Kershaw County Court Records

Kershaw County court records are official documentation of legal cases, such as criminal cases and civil disputes, maintained by local courts. They serve as historical records and provide information on all the events during a case's legal proceedings, including documents filed by litigants and judgments handed by the court. Court records also facilitate judicial review, allowing for accountability and transparency in the juridical system. Some common examples of Kershaw County court records include and are not limited to court dockets, orders, transcripts, exhibits, judgments, and opinions.

Are Court Records Public in Kershaw County?

Yes. Court records are subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) codified in the South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-4-10 to 30-4-165. As a result, most court records are considered parts of Kershaw County public records. Hence, the general public can query custodians of court records, such as the Kershaw County Clerk of Court, to obtain copies of public court records.

However, the FOIA is not all-inclusive. South Carolina Code of Laws Section 30-4-40 outlines several exemptions to the FOIA that limit or restrict public access to specific types of court records. These exempt records include and are not limited to:

• Affidavit of warrants prior to the warrant execution.
• Sealed and expunged record
• Records whose release would deprive a person of their right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication
• Records that are subject to attorney-client privilege
• Court record of juvenile cases.

Kershaw County Court Records Search

There are several ways to conduct Kershaw County court records searches, including offline and online. For offline searches, record seekers can visit the clerk's office of a local court and request a copy of public court records for a fee. Interested persons can also mail a written request to the clerk's office to order copies of public court records. On the other hand, record seekers use the South Carolina Judiciary's Case Record Search portal or third-party websites that offer court record search services for online requests.

Kershaw County Courts

Kershaw County has five (5) types of court: Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, and municipal court. These courts have varying jurisdiction over criminal cases and civil disputes that may arise in Kershaw County. It is worth noting that the Circuit, Family, Probate, and Magistrate Courts are located in different rooms in Kershaw County Courthouse. Nevertheless, the courthouse addresses and contact information of their respective court clerk's offices are provided below:

Kershaw County Circuit Court
Kershaw County Courthouse
1121 Broad Street,
Room 313,
P.O. Box 1557,
Camden, SC 29021
Phone: (803) 425-7223
Fax: (803) 425-1505

Kershaw County Family Court
Kershaw County Courthouse
1121 Broad Street,
Room 213,
P.O. Box 1557,
Camden, SC 29021
Phone: (803) 425-7225
Fax: (803) 425-1527

Kershaw County Probate Court
Kershaw County Courthouse
1121 Broad Street,
Room 225,
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 425-1503
Fax: (803) 425-1525

Kershaw County Magistrates Court
1121 Broad Street,
Room 202,
P.O. Box 1528,
Camden, SC 29021
Phone: (803) 425-7226
Fax: (803) 425-6044

Municipal Courts in Kershaw County
Bethune Municipal Court
101 Elm Street,
P.O. Box 447,
Bethune, SC 29009
Phone: (843) 334-6238
Fax: (843) 334-6114

Camden Municipal Court
1000 Lyttleton Street,
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 425-2421
Fax: (803) 425-6049

Elgin Municipal Court
2469 Main Street,
P.O. Box 277,
Elgin, SC 29045
Phone: (803) 438-2362
Fax: (803) 408-1155

Kershaw County Criminal Records

Criminal records are generated to document instances where an individual has been subjected to a criminal justice process, such as an arrest or conviction. In Kershaw County, local criminal justice agencies, such as local law enforcement agencies and courts, are responsible for generating and preserving these records. Common criminal records held by local law enforcement agencies in Kershaw County include arrest records and inmate records, all subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, these records are available to the public upon request or through online resources provided by their custodians.

Therefore, interested persons can get Kershaw County criminal records through local law enforcement agencies, like the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. For example, record seekers can use the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office Freedom of Information Act Request Form to request criminal records maintained by the County Sheriff's Office. The request form can be used to submit a request for Kershaw County arrest records and other public records preserved by the County Sheriff's Office. Record seekers can also make requests for criminal records by contacting or visiting the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office at:

Kershaw County Sheriff's Office
821 Ridgeway Road
P.O. Box 70
Lugoff, SC 29078
Phone: (803) 425-1512

It is worth noting that the Kershaw County inmate list is available online through the Kershaw County Detention Center website.

Criminal records are available at the state level through the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED). SLED serves as South Carolina's repository for criminal records, specifically arrest and conviction records. Hence, when these records are generated by local criminal justice agencies in Kershaw County and other South Carolina Counties, they are usually reported to the SLED. In turn, SLED makes these records available to the public upon request.

