arrests and set initial bonds. Bond court may operate outside standard business hours for after-hours arrest processing. Magistrate records are kept separately from those held by the Clerk of Court. Contact the magistrate court directly for information about traffic tickets, small claims outcomes, and related matters. Some magistrate records appear in the Public Index system.
Note: Appeals from magistrate court rulings go to the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for a de novo trial, meaning the case is heard entirely anew at the higher court level.
Probate Court and Other Records in Chester County
Chester County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and involuntary mental health commitments. The probate judge is an elected official serving a four-year term. Most probate records are open to the public and can be searched at the probate court office in Chester or through the SC Probate online portal.
Marriage licenses for Chester County residents are issued by the Probate Court. Both parties must appear in person with valid identification. Marriage records from 1950 to present are held at the Probate Court office. Earlier records may be available through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
Criminal Records and FOIA in Chester County
Statewide criminal history searches are available through the SLED CATCH system, which covers all of South Carolina including Chester County. A name-based check costs $25 plus a $1 online convenience fee. Mail requests go to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221-1398. Pay by money order, certified check, or business check.
Chester County court records are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. The right to inspect records under § 30-4-30 applies to all public court records maintained by the Clerk of Court. Submit FOIA requests in writing to the Clerk's office with specific case details and payment for fees. The office must respond within 10 business days and fulfill the request within 30 calendar days.
Personal information protections under § 30-2-330 mean that Social Security numbers, financial account data, and certain other identifiers will be redacted from documents released through the FOIA process. The SC Judicial Branch provides statewide guidance on court record access across all 46 counties in South Carolina.
Nearby Counties
Chester County shares the 6th Judicial Circuit with Lancaster and Fairfield counties. Cherokee and York counties are nearby to the north.