Clarendon County Court Records
Clarendon County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Manning, the county seat. The office handles Circuit Court and Family Court filings for the county. You can search Clarendon court records for free through the Clarendon County Public Index. Clarendon is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which includes Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties. This page explains how to search and obtain Clarendon County court records online and in person.
Clarendon Court Records Quick Facts
Clarendon County Clerk of Court
The Clarendon County Clerk of Court is located at the Clarendon County Courthouse in Manning. The clerk serves as the official record keeper for all Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in the county. The office processes new filings, maintains dockets, handles certified copy requests, and manages jury summons for Clarendon County courts. Staff answer questions about court procedures and help the public navigate records access.
| Office | Clarendon County Clerk of Court Clarendon County Courthouse Manning, SC 29102 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | clarendoncountysc.gov/our-government/clerk-of-court |
The Clarendon County Clerk's office offers a 24-hour turnaround policy for standard records requests, which sets it apart from many county offices. The office handles in-person requests, mail requests, and written FOIA submissions. Staff note that Family Court records require additional processing time for archived files that go back beyond 20 years.
The official Clarendon County website hosts the Clerk of Court page with information about services, procedures, and contact details for the Manning courthouse. Visit clarendoncountysc.gov/our-government/clerk-of-court for current clerk contact information and records request guidance.
The Clarendon County Clerk of Court page covers court services available in Manning, including filing instructions, copy fee schedules, and how to request certified documents from the courthouse.
How to Find Clarendon County Court Records
The SC Judicial Branch case records search is the main online tool for Clarendon County court records. Search by party name, case number, or date range at no cost. The Clarendon-specific portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/clarendon/publicindex covers Circuit Court and Family Court cases. Your browser must allow cookies and JavaScript for the system to work.
Search results show case summaries, docket entries, party names, and attorney assignments. The Public Index is updated regularly with new case activity. Home addresses are no longer displayed as of January 1, 2026, in keeping with state privacy law. Some browsers require pop-up exceptions to view the full case details window.
The SC Judicial Branch clerk information page for Clarendon County provides a court roster, judge assignments, and magistrate court contacts for all courts in Manning. Visit sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=14 for the full list of judicial officers serving Clarendon County.
This SC Judicial Branch page for Clarendon County lists all circuit judges, family court judges, magistrate courts, and probate court contacts for cases filed in Manning and throughout the county.
Note: For records older than 20 years or archived files, allow additional processing time when submitting requests to the Clarendon County Clerk's office in Manning.
Clarendon County Circuit Court Records
Clarendon County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which includes Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties. Circuit judges rotate among these counties throughout the year. The 3rd Circuit covers a mix of communities in the Pee Dee and Lowcountry-adjacent regions of South Carolina.
The Court of General Sessions handles felony criminal matters and serious misdemeanors. The Court of Common Pleas covers civil disputes above $7,500. All records from both courts are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are public under S.C. Code § 14-9-150. This includes indictments, plea agreements, motions, judgments, and sentencing documents. The Circuit Court filing fee is $150 for new civil cases.
Clarendon County has a notable history in the American legal system. The county was the site of the original Briggs v. Elliott case in the 1950s, which became one of the cases consolidated into Brown v. Board of Education. Historical court records from this era are preserved and accessible through the Clerk's office and state archives.
Clarendon County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Clarendon County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges assigned to the 3rd Circuit hold hearings at the Clarendon County Courthouse in Manning. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile delinquency cases filed in the county.
Most Family Court records in Clarendon County are accessible to the public through the Public Index. Exceptions apply to juvenile records, adoption proceedings, and certain protective order filings. The Clerk's office can provide guidance on what is available and how to request copies. Family Court filing fees follow the statewide schedule set by the SC Judicial Branch Family Court fees page. Child support payments go through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
Clarendon Magistrate Court Records
The Magistrate Court in Clarendon County handles traffic violations, misdemeanor cases, small claims, and bond hearings. Criminal jurisdiction covers fines up to $500 and jail time up to 30 days. Civil jurisdiction covers disputes up to $7,500. Magistrate judges in Clarendon County also conduct preliminary hearings for felony arrests before cases move to Circuit Court.
Bond court in Clarendon County handles after-hours arrest processing and initial appearances outside normal business hours. Magistrate records are kept separately from Circuit Court records. Contact the magistrate court directly in Manning for traffic case information, small claims outcomes, and similar matters. Some magistrate case data appears in the Public Index.
Probate Court Records in Clarendon County
The Clarendon County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and mental health commitments. The probate judge is elected for a four-year term. Most probate records are public and searchable at the courthouse or through the SC Probate online portal.
Marriage licenses for Clarendon County are issued by the Probate Court. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification. Marriage records from 1950 to the present are held at the Probate Court in Manning. Earlier marriage records may require a visit to the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Estate proceedings are public after final disposition, with limited exceptions for sensitive financial data.
Note: Online access to probate records varies by case type. Estates and marriage licenses from Clarendon County can be searched through the SC Probate online system using a county-specific portal.
Criminal Records and FOIA Access in Clarendon County
The SLED CATCH system is the official source for statewide criminal history in South Carolina. A name-based check costs $25 plus a $1 online fee, with instant results. For mail requests, send to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Use money orders or certified checks for mail payments. Personal checks are not accepted.
Clarendon 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 under § 30-4-30 applies to records held by the Clerk of Court in Manning. Submit FOIA requests in writing with specific case details and contact information. Enclose payment for any applicable copy fees. The office must respond within 10 business days and fulfill the request within 30 days. Personal data protections under § 30-2-330 mean certain sensitive identifiers will be redacted from released documents.
The SC Judicial Branch website is the statewide resource covering all court levels and access methods for Clarendon County and the other 45 counties of South Carolina.
Nearby Counties
Clarendon County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit with Lee, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties. Florence and Orangeburg counties border Clarendon to the north and west.