Aiken County Court Records

Aiken County Court records are all documents and briefs generated by the courts during civil or criminal proceedings. Maintained by the Clerk of Courts, such records provide an insight into what transpired. Court records safeguard the integrity of the legal process as it ensures transparency and fairness. In addition, court records play a crucial role in cases where there is a dispute over the evidence presented in court.

Aiken County court records contain information specific to each case. Records may provide the parties' names to the case, date of birth, county of residence, county of filing, filing date, case number, case type, attorney name, attorney number, judge's name, and case status. Court records also contain the injunction, pleadings, transcripts, affidavits, dispositions, evidence, complaints, summons, testimony, sentencing information, and judgment.

Are Court Records Public in Aiken County?

Court records are public documents in Aiken County. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) makes available records maintained by government agencies for public view. Per the Act, record seekers have the right to inspect, copy, or receive public records, including Aiken County Public Records. However, the law exempts incarcerated persons from requesting public records in the county.

Although the Act grants access to records held by public bodies, certain public records are excluded from public view. Under the Act, all records containing personally identifiable information, such as social security numbers, financial information, or passport numbers, are redacted from public records.

In addition, records that constitute an invasion of personal privacy or are sealed by a court order are not available for public view. This means court records such as juvenile records, child custody, adoption records, medical records, income tax returns, family court medication records, trade secrets, and law enforcement records identifying a confidential informant are not open for public view, inspection, or copying.

Aiken County Court Records Search

There are various options available to persons seeking Aiken County Court records. South Carolina provides an online search tool to view court records filed in the state. The case search tool is available for all counties, including Aiken County. Record seekers may also mail a written request for the court record or visit the records custodian’s office to view or obtain certified copies of the court records.

Aiken County Court Records Search by Name

South Carolina provides an online case record search tool where people can obtain court records filed and heard in the state. The search tool allows record seekers to query the database using the record's name, county, or case number. To conduct an Aiken County Court record search by name, record seekers must have the full names of individuals or companies' business names. Access to court records using the South Carolina Case Record Search database is free.

Aiken County Courts

The Aiken County Court system comprises one Circuit, Family, and Probate Court, as well as eight Magistrate and Municipal Courts. These courts oversee various cases, from civil disputes, criminal cases, domestic relations, juvenile matters, mental health cases, and probate cases.

Aiken County District Court Records

District Courts are federal or state courts of trial. The District courts preside over most federal criminal and civil cases. Also referred to as Courts of Equity, they handle cases involving disputes between residents from different states or lawsuits involving federal crimes.

South Carolina does not have state District courts. However, the state circuit court is the trial court. Nonetheless, the state has a federal District Court called the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The Circuit Courts in Aiken County presides over civil claims over $75,000, criminal cases, including felonies and misdemeanors, and domestic relations cases such as divorce, annulments, and child custody. It also handles foreclosures, liens, and contract claims. Aiken County Circuit Court records are available online for free using the Case Record Search tool provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. The Clerk of the Circuit Court also grants access to trial court records in its custody.

Aiken County Criminal Records

Criminal records provide a comprehensive account of an individual's interactions with the state's judicial system. Also called arrest records, such records contain a list of arrests, charges, police arrest reports, detentions, convictions, prosecution, sentencing, and remanding in a correctional institution.

Aiken County Criminal Records, also known as Aiken County Arrest records, are public records available for viewing, inspection, and copying. Interested persons may access the criminal records online using the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) portal.

To obtain the records, searchers must use the subject's last name, first name, and date of birth. In addition, record seekers can also query the portal using the Social Security Number search. Requests for Aiken criminal records are also possible by mail. Persons requesting the record by mail may fill out the Criminal Record Check Form and include a self-addressed stamped envelope and valid photo identification card. It costs $25 to check an Aiken arrest record using SLED. There is an additional $1 convenience fee for online background searches for online searchers. The SLED accepts business checks, certified checks, or money orders only. Mail the request to:

SLED Records Department
PO Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398

Aiken County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Aiken County criminal court case records are available at the Clerk of Circuit Court Office. Record seekers may access the records by visiting the courthouse where the criminal case was held. Requesters may use one of the self-service terminals located at the office to view the records for free. However, persons who desire printed copies of the record will pay a fee.

Aiken criminal records are also available online for free using the Court Record Search portal provided by the state Judicial Branch. Record seekers can search for Aiken County criminal court records using the file name or case number. 