There are two primary ways to request criminal records from SLED: conducting a Criminal Record Check online or by mail. Record seekers can use the SLED Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH) portal for online requests. Meanwhile, interested persons can utilize the SLED Criminal Records Check Form for mail-in requests. Regardless of the method of making the request (online or mail-in), SLED charges a non-refundable fee of $25.00 for a South Carolina criminal records check. Note that there is an additional $1.00 convenience fee for online requests. Charitable organizations that meet the requirements set forth by the state statutes may be eligible for a reduced fee of $8.00. Acceptable forms of payment for mail-in requests are business checks, certified checks, cashier's checks, or money orders. For Mail-in requests, requesters can complete the SLED Criminal Records Check Form and mail it with proper payment and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) to the SLED at:

P.O. Box 21398
Columbia SC 29221-1398
Phone: (803) 737-9000

Get Kershaw County Civil Court Records

Interested persons can get Kershaw County civil court records through the office of Kershaw County Clerk of Court. The County Clerk of Court office is the custodian of the Kershaw County Circuit and Magistrate Courts records. These courts share jurisdiction over civil cases in the county. The County Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases, while the Magistrate Court can hear civil cases with calms under $7,500.

Record seekers can visit the Kershaw County Clerk of Court's office to get county civil court records. At the office, record seekers request copies of public civil court records at $.50 per page and an additional $1.00 for certification. The clerk's office hours are 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (Monday through Friday). Record seekers can also submit a written request for copies of public records to the office. Note that there is a Non-Refundable search fee of $20.00 for a written request. Interested persons can reach the Kershaw County Clerk of Court's office at

1121 Broad Street,
Room 313
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 425-7223
Fax: (803) 425-1505

It is worth noting that the South Carolina Judiciary provides online resources record seekers can use to access Kershaw County court records online, including public civil court records.

Kershaw County Marriage Records

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and Kershaw County Probate Court are responsible for preserving Kershaw County marriage records. The Kershaw County Probate Court issues marriage licenses and maintains records of issued marriage licenses. On the other hand, Kershaw County marriage certificates from July 1950 to December 2023 are available through the DHEC.

Interested persons can contact the Kershaw County Probate Court to request copies of the marriage license. According to the Probate Court fee schedule, requesters are charged $5.00 for a certified copy of a marriage license and $6.75 for marriage license re-issuance.

Meanwhile, Kershaw County marriage certificates can be ordered from the DHEC utilizing the Marriage/Divorce Application form. The application must be appropriately completed and submitted with all other required items to the DHEC in person, via drop-off, or by mail. These required items include the requester's valid government, school, or employer-issued photo I.D. and the search fee. The DHEC charges a $17 fee for an expedited search, $12 for a standard search, and $3 for each additional copy of a requested marriage certificate.

Note that a certified copy of a marriage certificate is only available to individuals entitled to obtain the certificate. These include:

• The bride or groom (the married party)
• The married party's adult child(ren)
• A current or former spouse of either married party
• The married party's legal representative.

Meanwhile, members of the general public are issued statements confirming a marriage. The statement typically contains the date and the county where the marriage license was issued.

Kershaw County Divorce Records

In Kershaw County, divorce proceedings are handled by the County Family Court. Hence, court records of divorce cases, such as divorce decree, are generated and maintained by the County Family Court. Record seekers can visit the family court in person and request divorce records with their permission at a $.50 per page and an additional $1.00 for certification (if requested) at the court clerk's office.

Kershaw County divorce reports between July 1962 and December 2023 are also available through the DHEC. However, the DHEC only issues certified copies of a divorce report to eligible requesters. In contrast, other requesters are only provided a statement that the divorce occurred, which would contain the divorce date and county. Persons eligible to obtain a certified copy of a divorce record include:

• Either of the divorce parties (i.e., the husband or wife)
• An adult child of the divorce parties
• A current or former spouse of either divorced party.

The DHEC offers a dedicated application form record seekers can use to facilitate requests for divorce reports. The application form can be appropriately completed and submitted to the DHEC, as well as other required items to request a divorce report. The necessary items include fees (e.g., search and additional fees) and the requester's valid I.D., such as a government, school, or employer-issued photo I.D. The search fee varies depending on the search type ($12 for standard search and $17 for expedited search), and requesters are charged $3 for each additional copy of a divorce report they request.

Generally, the DHEC accepts requests for divorce reports submitted in person, by mail, or via drop-off.

