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Beaufort County Court Records

From the initial filing of a court case in Beaufort County through its progression within the judicial system, accurate records are maintained by court clerk offices to officially log all events and activities that occurred during the proceedings. These records, known as the Beaufort County court records, serve to document legal case activity, thereby promoting public transparency and accountability in the justice system.

Beyond transparency, court records are crucial for background investigations, genealogy research, and tracking case progression.

Notably, although Beaufort County court records stem from legal actions, public records from other government agencies-such as arrest reports, vital records (birth/death), property records, police incident reports, correctional records, and tax records-may be integrated into court files as legal proceedings unfold. Consequently, inspecting or copying a court file may yield access to these integrated records, provided no disclosure limitations are imposed by statute or court order.

Are Beaufort County Court Records Public?

Yes. Beaufort County court records are accessible to members of the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under this legislature, every "person," a term that embodies any individual, partnership, corporation, firm, organization, or association, can access official records kept by the judicial branch, except where a record is deemed confidential or nonpublic by any extant law, court order, or court rule. Examples of records recognized as confidential by the Beaufort County courts include

  • Trade secrets and other proprietary information
  • Any information whose disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy
  • Matters specifically exempt from public access by statute or law
  • Any information that would deprive a person of the right to an impartial adjudication

What Information is Available in Beaufort County Court Records?

The data available in Beaufort County court records varies by case type (civil or criminal). However, these documents/data are typically included:

  • Dockets (a chronological summary of case events, including filings and hearings)
  • Motions
  • Pleadings (complaints, counterclaims, answers, etc.)
  • Summonses and subpoenas
  • Notices
  • Transcripts
  • Evidence and exhibits
  • Orders and judgments

Beaufort County Court Records Search

Locating court records in Beaufort County often involves utilizing internet search tools provided by the South Carolina (SC) Judicial Branch, as well as submitting a direct query to the clerk of the court’s office in the county where the trial was held. These methods are discussed below.

  • Online Access: Individuals can use the SC Judiciary’s Case Records Search (the Statewide Trial Court Case Management System) to access Beaufort County court records online. Searches can be conducted by scrolling to the specific county and selecting "View Case Records." Subsequently, the researcher will be redirected to a Public Index search page for that circuit. After accepting the disclaimer, they will be asked to search the multi-court index using keywords like a case participant’s name or case number.

It should be noted that the index only provides summary information about cases, including the case parties, judgments, and events (actions). To obtain copies of records, it will be necessary to visit or contact the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court’s Office.

Members of the public can also obtain court records access through the following sites:

Notably, the county’s family and probate courts maintain separate portals for viewing case information online, as specified below.

  • In-Person Access: In-person inspection is often advised when seeking copies of court records or confidential information (if eligible). To request court records in person, one will need to visit the court that heard the case or the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court’s Office (clerk of the Circuit and Family Courts) during normal operation hours.

Street Address of the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court’s Office

102 Ribaut Road

Suite 208

Beaufort, SC 29902

Phone: (843)255-5050

Fax: (843) 255-9412

Public terminals may be provided at the courthouse or clerk’s office to review/inspect cases. Fees apply to retrieve document copies directly from the court/custodian’s office.

  • Mail and Phone Requests: To request court records by mail, applicants must typically send a written request with adequate case information, the required fee (often a check or money order), and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to the appropriate court clerk or administrator’s mailing address. This address should be verified on the specific court’s website.

For records from the Family and Circuit Courts in Beaufort, individuals should use the provided mailing information:

Beaufort County Clerk of Court

PO Drawer 1128

Beaufort, SC 29901

For the availability of phone requests for court records, it is prudent to contact the respective courthouse or clerk’s office for the most current information.

Fees for Court Records in Beaufort County

Fees for copies of court records in Beaufort County, South Carolina, are assessed differently depending on the specific court or custodian’s office. For instance, the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court’s Office charges the following rates for record copies:

  • Certification (All Documents): $3 per document
  • Exemplified Copy: $4 per document
  • Copies Per Page: 50 cents
  • Copies Per Page (When Processed by the Clerk of Court Staff ): 55 cents

However, online access through the Case Records Search and Court Roster Search portals is free.

Note: For vital records (birth, marriage, death, and divorce) in Beaufort County, the primary state resource is the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which should be contacted for information on access fees and procedures.

However, the following county courts may be contacted directly for records outside of specific date ranges:

  • Beaufort County Probate Court for marriage records before July 1950 and after December 2023.
  • Beaufort County Family Court for divorce decrees before July 1962 and after December 2023.

Beaufort County Courthouse Locations

Beaufort County’s judicial system (South Carolina’s Judicial Circuit No. 14) consists of the following courts:

  • Circuit Court : This court is further split into two divisions: a Common Pleas Court (civil court) and a General Sessions Court (criminal court). It also holds limited appeal jurisdiction over matters from the Probate, Magistrate, and Municipal Courts.
  • Family Court : Maintains jurisdiction over matters pertaining to family law or domestic relations.
  • Probate Court : Handles probate proceedings within the county.
  • Master-in-Equity Court (or Equity Court): This court is a division of the Circuit Court that presides over certain cases without a jury, typically cases involving real estate. However, the court can also hear any matter referred to it by the Circuit Court.
  • Summary Courts: These include the Magistrate (County) Courts and Municipal (Town/City) Courts. These courts hold specific, limited civil and criminal jurisdiction.

