Family Court Records in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant family court records are filed and maintained at the Charleston County Family Court in downtown Charleston. Mount Pleasant is one of the fastest-growing towns in South Carolina with about 90,000 residents. As part of Charleston County, Mount Pleasant has no separate family court. All family court cases for Mount Pleasant residents are handled at the same courthouse that serves all of Charleston County.
Mount Pleasant Quick Facts
Where to File Family Court Cases in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents must travel to downtown Charleston to file family court cases. The Charleston County Family Court is the only family court serving all of Charleston County, which includes Mount Pleasant. The courthouse address is 100 Broad Street, Suite 143, Charleston. The drive from most parts of Mount Pleasant takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on bridge traffic.
| Court | Charleston County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Broad Street, Suite 143 Charleston, SC 29401 |
| Phone | (843) 958-5000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | charlestoncounty.org |
The Town of Mount Pleasant official website provides community resources for residents navigating family court proceedings. The Town of Mount Pleasant links to county services and community programs relevant to local residents.
The Town of Mount Pleasant official website provides community resources for residents navigating family court proceedings.
Note: Plan extra travel time when driving from Mount Pleasant to the courthouse. The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and downtown Charleston traffic can add to your commute, especially during morning and afternoon rush hours.
How to Find Mount Pleasant Family Court Records
You can search for family court records involving Mount Pleasant residents through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index. Go to sccourts.org and search by party name, case number, filing date, or event date. The online tool is free to use and provides basic case information including party names, filing dates, and current status. This is the fastest way to check whether a family court case exists for someone in Mount Pleasant.
Charleston County also offers CourtPlus, Family Court Search, and Day Book Search as additional online lookup tools. These cover different types of case information and may be useful if the main public index does not return the results you need. Child support case information is available through a separate lookup portal. All of these tools are accessible through the Charleston County website at charlestoncounty.org.
For copies of documents from Mount Pleasant family court case files, contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 or visit Suite 143 at 100 Broad Street. Standard copies cost 11 cents per page. Certified copies are $1 extra. Staff can pull files by name or case number and make copies while you wait, depending on workload.
Types of Family Court Cases in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents file a full range of family law matters at the Charleston County Family Court. South Carolina Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile cases under S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-3-530. Common case types include:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and visitation
- Child support orders and changes
- Alimony and spousal support
- Domestic violence protection orders
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Name changes for adults and minors
- Juvenile delinquency and status offenses
Each case produces court records that become part of the permanent file at the Charleston County courthouse. Most Mount Pleasant family court records are available as public records, though adoption files, sealed juvenile records, and certain DSS case files are confidential.
Mount Pleasant Family Court Fees
Filing fees for Mount Pleasant family court cases follow the statewide South Carolina fee schedule. The standard fee to open a new family court case is $150. This applies to divorce filings, custody petitions, and most other standard family court matters. The same fee schedule applies whether you live in Mount Pleasant, Charleston, or anywhere else in Charleston County.
No filing fee applies to DSS Abuse and Neglect cases, Juvenile Delinquency matters, Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, and several other case types. If you cannot afford the fee, ask about the in forma pauperis fee waiver process. Proof of financial hardship is required. Call (843) 958-5000 to ask about the current fee schedule and waiver process before you file.
Legal Help for Family Court in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents seeking legal help with family court cases have access to resources through Charleston County. South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to income-qualifying residents at sclegal.org. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney in the area. The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org maintains a full set of official court forms and filing guides.
For child support services in Mount Pleasant, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. DSS can help establish or modify support orders through administrative channels. Charleston County's social services programs can also connect Mount Pleasant residents with housing support, child care assistance, and crisis services during difficult family court situations.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents who choose to handle their own family court cases can find official forms at sccourts.org. All South Carolina Family Court forms are free to download and print. These cover the most common case types including divorce, custody, and name changes. The court expects pro se filers to follow the same rules as attorneys, so review all instructions carefully before filing in Charleston County.
If your case involves children, you will likely need multiple forms including custody agreements, parenting plans, and child support worksheets. The Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 can tell you which forms you need for your specific type of case. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the correct forms and explain the filing process for Mount Pleasant family court cases.
Charleston County Family Court Records
Mount Pleasant is part of Charleston County. All family court filings for Mount Pleasant residents are handled at the Charleston County Family Court. Visit the Charleston County family court records page for more information on the county system, fees, and available resources.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
These nearby cities also file family court cases through Charleston County or neighboring county courts. Select a city to learn more about family court records in that area.