Anderson County Court Records
What Is Anderson County Court Records
Anderson County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts operating within Anderson County, South Carolina. These records document judicial proceedings and serve as the official account of actions taken by the courts. Pursuant to South Carolina Code of Laws §30-4-30, these records constitute public information that documents the activities of public bodies and officials.
Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence presented during proceedings
- Docket information
- Case dispositions
The custodian of most court records in Anderson County is the Clerk of Court, who maintains records for Circuit Court and Family Court proceedings. Records from other courts, such as Magistrate Courts, are maintained by their respective offices.
Anderson County Clerk of Court 100 S. Main Street, Room 114 Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4053 Anderson County Clerk of Court
The Clerk's Office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding legal holidays.
Are Court Records Public In Anderson County
Court records in Anderson County are generally considered public information in accordance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. §30-4-10 et seq.) and the common law right of access to judicial records. The South Carolina Constitution and state statutes establish a presumption of openness for court proceedings and the records they generate.
Members of the public may access most court records by:
- Visiting the appropriate courthouse in person
- Utilizing online search tools provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch
- Submitting written requests to the appropriate court clerk
However, certain categories of court records may be restricted from public access, including:
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §63-19-2010)
- Adoption proceedings
- Mental health commitment records
- Records containing sensitive personal information as defined by S.C. Code Ann. §30-2-310
- Certain family court matters involving minors
- Grand jury proceedings
The determination of whether specific records are accessible to the public is governed by state law, court rules, and judicial discretion. In some instances, redacted versions of otherwise confidential records may be made available upon request.
How To Find Court Records in Anderson County in 2025
Members of the public seeking court records in Anderson County in 2025 have several methods available to locate and access these documents. The appropriate method depends on the type of record sought and its age.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
Anderson County Courthouse 100 S. Main Street Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4000 Anderson County Government
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The process for obtaining court records typically involves:
- Identifying the specific case or document needed (case number, party names, filing date)
- Determining which court holds the records
- Submitting a records request to the appropriate office
- Paying any applicable search or copying fees
For Circuit Court and Family Court records, requests should be directed to the Clerk of Court's office. Magistrate Court records can be requested through the Anderson County Magistrates office.
Anderson County Magistrate Court - Central Office 100 S. Main Street, Room 107 Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4052
Fees for court records are established pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §8-21-310 and may include:
- Search fees: $5-10 per name/case
- Copy fees: $0.25-1.00 per page
- Certification fees: $5.00 per document
Payment methods accepted include cash, money orders, and credit cards (in person only).
How To Look Up Court Records in Anderson County Online?
Anderson County provides digital access to many court records through several online platforms. The primary resource for accessing court records electronically is the Anderson County Public Index, maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
This online system allows users to search for:
- Circuit Court civil cases
- Circuit Court criminal cases
- Family Court cases (with certain restrictions)
- Probate Court matters
To conduct a search, users must:
- Navigate to the Public Index website
- Select Anderson County from the dropdown menu
- Choose the appropriate case type
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, filing date)
- Review the results list
- Select specific cases to view available details
Additional online resources include:
- South Carolina Judicial Branch - Provides statewide case information and court calendars
- SC.gov Traffic Tickets and Court Payments - For traffic citations and related payments
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina - For federal cases in South Carolina
- United States Bankruptcy Court, District of South Carolina - For bankruptcy proceedings
Users should note that online access may be limited to basic case information, with full document access requiring in-person requests at the courthouse.
Can You Search Anderson County Court Records for Free?
Anderson County provides limited free access to court record information. The Anderson County Public Index offers free basic case information searches, including party names, case types, filing dates, and case status. This service is provided pursuant to the South Carolina Judicial Department's commitment to public access.
Free search options include:
- Basic case information through the Public Index
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
- Case status checks
- Party name searches
However, the following services typically require payment of fees:
- Obtaining certified copies of documents
- Requesting complete case files
- Extensive research assistance from court staff
- Copies of exhibits or evidence
- Transcript requests
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances for indigent persons pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §8-21-1080, which allows the court to waive fees upon demonstration of financial hardship. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing to the presiding judge or clerk of court.
What's Included in a Anderson County Court Record?
Anderson County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type and court, but generally include the following components:
- Case initiation documents (complaints, indictments, petitions)
- Summonses and service of process documentation
- Pleadings filed by parties (answers, motions, briefs)
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared)
- Evidence logs (descriptions of exhibits admitted)
- Financial information (fees paid, restitution orders)
- Case disposition and sentencing information
- Appeals documentation
For criminal cases, additional information may include:
- Arrest warrants and booking information
- Bond documentation
- Pre-sentence investigation reports (access restricted)
- Victim impact statements
- Criminal history information
Family Court records, maintained by the South Carolina Department of Social Services - Child Support division for relevant cases, often contain:
- Divorce decrees
- Child custody and support orders
- Adoption proceedings
- Name change petitions
- Juvenile matters (access restricted)
The level of detail and completeness of court records may vary based on the age of the case, the court of jurisdiction, and applicable retention schedules.
How Long Does Anderson County Keep Court Records?
Anderson County retains court records according to schedules established by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. §30-1-90. Retention periods vary based on case type, significance, and outcome.