Kershaw County Birth and Death Records

The DHEC is the custodian of all Kershaw County vital records, including birth, death, marriage, and divorce records. Hence, individuals looking for Kershaw County birth and death records can direct their queries to the DHEC. However, birth records and death records are confidential for 100 years and 50 years, respectively, after recordation under South Carolina Law Section 44-63-80 and 44-63-84. Furthermore, only the following persons are eligible to obtain certified copies of these records:

Birth certificates

• The registrant (i.e., the individual named on the certificate), provided they are 18 years or older
• The parent(s) named on the certificate
• The registrant's legal guardian
• A legal representative of any of the aforementioned eligible persons.
• The registrant's immediate family members and their respective legal representatives. Provided the registrant is deceased, and they can provide a certified copy of the registrant's death record

Death certificate

• The decedent's immediate family members. These include;
  • Parent
  • Grandparent
  • Child
  • Grandchild
  • Sibling
  • Spouse, provided they are not divorced
• A legal representative of any of the aforementioned eligible persons
• Individuals who can show that they have a tangible interest in a personal or property right that requires the death certificate to settle (such as joint property ownership, beneficiaries on a life insurance policy, and more)

On the other hand, ineligible persons are usually only issued an uncertified copy of a birth certificate or death certificate (applicants may also be provided a statement that the death occurred).

Interested persons can request Kershaw County birth and death records from the DHEC by utilizing the request forms (Death Application and Birth Application) the agency provides. The DHEC also charges specific fees per request. These include a $17 expedited search fee, a $12 standard search fee, and $3 for each additional copy of a requested certificate. Furthermore, requesters must present proper identification, such as a government, school, or employer-issued photo I.D., when requesting birth and death records.

The DHEC accepts Kershaw County birth and death certificate applications by mail, in person, or via drop-off. An acceptable application must include the completed application form (e.g., death or birth application), the requester's I.D., and the required fees. The average processing time for in-person, drop-off, and by-mail requests is 30-34 minutes, 2 days, and 4 weeks, respectively. In-person and drop-off requests can be made during office hours (8:30 AM - 5:00 PM) at the DPH State Vital Records Office at:

2600 Bull St.,
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630

Meanwhile, mail-in requests can be sent to:

Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171

Kershaw County Probate Court Records

Kershaw County Probate Court is responsible for adjudicating all probate cases. Probate cases in Kershaw County include:

• Overseeing estate administration.
• Appointing guardians and conservators for minors and incapacitated persons.
• Ordering involuntary commitments of mentally ill or chemically dependent persons.
• Trust or estate litigation.

Interested persons can visit the Kershaw County Probate Court and query the Court Clerk's Office for public probate court records. According to the probate court's fee schedule, record seekers are furnished copies of probate court records at $.50 cents per page plus $5 for certification. Record seekers may also be charged a $5 research fee. It is worth noting that the County Probate Court also provides online access to the Kershaw County Estate Index.

Kershaw County Property Records

Kershaw County property records are preserved primarily by two public offices: the County Register of Deeds and the Assessor Office. The Register of Deeds records and preserves deeds, mortgages, mechanic liens, state and federal tax liens, plats, uniform commercial codes, and other miscellaneous documents concerning real property dating back to 1791. Meanwhile, the County Assessor's office appraises real property in Kershaw County.

Interested persons can access property records preserved by the Kershaw County Register of Deeds office by visiting the office on weekdays during its operating hours (8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). The desired record can be requested at $0.50 per page and certified for $1 at the Register of Deeds office. Kershaw County Register of Deeds office is located at:

515 Walnut Street,
Room 180
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 425-7235

Alternatively, record seekers can access land records online using online resources linked to the Register of Deeds website. On the other hand, record seekers can visit the Kershaw County Assessor's office to request a local property appraisal record. The Assessor is open on weekdays from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM and can be reached at:

515 Walnut Street,
Room 100
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: (803) 425-1523
Fax: (803) 425-7673

Kershaw County Court Records Online

Kershaw County Court records are accessible online through third-party websites like southcarolinacourtrecords.us. These websites eliminate the need to visit local courthouses each time one needs to obtain court records and allow easy online access to court records in the convenience of the record seeker's home. Netizens can search these websites for court records by party name or case number. Furthermore, searches are not geographically limited. By implication, a search for South Carolina court records can be conducted through these third websites. However, these websites are not affiliated with government agencies. Hence, the completeness and accuracy of court records obtained from these third-party websites are not guaranteed.