Below are the county’s courthouse locations and contact numbers.

Beaufort County Circuit Court

102 Ribaut Road

Suite 208

PO Drawer 1128

Beaufort, SC 29902

Phone: (843) 255-5050 (Civil)

Phone: (843) 255-5057 (Criminal)

Fax: (843) 255-9412

Beaufort County Family Court

102 Ribaut Road

Room 119

PO Drawer 1124

Beaufort, SC 29901

Phone: (843) 255-5660

Fax: (843) 255-9421

Beaufort County Master-in-Equity Court

102 Ribaut Road

Suite 212

PO Drawer 1128

Beaufort, SC 29902

Phone: (843) 255-5710

Probate Courts in Beaufort County

Beaufort County Probate Court (Main Office)

102 Ribaut Road

Beaufort, SC 29902

Phone: (843) 255-5850

Beaufort County Probate Court - Hilton Head Island Satellite Office

County Government Center South

539 William Hilton Parkway

Hilton Head Island, SC 29938

Phone: (843) 255-5866

Bluffton Satellite Office

4819 Bluffton Parkway

Myrtle Park Building

3rd Floor

Bluffton, SC 29910.

Phone: (843) 255-5872

Magistrates Courts in Beaufort County

Beaufort County Magistrate Court - Beaufort

104 Ribaut Road

PO Box 2207

Beaufort, SC 29901

Phone: (843) 255-5700

Fax (Traffic & Criminal Department): (843) 255-9427

Fax (Civil Department): (843) 255-9516

Beaufort County Magistrate Court - Bluffton

4819 Bluffton Parkway

PO Box 840

Bluffton, SC 29910

Phone: (843) 255-5610

Fax (Traffic & Criminal Department): (843) 255-9510

Fax (Civil Department): (843) 255-9517

Municipal Courts in Beaufort County

Beaufort Municipal Court

Beaufort Municipal Court Center Complex

1901 Boundary Street

Beaufort, SC 29902

Phone: (843) 525-7036

Fax: (843) 986-5602

Bluffton Municipal Court

20 Bridge Street

PO Box 386

Bluffton, SC 29910

Phone: (843) 706-4530

Fax: (843) 706-4503

Port Royal Municipal Court

700 Paris Avenue, PO Drawer 9, Port Royal, SC 29935

Phone: (843) 986-2229

Fax: (843) 986-2210

Criminal Records Access in Beaufort County

In Beaufort County, most courts possess some degree of criminal jurisdiction, as legally authorized, with the exceptions being the Probate and Master-in-Equity Courts. Therefore, to obtain criminal court records, individuals must identify the court where the case was filed. This information can be verified through the South Carolina Judiciary’s Case Records Search portal at no cost. Note that fees apply when copies of records are collected directly from the courts.

Another way to access criminal records (in this case, comprehensive statewide criminal histories) is through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

SLED provides CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories), a paid, name-based search portal for viewing and printing South Carolina criminal records information, including information reported by Beaufort County criminal justice agencies. Each search costs $25. SLED also conducts fingerprint-based background checks, but only when required by statute.

Beaufort County Probate Records

Probate is a court proceeding initiated to distribute a deceased person’s assets to the rightful beneficiaries and settle outstanding debts with creditors. In Beaufort County, probate records are maintained by the local probate court, which has jurisdiction over the following cases:

  • Estates of deceased persons
  • Guardianships of incompetents
  • Conservatorships of the estates of minors and incompetents
  • Minor settlements under $25,000
  • Marriage licenses
  • Involuntary commitments to institutions for mentally ill or chemically dependent persons.

The court also holds exclusive jurisdiction over trusts, as well as concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit court over powers of attorney.

To access probate court records in person, one should stop by the probate court in Beaufort. This location stores all court records from the probate court (see copy fees). Public access is granted under South Carolina’s FOIA, except for confidential records, such as those from involuntary commitment proceedings. Alternatively, one can search for probate filings, estate records, and other court documents online through the Beaufort County Probate Court Index.

Beaufort County Family Court Records

Family court records encompass official documentation from cases involving family or domestic relationships, such as adoption, divorce, legal separation, custody, visitation rights, annulments, termination of parental rights, support, alimony, and division of marital property. In Beaufort County, these cases are heard in the Family Court, and family court records are domiciled at the Beaufort County Clerk of the Court’s Office.

To find Beaufort County family court records, one can review the court’s online docket, utilize the online Public Portal, or stop by the local courthouse in Beaufort. Searches typically require a case name or number, and copies attract charges. Notably, some documents/information within family court files (e.g., identifying details about minors) are considered confidential and are only released to qualified persons, such as the parties to the case.

Federal Court Records in Beaufort County

Federal court records in Beaufort County refer to official case files created by the U.S. district court exercising legal jurisdiction over the county in matters of federal law. This court is the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, specifically its Charleston division.

J. Waties Waring Judicial Center

83 Meeting Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Or

U.S. District Courthouse

85 Broad Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843) 579-1401

Fax: (843) 579-1402

To access federal case records in Beaufort County, the district court offers several options:

  • Online Access: Use PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), which is a fee-based service.
  • Request by Form: Complete the relevant copy request form. The applicable copy fees are specified on the page.
  • In-Person Research: Public access computer terminals are available in the courthouse lobby for conducting independent research.

The court provides Records Search Guidelines for those interested in looking up court records.

Beaufort County Court