Sumter County Court Records
Sumter County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse in Sumter, South Carolina. The office keeps criminal case files, civil court records, family court documents, and jury records for the county. Searching Sumter County court records is free using the South Carolina Public Index online, or you can visit the courthouse on weekdays during regular business hours. This page explains what records are kept in Sumter County, how to find them, and how to request copies.
Sumter County Court Records Quick Facts
Sumter County Clerk of Court
James C. Campbell serves as the Clerk of Court for Sumter County. He was elected in November 2004 and sworn in on January 3, 2005. He earned a BBA from Francis Marion University in 1992 and an MS in Human Resources Management from Troy State University in 1998. He has been a member of the Sumter Rotary Club since 2007 and has served as Vice President and President of the SC Clerks of Courts and Register of Deeds Association. He was named Clerk of the Year in 2022.
The Clerk of Court office is at 215 N. Harvin St., Sumter, SC 29150. The main phone is 803-436-2227 and the fax is 803-436-2223. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone requests for records are not accepted. Mail written requests for certified copies to the office. Payment is by cash or money order only. No personal checks are accepted for fine payments. Specific department lines include Common Pleas/Civil Court (Room 309) at 803-436-2228 or 803-436-2231, General Sessions (Room 311) at 803-436-2264 or 803-436-2265, Fine Info at 803-436-2230, and Family Court at 803-436-2366.
The official Sumter County Clerk of Court website at sumterclerk.com provides direct access to office contact details, services, and court record information for the county.
Search Sumter County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free online access to court records through the Public Index. To search Sumter County court records, go to publicindex.sccourts.org/sumter/publicindex. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The tool is available 24 hours a day and does not require an account to use.
Search results in the Public Index show case summaries, docket entries, party information, and court actions. This covers most of what you need for basic research on a Sumter County case. For certified copies of any document, you must contact the Clerk of Court in writing or visit in person. Phone requests are not accepted. The SC case records search page links to the Public Index for Sumter and all other counties. Court rosters and General Session rosters are also available through the SC Judicial Branch quick links for Sumter County.
Note: Juvenile records are not accessible through the online Public Index and require a court order to obtain.
Sumter County Circuit Court Records
The 3rd Judicial Circuit serves Sumter County along with Lee and Clarendon counties. The Clerk of Court maintains General Sessions criminal records including sentence sheets, arrest warrants, indictments, and pleadings. The Court of Common Pleas handles civil disputes, and all Common Pleas judgments are stored by the Clerk of Court as well. Final divorce decrees and separation agreements from Family Court are also held at 215 N. Harvin St.
Certified copies of sentence sheets cost $10, and certified copies of divorce decrees also cost $10 in Sumter County. Notary registration is $10 as well. The standard Circuit Court civil filing fee is $150 under the statewide Circuit Court fee schedule. Under South Carolina Code § 14-3-410, Circuit Court judges rotate through judicial circuits. The Clerk of Court under § 14-9-150 is the official keeper of all court case records. Jury rosters and non-jury rosters are also maintained by the Sumter County Clerk of Court office.
Sumter County Family Court Records
Family Court in Sumter County handles divorces, child custody and support orders, adoptions, juvenile cases, and orders of protection. The Family Court line is 803-436-2366. The Clerk of Court stores all Family Court records at 215 N. Harvin St. Most Family Court filings are public except for juvenile records and any case sealed by order of the court.
You can search Family Court records through the Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/sumter using the Family Court filter. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and separation agreements are generally accessible to the public. For certified copies, visit the Clerk of Court or submit a written mail request with payment. The SC Family Court page explains the types of matters handled by Family Court statewide. Under § 30-2-330 of the South Carolina Code, certain personal information is shielded from broad disclosure even in public records.
Sumter County Probate Court Records
The Sumter County Probate Court is at 215 N Harvin St, Sumter, SC 29150. The phone is 803-436-2166. The Probate Court handles estate matters including wills, guardianships, and conservatorships. It also processes marriage license applications, which are available online. Marriage license records go back to 1910 for Sumter County. For certified copies of probate records, write to Sumter County Probate Court, 215 North Harvin Street, Sumter, SC 29150. Include your phone number, email address, and a description of the specific documents you need. Costs vary by document type.
The Register of Deeds handles land records separately from the Clerk of Court. Historical land records in Sumter County go back to the early 1900s. Tax liens are maintained in the Register of Deeds Office. The SC Probate Court page covers probate law and procedures across all South Carolina counties. Sumter County has three municipal courts with criminal jurisdiction for matters arising within city limits. These courts are separate from the Circuit and Family Court systems.
Magistrate Court in Sumter County handles misdemeanor criminal matters and small civil claims under $7,500. Traffic citations are handled by Summary Court, not the Clerk of Court. Contact the SC Judicial Branch courthouse search page for current magistrate contact information for Sumter County.
Sumter County Criminal Records and FOIA
For statewide criminal background checks in Sumter County, use the SLED CATCH system. The fee is $25 plus a $1 online convenience fee. This searches South Carolina criminal records only. For local case records from General Sessions, use the Public Index or contact the Clerk of Court at 803-436-2264. Criminal Court can also be reached at 803-436-2232.
South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act under § 30-4-10 et seq. gives the public the right to access most government records. Sumter County follows state FOIA guidelines. Submit written requests to the department holding the records. The office has 10 business days to make a determination and 30 calendar days to produce records. Standard state copy rates apply. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code, public bodies must make non-exempt records available to anyone who asks.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Family Court page explains how Family Court works across all 46 counties, including Sumter County, and what types of records fall under Family Court jurisdiction.
Nearby Counties
Sumter County is in the central part of South Carolina. It borders Lee, Clarendon, Orangeburg, Calhoun, Richland, and Kershaw counties. All court records for those counties are held by their respective Clerks of Court.