Charleston Family Court Records
Charleston family court records are filed at the Charleston County Family Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 143, in downtown Charleston. Charleston is the county seat of Charleston County, and all family court matters for city residents, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence protection orders, are handled at the Judicial Center on Broad Street. Search Charleston family court case records online through the SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org, through the Charleston County online services portal, or contact the Clerk of Court in person.
Charleston Quick Facts
Where Charleston Residents File Family Court Cases
Charleston residents file family court cases at the Charleston County Family Court at the Judicial Center on Broad Street. The Clerk of Court office is at Suite 106 and the Family Court is at Suite 143, both on 100 Broad Street in downtown Charleston. The Clerk of Court maintains all family court records and processes new case filings during regular business hours. Charleston County has one of the oldest court systems in the United States with records going back to the 1600s.
| Court |
Charleston County Family Court 100 Broad Street, Suite 143 Charleston, SC 29401 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | 100 Broad Street, Suite 106 Charleston, SC 29401 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Copy Fee | $0.11 per page; $1.00 for certified copies |
| Online Search | sccourts.org/case-records-search |
| County Records | Charleston County Family Court Records |
How to Search Charleston Family Court Records
Charleston family court records are searchable online through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org and through the Charleston County Clerk of Court Online Services. The county's Family Court Search allows searching by party type and party name, with additional filters for filing date, event date, and disposition date. Charleston County also maintains a Family Court judgment search and a Day Book Search for judgments and lis pendens still being processed. The CourtPlus system allows registered users to track favorite cases and receive updates.
For copies of physical Charleston family court documents, visit the Clerk of Court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 106. Copy fees are $0.11 per page, with an optional $1.00 for certification. Payments are by check or money order made out to the Charleston County Clerk of Court. Not all documents are available online. Older records may require in-person requests. Call ahead to confirm hours and procedures.
The City of Charleston official website provides information on municipal services and resources for residents navigating family court proceedings at the Charleston County Judicial Center.
The Charleston County official website provides direct access to the Clerk of Court Online Services, including the Family Court Search, Day Book Search, child support case information, and orders of protection.
Types of Family Court Cases in Charleston
The Charleston County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile matters for Charleston residents under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Charleston County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. As one of South Carolina's largest and most historic cities, Charleston generates a substantial volume of family court filings each year at the Broad Street courthouse.
Case types handled for Charleston residents include divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support and modification, alimony, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. When viewing a case record in the Charleston County online system, users can see upcoming hearing dates, case parties, judgments, associated cases, and financial information. Under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15, all custody and visitation decisions are based on the best interests of the child. Most records are public. Adoption files and sealed juvenile records are confidential.
Charleston Family Court Filing Fees
Most new family court cases for Charleston residents carry a $150 filing fee. This statewide fee applies to divorce, custody, support, adoption, and name change filings. No filing fee is required for DSS abuse and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and domestic abuse protection order petitions.
If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the Charleston County Clerk of Court about the in forma pauperis process. Submit a sworn financial affidavit and the court will determine whether to waive the fee. SC Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free civil legal help to qualifying Charleston residents. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can refer you to a family law attorney handling Charleston County cases. Free court forms are available at sccourts.org. For child support questions, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division.
Charleston County Family Court Records
Charleston is the county seat of Charleston County. All family court filings for Charleston city residents go through the Charleston County Family Court at 100 Broad Street. For more on the county court system, online search tools, fees, and additional resources, visit the Charleston County family court records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file family court cases at their own county courthouse. Select a city below to learn about family court records in that area.