Edgefield County Court Records
Edgefield County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court and cover civil, criminal, and family court cases filed in this South Carolina county. You can search Edgefield County court records online through the South Carolina Public Index or visit the Clerk of Court office in Edgefield. Both options give you access to case information, docket entries, and documents tied to cases filed in the county. This guide explains how to find what you need.
Edgefield County Court Records Quick Facts
Edgefield County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Edgefield County is the official keeper of all court records. This office handles case filings, stores court documents, and provides public access to records from the Circuit Court and Family Court. The office serves the county seat of Edgefield and maintains records for General Sessions, Common Pleas, and Family Court matters filed in the county.
You can reach the Edgefield County Clerk of Court by visiting the courthouse during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can assist you with locating cases, pulling documents, and making copies. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you use the public access terminals at the courthouse.
The Edgefield Clerk of Court website provides contact information and additional details about services offered. The office also handles land records and archives going back many years, making it a key resource for both current and historical research in Edgefield County.
The photo below is from the Edgefield Clerk of Court's official website, showing the resources available to the public for searching Edgefield County court records.
The Clerk of Court's office manages records from the Circuit and Family Court in Edgefield County and is the primary point of contact for public records requests.
Search Edgefield County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers online access to court records through the Public Index system. For Edgefield County, you can search at publicindex.sccourts.org/edgefield/publicindex/. This free tool lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or filing date without visiting the courthouse.
The Public Index shows case summaries, party information, docket entries, and hearing dates for Edgefield County court records. It covers Circuit Court cases from both General Sessions and Common Pleas, along with Family Court filings. Some documents are available for direct viewing through the portal. Others require an in-person visit to get copies. Your browser must support cookies and JavaScript, and you may need to allow pop-ups for the case detail pages to load correctly.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed in Public Index results across all South Carolina counties, including Edgefield, in compliance with updated privacy standards under Title 30 of the South Carolina Code.
Edgefield County Court Records: What Is Available
Court records in Edgefield County cover a wide range of case types. The Circuit Court handles both criminal and civil matters. General Sessions is the criminal side, covering felonies and serious misdemeanors. Common Pleas handles civil disputes over $7,500. The SC Circuit Court oversees both divisions statewide.
Family Court records in Edgefield County include divorce cases, child custody matters, child support orders, domestic violence cases, juvenile matters, and adoptions. These records are maintained separately and some are restricted. For example, adoption records and juvenile case files are not available to the general public. The South Carolina Family Court system governs how these cases are handled across all counties.
Magistrate Court records cover small claims cases up to $7,500, traffic violations, and misdemeanors. These cases are heard by magistrate judges. Appeals from Magistrate Court go to the Circuit Court for a new trial. Probate Court records include wills, estates, guardianships, and marriage licenses. The Probate Court operates separately from the Clerk of Court.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq., most court records in Edgefield County are public records. Anyone may request them, not just parties to the case. There are limited exceptions for sealed records, juvenile files, and certain confidential matters protected by court order.
Edgefield County Court Records: In-Person Access
Visiting the Edgefield County Clerk of Court in person is the most direct way to access court records. You can review files, use public access terminals, and request copies on the spot. Staff are available to help you navigate the system, though they do not provide legal advice.
When you visit, bring a valid photo ID. If you know the case number or the names of the parties, have that information ready. You can also ask staff to search by name if you do not have the case number. Copies of documents cost a fee per page. Certified copies cost more and require an additional certification fee per document. Payment is accepted by cash, money order, or certified check. Call ahead to confirm current fees before you visit.
For extensive research projects or historical record requests, consider calling ahead to schedule a time. Some older records are stored off-site and may take additional time to retrieve. The Edgefield County Clerk of Court maintains archives and land records that go back many years, which is useful for genealogical or historical research.
Note: The Clerk of Court cannot perform research on your behalf. You or your representative must conduct the search using the public terminals or by requesting specific case files by name or case number.
Edgefield County Criminal Records and Background Checks
Criminal court records from Edgefield County are part of the General Sessions docket maintained by the Clerk of Court. You can search these through the Public Index for case-level information. However, for a full criminal history background check, you need to use the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) CATCH system.
The SLED CATCH system allows you to request a South Carolina criminal record check for $25 plus a $1 transaction fee. Results cover only South Carolina convictions and are not a nationwide search. You can submit requests online. Results are typically available within minutes for online requests. This is the official method for obtaining a certified criminal history report in South Carolina.
For court-specific case information in Edgefield County, the Public Index is your best starting point. It shows charges, case dispositions, and sentencing information for cases processed through General Sessions court. Arrests that did not lead to charges may not appear in court records at all.
The image below is from the SC Judicial Branch clerk directory page for Edgefield County, which provides official contact details and links for court record access.
The SC Judicial Branch maintains a centralized directory of all county clerks in South Carolina, including Edgefield County, with contact information and links to county-specific court resources.
How to Request Edgefield County Court Records
There are three ways to request court records in Edgefield County: online search, in-person visit, or written request by mail.
For online access, use the Public Index at the link above. Basic case information is free and available without registration. For document copies, you will need to contact the office or visit in person.
To submit a written request, mail a detailed letter to the Edgefield County Clerk of Court. Include the case number or party names, the specific documents you want, and your contact information. Include a check or money order for the estimated copy and search fees. Allow at least 5 to 10 business days for processing. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, you have the right to inspect public records during normal business hours.
The SC Judicial Branch main portal at sccourts.org is also a useful starting point. It links to circuit court information, case search tools, and county-specific pages. The Public Index case records search page offers a statewide gateway to county-level records including Edgefield County.
- Online: Free basic search at the SC Public Index
- In person: Visit the courthouse with a valid photo ID
- By mail: Written request with case details and payment
- Criminal history: Use SLED CATCH at catch.sled.sc.gov
- Filing fees: Circuit Court filing is $150; motions are $25
Edgefield County Family Court Records
Family Court records in Edgefield County are maintained by the Clerk of Court alongside Circuit Court records but are treated separately in terms of access. Divorce records, child custody orders, and support agreements are generally public but may have certain sensitive information redacted. Juvenile records and adoption files are sealed and not accessible to the general public.
You can search Family Court cases in Edgefield County through the Public Index using a party name or case number. The Family Court Case Management System (FCCMS) also has a public portal for Family Court records. The SC Family Court information page explains how the system works statewide.
Child support payment information is handled separately. Child support payments are processed through the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit. For case-specific support information, you must appear in person with a valid photo ID or submit a written request to the Clerk's office. Phone inquiries for child support information are limited.
Note: Personal information protections under § 30-2-330 of the South Carolina Code limit what personal data appears in public copies of court records, including Family Court filings in Edgefield County.
Nearby Counties
Edgefield County is located in western South Carolina. If you need court records from a neighboring county, the links below connect you to those county pages.