Marion County Court Records

Marion County court records consist of documents, information, and materials submitted and generated during various proceedings within the county’s courts. These records include motions, judgments, orders, dockets, pleadings, subpoenas, and exhibits.

Members of the public often look for court records when tracking legal cases, running background checks for employment or tenancy, and filing case appeals. Attorneys, on the other hand, rely on court records when researching precedents, and court staff use the records to perform administrative functions.

Individuals seeking South Carolina court records, including records generated in Marion, can utilize online and offline research methods provided by the clerks of court.

Are Court Records Public in Marion County?

Yes. Materials generated during a court's adjudicative functions are treated as Marion County public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. However, some Marion court records are restricted to prevent the disclosure of documents or information that may cause personal harm, compromise police investigations, or expose sensitive data.

Marion County Court Records Search

The Marion County Clerk of Court, Probate Court, and County Magistrate are the primary sources of court records in Marion County. These offices, alongside the state’s judiciary, provide online, in-person, and mailing options for viewing and copying court records.

The online request process involves visiting the state's case search portal and selecting Marion County. The mail-in option usually involves filling out a records request form/letter and sending it to the relevant office. One can also call or visit a court for more information.

Generally, viewing court case details online is free, but fees apply when requesting copies of case documents.

Marion County Courts

Marion County is served by circuit, magistrate, probate, and municipal courts. Below are their addresses and contact details:

Marion County Circuit Court
Marion County Courthouse
103 North Main Street
Marion, SC 29571

Marion County Family Court
1305 North Main Street
Marion, SC 29571

Marion County Magistrate Court
2715 East Highway 76
Suite B
Mullins, SC 29754
Phone: (843) 292-5238

Marion County Probate Court
2523 East Highway 76
P.O. Box 583
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8244

Municipal Courts in Marion County

Marion City Municipal Court
1024 South Main Street
P.O. Box 1190
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8616 Ext. 305

Mullins Municipal Court
151 North East Front Street
P.O. Box 408
Mullins, SC 29574
Phone: (843) 464-0707

Nichols Municipal Court
514 West Mullins Street
Nichols, SC 29581
Phone: (843) 526-2193

Sellers Municipal Court
2552 Highway 301
Sellers, SC 29592
Phone: (843) 752-5009

Marion County Criminal and Civil Records

Marion County criminal court records document proceedings related to charges ranging from traffic infractions to felonies. Such cases are adjudicated by the Circuit Court's Court of General Sessions, the Magistrate’s Office, and Municipal Courts.

The Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction, which means it can handle every criminal matter within the county. However, it primarily maintains jurisdiction over serious offenses not handled by lower courts. Individuals can contact the county’s Clerk of Court to obtain circuit court records.

The Magistrate Court presides over traffic violations and other criminal offenses for which the penalty is not more than 30 days in prison or a fine of $1,000. For inquiries about case records, one can visit or contact the Chief Magistrate’s office.

Municipal courts, like the Marion City Municipal Court, are limited to lower crimes committed within city limits that are punishable by $5,000 or less and imprisonment of not more than one year. People seeking records from these courts approach the relevant city clerk of court.

Marion criminal records also emanate from arrests and investigations conducted by local law enforcement agencies, such as the municipal police departments and the county sheriff's office. People can obtain Marion arrest records from law enforcement officers where a person has only been recently apprehended and has not appeared in court for the first time.

Civil cases, on the other hand, are handled by the Circuit Court's Court of Common Pleas. These lawsuits are initiated when one party seeks financial damages or a specific action from a defendant. The Clerk of Court maintains and releases records generated from these cases.

Moreover, the local Magistrate and Probate Court handle specific civil cases. The Magistrate Court oversees civil lawsuits worth $7,500 and below, including breach of contract, defaulted credit payments, debt disputes, and landlord-tenant matters. The Probate Court, on the other hand, focuses on issues surrounding incapacitated individuals, minors, and the distribution of deceased people’s estates. One may contact the relevant court for Marion civil records.

Marion County Marriage Records

The Marion County Probate Court maintains marriage records, which serve as proof of legal marital unions.

