Search Berkeley County Family Court Records
Berkeley County family court records are on file at the Clerk of Court in Moncks Corner, the Berkeley County seat. Berkeley County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit and is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. The Family Court handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, protection orders, and juvenile matters for all county residents. Search Berkeley County family court case records online through the SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org or visit the Clerk of Court for in-person access and document copies.
Berkeley County Quick Facts
Berkeley County Family Court Records Access
Berkeley County provides several ways to access family court case records. The SC Judicial Branch Public Index lets you search by party name, case number, filing date, or CDR code for no fee. The Berkeley County Public Records Search and the Court Administration Case Management System also allow searches of Circuit Court, Family Court, and Magistrate Court records in the county. Public access terminals are available in the Clerk of Court's office in Moncks Corner for residents who prefer to search records in person at no cost.
The Berkeley County official website at berkeleycountysc.gov provides access to county court services and records resources, including contact information for the Clerk of Court.
The Berkeley County official website provides access to county court services including family court records.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30(a), the public has the right to inspect records without charge during regular business hours at the Berkeley County Courthouse. Copy fees apply for printed documents. In-person inspection is free. Older Berkeley County records may not be digitized and may require a manual search by staff.
| Court |
Berkeley County Family Court Moncks Corner, SC |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 9th Judicial Circuit |
| Online Search | sccourts.org/case-records-search |
| County Website | berkeleycountysc.gov |
| Copy Fees | $0.25 to $1.00 per page; certification $1.00 to $2.00 per document |
Types of Family Court Cases in Berkeley County
The Berkeley County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and family law matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. This statute, combined with the 1976 law that created the Family Court, means that all cases involving marriage, children, and family relationships in Berkeley County must be filed in Family Court, not Circuit or Magistrate Court.
Common cases in Berkeley County Family Court include divorce, annulment, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support orders and modifications, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic abuse protection orders, alimony, marital property division, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. DSS abuse and neglect petitions are also filed in Family Court.
Child custody decisions in Berkeley County are made using the 16-factor best interests of the child standard from S.C. Code Ann. § 63-15-240. The judge weighs factors such as each parent's ability to provide a stable home, the child's ties to school and community, the mental and physical health of each parent, and each parent's willingness to support the other's relationship with the child.
Note: Certain records in Berkeley County are confidential or sealed and will not appear in any public search. These include most juvenile case records, adoption files, and court-sealed matters.
Berkeley County Family Court Filing Fees
Filing a new family court case in Berkeley County costs $150 for most case types. This covers divorce, custody, support, adoption, paternity, and name change petitions. The fee is paid to the Clerk of Court when you submit your initial filing in Moncks Corner.
Several case types have no filing fee in Berkeley County. DSS abuse and neglect petitions, domestic abuse protection orders, and juvenile delinquency matters are filed without charge. Low-income parties may apply for a fee waiver by filing an affidavit of financial hardship. The Clerk of Court can provide the form and explain the process for requesting a waiver in Berkeley County.
How to Get Copies of Berkeley Family Court Records
To obtain copies of Berkeley County family court records, visit the Clerk of Court in Moncks Corner. Bring photo ID and any case information you have. Staff will locate the file. Free public access terminals in the Clerk's office let you view basic case information on-site without charge. Printed copies carry a fee of $0.25 to $1.00 per page, depending on the type of copy requested. Certified copies include a per-document certification fee of $1.00 to $2.00 in addition to the per-page rate.
Mail-in requests are also accepted. Write to the Berkeley County Clerk of Court in Moncks Corner with the party names, filing year, case type, and whether you need certified copies. Include payment by check or money order. Allow additional time for mailed requests, especially if the records are older and may need to be retrieved from storage. Digitized records can typically be produced more quickly than older paper files.
Berkeley County Family Court Forms and Self-Help
Free South Carolina Family Court forms are available at sccourts.org/court-forms. These forms work for all 46 counties including Berkeley. Download the packet that matches your case type and read the instructions before you file. Common packets include forms for divorce, custody, support modification, and name changes.
If you file without an attorney in Berkeley County, you are responsible for following the Rules of Family Court. The Clerk's staff can direct you to the right forms but cannot provide legal advice. If you need help with your case, contact SC Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592 or the SC Bar Referral Service at 803-799-7100.
Legal Help in Berkeley County
Berkeley County residents can access legal help through SC Legal Services, which offers free assistance to income-eligible individuals. Their LATIS intake line is 1-888-346-5592. They handle family law matters including divorce, custody, child support, and protection orders in Berkeley County. Visit sclegal.org to apply.
The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 803-799-7100 can connect you with a licensed family law attorney. Many attorneys in the Berkeley County and greater Charleston area handle cases in the 9th Circuit. The SC Judicial Branch website provides procedural guides and court rules for self-represented litigants. For child support matters, the DSS Child Support portal offers online access to payment records and case status for Berkeley County orders.
Related Records in Berkeley County
Berkeley County family court cases may connect to records held at other offices. The Probate Court in Moncks Corner keeps marriage licenses and estate records. Property transfer records reflecting court-ordered deeds are stored at the Berkeley County Register of Deeds. Both types of records can be relevant in divorce and marital property division cases in Berkeley County Family Court.
Child support enforcement for Berkeley County is managed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services. The DSS Child Support portal lets you look up case details and payment history online. Contact the local DSS Berkeley County office for in-person help. For Family Court Case Management System records in DSS-related cases, visit the FCCMS portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov.
Nearby Counties
Berkeley County is in the central Lowcountry of South Carolina. It borders Charleston, Dorchester, Williamsburg, and Georgetown counties. File your family court case in the county where you currently reside. Confirm your county before filing to ensure the court has jurisdiction.