Williamsburg County Court Records
Williamsburg County court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse in Kingstree, South Carolina. The office keeps Circuit Court and Family Court filings for all cases handled in Williamsburg County. Searching court records is free through the South Carolina Public Index online, or you can request records in person at the courthouse. This page explains how to find Williamsburg County court records, what types of documents are available, and how to contact the right office for each record type.
Williamsburg County Court Records Quick Facts
Williamsburg County Clerk of Court
The Honorable Deitra McKnight Johnson serves as the Williamsburg County Clerk of Court and Register of Deeds. She was elected on June 11, 2024 and began her position on January 8, 2025. She graduated from Williamsburg Blakeley High School in 1988 and earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from South Carolina State University. She holds two master's degrees: one in Clinical Counseling from Webster University and one in Educational Leadership from The Citadel. She is a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
The Clerk of Court office is at 125 W Main St, Kingstree, SC 29556-3343. The phone is (843) 355-9321 and the fax is (843) 355-1580. Family Court matters are handled at a separate location: the Williamsburg Family Court Courthouse at 124 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The county website at williamsburgcounty.sc.gov provides access to all county department pages including courts.
The official Williamsburg County website provides direct links to all county courts including the Clerk of Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court with contact details and court record access tools.
Search Williamsburg County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch operates a free online public records system for all 46 counties. To search Williamsburg County court records, use the statewide case records tool at sccourts.org/case-records-search. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date and filter by court type. The SC Judicial Branch quick links page for Williamsburg County also links to SC Land Records and SC Legal Services.
Results from the Public Index show case summaries, party names, attorney information, docket entries, and case disposition. The system is free and available around the clock. Juvenile records and sealed cases are not displayed. Certified copies require a visit to the Clerk of Court or a written mail request. Under § 30-4-30 of the South Carolina Code, the public has the right to access non-exempt records from government offices including the Clerk of Court in Williamsburg County.
The SC Judicial Branch clerk directory includes the Williamsburg County Clerk of Court with the office's current contact details, circuit assignment, and links to the Public Index and court rosters.
Williamsburg County Circuit Court Records
The 12th Judicial Circuit covers Williamsburg County and Florence County. The Circuit Court handles civil matters through the Court of Common Pleas and felony criminal cases through General Sessions. The Clerk of Court stores all records for both divisions at 125 W Main St in Kingstree. Case records include complaints, motions, judgments, arrest warrants, indictments, sentence sheets, and plea documents.
The filing fee for a new civil case is $150 based on the statewide Circuit Court fee schedule. Standard copy fees are $0.25 per page, and certified copies cost $5.00 per document. The first 10 pages of any FOIA request are free, and additional pages cost $0.25 each. Under South Carolina Code § 14-3-410, Circuit Court judges rotate through the circuits. Under § 14-9-150, the Clerk of Court is the official keeper of all court case records and must make them available to the public within the limits set by law. The SC Circuit Court page has more on Circuit Court structure across the state.
Williamsburg County Family Court Records
Family Court cases in Williamsburg County include divorces, child custody and support orders, adoptions, juvenile proceedings, and orders of protection. Family Court is held at 124 West Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court records. Most filings are public except juvenile records and sealed cases.
To search Family Court records in Williamsburg County, use the SC Judicial Branch case records search and select the Family Court filter. Divorce decrees, custody orders, and separation agreements are generally accessible to anyone. For certified copies, mail a written request with payment to the Clerk of Court at 125 W Main St, Kingstree, SC 29556. Under § 30-2-330 of the South Carolina Code, certain personal information such as Social Security numbers receives protection in public records. The SC Family Court page explains Family Court rules and procedures statewide.
Note: The Williamsburg County courts page at williamsburgcounty.sc.gov/390/Courts provides information about the Clerk of Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court with links to each office.
Williamsburg County Magistrate Court Records
Williamsburg County Magistrate Court is led by Chief Magistrate Hon. Glen A. Kennedy and Associate Chief Magistrate Hon. Martin I. Easler. Additional magistrates include Hon. Randy B. Foxworth, Hon. Brian M. McKnight, and Hon. Jacob D. Wilson, Jr. The Kingstree Magistrate Court is at 209 Short Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The Bond Court is at 126 South Jackson Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. The main phone is (843) 355-9565.
Magistrate Court handles misdemeanor criminal matters and small civil claims not exceeding $7,500. The court's mission is to deliver timely, neutral, and fair justice. Municipal courts in Williamsburg County include those in Greeleyville, Hemingway, Kingstree, and Lane, each with their own presiding judge. These courts handle traffic violations and minor criminal cases within each town's limits. Many Magistrate Court records appear in the SC Judicial Branch case records search system. The SC Magistrate Court page explains what types of cases these courts handle.
Williamsburg County FOIA Requests and Public Records
Williamsburg County has a dedicated FOIA process. Submit requests to Tammi Epps-McClary, Clerk to Council, at the Public Service Administration Building, Post Office Box 330, Kingstree SC 29556. You can also email FOIA-Request@wc.sc.gov. A FOIA request form is available online at williamsburgcounty.sc.gov/321/Freedom-of-Information-Act-FOIA to print and mail or submit by email.
Williamsburg County FOIA fees are straightforward. The first 10 pages are free. Pages 11 and beyond cost $0.25 each. Extensive staff time costs are charged based on actual personnel time. Mailing costs reflect actual USPS rates. A deposit of up to 25% of the total anticipated cost may be required in advance. Payment is due in full before records are released, though the County Supervisor may waive fees. Electronic records are free if an electronic version already exists. You may review records in person in a designated area or at a scheduled time. The standard response time is 10 business days from receipt of the request. Records older than 24 months have a 20-business-day response time. Production of records must occur within 30 calendar days, or 35 days for older records. South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at § 30-4-10 et seq. provides the legal framework. Under § 30-2-50 of the South Carolina Code, using public records for commercial solicitation is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500 or imprisonment up to one year.
For statewide criminal background checks, use the SLED CATCH system at $25 plus $1 online. This covers South Carolina records only. The Williamsburg County Probate Court is led by Hon. Betty F. Matthews and can be reached at 843-355-9321 ext. 6200. The court email is probatecourt@wc.sc.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. No online access to estate or marriage license records is currently available. Appointments can be scheduled by phone or email. The SC Probate Court page explains probate jurisdiction statewide.
Nearby Counties
Williamsburg County is in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. The county seat is Kingstree. Neighboring counties include Florence, Georgetown, Horry, and Clarendon. Each has its own court records system through its Clerk of Court.