Find Court Records in Kershaw County

Kershaw County court records cover civil, criminal, and family cases filed in Camden and surrounding areas. The Clerk of Court in Kershaw County maintains these records at the Kershaw County Courthouse on Broad Street in Camden. You can search Kershaw County court records at no cost using the SC Judicial Branch Public Index, or you can visit the courthouse in person during business hours. This page covers the main courts in Kershaw County and how to access their records.

Kershaw County Clerk of Court

The Kershaw County Clerk of Court, Ginger Farmer, operates out of Room 313 at the Kershaw County Courthouse, 1121 Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020. The Deputy Clerk is Cheryl Truesdale. The office maintains records for General Sessions (criminal), Common Pleas (civil), and Family Court. Staff handle filings, manage case dockets, assist with jury duties, and process records requests.

Walk-in visits are welcome during regular office hours. The Clerk of Court does not provide record checks over the phone. For specific case information, you must come to the courthouse or submit a written request. Public terminals are available at the courthouse for self-service research. Large requests for Kershaw County court records may need advance notice, and historical records can take longer to pull.

The SC Judicial Branch page for Kershaw County shows the courthouse location, all active courts, and links to case record resources for Camden and the 5th Judicial Circuit.

Searching Kershaw County Court Records Online

The SC Judicial Branch Public Index gives you free access to Kershaw County court records from any device. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. The system covers Circuit Court and Family Court cases. Case summaries, docket entries, and some document images are available. Full document copies must be ordered from the Clerk of Court office in Camden.

The Public Index is available at no cost and does not require registration. It works best with a browser that supports cookies and JavaScript. Some cases may require you to allow pop-ups. Privacy rules protect certain personal details. As of January 1, 2026, home addresses are no longer shown in search results across all South Carolina county records in the Public Index.

Kershaw County also has a history of records going back to 1786. The Camden Archives holds historical court materials, and WPA transcripts are available for early county history. If you need records from that era, reach out to the Kershaw County Clerk or the South Carolina Department of Archives and History for guidance on older documents.

Note: The Public Index reflects Circuit and Family Court records. Magistrate and Probate records are maintained by separate offices and are not all searchable through the same portal.

Kershaw County Circuit Court Records

Kershaw County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit, which includes Kershaw and Richland Counties. The Circuit Court in Kershaw County has two divisions. Common Pleas handles civil lawsuits, contract disputes, and civil appeals. General Sessions handles felony criminal cases and serious misdemeanor charges. Both divisions operate from the Kershaw County Courthouse in Camden.

Circuit Court judges serving Kershaw County rotate in from the 5th Circuit. There is no permanently resident Circuit Court judge at the Camden courthouse at all times. Sessions are scheduled throughout the year. For current hearing schedules or to check the status of a Circuit Court case in Kershaw County, use the Public Index or contact the Clerk at (803) 425-7223.

A Master-in-Equity also serves Kershaw County. Masters-in-Equity hear complex civil cases referred by the Circuit Court, including foreclosures and equitable matters. The Master's office for Kershaw County is located at PO Drawer 10, Camden, SC 29021, with phone (803) 432-4391.

Kershaw County Family Court Records

The Family Court in Kershaw County deals with divorce, child custody and support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and domestic violence protection orders. Family Court records are part of the Public Index, though certain sensitive records like juvenile cases and adoptions are sealed by law.

If you need copies of a Family Court order or decree in Kershaw County, contact the Clerk of Court. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to pay copy fees. Certified copies of court orders cost more than plain copies. Family Court hearings are held at the Kershaw County Courthouse, and Family Court judges from the 5th Circuit rotate through Camden for scheduled sessions.

The Kershaw County clerk page on the SC Judicial Branch website shows circuit, family, magistrate, and probate court details for Camden and the surrounding 5th Circuit area.

Kershaw County Magistrate Court Records

The Kershaw County Magistrate Court is located at the courthouse, Room 202, 1121 Broad Street, Camden. Chief Magistrate Ashley N. Berry presides. The phone number is (803) 425-1500. Magistrate courts handle traffic violations, criminal misdemeanors, small claims up to $7,500, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings for felony charges. There are no jury trials at the Magistrate level. Appeals from Magistrate Court go to Circuit Court for a de novo hearing.

Bond Court for Kershaw County is also located at the Kershaw County Courthouse, Room 118, and shares the same phone number. Bond Court operates outside of regular business hours to handle initial appearances and bond setting for individuals arrested in Kershaw County. Contact the Magistrate Court office to confirm specific hours and services.

Kershaw County Probate Court Records

The Kershaw County Probate Court is at 1121 Broad Street, Room 225, in Camden. Phone: (803) 425-1503. Probate Judge Debra B. Branham oversees this court. The Probate Court in Kershaw County handles estate administration, wills, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses, and mental health commitment hearings. Both parties must appear in person with ID to obtain a marriage license in Kershaw County.

Estate records from Kershaw County's Probate Court are open to public inspection. Historical records go back to the county's founding. Guardianship and mental health records may have restricted access. Copy fees and service fees apply for most Probate documents. Call ahead to confirm what you need to bring and whether your request can be handled the same day.

FOIA and Public Records Access in Kershaw County

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (§ 30-4-10 et seq.) gives the public the right to access most records held by government bodies, including court records in Kershaw County. Written FOIA requests should be submitted to the Clerk of Court or the Kershaw County Administrator. The office has 10 business days to respond. If a request is denied, the agency must provide the legal basis in writing, and you have the right to appeal.

For statewide criminal history, the SLED CATCH database provides name-based background checks for a fee. This is a useful complement to Public Index searches when you need a broader view of someone's criminal record across South Carolina, not just Kershaw County. You can also review Title 30 of the SC Code for more detail on public records rights and procedures.

Municipal Courts in Kershaw County

Three municipalities in Kershaw County operate their own courts for local ordinance violations and traffic citations. Camden Municipal Court is at 607 South Broad Street, Camden, SC 29020, phone (803) 432-2421, with Chief Judge H. Thomas Morgan, Jr. Bethune Municipal Court is at 101 Elm Street, Bethune, SC 29009, phone (843) 334-6238. Elgin Municipal Court serves the Town of Elgin from 2469 Main Street, Elgin, SC 29045, phone (803) 438-2362. Each court sets its own hours and fine payment schedules, so contact them directly for current details.

Nearby Counties

Kershaw County neighbors several counties in the central part of South Carolina, each with their own court records and courthouse offices.

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