Search Marlboro County Court Records

Marlboro County court records go back to 1785, making the Bennettsville courthouse one of the oldest continuous records repositories in South Carolina. The Clerk of Court at 105 East Main Street in Bennettsville keeps records for Circuit Court and Family Court. You can search Marlboro County court records online through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index for free, or you can visit the courthouse in person. This page covers the courts serving Marlboro County, how to find records, and how to request documents.

Marlboro County Clerk of Court

The Honorable Marquita McLain is the Marlboro County Clerk of Court. She was elected November 7, 2024, and took office January 7, 2025. Clerk McLain is a graduate of Marlboro County High School and holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Francis Marion University and a Master's degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. She previously worked at Ohanesian Law Office and spent 15 years with Marlboro County School District. The previous Chief Deputy Clerk was Anita M. "Joy" Williams, who served in the office since 1997.

The Clerk of Court office is at 105 E. Main Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512. Mailing address is PO Drawer 996, Bennettsville, SC 29512-0996. Phone: (843) 479-5615. Fax: (843) 479-5653. Register of Deeds is at the same main location with a separate extension, (843) 479-5616. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Marlboro County court records go back to 1785, and the courthouse was spared during Sherman's march through the county in March 1865, preserving a rare continuous record.

The Marlboro County Public Index on the SC Judicial Branch website lets you search civil, criminal, and traffic court records from Bennettsville going back many years.

Marlboro County Court Records Online Search

The SC Judicial Branch Public Index covers Marlboro County Circuit Court, Summary Court, and Masters-in-Equity records. Access is free with no login required. You can search by party name, case number, or date range. Case types include civil, criminal, and traffic. The system shows docket information, hearing schedules, case status, and party details. Document images may be limited, and full copies must be requested from the Clerk's office in Bennettsville.

Marlboro County's Public Index works best in a browser with cookies and JavaScript enabled. Some searches may require allowing pop-ups. Information is updated regularly, but there may be a brief lag between when something is filed and when it appears online. Privacy protections are built in, and personal details such as social security numbers are redacted from public-facing records.

For genealogical and historical research, the Marlboro County Historical Museum at (843) 479-5624 and the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library at (843) 479-5630 in Bennettsville hold materials related to older court records and county history. Pre-1785 Marlboro County was part of Cheraws District, and those records may be at the SC Department of Archives and History. The county's continuous records since 1785 make it a strong resource for historical legal research.

Note: Basic case information is free through the Public Index. Certified copies and full document sets require a request and payment through the Clerk of Court office.

Marlboro County Circuit Court Records

Marlboro County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. The Circuit Court in Bennettsville handles Common Pleas for civil matters and General Sessions for criminal matters. Resident Circuit Court judges serving Marlboro County include the Honorable Paul M. Burch and the Honorable Eugene P. Warr, Jr. Civil cases at this level include lawsuits, property disputes, personal injury, contract matters, and civil appeals. General Sessions covers felony criminal charges.

The filing fee for a civil lawsuit in Marlboro County Circuit Court is $150.00. Other fees apply for motions, expungements, and other case actions. The fee schedule follows SC state law. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5.00 per document. Certified copies that include a search fee are $12.00. Payment is accepted in cash, check, or money order at the Clerk of Court office in Bennettsville. See the SC Circuit Court fee page for updated amounts.

Historical court records from Marlboro County dating to 1785 are available at the Clerk's office. Some records from the Cheraws District era (1785-1800) may be held at the SC Archives. Microfilm copies are also available for certain early records.

Marlboro County Family Court Records

The Family Court in Marlboro County handles divorce, child custody and support, adoption, domestic violence, and juvenile matters. Family Court judges serving Marlboro County include the Honorable Cely A. Brigman and the Honorable C. Heath Ruffner. Judge Brigman's chambers are at Darlington County Courthouse, 110 North Main Street, (843) 398-4012. Judge Ruffner is at 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, (843) 623-5034.

Family Court records in Marlboro County are maintained by the Clerk of Court. Most are public except for juvenile cases and adoption files. The State Disbursement Unit processes child support payments for Marlboro County cases. Forms for family court filings are available at the courthouse. Call the Clerk at (843) 479-5615 to confirm what forms you need before visiting. Mediation may be required for contested custody matters.

The SC Judicial Branch clerk page for Marlboro County shows magistrate contacts, probate court info, and all Family Court judge assignments serving the Bennettsville courthouse.

Marlboro County Magistrate Court Records

The Marlboro County Magistrate Court is at 211 North Marlboro Street, Bennettsville, SC 29512. Phone: (843) 479-5620. Chief Magistrate Grover McQueen, Jr. presides, along with Magistrate judges Mia D. Weaver and Robert A. Stanton, Jr. Mailing address is PO Box 418, Bennettsville, SC 29512-0418. Fax: (843) 479-5646. Bond Court shares the same phone number.

The Marlboro County Magistrate Court handles traffic violations, misdemeanor criminal charges, small civil claims up to $7,500, bond hearings, and preliminary hearings for felony cases. All trials are bench trials. There are no jury trials at the Magistrate level. If you appeal a ruling, the case goes to Circuit Court and is heard completely fresh. Fine payments are accepted at the Magistrate Court. Contact the office before visiting to confirm current hours and payment options.

Marlboro County Probate Court Records

Probate Judge Reneka McCoy oversees the Marlboro County Probate Court. Mailing address is PO Box 455, Bennettsville, SC 29512. Phone: (843) 479-5610. Fax: (843) 479-5668. Email: mcprobate@gmail.com. The Probate Court handles estates, wills, guardianships, marriage licenses, and conservatorships. An estate information packet is available to help you understand what documents you need when starting an estate.

Marriage licenses in Marlboro County are issued by the Probate Court. Both parties must appear with valid ID. Online Probate records are available through the SC Probate website for some case types. Estate records are publicly accessible. Guardianship records may have restricted access depending on the case. Contact the Marlboro County Probate Court directly to confirm current fees and requirements before visiting.

FOIA and Public Records Access in Marlboro County

Court records in Marlboro County are public under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act (§ 30-4-10 et seq.). Submit written FOIA requests to the Clerk of Court at PO Drawer 996, Bennettsville, SC 29512. The office must respond within 10 business days. Exempt records include sealed files, attorney work product, and certain law enforcement materials. Denied requests must be explained in writing, and you can appeal. For statewide criminal history, use SLED CATCH. The full text of the state FOIA law is at Title 30 of the SC Code.

Municipal Courts in Marlboro County

Three municipal courts serve Marlboro County residents. Bennettsville Municipal Court is at 254 Highway 15-40 Bypass East, phone (843) 479-1582. Clio Municipal Court is at 110 North Main Street, PO Box 487, phone (843) 586-2211. McColl Municipal Court is at 210 East Gibson Avenue, phone (843) 523-5223. Each court handles local ordinance violations and traffic citations. Contact the individual courts for current hearing schedules and fine payment options. Appeals from municipal court go to the Circuit Court.

Nearby Counties

Marlboro County is in the northeastern corner of South Carolina and borders counties with their own court records and clerk offices.

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