Find Court Records in Greenville County
Greenville County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court at 305 E. North Street in downtown Greenville. This office manages civil, criminal, and family court cases for the 13th Judicial Circuit. You can search Greenville County court records through the county's own public index system or visit the courthouse directly. Greenville is one of the largest counties in South Carolina, and its court records database goes back to the early 1990s with both online and in-person access available.
Greenville County Court Records Quick Facts
Greenville County Clerk of Court
Jay Gresham serves as Greenville County Clerk of Court, having been elected in November 2024 and taken office January 2, 2025. He is a graduate of The Citadel and earned his law degree from the University of Wyoming College of Law. He previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk and as an Assistant Solicitor in the 13th Judicial Circuit, where he prosecuted serious criminal cases. He is the youngest person in Greenville County history to hold the Clerk position and only the second attorney to serve in this role.
The Clerk of Court oversees Circuit Court (both Common Pleas and General Sessions) and Family Court in Greenville County. The main office is at 305 E. North Street, Greenville, SC 29601, reachable at (864) 467-8551. Family Court is at a separate location at 350 Halton Road, Greenville, SC 29607, with its own phone line at (864) 467-5800. The courthouse is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Public records are available for inspection on the second floor of the courthouse. Records that have not been electronically filed are available for in-person review. Public access terminals are in the office for electronic records. Staff can assist with copying and printing but cannot provide legal advice. Appointments are recommended for extensive research projects.
The image below is from the SC Judicial Branch homepage, the central portal for all court information in South Carolina, including Greenville County.
The SC Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org is the starting point for statewide court records, case search tools, and county-specific resources including Greenville County.
Search Greenville County Court Records Online
Greenville County maintains its own public index system, separate from the statewide platform used by most other counties. You can search Greenville County court records at www2.greenvillecounty.org/scjd/publicindex/. The search is free and open to the public without registration. A disclaimer agreement is required before searching.
You can search by first and last name, business name, case number, court type, case status, filing date range, case category, and even by assigned judge or representing attorney. Results show the case summary, all parties, docket entries, and hearing information. Document images are available for many cases. Historical records go back to the early 1990s. The system is updated daily. It is mobile-friendly and has personal identifying information redacted per state law.
The statewide SC case records search page links to all 46 county public indexes. For Greenville County's two-week Family Court docket, a separate search is also available. The SC Judicial Branch site offers additional tools for court research beyond the case index.
The image below is from the SC Circuit Court overview page, which describes how the Circuit Court system works statewide, including in Greenville County.
The SC Circuit Court page explains jurisdiction, case types, and how court records are created and maintained across all South Carolina counties, including Greenville.
Greenville County Court Records: Case Types
Greenville County court records cover a wide range of case types. Circuit Court is the primary court for both civil and criminal matters. Common Pleas handles civil disputes over $7,500, including contract disputes, personal injury cases, and business litigation. General Sessions handles criminal felonies and more serious misdemeanor charges. The SC Circuit Court system governs both divisions statewide. Greenville County has multiple circuit judges assigned to handle the high volume of cases.
Family Court is at the separate Halton Road facility. It handles divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, adoptions, and abuse and neglect proceedings. The SC Family Court page has full information on how these cases are structured. Family Court records are generally public, but juvenile files and adoption cases are sealed. A separate public portal is available for Family Court case management records.
Greenville County also has a Master-in-Equity who handles foreclosure proceedings and equity matters, keeping those cases off the main Circuit Court docket. Probate Court, handled by Judge Chadwicke L. Groover at 301 University Ridge Ste. 1200, Greenville, SC 29601, manages estates, wills, guardianships, and marriage licenses. Magistrate courts operate at multiple locations throughout the county. Central Traffic Court is at 445 E. Curtis Street, Simpsonville. Other magistrate locations include Gantt, North Greenville, and West Greenville. The SC Magistrate Court page explains how these courts work.
Note: Under § 30-4-10 et seq., most Greenville County court records are public records available to any member of the public. There are limited exceptions for sealed matters, juvenile files, and court-ordered confidentiality.
