Lancaster County Court Records Lookup

Lancaster County court records are on file with the Clerk of Court at the Lancaster County Courthouse on North Main Street. The office keeps records for Circuit Court, Family Court, and related matters. You can search Lancaster County court records online through the SC Judicial Branch, or you can submit a request at the courthouse in Lancaster. This page explains what courts operate in Lancaster County, where to find records, and how to request copies.

Lancaster County Clerk of Court

Mike Watkins serves as the Lancaster County Clerk of Court. He was elected November 5, 2024, and began serving on January 2, 2025. Clerk Watkins has a background in court reporting, with more than 33 years of experience, including over 21 years as an official court reporter for the State of South Carolina. The Clerk of Court office is located at 104 N. Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29721.

The Lancaster County Clerk of Court maintains records for Common Pleas (civil), General Sessions (criminal), and Family Court. The office accepts filings and processes records requests. In-person visits are the most reliable way to get specific documents, though written requests are also accepted. Large requests may need advance notice. Historical records from Lancaster County courts are available and may take additional time to retrieve. The mailing address is PO Box 1809, Lancaster, SC 29721-1809.

The Lancaster County Clerk of Court page on the SC Judicial Branch website provides direct links to case searches, office contacts, and court schedule information for the Lancaster courthouse.

How to Search Lancaster County Court Records

The SC Judicial Branch Public Index is the primary tool for searching Lancaster County court records online. It is free and open to the public around the clock. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date range. Circuit Court and Family Court records are both searchable through the system. Case status, docket entries, hearing schedules, and financial details like fines and bonds all appear in the results.

Lancaster County also maintains its own search tool at lancastercountysc.gov/572/Search. Through that portal, you can look for court records, criminal records, deeds and mortgages, estate and will records, family court records, marriage license records, and plats and liens all from one place. This local resource is a helpful complement to the statewide Public Index.

For in-person searches, visit the Clerk of Court office at 104 N. Main Street during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Staff can look up records by name or case number, make copies, and certify documents. The office has public access terminals for self-service research. Copy fees apply, and certified copies carry an additional charge. Standard civil court record copies are $2.50 per certified document. Transcripts are $35.00 and expungements are $35.00.

The SC Judicial Branch court information page for Lancaster County covers the full courthouse layout, court types, and how to access Lancaster County court records both online and in person.

Lancaster County Circuit Court Records

Lancaster County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit, which includes Lancaster, Chester, and Fairfield Counties. The Circuit Court handles civil cases through the Common Pleas division and criminal cases through General Sessions. Civil matters include lawsuits, property disputes, personal injury claims, and contract issues. General Sessions handles felonies and criminal appeals from lower courts.

Fees for Lancaster County Circuit Court filings are set by state law. Filing a summons and complaint costs $150.00. Other fees include $25.00 for motions, $100.00 for foreign judgments, $10.00 for judgment entries, and $10.00 for lis pendens filings. These fees are set per Section 8-21-310 of the SC Code of Laws and are subject to change. The Lancaster County Clerk of Court accepts cash, check, and money order. Fee waivers are available for qualified indigent parties. Check the Circuit Court fee schedule on the SC Judicial Branch website for the latest amounts.

A Master-in-Equity also serves Lancaster County for complex civil matters such as foreclosures and equitable claims. Contact the Clerk of Court office for current Master-in-Equity contact details for the 6th Circuit.

Lancaster County Family Court Records

The Family Court in Lancaster County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile matters, and domestic violence cases. Family Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Most Family Court records are public, but juvenile records and adoption files are sealed. To request copies of Family Court orders in Lancaster County, contact the Clerk at (803) 285-1581 or visit the courthouse on North Main Street.

The Lancaster County Probate Court handles marriage licenses. Probate Judge Mary Rathel oversees estate matters, guardianships, and related proceedings. The Probate Court can be reached at (803) 283-3379 and is located at PO Box 1809, Lancaster, SC 29721. Both parties must appear in person with valid ID for a marriage license, and there is a 24-hour waiting period before the license is valid. Marriage licenses issued in Lancaster County are valid statewide.

Lancaster County Magistrate Court Records

The Lancaster County Magistrate Court is the entry-level trial court. It handles traffic cases, misdemeanor criminal charges, small claims up to $7,500, preliminary hearings for felony cases, and bond hearings. Chief Magistrate Van K. Richardson oversees the court, which is located at 761 Highway 521 Lancaster Bypass East, Lancaster, SC 29720. The phone number is (803) 283-3983.

Bench trials are the only type of trial at the Magistrate level. There are no jury trials. If you disagree with a Magistrate Court ruling in Lancaster County, you can appeal to the Circuit Court. The appeal is heard entirely fresh, which is called a de novo appeal. Magistrate Court operates Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Contact the court before visiting to confirm current schedules and fine payment options.

Note: The Magistrate Court also handles the Central Traffic Court function. The same address, 761 Lancaster Bypass East, serves as the Central Traffic Court location for Lancaster County.

FOIA and Public Access to Lancaster County Court Records

Court records in Lancaster County are public documents under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (§ 30-4-10 et seq.). Written FOIA requests should be directed to the Clerk of Court or the Lancaster County Administrator. The agency must respond within 10 business days. If a request is denied, a written explanation citing the legal basis for the denial must be provided. You have the right to appeal a denial.

For criminal history checks that go beyond Lancaster County court records, the SLED CATCH system provides statewide conviction records for a fee per name-based search. This is separate from the Public Index and is helpful when you need a full picture of someone's criminal record across all South Carolina counties. See Title 30 of the SC Code for the full text of the state FOIA law and your rights as a member of the public requesting records in Lancaster County.

Municipal Courts in Lancaster County

Lancaster County has three municipal courts serving cities and towns in the area. Lancaster Municipal Court is at 405 East Arch Street, Lancaster, SC 29720, phone (803) 285-7622. Chief Judge Elizabeth A. Hyatt presides. Kershaw Municipal Court serves the Town of Kershaw. Heath Springs Municipal Court serves the Town of Heath Springs. These courts handle local ordinance violations and traffic citations within each municipality's limits. Contact individual courts for hearing schedules and payment procedures.

Nearby Counties

Lancaster County is located in the north-central part of South Carolina and borders several counties with their own court systems.

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