Orangeburg County, South Carolina Court Records

Orangeburg County court records are documents generated from civil, criminal, and family court proceedings within the county. These documents, which could be case filings, court orders, or judgments, are maintained by the office of the Clerk of Orangeburg County Court. They may also be related to other public records. For example, a criminal case may begin with an arrest or a warrant of arrest; hence, the court record, warrant record, and arrest record can relate to the same incident. A divorce can similarly be connected to vital records, such as marriage and divorce records, maintained separately by the South Carolina Department of Public Health

Are Orangeburg County, South Carolina Court Records Public?

Court records in Orangeburg County, South Carolina are freely accessible to the public. Individuals can request these records through the appropriate court clerk under the rights provided by the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), S.C. Code §§ 30-4-30. Some court records, however, have access restrictions. They may be sealed or have personal information protected under Rules 41.1 and 41.2 of the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Examples of these records with limited access include some types of Family Court records, Juvenile Court records, and adoption records. When access is restricted, the appropriate court clerk can explain what information or copies can be provided.

What Information is Available in Orangeburg County, South Carolina Court Records?

The information on Orangeburg County Court records depends on the court and the type of case. They may include:

Case number
Case type
Filing date
Names of the parties
Court orders and judgments
Motions and pleadings
Hearing and trial dates
Docket entries
Attorney information
Sentencing or disposition information

Orangeburg County, South Carolina Court Records Search

Orangeburg County court records are maintained by different offices depending on the type of case. The records for the Court of Common Pleas, General Sessions, and Family Court are maintained by the Clerk of Court, while the Probate Court Clerk handles court records involving wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Online Access: Requesters can find Orangeburg County court records online using the South Carolina Judicial Branch's Public Index, which provides access to Circuit Court case information. Searches can be made by party name or case number. Family Court records are searched separately through FCCMS (Family Court Case Management System). Although Court records are generally accessible, some case types are sealed and will not be available through the public search. The Probate Court records are handled separately and are not included in the Public Index.
In-Person Access: Orangeburg County court records can also be obtained in person by visiting the appropriate court or clerk's office during regular business hours. The Clerk of Court handles Circuit Court and Family Court records, while the Probate Court maintains probate records. Offices include:

Orangeburg County Clerk of Court

151 Docket Street,

Orangeburg, SC 29115

Orangeburg County Probate Court

151 Docket Street, Room 105

Orangeburg, SC 29115

Mail and Phone Requests: Records can also be requested by mail from the appropriate office at P.O. Box 9000, Orangeburg, SC 29116. The Clerk of Court can be reached at (803) 533-6260, while the Probate Court can be reached at (803) 533-6284. Processing times and payment methods vary depending on the type of record requested, so contacting the appropriate office beforehand can help confirm the requirements

Fees for Court Records in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Court records in Orangeburg County can be inspected by the public at no cost; however, making copies comes with a charge. The county's court fees include charges for different court services. The Clerk of Court charges $0.50 per page for copies made from a case file. For Probate Court records, the fee schedule lists photostat copies at $0.50 per image, certified copies at $5.00 per certification, and a $10 search fee.

Orangeburg County, South Carolina Courthouse Locations

Orangeburg County trial-level courts include the Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, and Magistrate Court, which handle different types of cases. The Circuit and Family Courts are part of the South Carolina Judicial Branch and are located at the Orangeburg County Courthouse. The Probate Court has a separate location, while Magistrate Court has regional offices throughout the county. Federal cases from Orangeburg County fall under the Orangeburg Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina and are heard at the federal courthouse in Columbia. The addresses and contact information of courts in Orangeburg County are listed below.

Courthouse/Office	Address	Phone Number	Divisions/Case Type	Office Hours
Circuit & Family Court	1406 Amelia Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115	(803) 533-6243	Civil and criminal matters in Circuit Court; divorce, custody, support, and other family matters in Family Court	Mon - Fri; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Probate Court	151 Docket Street, Room 105, Orangeburg, Sc 29115	(803) 533-6284	Estates, wills, guardianships, and conservatorships	Mon - Fri; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Magistrate Court	Various regional locations throughout Orangeburg County	Varies by location	Traffic, small claims, and other magistrate matters	Varies by location
U.S. District Court, Orangeburg Division	Matthew J.Perry, Jr. Federal Courthouse, 901 Richland Street, Columbia, SC 29201	(803) 765-5816	Federal civil and criminal cases and federal other matters	Mon - Fri; 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Criminal Records Access in Orangeburg County

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) handles all official state-level criminal history checks in South Carolina. The SLED's CATCH system (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) allows the public to use name and date-of-birth details to run a search covering South Carolina arrest and conviction records, for a $25.00 fee.

Local criminal court records are handled separately by the Orangeburg County Court of General Sessions. The South Carolina Judicial Branch's Public Index provides online access to Court of General Sessions criminal case records, searchable by name or case number. Orangeburg County is included in the system. Records not available online, or older filings, can be requested in person from the Clerk of Court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse.

Orangeburg County, South Carolina Probate Records

Probate court records in Orangeburg County are generated from the court proceedings from estate administration, estate inventories, accountings, and other filings related to the administration of an estate. The Probate Court also handles guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and maintains these records. Access to these records depends on the type of proceeding and the information contained in the records. Records that are available for review can be requested from the Probate Court, while guardianship and conservatorship records involving protected mental or health information may have restricted access.

Orangeburg County, South Carolina Family Court Records

Family Court records in Orangeburg County include documents from cases involving divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, termination of parental rights, and other domestic matters. These records are maintained by the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court. Generally, Family Court records may be available for public inspection, but access depends on the type of case and the information contained in the record. For example, divorce, custody, and support records may be available to the public, while adoption records are sealed after a final decree.

Family Court records can be searched through FCCMS (Family Court Case Management System) using involved parties' names and case information, with additional search fields available to narrow the results. Sealed case types are restricted from public access. Copies of records can be requested from the Clerk of Court at 151 Docket Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115.

Federal Court Records in Orangeburg County

Federal court records in Orangeburg County come from cases handled under federal law, which fall under the purview of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina rather than the South Carolina state court system. These cases include federal criminal cases, civil disputes involving federal law, bankruptcy matters, and other federal proceedings. Such records are kept and maintained by the Clerk's Office of the federal court that handles the case.

Federal case information can be searched online through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). Requesters can search by name, case number, or the U.S. Party Case Index after creating an account, although some documents may require a fee. Court records can also be viewed at the courthouse. Some records are sealed or restricted by federal law or court order and cannot be accessed by the public.