Edgefield County Court Records

Edgefield County court records typically refer to the legal documentation of proceedings filed during a criminal or civil case. The presence of court records ensures that there is accountability, fairness, and transparency within the county’s justice system.

Types of information typically found in Edgefield court records include case details, court proceedings, and personal information. Examples include details regarding traffic infractions, marital issues, civil lawsuits, and criminal cases. Commonly found documents include exhibits, depositions, affidavits, witness testimonies, case files, dockets, court calendars, judgments, and transcripts.

Are Court Records Public in Edgefield County?

Yes. Public records created and kept by the state's governmental entities are accessible to the general public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Furthermore, a person has the right to read, copy, or receive an electronic transmission of any public record of a public body following SECTION 30-4-30(A) of the South Carolina Code of Laws. However, this access is subject to reasonable restrictions and exemptions under Section 30-4-40:

• Information specifically exempted from disclosure by statute or law
• Personal information whose disclosure would constitute an unreasonable invasion of personal privacy
• Work-related documents or correspondence from legal counsel for a public organization
• Any information whose disclosure would go against the lawyer-client relationship
• The name of any person who reports a violation or potential breach of the law to a state regulatory body.

Edgefield County Court Records Search

Record seekers in Edgefield County have the following alternatives for carrying out general court records searches:

• South Carolina Courts online portal
• Edgefield County Circuit Court
• The courthouse where the case was filed
• Third-party websites.

Edgefield County Courts

The Edgefield County court system consists of Circuit Courts, Family Courts, Probate Courts, and Magistrates Courts. The Circuit Court has general authority over all civil and criminal cases and is separated into three sections, which are the Court of Common Pleas division, the Court of General Sessions division, and the Family Court.

The majority of cases involving domestic violence abuse protection, juvenile cases, some mental health issues, and domestic relations cases fall under the purview of the Family Court. The Probate Court generally oversees probate matters such as wills, estates, and trusts. Magistrates Courts have authority over certain types of civil and criminal cases. Courts in Edgefield County include:

Edgefield County Circuit Court
129 Courthouse Square
P.O. Box 34
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4080
Fax: (803) 637-4056

Edgefield County Family Court
129 Courthouse Square
P.O. Box 34
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4081
Fax: (803) 637-4056

Edgefield County Probate Court
129 Courthouse Square
P.O. Box 45
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4076
Fax: (803) 637-4056

Edgefield County Magistrate Court
215 Jeter Street
P.O. Box 664
Edgefield, SC 29824
Phone: (803) 637-4052
Fax: (800) 637-4056

Edgefield County Criminal and Civil Records

Every county criminal matter is handled by the Circuit Court's General Sessions division. The clerk's office is in charge of receiving and keeping track of all Edgefield criminal records, including indictments, warrants, tickets, bonds, and more. The county's Circuit Court's Common Pleas Division is in charge of receiving and keeping track of all paperwork related to civil cases.

Interested persons may contact the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court to obtain civil and criminal court records. Requests may be made in person during working hours, Mondays to Fridays, 8:30am to 5:00pm, or via email.

Furthermore, the Edgefield County Magistrate Court has jurisdiction over many misdemeanor criminal and traffic charges, including civil jurisdiction where the amount in controversy does not exceed $7,500, and certain landlord and tenant matters. Anyone seeking Edgefield County criminal court records and civil records may contact the magistrate's office in person during working hours, Monday to Friday.

Edgefield County Marriage Records

Interested persons may request an Edgefield County marriage certificate by contacting the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. Marriages recorded since July 1950 are available. A certified copy of a marriage record can only be obtained from the DPH by specific members of one's immediate family or by a legal representative. Only the date and county where the marriage license was issued, as well as a declaration that the marriage occurred, may be obtained by third-party requestors. To pay for the services of an independent service provider, eligible requesters must present a valid ID, pay a non-refundable cost of $17, and pay an extra $12.85 for each additional copy. Requests can be dropped off, mailed, or made in person.

The Edgefield County Probate Court has jurisdiction over the issuance of marriage licenses within the county. During business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., anyone who wants an Edgefield County marriage record can get one by contacting the Probate Court.

Edgefield County Divorce Records

Most parts of a divorce record in South Carolina are normally deemed to be public and may be accessed by anyone. The Edgefield County Family Court handles all divorce cases filed within the county. Contact the Newberry County Circuit Clerk's Office during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., to acquire a divorce record. A divorce report can also be obtained by qualified requesters from the state's DPH vital records office.

Furthermore, the state's Department of Social Services provides a search portal through which members of the public may look up divorce case information.

Edgefield County Birth Records

The South Carolina Vital Records Department issues birth certificates for births that have occurred in South Carolina since 1915. A certified copy of an Edgefield County birth certificate can only be obtained by the person mentioned on the certificate, the parents named on the certificate, or a legal guardian or agent. Requesters who qualify must show a legitimate ID.

Edgefield County birth records are available to interested parties online, over the phone, in person, by mail, or by drop-off, provided the necessary fees are paid. If the registrant has passed away, a certified copy of the birth record may be requested by the registrant's immediate family members and/or their respective legal representatives.

Edgefield County vital records and statistics collected from birth certificates help the government decide which areas need development and how best to distribute funds.

Edgefield County Death Records

Death certificates are issued by the South Carolina DPH Vital Records Office to qualified requesters. The decedent's immediate family members or one of their legal representatives may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate, while other applicants may receive a statement confirming the death, date, and county of death. Requests for a death record can be made online or over the phone. In-person, mail, or drop-off requests may require the requester to fill out and submit an application form and pay the associated fees.

Edgefield County Probate Court Records

The Edgefield County Probate Court has primary jurisdiction over cases such as adult guardianships, adult and child conservatorships, and mental health commitments. The application and issue of marriage licenses are also handled by this court. To obtain probate court records, contact the Circuit Clerk of Court's Office in person or via mail during business hours.

Edgefield County Property Records

All land transactions, including titles, plats, mortgages, power of attorney agreements, and liens, are filed and maintained in the Register of Deeds Office. The Clerk of Courts is also the Register of Deeds. To access certified copies of an Edgefield County property record, interested persons may contact the Clerk of Courts office in person or via mail during working hours. Registered users may also utilize the Search Land Records page provided by the Clerk's Office.

Paper records at this office date back to 1913; all records recorded after 1996 are in digital record form.

Edgefield County Court Records Online

Third-party websites like Southcarolinacourtrecords.us provide the general public with remote access to Edgefield County public records such as Edgefield arrest records. These websites have the benefit of not being limited by the availability of documents in a certain area and are independently operated. They are not associated with government agencies. Interested parties can enter the name of the subject and the record's location to locate a record. Users are advised to verify search results because the portions of records provided by these websites may be incorrect or incomplete.