Colleton County Court Records
Colleton County court records are held by the Clerk of Court in Walterboro, the county seat. The office keeps records for Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in the county. You can search Colleton court records at no charge through the Colleton County Public Index. Colleton County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Beaufort, Allendale, Hampton, and Jasper counties. This page covers how to access Colleton County court records in person and online.
Colleton Court Records Quick Facts
Colleton County Clerk of Court
The Colleton County Clerk of Court is located at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro. The office serves as the official record keeper for all Circuit Court and Family Court matters in the county. Staff handle new case filings, docket maintenance, bond documentation, fine payments, certified copy requests, and jury management. The Clerk's office also accepts fine payments for General Sessions court matters.
| Office | Colleton County Clerk of Court Colleton County Courthouse Walterboro, SC 29488 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | colletoncounty.org/clerk-court |
The Colleton County Clerk handles bond hearings and bond releases as directed by judges. Bonds are only released when ordered by a judge, when a charge is dismissed, or when the defendant is found not guilty. The office also manages fine payments and processes payment plans for court-ordered fines and fees. Public access terminals are available at the courthouse for in-person searches.
The official Colleton County website hosts the Clerk of Court page, which includes information about court services, bond policies, fine payments, and contact details for the Walterboro courthouse. Visit colletoncounty.org/clerk-court for current hours and staff contacts for Colleton County court services.
The Colleton County Clerk of Court page provides details about court divisions, bond procedures, fine payment options, and how to request records from the Walterboro courthouse.
Searching Colleton County Court Records
The main tool for online searches is the SC Judicial Branch case records search portal. You can look up Colleton County cases by party name, case number, or date range at no cost. The Colleton-specific portal at publicindex.sccourts.org/colleton/publicindex gives direct access to county case records. Cookies and JavaScript must be enabled in your browser for the system to work correctly.
Search results show case summaries, docket entries, party names, and attorney assignments. Home addresses are no longer displayed in search results as of January 1, 2026, per state privacy law. Some browsers require pop-up exceptions to view detailed case information. The system is updated regularly as new filings and case activity are entered.
The SC Judicial Branch maintains a Colleton County clerk information page with judge assignments, court rosters, and magistrate court contacts. Visit sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=15 for the full listing of judicial officers serving Colleton County in Walterboro.
The SC Judicial Branch page for Colleton County lists all circuit judges, family court judges, magistrate court locations, and probate court contacts for cases filed in Walterboro and throughout the county.
Note: Certified copies of Colleton County court records must be requested directly from the Clerk's office. They cannot be downloaded from the Public Index.
Colleton County Circuit Court Records
Colleton County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which includes Beaufort, Allendale, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper counties. This is one of the larger circuits in terms of geographic area, covering much of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Circuit judges rotate among all five counties throughout the year.
The Court of General Sessions handles all felony criminal matters and misdemeanors prosecuted by indictment. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil disputes above $7,500. All records from both courts are public under S.C. Code § 14-3-410. This includes indictments, plea agreements, orders, judgments, and all case filings. The Circuit Court filing fee is $150 for new civil cases.
Colleton County has a rich legal history tied to its position in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Circuit Court proceedings in Walterboro draw on a long tradition of legal practice in the region. Court calendars and scheduled hearing dates are available through the Public Index system and posted at the courthouse.
Family Court Records in Colleton County
The Family Court in Colleton County handles divorce, custody, child support, adoption, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges assigned to the 14th Circuit hold proceedings at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro. The court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile delinquency cases in the county.
Most Family Court records in Colleton are accessible through the Public Index and the Clerk's office. Juvenile delinquency records are sealed by law and not available to the public. Adoption proceedings are confidential. Abuse and neglect cases carry additional privacy protections. Divorce records and custody filings are generally public unless sealed by order. Child support payments for Colleton County cases go through the State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
The Family Court fee schedule applies statewide. Filing fees for domestic cases are set by state statute. Additional fees apply for motions, certified copies, and other court services in Colleton County.
Colleton County Magistrate Court Records
The Magistrate Court in Colleton County handles traffic citations, misdemeanor criminal charges, bond hearings, and civil disputes up to $7,500. Magistrate judges conduct preliminary hearings for felony arrests before cases move to the Circuit Court. Bond court in Walterboro processes after-hours arrest bookings and initial appearances.
Magistrate records are maintained separately from those held by the Clerk of Court. For traffic ticket information or small claims outcomes, contact the magistrate court in Walterboro directly. Some magistrate case information is available through the Public Index system, particularly for cases that have advanced to bond or preliminary hearing stages.
Probate Court Records in Colleton County
The Colleton County Probate Court handles estate administration, wills, 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 public and searchable through the SC Probate online system or in person at the probate court office in Walterboro.
Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Both applicants must appear together with valid photo identification. Marriage records from 1950 to the present are held at the Probate Court. Older marriage records may be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Estates filed in Colleton County Probate Court are public after final closing, with some exceptions for sensitive financial information in estate inventories.
Criminal Records and Public Access in Colleton County
For a statewide criminal history check, use the SLED CATCH system. This name-based search covers all South Carolina counties including Colleton and costs $25 plus a $1 online fee, with immediate results online. Mail requests go to SLED Records Department, PO Box 21398, Columbia, SC 29221. Pay by money order or certified check for mail submissions.
Colleton 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 these records is established by § 30-4-30. Submit FOIA requests in writing to the Colleton County Clerk of Court in Walterboro. Include specific case details, your contact information, and payment for any fees. The office must respond within 10 business days and fulfill eligible requests within 30 calendar days.
Personal data protections under § 30-2-330 apply to documents released through FOIA. Social Security numbers, financial account information, and certain other personal details will be redacted. The SC Judicial Branch website covers all courts and circuits statewide, including information specific to the 14th Circuit serving Colleton County.
Note: The Colleton County Clerk's office processes fine payments for court-ordered fines and can provide receipts confirming payment of court fees upon request.
Nearby Counties
Colleton County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit with Beaufort, Allendale, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Charleston and Dorchester counties are nearby to the north and east.