Search North Charleston Family Court Records
North Charleston family court records are maintained at the Charleston County Family Court at 100 Broad Street in Charleston. North Charleston is the third-largest city in South Carolina with about 115,000 residents and is part of Charleston County. All family court matters for North Charleston residents, including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and protection orders, are handled by the Charleston County Family Court. Search North Charleston family court case records online at sccourts.org or contact the Charleston County Clerk of Court for in-person access.
North Charleston Quick Facts
Where North Charleston Residents File Family Court Cases
North Charleston residents file family court cases at the Charleston County Family Court. The courthouse is located at 100 Broad Street in downtown Charleston, about seven miles south of North Charleston. There is no separate family court facility in North Charleston itself. All family court filings for North Charleston go to the Charleston County courthouse.
| 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 |
Plan extra time if you are driving from North Charleston to the courthouse for family court matters. Paid parking is available near Broad Street. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting. Security screens all visitors at the main entrance to the building.
The City of North Charleston provides municipal resources for residents including information on accessing Charleston County Family Court records. The City of North Charleston official website links to county services and community programs that can help residents navigate family court proceedings.
The City of North Charleston provides municipal resources for residents including information on accessing Charleston County Family Court records.
Searching North Charleston Family Court Records
The Charleston County Family Court offers several ways to search case records for North Charleston residents. Online searches are available through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. You can search by party name, filing date, event date, or case number. This free tool shows party names, filing dates, and current case status for North Charleston family court cases.
Charleston County also provides CourtPlus, a Family Court Search tool, and a Day Book Search for those who want more detailed case lookup options. You can find child support case information through a separate portal. These tools help North Charleston residents find case records without visiting the courthouse in person.
For copies of actual documents from North Charleston family court cases, contact the Clerk of Court or visit Suite 143 at 100 Broad Street. Copy costs are 11 cents per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost $1 extra. Call (843) 958-5000 to confirm current rates and confirm what you need to bring before making the trip from North Charleston.
Note: North Charleston Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations and some traffic matters, but it is separate from the Charleston County Family Court. Family law cases always go to the county-level court, not North Charleston's municipal court.
Family Court Case Types for North Charleston Residents
North Charleston residents bring the same types of family law matters to the Charleston County Family Court as other county residents. South Carolina Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and juvenile cases under S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-3-530. The court was created in 1976 to bring all family matters under one specialized jurisdiction.
Family court cases for North Charleston residents cover divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation rights, child support orders and modifications, domestic violence protection orders, adoption, termination of parental rights, juvenile delinquency matters, name changes, and alimony. Each type of case creates a separate court file. Most of these case files are public records available to North Charleston residents through the courthouse or online tools.
North Charleston Family Court Filing Fees
North Charleston residents pay the same fees as other Charleston County residents when filing family court cases. The standard filing fee is $150 for most case types. This covers divorce, custody, support modifications, and similar filings. Fees are set at the state level and apply uniformly across all South Carolina family courts.
Some case types carry no filing fee. Cases that are generally filed at no charge include DSS Abuse and Neglect cases, Juvenile Delinquency matters, Domestic Abuse Protection Orders, and certain other proceedings. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the Clerk of Court about applying for a fee waiver. You must show proof of financial need to qualify.
Copy fees are 11 cents per page for standard copies and $1 extra for certified copies at the Charleston County courthouse. If you need certified copies of North Charleston family court records, plan for that additional cost. Call (843) 958-5000 to confirm the current fee schedule before your visit.
Legal Help for Family Court in North Charleston
North Charleston residents have access to legal aid and court resources through the Charleston County area. South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents. Visit sclegal.org to learn about eligibility and services available near North Charleston. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney.
The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides official court forms, instructional guides, and step-by-step filing instructions. South Carolina Family Court forms are available for free download and cover most common case types. Charleston County also maintains community resources through the county website at charlestoncounty.org that can help North Charleston residents with related social services needs.
Filing Without a Lawyer in North Charleston
North Charleston residents can file family court cases on their own without an attorney. This is called pro se filing. It is most practical when both parties agree on all issues and the case is straightforward. The Charleston County Family Court cannot give you legal advice, but you can get the official forms and basic filing instructions from the SC Judicial Branch website.
Download official family court forms at sccourts.org. Forms cover divorce complaints, custody petitions, child support worksheets, and other common filings. You are responsible for completing and filing the forms correctly. If children are involved, you will likely need additional forms. Call (843) 958-5000 and ask the Clerk of Court what forms apply to your specific situation in North Charleston.
For child support questions, contact the SC Department of Social Services Child Support Division. DSS helps establish and enforce child support orders for North Charleston residents through administrative processes that can sometimes resolve support issues without a separate court filing.
Charleston County Family Court Records
North Charleston is in Charleston County, and all family court filings go through the Charleston County Family Court. For more information on the county court system, full fee schedules, related records, and additional resources, visit the Charleston County family court records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities in the Charleston area also file family court cases through Charleston County. Select a city below to find family court records information for that area.