General retention guidelines include:
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Circuit Court criminal cases:
- Capital cases: Permanent retention
- Felonies: 15 years after case closure
- Misdemeanors: 10 years after case closure
-
Circuit Court civil cases:
- Cases establishing precedent: Permanent retention
- Standard civil matters: 10 years after final disposition
- Small claims: 5 years after judgment
-
Family Court records:
- Adoption cases: Permanent retention
- Divorce proceedings: Permanent retention
- Child support cases: Until the youngest child reaches age 21, plus 3 years
- Juvenile delinquency: Until subject reaches age 21, then sealed
-
Magistrate Court records:
- Criminal cases: 10 years after disposition
- Civil cases: 5 years after disposition
- Traffic cases: 3 years after disposition
Records scheduled for destruction are reviewed by the Clerk of Court and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History to identify documents with historical significance, which may be preserved beyond standard retention periods.
Types of Courts In Anderson County
Anderson County's judicial system consists of several courts with varying jurisdictions and authority levels. Each court maintains its own records according to established procedures.
The primary courts operating in Anderson County include:
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Circuit Court - The court of general jurisdiction handling major civil cases and criminal matters. The Circuit Court is divided into:
- Court of Common Pleas (civil matters)
- Court of General Sessions (criminal matters)
-
Family Court - Handles domestic relations cases including divorce, child custody, adoption, and juvenile matters.
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Probate Court - Oversees estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health commitments.
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Magistrate Court - Processes minor criminal offenses, traffic violations, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil cases with limited monetary value.
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Municipal Courts - Located in incorporated cities within Anderson County, handling local ordinance violations and minor offenses.
Federal courts with jurisdiction over Anderson County include:
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina - Anderson Division
- United States Bankruptcy Court, District of South Carolina
Each court maintains records according to its own procedures while adhering to state and federal records management requirements.
What Types of Cases Do Anderson County Courts Hear?
Anderson County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters according to their respective jurisdictions as established by South Carolina law.
Circuit Court cases include:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Civil disputes exceeding $7,500 in value
- Appeals from lower courts
- Complex litigation matters
- Real property disputes
- Corporate and business litigation
Family Court jurisdiction encompasses:
- Divorce proceedings
- Child custody and visitation determinations
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Adoption petitions
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Domestic violence protection orders
- Name change petitions
Magistrate Court handles:
- Criminal cases punishable by fines not exceeding $500 or imprisonment not exceeding 30 days
- Civil cases with claims up to $7,500
- Landlord-tenant disputes
- Traffic violations
- Preliminary hearings in criminal matters
- Issuance of arrest and search warrants
Probate Court oversees:
- Estate administration
- Will probate
- Guardianships and conservatorships
- Mental health commitments
- Marriage licenses
Municipal Courts process:
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Traffic offenses within city limits
- Minor criminal offenses occurring within municipal boundaries
How To Find a Court Docket In Anderson County
Court dockets in Anderson County provide schedules of upcoming court proceedings and list cases set for hearing or trial. These dockets are public information and accessible through multiple channels.
To access court dockets, members of the public may:
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Visit the South Carolina Judicial Branch website and navigate to the court calendars section
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Contact the Clerk of Court office directly: Anderson County Clerk of Court 100 S. Main Street, Room 114 Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4053
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Visit the courthouse in person to view posted dockets
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For Magistrate Court dockets, contact: Anderson County Magistrate Court 100 S. Main Street, Room 107 Anderson, SC 29624 (864) 260-4052
Docket information typically includes:
- Case numbers
- Party names
- Scheduled hearing dates and times
- Assigned courtrooms
- Presiding judges
- Nature of proceedings
Court dockets are generally published weekly, though they remain subject to change. Parties and their attorneys receive direct notification of scheduled appearances, while members of the public must check current dockets for the most up-to-date information.
Which Courts in Anderson County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Anderson County, certain courts do not maintain official verbatim records of their proceedings and are therefore classified as "not courts of record" under South Carolina law. These courts typically handle matters of limited jurisdiction and follow simplified procedures.
Courts not designated as courts of record in Anderson County include:
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Magistrate Courts - While these courts maintain case files and documentation of outcomes, they do not typically create verbatim transcripts of proceedings unless specifically requested by a party for appeal purposes.
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Municipal Courts - Similar to Magistrate Courts, Municipal Courts maintain basic records of cases and dispositions but do not automatically create word-for-word transcripts of hearings.
When cases from these courts are appealed, they are generally heard "de novo" (anew) in the Circuit Court, meaning the case is retried completely rather than reviewed based on a transcript of the original proceeding.
Despite not being courts of record in the technical sense, these courts do maintain:
- Case files with pleadings and motions
- Records of judgments and dispositions
- Financial records of fines and fees
- Docket information
Parties requiring documentation of proceedings in these courts may need to arrange for court reporters at their own expense if a verbatim record is desired.
Lookup Court Records in Anderson County
Anderson County Clerk of Court
Search Anderson County court records
Anderson County Magistrates Court records
South Carolina Judicial Branch case search
Pay traffic tickets and court fees online
Federal court records for Anderson County