Court records in Georgetown County, South Carolina, are maintained by the Clerk of Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. GeorgetownCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Georgetown County. You can also search records through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, visit the Georgetown County Clerk of Court in person, or contact state-level agencies for criminal histories, vital records, and corrections data.
Georgetown Court System Overview
Georgetown County is part of South Carolina's Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, which also includes Horry County. The circuit is served by circuit court judges who rotate among the counties in the circuit, handling General Sessions (criminal) and Common Pleas (civil) matters. Georgetown County also has a Probate Court and appointed magistrate judges who serve specific areas of the county. The Georgetown County Courthouse is located in the city of Georgetown and houses the Clerk of Court, Circuit Court, and related offices.
Courts Serving Georgetown
Several courts at the state, municipal, and federal level serve Georgetown County residents.
Georgetown County Circuit Court (Court of General Sessions & Common Pleas)
Georgetown County Probate Court
Georgetown County Magistrate Courts
Georgetown County has multiple magistrate court locations. Contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 545-3004 for the magistrate office nearest to your address.
City of Georgetown Municipal Court
The City of Georgetown Municipal Court handles city ordinance violations, certain misdemeanors, and bond hearings held daily at 10:30 AM.
U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina (Florence Division)
Georgetown County falls within the Florence Division of the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Federal bankruptcy cases are also handled through this district.
What Types of Cases Georgetown Courts Hear
Georgetown County courts handle a wide range of case types across multiple divisions:
- Criminal: Felonies, misdemeanors, infractions, DUI
- Civil: Lawsuits, contract disputes, personal injury, small claims
- Traffic: Moving violations, license suspensions
- Family law: Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, protection orders
- Probate: Estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts
- Juvenile: Delinquency proceedings, child protective cases, adoptions
Which court hears a particular case depends on the severity of the charge, the dollar amount in dispute, or the subject matter involved.
District Court Cases in Georgetown
In South Carolina, the Circuit Court functions as the court of general jurisdiction — equivalent to what many states call a district court. In Georgetown County, the Court of General Sessions handles all felony criminal cases, including those bound over from magistrate court after a preliminary hearing. The Court of Common Pleas hears civil cases where the amount in controversy exceeds $7,500, as well as equity matters such as foreclosures and injunctions. Circuit judges rotate through the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit and are assigned to terms of court in Georgetown County. Appeals from magistrate and municipal court decisions are also heard at the circuit level. Post-conviction relief proceedings go through this court as well.
Magistrate Court Cases in Georgetown
Georgetown County magistrate courts handle a substantial portion of the county's caseload. Magistrate judges hear:
- Criminal cases involving misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a $500 fine
- Preliminary hearings for felony charges
- Civil cases with amounts in controversy up to $7,500
- Small claims cases (generally up to $7,500 under South Carolina law)
- Traffic violations and DUI arraignments
- Restraining orders and certain emergency hearings
Magistrate courts also issue arrest warrants and conduct bond hearings. You can pay traffic tickets and court fines online through the state's payment portal by selecting Georgetown County and entering your case or ticket number.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Georgetown
Family Law
Divorce, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders, and termination of parental rights are heard in the Family Court division of the Circuit Court. Georgetown County Family Court operates out of the county courthouse. Certified copies of divorce reports can be obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, while actual divorce decrees are available from the Clerk of Court's office or DHEC's Vital Records Division.
Probate
The Georgetown County Probate Court handles decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters. The Probate Court operates independently from the Circuit Court and has its own judge. Contact the Probate Court at (843) 545-3088 for filing requirements and hearing schedules.
Juvenile
Juvenile cases — including delinquency proceedings and child protective matters — are heard in Family Court. Juvenile court records are confidential under South Carolina law and are not available through public search portals. Adoption proceedings are also handled in Family Court.
How Cases Move Through the Georgetown Court System
- Filing or initiation: Criminal cases begin with an arrest or the issuance of a warrant or summons. Civil cases start when a plaintiff files a complaint with the Clerk of Court. Family and probate matters begin with a petition.
- Assignment: Cases are assigned to a circuit judge (for General Sessions, Common Pleas, or Family Court matters) or to a magistrate judge based on jurisdiction.
- Initial hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant is arraigned and bail is set. In civil cases, a scheduling or status conference may be held.
- Pre-trial phase: Parties conduct discovery, file motions, and may engage in plea negotiations (criminal) or settlement discussions (civil).
- Trial or resolution: Cases proceed to a bench or jury trial, or they are resolved through a guilty plea, settlement agreement, or default judgment.
- Post-judgment: Criminal cases may involve sentencing, appeals, or probation. Civil cases may involve enforcement of judgments or appeals to the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Georgetown
The Fifteenth Judicial Circuit is administered by a chief administrative judge and a court administration office that coordinates scheduling, jury management, and case flow for Georgetown and Horry counties. Local court rules for the circuit govern motion practice, continuances, and other procedural matters; these rules are typically available through the South Carolina Judicial Department website or by request from the Clerk of Court.
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, court records are generally open to the public. However, certain records — including juvenile proceedings, sealed cases, and some family court matters — are restricted. The Clerk of Court's office processes public records requests and can provide certified or uncertified copies for applicable fees.
Hearings in Georgetown County courts are generally open to the public and held in person at the courthouse. Some proceedings may be conducted remotely; contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 545-3004 to confirm whether a particular hearing will offer a remote option.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Georgetown
- Court case search: The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index allows name-based searches for court cases across the state, including Georgetown County. Note that results are not official records.
- Municipal court information: The City of Georgetown Municipal Court page provides details on bond hearings, court schedules, and contact information.
- Traffic ticket and court payments: Use the SC.gov traffic tickets and court payments portal to pay fines online by county.
- Criminal history checks: SLED CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) provides name-based South Carolina criminal record searches.
- Inmate search: The South Carolina Department of Corrections inmate search displays information on individuals currently incarcerated in state facilities.
- Probation and parole: The SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services offender search lets you look up individuals under state supervision. Information about pardon procedures is governed by Title 24, Chapter 21 of the South Carolina Code.
- Law enforcement records: The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) maintains statewide criminal records, sex offender registry data, and other law enforcement resources.
- Vital records: Birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce reports are available through the SC Department of Public Health Vital Records office.
- Clerk of Court: For certified copies of court documents, recorded deeds, or other official records, contact the Georgetown County Clerk of Court at (843) 545-3004 or visit the courthouse at 129 Screven Street, Georgetown, SC 29440.