Chesterfield County Court Records
Chesterfield County court records are kept at the Clerk of Court office in Chesterfield, the county seat. The office manages filings for Circuit Court and Family Court cases. You can search Chesterfield court records for free through the Chesterfield County Public Index. Chesterfield County is in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina and is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. This page covers how to access and search Chesterfield County court records.
Chesterfield Court Records Quick Facts
Chesterfield County Clerk of Court
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court serves as the official record keeper for all Circuit Court and Family Court matters in the county. Located at the Chesterfield County Courthouse on West Main Street in Chesterfield, the office handles new case filings, docket maintenance, certified copy requests, fee collection, and jury management. Staff provide assistance to the public on court procedures but do not give legal advice.
| Office | Chesterfield County Clerk of Court 200 West Main Street Chesterfield, SC 29709 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | chesterfieldcountysc.com/ClerkOfCourt |
The Family Court division within the Clerk's office maintains records for divorce, custody, support, adoption, and juvenile matters for Chesterfield County. Bond court records and preliminary hearing documents are processed through the Clerk's office as cases move from magistrate to Circuit Court. Copy fees and bond information schedules are available at the courthouse.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch maintains a dedicated Chesterfield County clerk page with court rosters, judge contact information, and access to the Public Index. Visit sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=13 for current clerk and court contact details.
This SC Judicial Branch page for Chesterfield County lists resident and at-large circuit judges, family court judges, and magistrate court contacts for all courts serving Chesterfield County residents.
Note: New filings are generally not accepted after 4:30 PM, so plan to arrive before that time if you need to file a document the same day.
Searching Chesterfield Court Records Online
The fastest way to search Chesterfield County court records is through the SC Judicial Branch case records search. This free tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. The Chesterfield County portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/chesterfield/publicindex is the direct link to county-specific records.
Search results include case summaries, docket activity, party names, and attorney information. The system covers Circuit Court and Family Court cases. Juvenile records and sealed cases are not available. Home addresses were removed from public display as of January 1, 2026 under South Carolina privacy law. Your browser must support cookies and JavaScript for the Public Index to function correctly.
For in-person searches, the Clerk's office at the Chesterfield County Courthouse has public access terminals available during business hours. Staff can guide you in using the system but cannot conduct the search for you at no charge. A search fee applies if you ask staff to perform the search on your behalf.
Chesterfield County Circuit Court Records
Chesterfield County is served by the 4th Judicial Circuit, which includes Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. Circuit judges cover all four counties on a rotating schedule. The 4th Circuit handles a mix of rural and small-city cases from across the Pee Dee region.
The Court of General Sessions processes criminal cases including felonies and serious misdemeanors. The Court of Common Pleas covers civil disputes above $7,500. All records from both courts are public under S.C. Code § 14-5-10, which addresses the structure and public access obligations of the circuit courts. Records include indictments, plea agreements, motions, orders, and final judgments.
The Circuit Court filing fee for new cases is $150. Family Court cases filed in the county also carry a $150 filing fee as set by the Family Court fee schedule. Copy fees for documents obtained through the Clerk's office typically run $0.25 per page. Certified copies carry an additional charge per document.
Chesterfield County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Chesterfield County handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges assigned to the 4th Circuit preside over hearings at the Chesterfield County Courthouse. The Honorable C. Heath Ruffner holds court at 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, with a contact number of (843) 623-5034 for the judge's office.
Family Court records in Chesterfield are generally accessible to the public through the Public Index and the Clerk's office, with specific exceptions. Juvenile delinquency records are sealed by law. Adoption proceedings are confidential. Certain aspects of abuse and neglect cases are withheld from public access. Divorce and custody records remain accessible unless specifically sealed by court order. Child support payments for Chesterfield County cases go through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit, PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
Note: Records involving the protection of minors are always sealed and will not appear in any public search regardless of how you submit the request.
Magistrate Court Records in Chesterfield County
The Magistrate Court in Chesterfield County handles lower-level criminal matters, traffic citations, small claims, and bond hearings. Criminal cases within the magistrate's jurisdiction involve fines not exceeding $500 and jail time not exceeding 30 days. Civil cases up to $7,500 are also heard in magistrate court.
Magistrate courts in Chesterfield County process preliminary hearings for felony arrests. After probable cause is found, the case moves to Circuit Court. Bond court operates to handle after-hours arrest processing and initial appearances. Magistrate records are maintained separately from the Clerk of Court. Some magistrate case information is searchable through the Public Index, but detailed records require direct contact with the magistrate court.
Probate Court Records in Chesterfield County
The Chesterfield County Probate Court handles estates, wills, trusts, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and involuntary mental health commitments. The probate judge is elected by voters in the county for a four-year term. Most probate records are public and accessible at the probate court office. The SC Probate online system also provides access to some estate records.
Marriage licenses in Chesterfield County are issued by the Probate Court. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo identification. Certified copies of marriage records are available for a fee. Historical marriage records prior to 1950 may require a visit to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Columbia. Estate proceedings that have reached final disposition are part of the public record.
Criminal Background Checks and Public Records Access
For a statewide criminal history check that includes Chesterfield County, use the SLED CATCH system run by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. A name-based check costs $25 plus a $1 online convenience fee, with results returned immediately. Mail requests sent to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221, take two to four weeks. Pay by money order, certified check, or business check only.
Chesterfield 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 is established by § 30-4-30. Submit FOIA requests in writing to the Chesterfield County Clerk of Court with the specific case details and your contact information. Enclose payment for copy fees. The office has 10 business days to respond and 30 days to fulfill eligible requests. Personal information protections under § 30-2-330 mean certain identifiers will be redacted from documents provided under FOIA.
The SC Judicial Branch website covers all court levels and circuits across South Carolina, including resources specific to the 4th Judicial Circuit courts in Chesterfield County.
Nearby Counties
Chesterfield County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit with Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro counties. Lancaster County borders Chesterfield to the west.