Jasper County Court Records
Jasper County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The office maintains records for Circuit Court, Family Court, and other court divisions that operate in the county. You can search Jasper County court records online through the South Carolina Public Index, or you can visit the courthouse at 265 Russell Street in person. This guide explains how to find case filings, docket entries, and other court documents in Jasper County.
Jasper County Court Records Quick Facts
Jasper County Clerk of Court
The Jasper County Clerk of Court is located at 265 Russell Street in Ridgeland. Clerk Keith Horton oversees the office, which handles filings for Circuit Court and Family Court. The office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help you locate case records and make copies, but they cannot provide legal advice or run criminal background checks on your behalf.
The Clerk of Court office in Jasper County accepts filings for civil cases, criminal cases, and family matters. It also handles child support payment processing. Payments for child support can be made online through ExpertPay, or by MoneyGram at Walmart locations using receive code 14691. The office accepts Discover, Mastercard, Visa, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay for transactions, though a service fee applies to card and online payments.
The Jasper County courthouse has limited parking, so plan ahead when visiting. Security screening is in place at the entrance. The building is ADA accessible. If you cannot reach a staff member by phone, a written request submitted to the mailing address at PO Box 248, Ridgeland, SC 29936-0248, is another way to request court documents from the Jasper County Clerk of Court.
The SC Judicial Branch lists full courthouse details for Jasper County, including contact information for all court offices.
The SC Judicial Branch page for Jasper County shows the full list of courts operating out of the Ridgeland courthouse, including the Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court locations.
| Office | Jasper County Clerk of Court 265 Russell Street Ridgeland, SC 29936 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 726-7710 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | jaspercountysc.gov |
How to Search Jasper County Court Records
The fastest way to look up Jasper County court records is through the SC Judicial Branch case records search. This free online tool lets you search Circuit Court and Family Court records by name, case number, or date range. You do not need an account to use the Public Index. Basic case information is free to view, and docket entries are available for most cases. Note that some older or sealed records may not appear online.
When searching online for Jasper County court records, have a few details ready. The full name of a party in the case is the most common way to start. A case number is even better if you have one. The Public Index shows case status, hearing dates, charge information for criminal cases, and financial details like fines and bonds. Document images are sometimes available, but full copies of filings usually require a visit to the Ridgeland courthouse or a written request to the Clerk of Court.
In-person searches at the Jasper County courthouse are available during regular office hours. The office has a public records terminal you can use for self-service research. Photo ID is required when requesting copies. Copy fees apply, and certified copies cost more than standard copies. Large or complex requests may take additional time to process.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer displayed in the SC Public Index to protect personal privacy.
Jasper County Circuit Court Records
Jasper County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit, which covers Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. The Circuit Court handles two main divisions: Common Pleas for civil cases and General Sessions for criminal cases. Civil matters in Common Pleas include lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury claims, and appeals from lower courts. General Sessions handles felony criminal charges and serious misdemeanors that rise above the Magistrate Court's authority.
The Circuit Court in Jasper County holds sessions at the courthouse on Russell Street in Ridgeland. Judges from the 14th Circuit rotate through the county. If you need records from a Circuit Court case, contact the Clerk of Court office directly. The filing fee to initiate a civil action in the Circuit Court is $150. Other fees apply for motions, foreign judgments, and expungements. The Clerk can provide the current fee schedule for Jasper County Circuit Court.
The SC Judicial Branch clerk profile page for Jasper County provides detailed information about court offices and case resources.
The Jasper County clerk page on the SC Judicial Branch website lists office contacts, case record access links, and information about the 14th Judicial Circuit courts that serve Ridgeland and surrounding areas.
Jasper County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Jasper County handles matters involving divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile cases, and domestic violence. Family Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court and are generally public unless a judge orders them sealed. Juvenile records and adoption cases are typically confidential.
To search Family Court case records in Jasper County, use the Public Index on the SC Judicial Branch website. You can search by party name or case number to find family cases. If you need certified copies of orders or decrees, contact the Clerk of Court office at (843) 726-7710. Family Court sessions in Jasper County are scheduled through the 14th Circuit Family Court judges, who rotate through the county throughout the year.
Child support matters in Jasper County can be verified through the State Disbursement Unit at 800-768-5858. The client portal at clientportal.dss.sc.gov also allows parents to check case and payment status online. Payment verification requires your case number or member ID.
Jasper County Magistrate Court Records
Jasper County has several Magistrate Court locations that handle traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, small claims up to $7,500, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. Magistrate courts do not hold jury trials. All trials at this level are bench trials heard by a magistrate judge. If you lose a Magistrate Court case, you can appeal to the Circuit Court for a full new trial, called a de novo appeal.
The main Magistrate Court locations in Jasper County are:
- Central Traffic Court: 967 West Adams Street, Ridgeland, (843) 726-7717
- Ridgeland Magistrate: 967 West Adams Street, Ridgeland, (843) 726-7737
- Hardeeville Magistrate: 21 Martin Street, Hardeeville, (843) 784-2628
- Bond Court: 12008 North Jacob Smart Blvd, Ridgeland, (843) 726-7933
Magistrate Court records in Jasper County may be searchable through the SC Public Index, depending on whether that court's records have been added to the system. Contact the specific Magistrate office to confirm hours and record availability. Operating hours vary by location.
Jasper County Probate Court Records
The Jasper County Probate Court is a separate court from the Circuit and Family courts. It handles estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and mental health commitments. The Probate Judge for Jasper County is the Honorable Albert Kleckley, Jr. The court is located at PO Box 1028, Ridgeland, SC 29936, and can be reached at (843) 726-7718.
If you need records from the Jasper County Probate Court, contact that office directly. Estate records are generally public. Marriage license records are issued and maintained by the Probate Court. Fees for Probate Court services are set by state law and vary depending on the matter. The Probate Court in Jasper County is a good place to look for historical family records, including old estate files and wills.
Note: The Probate Court operates separately from the Clerk of Court, so a search on the Public Index will not return Probate Court records. You must contact the Probate Court directly for those documents.
Public Access and FOIA Requests in Jasper County
Most court records in Jasper County are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, found at Title 30, Chapter 4 of the SC Code of Laws. Anyone can request access to public records held by the Clerk of Court or other county offices. Written requests must include a description of the records you want. The office has 10 business days to respond. Some records may be exempt from disclosure, including sealed records, juvenile records, and materials protected by other laws.
For statewide criminal history background checks, the SC Law Enforcement Division operates the SLED CATCH system. This service provides conviction information for a fee per name-based search. It is not the same as a court records search. SLED CATCH is useful when you need a broader look at someone's criminal history across all South Carolina jurisdictions, not just Jasper County courts.
You can also review Title 30 of the SC Code for the full text of the state's public records laws, including what agencies must disclose and how to appeal a denial of a records request.
Municipal Courts in Jasper County
Two municipal courts operate in Jasper County, serving residents of Ridgeland and Hardeeville. These courts handle city ordinance violations, local traffic citations, and minor offenses within each municipality.
Ridgeland Municipal Court is located at One Town Square, Ridgeland, SC 29936, and can be reached at (843) 726-7500. Chief Judge Thomas L. Scoggins presides over that court. Hardeeville Municipal Court is at 26 Martin Street, Hardeeville, SC 29927, and the phone number is (843) 784-3366. Chief Judge Nancy Gutierrez oversees the Hardeeville court. Contact each court directly to confirm current hearing schedules and payment options for fines.
Nearby Counties
Jasper County borders several other South Carolina counties, each with their own court records systems and Clerk of Court offices.