Greenville County Court Records In Person
To access Greenville County court records at the courthouse, visit the Clerk of Court on the second floor at 305 E. North Street. Bring a valid photo ID. Have the case number or party names ready if you know them. Self-service copiers are available. Staff can assist with copying and printing but will not conduct research for you.
For records that have not been electronically filed, staff can retrieve physical files for your review. Older records stored off-site may require additional time. Complex research requests should be made by appointment. Phone inquiries for case information are limited; many requests require written submission or an in-person visit.
Copy fees in Greenville County are $0.25 per page for non-certified copies and printouts from the Public Index. Certified copies cost $10.00 per page. Other fees include $2.50 per certified copy, $35.00 for a transcript, $10.00 for a Lis Pendens, and $100 for a foreign judgment. Filing fees are $150 for civil cases and Family Court cases. Motions cost $25. Payment is by cash, money order, or certified check. Credit cards are accepted with a processing fee of $2.00 or 2.39%, whichever is greater. Fee waivers are available for indigent parties with a court order.
Parking for the main courthouse is available at the Commons Garage at 60 Beattie Place, the Church Street Garage at 320 N. Church Street, and the South Spring Street Garage at 316 S. Spring Street. Limited on-site parking is on E. North Street. Family Court at Halton Road has its own dedicated parking lot.
Greenville County Criminal Records and Background Checks
General Sessions criminal case records in Greenville County are part of the Public Index and searchable by name. You can see charges, case status, and dispositions for cases processed through the county's Circuit Court. This is useful for court-level case information but not for a full criminal history.
For a certified South Carolina criminal history background check, use the SLED CATCH system. The fee is $25 plus a $1 processing fee. Results cover South Carolina convictions only. Online requests are processed right away. This is the official method for obtaining a certified criminal history report statewide.
Greenville County has its own solicitor's office that prosecutes criminal cases for the 13th Circuit. The Public Defender's office is also available for indigent defendants. Information about cases handled by these offices may appear in General Sessions records within the Public Index. Statute § 14-9-150 affirms the public nature of court proceedings in South Carolina.
The image below is from the SC Magistrate Court system page, which describes how small claims, traffic, and misdemeanor cases are handled in Greenville County and across South Carolina.
The SC Magistrate Court page covers the structure and jurisdiction of magistrate courts throughout South Carolina, including the multiple magistrate locations in Greenville County.
Greenville County Municipal Courts and Additional Records
Greenville County has several municipal courts for cities and towns within its borders. Greenville Municipal Court is at 204 Halton Road, reachable at (864) 467-6650, with Chief Judge Matthew R. Hawley, Jr. Greer Municipal Court is at 100 South Main Street, Greer, at (864) 848-5374. Mauldin Municipal Court is at 5 East Butler Avenue, Mauldin, at (864) 289-8898. Simpsonville Municipal Court is at 445 East Curtis Street at (864) 967-9526. Travelers Rest Municipal Court is at 125 Trailblazer Drive at (864) 834-1630. Fountain Inn Municipal Court is at 300 Wall Street at (864) 409-0617.
Municipal courts handle city ordinance violations and traffic citations within each city's limits. Operating hours and fine payment options vary by court. Some municipal court records appear in the Public Index. Others are maintained by the individual city.
The Register of Deeds for Greenville County is a separate office at 301 University Ridge, Suite 1300, with Tim Nanney serving as Register of Deeds. Phone is (864) 467-7240. This office handles property records including deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens. Online search is available. Historical records go back to the 1800s. E-recording is available for qualified submitters. This office is separate from the Clerk of Court but is located in the same building complex.
Note: For FOIA requests in Greenville County, submit a written request to the Clerk of Court or County Administrator. The county has 10 business days to respond. Search fees of $25 per hour may apply after the first hour of staff time, plus $0.25 per page for copies. Under § 30-4-30, denials must be in writing with a legal basis stated.
Nearby Counties
Greenville County is in the northwest corner of South Carolina. Use the links below to find court records for nearby counties in the Upstate region.