Get Aiken County Civil Court Records

Aiken County civil court records are documents generated during in-court disputes between individuals or businesses. Civil court cases include breach of contract, ordinance violation, tenancy, real estate, domestic relations, bond issues, civil equity, foreclosure, bankruptcy, and lien claims. The clerk of Courts of Aiken County maintains the county’s civil court case records.

Searchers may use any of the public terminals located at the Clerks of Courts office to view the records. There are no fees for viewing the records. However, obtaining copies of the records attracts a fee. The Clerk of Court also accepts mail requests for the record. Mail requesters must include a written letter, photocopy of a government-issued identification card, and money orders or business checks for the fees.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to an online database where searchers can look up Aiken County civil court records. To obtain favorable results, record seekers must have the case name and case number to search the records.

Aiken County Family Court Records

Aiken County Family Court records are the documents and papers generated during a juvenile or domestic court case. Family Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over marriage, divorce, annulments, alimony, child custody, child protection, adoption, foster care, termination of parental rights, guardianship of minors, domestic abuse, and name change.

Generally, Aiken County Family Court records are public records unless exempted by statute or court order. Therefore, records seekers can access the Clerk of Family Court Office. There are self-service terminals in the front lobby for free public access to court records. However, individuals seeking copies of the records must pay a fee to the custodian responsible for maintaining them. In addition, interested persons may mail a request for the record. The written request must include a valid photo identification card and a check or money order for the required fees. Aiken Family Court records are also accessible online via the Family Court Public Access Portal. The searcher must have the full name, case number, or business name to query the database.

Aiken Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage is the legal process of terminating a civil partnership between persons not legally married by law but who have been living together as a married couple. Dissolution of marriage puts an end to the marital rights and responsibilities between spouses. The Clerk of Circuit Court for Aiken County maintains all records concerning marriage dissolution. Persons seeking copies of the record may visit the office to view the records. In addition, record seekers may order the record by mail. Mail requests must include the names on the dissolution record and the date the marriage ended. The requests must also include a valid government-issued identification card of the requester and a check or money order to offset the search and copying fees.

Aiken County Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records are official documents certifying the legal union between a couple. Per state laws, Aiken County marriage records, which include the marriage license and marriage certificates, are public records. However, state law restricts public access to marriage records to the persons named on the marriage certificates, their parent's name on the certificate, and their legal representatives.

The Clerk of Probate Court is the record custodian for Aiken County marriage certificates. Record seekers may obtain the records in person or order the records by mail. All applicants for marriage records must include the date of marriage and the full names on the marriage record. It costs $5 to request certified copies of Aiken County marriage records. Mail requesters must include a photocopy of a valid government-issued account. Mail the request to:

Aiken County Probate Court
PO Box 1576
Aiken, SC 29802

Divorce records are court documents issued to formally end a marriage union. In South Carolina, divorce records are public records, and eligible persons may request certified copies. Aiken County divorce records are available at the Clerk of Court’s Office, Judgement Division. Eligible persons may request the records in person at the courthouse or mail a written request to:

Clerk of Court
Judicial Center
109 Park Avenue SE, 
Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803-642-1715

Aiken Birth and Death Records

Aiken County birth certificates and death certificates are part of the records referred to as Aiken County Vital Records. These records are maintained by the Vital Records Division of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environment (SC DHEC). In Aiken, the local DHEC office, also referred to as the Aiken County Health Department, is responsible for these vital records. Interested persons can obtain copies of birth and death certificates as they require from the office at:

222 Beaufort Street North East
Aiken

Only the persons named on the certificate, their parents, and legal representatives can request certified copies of Aiken County birth records. A requester is required to provide a government-approved photo ID card. Both walk-in and mail-in requests can be made. Requesters need to fill in a Vital Records Birth Application Form and pay a $12 search fee.

Requesters for death certificates can also do so via email or walk-in. They are also required to fill in a Vital Records Death Application Form and pay a $12 search fee and $3 for copies of the records.

Birth certificates are used during the process of obtaining a new passport or social security number. In contrast, death certificates are used by the survivors of the deceased for insurance and pension benefits.

Aiken County Probate Court Records

Aiken County Probate Court records include original estate documents and marriage licenses. While Aiken County estate records date back to 1873, records from 1873 through 1903 are now retained by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Aiken County Probate Court maintains estate records from 1904 to the present. These records are available on microfilm for public viewing. Certified copies of Aiken County Probate Court records start at a fee of $5 and can be obtained at:

Aiken County Probate Court
Judicial Center
109 Park Avenue SE, 
Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803-642-2002

Interested individuals can consult the Probate Court fees for a comprehensive schedule of fees applicable to all Probate Court records.

