Dillon County Court Records

Court records in Dillon County, South Carolina, ensure transparency in judicial affairs so that citizens can remain informed about judges' conduct and the outcomes of legal cases. These records encompass various forms of media, including recordings, printed materials, written documents, and electronic data. Specifically, a court file may include decrees, injunctions, motions, judgments, and dockets.

Dillion County and other South Carolina court records are maintained by court clerk offices, which are responsible for providing access as necessary.

Are Court Records Public in Dillon County?

Yes. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act governs public access to Dillon County court records, making the records widely accessible to members of the public—but with certain exemptions. Per Section 30-4-40, the following documents are not accessible to the public:

• Trade secrets
• Information that may infringe on individual privacy rights
• Records that would jeopardize ongoing law enforcement investigations, compromise the fairness of trials, threaten individual safety, or expose investigative techniques
• Records or information explicitly barred from disclosure by state or federal regulation

Dillon County Court Records Search

Dillon County court records may be obtained through various channels:

• The local Clerk of Court's office
• Clerk-provided online search platforms
• Third-party aggregators

The Dillon County Clerk of Court’s office offers in-person access or allows searches via written requests, which can be hand-delivered, mailed, or emailed to the Clerk's office. As the main custodian of all court records in the county, the Clerk can be reached for guidance on how to conduct a search or obtain access to local court records. The office may require payment to cover processing, producing, and delivering requested records.

Dillon County Courts

Dillon County operates a trial court system that includes a circuit court, family court, probate court, and a few municipal courts. These courts are located at the addresses below:

Dillon County Circuit Court
301 West Main Street
P.O. Drawer 1220
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 774-1425
Fax: (843) 841-3706

Dillon County Family Court
301 West Main Street
P.O. Drawer 1220
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 774-1425
Fax: (843) 774-3706

Dillon County Magistrate Court
1033 Old Latta Highway
P.O. Box 1016
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 774-1406
Fax: (843) 774-1453

Dillon County Probate Court
401 West Main Street
P.O. Box 189
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 774-1423
Fax: (843) 841-3732

Municipal Courts in Dillon County

Dillon Municipal Court
City-County Complex Building
401 West Main Street
P.O. Drawer 431
Dillon, SC 29536
Phone: (843) 774-0049
Fax: (843) 774-0184

Lake View Municipal Court
205 North Main Street
P.O. Box 824
Lake View, SC 29563
Phone: (843) 759-2861
Fax: (843) 759-0177

Latta Municipal Court
Latte City Hall
109 North West Railroad Avenue
Latta, SC 29565
Phone: (843) 752-6110
Fax: (843) 752-4355

Dillon County Criminal and Civil Records

Dillon County criminal records and civil documents can be accessed through different custodians, including:

• Local law enforcement agencies: serve as the primary custodians of Dillon County arrest records
• The Clerk of Court's office: maintains civil and criminal court records
• The South Carolina Law Enforcement Department: offers access to statewide criminal records information, which includes Dillon arrest records reported by local law enforcement agencies or detention facilities

Access to the criminal and civil documents in Dillon County can typically be sought in person at a respective agency, like the Sheriff’s office or a local courthouse that received a case filing. Agencies may also provide mail-in, email, and online access. Each requester will need to provide specific details, such as names, dates, and unique identifiers, to enable a custodian to locate a document. Additionally, record searches and duplications may be priced at fixed amounts, either per page or per document.

Dillon County Marriage Records

In Dillon County, the Probate Court issues marriage licenses, as well as copies of marriage licenses. Dillon County marriage records (certificates) can also be obtained from the Vital Records Department of the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH).

According to Section 44-63-86 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, copies of marriage certificates can only be issued to the individuals involved in the marriage, their adult children, a current or former spouse of either party, or the Department of Social Services or its designee to establish paternity or modify/enforce child support obligations. Other parties can only receive a statement confirming that a marriage occurred, along with a date and the county where it took place.

Requests for Dillon County marriage records may incur a fee determined by the probate court clerk to prepare the requested document. For individuals ordering a Dillon County marriage certificate through the Vital Records Department, a non-refundable $17 search fee applies for in-person and online requests, $12 for mail requests, and a $3 charge for each additional copy requested in the same order. More information is available on the DPH's Marriage Certificates page.