Anyone seeking a Marion County marriage certificate can order a certified copy through the Vital Records Office of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, provided the marriage license was issued between July 1950 and December 2023. For licenses created after December 2023 and before July 1950, intending requesters must go through the local probate court. The probate court charges $5 per certified copy of a Marion County marriage license.

The Vital Records Office offers in-person, online, telephone, mail-in, and drop-off request options for marriage certificates. Entities allowed to obtain certified documents include the registrants (bride or groom) and their legal representatives, adult children of the registrants, and former or present spouses of people named on the document. Other parties only receive statements acknowledging the marriage and indicating the place and date.

People who use the in-person method can get a certified copy on the same day if they provide a completed application form, accepted means of identification, and the required fee (a $17 non-refundable search fee and $3 per additional copy).

The mail-in option involves filling out the Vital Records Marriage/Divorce Application, enclosing a non-refundable $12 fee and a valid means of ID, and mailing all to the following address:

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

Alternatively, individuals can use the drop-off option by dropping the completed application form alongside the request fee and required means of identification at the DPH State Vital Records Office, Columbia.

Online and telephone orders are handled by the office's third-party vendor and may take 5-7 business days to process.

Marion County Divorce Records

Divorce records are generated when couples end their marriages through dissolution of marriage proceedings. The Marion County Circuit Court’s family division handles these cases, and records are maintained and dispensed by the Marion County Clerk of Court. Individuals can contact/visit this office to request divorce case information and documents (like divorce decrees).

Members of the public can also use the same marriage certificate application options outlined earlier to order divorce reports from the state’s Vital Records Office. The certified copy of a divorce report is only available to the divorced parties, their adult children, or a former or present spouse of either divorced party. Legal representatives of these entities can also request divorce reports from the Vital Records Office.

Individuals who are not eligible per the above requirements will only receive a notice that a divorce occurred, including the county and date of divorce.

Note: The Vital Records Office only provides divorce reports for divorces between July 1962 and December 2023. For divorces outside this period, one must contact the Marion County Clerk of Court.

Marion County Birth Records

Marion County birth records, issued after a person’s live birth, fall under the category of documents called Marion County vital records. They can be used for proof of age, citizenship, and parentage.

One can obtain certified copies of birth certificates from the South Carolina Vital Records Office. However, only people named on the record (child and parents) and their representatives can order these records. A member of the registrant’s family not named on the certificate can only obtain a Marion County birth certificate if they can prove (with an original certificate of death) that the registrant is deceased.

Interested parties can follow the guidelines on the Vital Records Office's website to apply for certified copies of birth certificates.

Marion County Death Records

Death records in Marion County are created to document deaths that took place locally. These documents are crucial for probate proceedings, insurance benefit processes, retirement payouts to beneficiaries, and inheritance claims. Parties eligible to obtain death certificates from the South Carolina Vital Records Office include family members, spouses, and their legal representatives.

Marion County Probate Court Records

Probate court records are generated during proceedings initiated to administer the estates of deceased persons, minors, or incapacitated persons. Involuntary commitments, wills, and trusts are also part of proceedings heard by the Marion probate judge. People looking for the local probate court's records can contact the court using the following information:

2523 East Highway 76
P.O. Box 583
Marion, SC 29571
Phone: (843) 423-8244

Marion County Property Records

The Marion County Clerk of Court, Tax Collector, Treasurer, and Assessor are custodians of various property records. However, the Clerk of Courts is the primary record-keeper for most real estate documents, such as plats, deeds, and conveyances. People who want information regarding property valuations for tax purposes can contact the local Assessor's office, while those looking up records related to outstanding or paid property taxes can contact the Tax Collector and Treasurer.

Marion County Court Records Online

Individuals can perform name searches for Marion County public records on third-party websites like Southcarolinacourtrecords.us. These sites provide multiple record types, such as Marion County arrest records, court case information, and property data. That way, users do not have to check different agency websites to find information. However, intending users should note that these private sites are not affiliated with government agencies. Thus, they cannot guarantee the authenticity of published information.