Lancaster County
Lancaster County was originally part of the Camden District. It is located in the north-central part of South Carolina and is comprised of four incorporated communities. The City of Lancaster, its largest municipality, is the county's seat. It has an estimated population of 96,016 and a total geographic area of 549.07 square miles.
Lancaster County's Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Courts collectively constitute the judicial framework of the county. The Lancaster County Circuit Court has two divisions: the Court of Common Pleas, which oversees civil cases involving more than $7,500 in dispute, and the Court of General Sessions, which handles criminal cases. The Family Court hears matters such as divorce, child custody, support, and adoption. It also holds exclusive jurisdiction over neglect and juvenile cases. The Probate Court deals with estates and guardianships and shares jurisdiction over certain cases with the Circuit Court. The Magistrate Courts address minor criminal matters and conduct preliminary hearings for felony cases. Lastly, the Municipal Courts hear cases related to the violation of local ordinances and traffic violations, with fines up to $500 or 30 days in jail. They are located in Kershaw and Lancaster cities.
Lancaster County's public court records refer to documents produced by the county's judiciary concerning cases heard in the county. Such documents include case summaries, judgments, and orders in both civil and criminal matters. Per the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), members of the public have the right to inspect and copy court records, thus promoting transparency in the judicial system. The Lancaster County Clerk of Court processes and maintains these court records. Per state laws, the public has access to the following records maintained by the Clerk's Office:
- Criminal records
- Civil records
- Property records
- Probate records
- Family records
To view court records in Lancaster County, interested individuals may utilize the case search portal maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Department. Alternatively, they can mail a request to the Clerk's office or visit in person at:
Lancaster County Clerk of Court
1104 N. Main Street,
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 283-3782
Obtaining uncertified copies of these public court records typically costs $0.50 per page. Where the record is certified, an additional charge applies. Lastly, searches for archived records may result in hourly labor fees to cover the extra processing time required.