Dillon County Divorce Records

Divorce records are part of the Dillon County vital records and consist of decrees and reports maintained by different government offices. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) disseminates divorce reports only to the divorcees, their adult children, or the Department of Social Services or its designee for the purpose of establishing paternity or modifying/enforcing child support obligations.

The Dillon County Clerk's office, where the divorce was finalized, is responsible for maintaining these records.

Divorce records can be accessed through the Vital Records Department of the South Carolina Department of Public Health and are subject to a fee upon request. As with marriage records, the costs associated with obtaining divorce records may vary depending on the request method and the specific source or custodian of the record.

Additionally, like all other Dillon County vital records, divorce records can also be acquired from third-party websites that serve as alternative custodians of vital records for the state.

Dillon County Birth Records

Dillon County Birth records are subject to state regulations regarding public access and are maintained solely by the South Carolina Public Health Department. They can only be issued to:

• The parent(s) on the birth certificate with valid ID
• The legal guardian or legal representative of the parent or named individual
• The individual named on the certificate, if they are at least 18 years old

Immediate family members may obtain a certified copy only if the person named on the certificate is deceased and a certified copy of the death record is provided.

Requests for Dillon County birth certificates or records can be made via:

• Online: Available only to parents listed, with a non-refundable fee of $17, a $3 charge per additional copy, and an $8 processing fee
• By Phone: Involves a non-refundable fee of $17, $3 per copy, a $12 service fee, and a delivery fee
• In-Person: Requires valid ID, a completed application, a $17 non-refundable search fee, and $3 per additional copy.
• By Mail: Include a completed application, a $12 non-refundable search fee ($3 for each additional copy), and valid ID; incomplete submissions will be rejected

Dillon County birth records are also available through third-party websites that act as secondary custodians of vital records.

Dillon County Death Records

In Dillon County, death records are governed by state code 44-63-84, which restricts access to the general public. These records can only be released to family members of the deceased, their legal representatives, or social services and their designee upon request. Other individuals may receive a statement verifying the occurrence of death, along with the date and county where it happened.

However, death records become public documents and are available for public inspection and request 50 years after the death. All associated fees for obtaining copies of the records still apply.

Dillon County Probate Court Records

The Probate Court in Dillion typically governs matters related to the probate of wills, estates, and trusts. This court is also responsible for cases involving guardianships, conservatorships, and involuntary commitments. Furthermore, the Probate Court shares jurisdiction with the Circuit and Family Courts over certain categories of cases.

The Dillon County probate court clerk serves as the primary custodian for all probate records handled in the probate court, making these records available upon request or for in-person inspection. However, certain probate cases may also fall under the jurisdiction of the family court or circuit court, with their respective clerks maintaining those records.

Probate court records for Dillon County are preserved and can be accessed through the court clerk's office where the case was adjudicated. Requests for these records may incur fees for searching, producing copies, and processing, as determined by the county clerk's office. To facilitate a swift and accurate retrieval of records, specific details will be required, including the full name of the individual involved and the complete date of the court hearing.

Dillon County Property Records

The clerk of the circuit court in Dillon also functions as the Register of Deeds, allowing residents to obtain property records through this office. Whether choosing to visit in person or submit a request via mail, individuals must provide sufficient identifiable information to assist in locating the relevant file. Property records are considered part of Dillon County public records, making them readily accessible as long as they are available.

Conducting a property search can reveal vital details such as ownership, property value, location, description, any existing liens, and tax history. This information gives the requesters the necessary insights to consider the choice they need to make in regards to a property.

Dillon County Court Records Online

Dillon County court records are accessible not only through government-regulated websites but also via privately owned third-party sites. Southcarolinacourtrecords.us, for instance, aggregates information across several databases and jurisdictions. Since the records span the entire state, individuals can locate court records for someone who may have cases in multiple counties.

However, it is important to note that many of these third-party sites operate on a commercial basis, so conducting a detailed search may incur a fee, which is often higher than the charges applied by government sources.