Barnwell County Court Records

Barnwell court records are records created, filed, or maintained by the court in connection with judicial proceedings. These records provide a comprehensive account of each phase of a legal case, from its initiation to its final disposition, and serve as a vital resource for government agencies, courts, attorneys, and the public.

Court records are public records and are often reviewed in conjunction with other public records, such as Barnwell County arrest records. Together, these records provide a more complete picture of legal proceedings within the county.

Are Court Records Public in Barnwell County?

Yes. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act grants members of the public the right to access the records of all public bodies in the state, including judicial records. However, this right of access does not apply to all court records, as some records are classified as confidential. Such records require authorization by law or a court order to access. South Carolina's Rule of Civil Procedure 41.1 provides the structure to balance the public's right of access to the need for confidentiality. Restricted court records include

• Juvenile records
• Presentence reports
• Child abuse and neglect records
• Certain investigatory records
• Adoption records

Barnwell County Court Records Search

Court records are primarily maintained by court clerks, making them the primary point of contact for individuals interested in accessing a record. The primary methods for accessing a court record in Barnwell County include visiting the clerk's office at the court or searching online for the record through official court portals or third-party channels.

Barnwell County Courts

Barnwell County is part of the South Carolina 2nd Judicial Circuit and is served by the Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Courts, and Municipal Courts, all of which are located throughout the county. Below are the courthouse addresses in the county.

Barnwell County Courthouse
141 Main Street
Barnwell, SC 29812
Phone: (803) 541-1020

Barnwell County Bond Court
599 Joey Zorn Boulevard
Barnwell, SC 29812-7345
Phone: (803) 541-1035
Fax: (803) 541-1055

Blackville Magistrate and Municipal Court
5997 North Lartigue Street
Blackville, SC 29817-2307
Phone: (803) 284-2765
Fax: (803) 284-9107

Williston Magistrate and Municipal Court
12445 Main Street
Williston, SC 29853
Phone: (803) 266-3700
Fax: (803) 266-5496

Barnwell Municipal Court
1810 Burr Street
Barnwell, SC 29812-1814
Phone: (803) 259-1838
Fax: (803) 259-7959

Barnwell County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records document an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, while civil records log private legal disputes. The Barnwell County Clerk of Court holds most criminal and civil records in the county, although the Sheriff's Department is the primary custodian for Barnwell County arrest records. Records from Magistrate and Municipal Courts are maintained separately by the respective courts and are not filed with the Clerk of Court.

Individuals can visit the office of the custodian responsible for their desired record to access it. Search criteria are consistent across custodians and typically require a case number, a name, or the filing date. Requesters should also prepare to pay a fee for a copy of the record.

Alternatively, researchers can search for court records on the Barnwell County Public Index. The index also contains records from municipal courts. However, Barnwell County does not guarantee the accuracy of the records in the Public Index.

Barnwell County Marriage Records

Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-220, the local Probate Court is responsible for documenting and preserving marriage records in South Carolina. Marriage records are generally public in accordance with the South Carolina FOIA unless the court restricts access.

Researchers may obtain a Barnwell County marriage record from the Probate Judge's Office during business hours. Inquirers should ensure they have some information about the record, like the names of both spouses or the date of the marriage, before visiting the office. The fee for obtaining a copy of a marriage record is typically $5.

Barnwell County Divorce Records

Barnwell County divorce records are public records by default, unless restricted by law or court order, and are considered Family Court documents. To receive a copy of or search for a divorce record, inquirers may visit the Barnwell County Clerk of Court's Office, provide identifying information, and pay the applicable fees. Divorce records may be available online on the Barnwell County Public Index Portal, but they may contain limited details.

Barnwell County Birth Records

Birth records are vital records documenting the birth of a person in Barnwell County. These records are under the control of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, Division of Vital Records. Pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80, Barnwell County birth records are not public records (for 100 years after birth) and are available to only people with a specific relationship or right, mainly immediate family members and individuals with a court order.

Requests for Barnwell County birth certificates are processed directly through the State's Vital Records Office. Individuals may request a record online through authorized third-party vendors, in person, or by mailing or dropping off the Birth Application Form at the state office in Richland County.

South Carolina Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171

The fee for a birth certificate request is $12 for one copy and $3 for each additional copy. In-person requests cost $17 per copy.

Barnwell County Death Records

Death records in Barnwell County are non-public records (for 50 years after creation) that contain details about the passing of an individual in the county. The records are maintained by the state's Vital Records Office, primarily available to immediate family members, the decedent's legal representative, and certain government agencies.

Individuals can request a death certificate online through third-party vendors, in person, or by mailing or dropping off the Death Certificate Application Form at the Department of Health's Office.

Barnwell County Probate Court Records

Probate cases in Barnwell County include guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, involuntary commitments, and minor settlements below $25,000. Records requests may be made at the Probate Court's Office by providing a case number or a name associated with the record. However, some documents may be confidential and require authorization to be accessed.

Barnwell County Property Records

Barnwell County property records, which include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other real estate documents, are maintained by the Register of Deeds. This office is responsible for safeguarding and preserving these records. The Register of Deeds Office is located within the Clerk of Court's Office, which interested individuals can visit to access Barnwell County property records. Information needed for a search includes the owner's name, the property address, or the parcel ID.

Barnwell County Court Records Online

Third-party websites, like Southcarolinacourtrecords.us, provide an alternative, often convenient, channel to search for Barnwell County court records online. They are not a replacement for official Barnwell court record sources, but are a suitable option for researchers who want quick and easy access to these records. However, because these sites are not official sites, the records may not always be accurate.