Find Court Records in Pickens County
Pickens County court records are held by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse in Pickens, South Carolina. The office maintains records going back to 1823. You can search Pickens County court records online through the South Carolina Public Index or visit the office in person during regular business hours. This guide explains the types of court records available, how to search for them, and how to request copies from the Pickens County Clerk of Court.
Pickens County Court Records Quick Facts
Pickens County Clerk of Court Office
The Honorable Harold "Pat" Welborn, Jr. serves as Pickens County Clerk of Court. He was elected November 4, 2008 and began service January 1, 2009. He is also Secretary for the SC Association of Clerks of Court and Registers of Deeds. The Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining all court records filed in Pickens County, providing access to those records, and processing new case filings for Circuit Court and Family Court.
The Clerk of Court office is located at 214 E Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671. You can also send mail to PO Box 215, Pickens, SC 29671. The office phone number is (864) 898-5598 and the fax is (864) 898-5863. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Court records in Pickens County go back to 1823, making this one of the older record repositories in South Carolina.
The SC Judicial Branch maintains an online clerk directory that includes the Pickens County Clerk of Court with current contact information and circuit assignment details.
Search Pickens County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Public Index provides free online access to court records for all 46 counties. For Pickens County, go to publicindex.sccourts.org/pickens. The search tool allows you to look up cases by name, case number, or filing date. You can also filter by court agency or case type to narrow your results.
Results in the Public Index show case information including party names, hearing schedules, and disposition details. This is free to use and available 24 hours a day. For certified copies or full document access, you must contact the Clerk of Court. The SC case records search page links to the Public Index for Pickens and all other South Carolina counties.
Always verify important details with the official Clerk of Court before relying on third-party sources for legal purposes.
Note: Sealed cases and juvenile records are not displayed in the online Public Index regardless of when they were filed.
Pickens County Circuit Court Records
The 13th Judicial Circuit serves Pickens County along with Greenville County. Circuit Court handles civil matters through the Court of Common Pleas and criminal felony cases through General Sessions. The Clerk of Court stores all records for both divisions. Filings include complaints, motions, judgments, warrants, indictments, and sentence sheets.
Under South Carolina Code § 14-3-410, Circuit Court judges rotate through judicial circuits on a set schedule. Civil case filings require a $150 filing fee under the Circuit Court fee schedule. Copies of court documents cost $0.25 per page, and certified copies are $5.00 per document. For older records dating to 1823, the Clerk of Court may need additional time to locate the file. Pickens County has a long and well-preserved record of court activity stretching back to its early years as a county.
Pickens County Family Court Records
Family Court cases in Pickens County include divorces, child custody orders, child support matters, adoptions, and juvenile proceedings. Family Court falls under the 13th Judicial Circuit. All Family Court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at 214 E Main Street in Pickens.
You can search Family Court records through the Public Index by filtering for Family Court under the court agency drop-down. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and separation agreements are generally public. Juvenile records are restricted. Certified copies of Family Court documents require a visit to the Clerk of Court or a written mail request. The SC Family Court page provides guidance on Family Court procedures statewide. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code, public bodies must make non-exempt records available to any person who requests them.
Pickens County Magistrate Court Records
Magistrate Court in Pickens County handles misdemeanor criminal charges, traffic violations, and small civil claims not exceeding $7,500. The Magistrate Court office is at 214 East Main Street, Pickens, SC 29671, and can be reached at (864) 898-5656. A Warrant Division handles criminal warrant information and can be reached at (864) 898-5534. The Sheriff's Office is at 222 McDaniel Avenue, Pickens, SC 29671.
Magistrate Court records may appear in the Public Index when cases are filed at the county level. For warrant information and local misdemeanor records, the Warrant Division number is the best point of contact. The SC Magistrate Court page explains jurisdiction and filing requirements.
Pickens County Probate Court and Other Records
The Probate Court for Pickens County is located at 222 McDaniel Ave, B-5, Pickens, SC 29671. The phone number is (864) 898-5868. The Probate Court handles estate matters including wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. It also issues marriage licenses and maintains records of probate proceedings in Pickens County.
The Register of Deeds shares the same address and phone number as the Probate Court at (864) 898-5868. Property records including deeds, mortgages, and land transactions are handled there. These are separate from court case records but may come up in civil lawsuits involving property. The SC Probate Court page explains what types of records the Probate Court handles across the state.
For statewide criminal background checks, use the SLED CATCH system. The fee is $25 plus $1 online. SLED covers South Carolina records only. For local Pickens County criminal case information, use the Public Index or contact the Clerk of Court at (864) 898-5598. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at § 30-4-10 et seq. governs public access to government records including court documents.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County sits in the upstate area of South Carolina, bordered by Oconee County to the west and Greenville County to the east. Anderson County borders it to the south. Each county maintains its own court records through its respective Clerk of Court.