Oconee County Court Records
Oconee County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court in Walhalla, South Carolina. The office handles Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed throughout the county. You can search Oconee County court records online using the South Carolina Public Index or visit the courthouse in person. This guide explains how to find court records in Oconee County, what documents the office holds, and what to expect when you request them.
Oconee County Court Records Quick Facts
Oconee County Clerk of Court
The Honorable Melissa C. Burton serves as the Oconee County Clerk of Court. Her office is the official keeper of court records for Circuit Court and Family Court in the county. Staff can help you search for cases, pull files, and provide copies of court documents. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Clerk of Court office is located at 205 West Main Street in Walhalla, SC 29691. You can also send mail to PO Box 678, Walhalla, SC 29691. For general questions, call (864) 638-4280 or email clerkofcourtinfo@oconeesc.com. Public access computers are available in the office if you want to do your own research on site. The office also keeps research books and indexed records that go back many years.
The Oconee County Clerk of Court website offers contact details and information about services. The office handles all case filings for the 10th Judicial Circuit as it applies to Oconee County cases.
The Clerk of Court office in Walhalla is the central hub for all Oconee County court records. Visiting in person gives you direct access to staff who can locate files going back decades.
Search Oconee County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free online access to court records through its Public Index. You can search Oconee County court records at publicindex.sccourts.org/oconee. The search tool lets you look up cases by name, case number, or date range. You can also filter results by court type, such as Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate, or Probate.
Each case record in the Public Index shows a summary of the case, the parties and their attorneys, docket entries, hearing schedules, and the disposition. This is enough detail for most basic searches. If you need copies of actual documents from Oconee County, you must contact the Clerk of Court directly. Certified copies are not available through the online portal. The SC Judicial Branch case records search page also links to each county's Public Index, including Oconee County.
Note: Home address information is no longer displayed on the Public Index as of January 1, 2026, in line with statewide privacy updates.
Oconee County Circuit Court Records
The Circuit Court in Oconee County handles two main areas. Common Pleas covers civil cases such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, and property matters. General Sessions handles felony criminal cases. Both divisions create records that are stored by the Clerk of Court. You can search both through the Public Index or request them from the office in Walhalla.
Under South Carolina Circuit Court rules, the filing fee for a new civil case is $150. Additional fees apply for motions, appeals, and certified copies. Circuit Court records in Oconee County include complaints, answers, motions, orders, and final judgments. These documents become part of the public file once the case is opened. Under South Carolina Code § 14-3-410, Circuit Court judges are assigned to each judicial circuit on a rotating basis.
General Sessions criminal records include arrest warrants, indictments, sentence sheets, and plea documents. You can request these from the Oconee County Clerk of Court at 205 West Main Street. Bring the full name of the person and, if possible, the approximate year of the case. Staff will search the index and pull the file for your review.
Oconee County Family Court Records
The Family Court in Oconee County handles divorces, child custody and support cases, adoptions, and juvenile matters. The Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court records. Final divorce decrees, separation agreements, and custody orders are all part of the court record. Most Family Court filings in Oconee County are public unless sealed by a judge.
To search Family Court records online, use the Oconee Public Index and filter by Family Court. You can look up cases by party name. Juvenile records are not available to the general public. For certified copies of divorce decrees, visit the Clerk of Court office in Walhalla and pay the applicable fee. The SC Family Court page has general information about the court system statewide.
Oconee Magistrate Court Records
Chief Magistrate M. Todd Simmons oversees Magistrate Court operations in Oconee County. The Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor criminal charges, small civil claims up to $7,500, and traffic violations. You can reach the Chief Magistrate office at (864) 888-1460.
The Oconee County Magistrate Courts page lists locations and contact information for the magistrate divisions serving different parts of the county. The SC Magistrate Court overview explains the jurisdiction and types of cases handled statewide.
Magistrate Court records in Oconee County include case filings, charge information, and disposition details. Many of these records are accessible through the Public Index under the Magistrate Court filter.
Oconee County Probate Court Records
The Probate Court in Oconee County handles estate matters, wills, guardianships, and marriage licenses. The court's mailing address is PO Box 471, Walhalla, SC 29691. Estate records and marriage licenses from 1988 onward are searchable through the SC Probate website. The SC Probate Court page explains how probate records work across the state.
If you need marriage license records from before 1988, contact the Probate Court directly. Divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court, not the Probate Court. Both offices are located in or near the Oconee County Courthouse in Walhalla.
Note: For certified estate records or older probate files, plan to visit the Oconee County Probate Court in person or submit a written request by mail.
Criminal Records and Background Checks in Oconee County
For local criminal history checks in Oconee County, contact the Oconee County Sheriff's Office Public Information division. You can reach them by phone at (864) 638-4199 or by email at jwatt@oconeelaw.com. The sheriff's office handles criminal records at the local level.
For a statewide background check, use the SLED CATCH system. This service searches South Carolina criminal records statewide. The fee is $25 plus a $1 online convenience fee. SLED records cover South Carolina only and do not include federal or other state records. Under South Carolina Code § 30-4-30, most public records including court case information must be provided to anyone who requests them.
You can also submit a written FOIA request to the Clerk of Court in Oconee County. Email clerkofcourtinfo@oconeesc.com or mail a request to the office. State law gives the office 10 business days to respond. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act is found at § 30-4-10 et seq.
Nearby Counties
Oconee County is located in the far northwest corner of South Carolina. Neighboring counties include Anderson, Pickens, and Greenville to the east and south. If you are unsure which county handles a case, check the address of the parties involved.