Aiken County Property Records

Aiken County property records are public records and include the following types of documents:

• Deeds
• Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) finance statements
• Mortgages
• Tax Liens
• Federal Tax Liens
• Easement and Right of Ways

The Aiken County Register of Deeds (ROD) Office maintains the property records of the county and thus files, indexes, and documents these records. Records in the ROD’s office date back to 1872 and include records in book form (pre-June 12, 2005). All records dating from June 12, 2005, are electronically stored and accessible for viewing via computer at the ROD's office. Certified copies of Aiken Property records are available for $10 at the ROD office, situated at:

Register of Deeds
Aiken County Government Center
1930 University Pkwy
Aiken, SC 29801

Aiken County Court Records Online

Aiken County Court records are available online via the South Carolina Public Index Search Page for parties who may access these records online. Persons using these public portals can search the court records they seek. Third-party websites and portals like SouthCarolinaCourtRecords.us also provide Aiken Court records online. These third-party search services provide users access to court records regardless of where they are currently residing. This ease of access benefits those who may no longer reside in Aiken County but need to access their court records. However, users of third-party online record repositories should be aware that these sources are not the official repositories of the records.

Aiken County Courts

The court locations across the country are as follows:

Circuit Courts in Aiken County

Aiken County Circuit Court
Judicial Center
109 Park Avenue SE, PO Box 583, Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803-642-1715
Fax: 803-642-1718

Family Courts in Aiken County

Aiken County Family Court
Judicial Center
109 Park Avenue SE, PO Box 3047, Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803-642-1715
Fax: 803-642-1718

Probate Courts in Aiken County

Aiken County Probate Court
Judicial Center
109 Park Avenue SE, PO Box 1576, Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803-642-2002
Fax: 803-642-2007

Magistrates Courts in Aiken County

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Aiken
Aiken County Government Center
1930 University Parkway, Suite 1500, Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803-642-1744
Fax: 803-642-1749

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Bond Court
435 Wire Road, Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803-642-2044

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Midland Valley
Physical: 129 Langley Dam Road, Langley, SC 29851
Mailing: PO Box 769, Langley, NC 29834
Phone: 803-593-5171
Fax: 803-593-8402

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Monetta
5697 Columbia Highway N, PO Box 190, Monetta, SC 29105
Phone: 803-685-7125
Fax: 803-685-7988

Aiken County Magistrate Court - New Ellenton/Jackson
Warner Savannah River Research Campus
227 Gateway Drive, Suite 133, Aiken, SC 29803
Phone: 803-652-3609

Aiken County Magistrate Court - North Augusta
North Augusta Services Center
537 Edgefield Road, North Augusta, SC 29841
Phone: 803-202-3580
Fax: 803-202-3583

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Traffic Court
Law Enforcement Center
420 Hampton Avenue NE, Aiken, SC 29801
Phone: 803-642-7555
Fax: 803-643-1924

Aiken County Magistrate Court - Wagener/Salley
108 Main Street N, PO Box 99, Wagener, SC 29164
Phone: 803-564-5989
Fax: 803-564-6004

Municipal Courts in Aiken County

Aiken Municipal Court
251 Laurens Street NW, PO Box 1177, Aiken, SC 29802
Phone: 803-642-7676
Fax: 803-642-7673

Burnettown Municipal Court
C.H. Williams Municipal Center
3187 Augusta Road, Burnettown, SC 29851
Phone: 803-593-2676

Jackson Municipal Court
106 Main Street, PO Box 369, Jackson, SC 29831
Phone: 803-471-2228
Fax: 803-471-9563

New Ellenton Municipal Court
200 Main Street North, PO Box 459, New Ellenton, SC 29809
Phone: 803-652-2214
Fax: 803-652-3233

North Augusta Municipal Court
454 East Buena Vista Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29481
Phone: 803-441-4271
Fax: 803-441-4286

Perry Municipal Court
1075 East Railroad Avenue N, Perry, SC 29137
Phone: 803-564-5756
Fax: 803-564-6004

Salley Municipal Court
230 Pine Street NW, PO Box 484, Salley, SC 29137
Fax: 803-258-3485
Fax: 803-258-3485

Wagener Municipal Court
PO Box 400, Wagener, SC 29164
Phone: 803-564-3412
Fax: 803-564-3507