Marlboro County Court Records

Persons seeking information contained within dockets, transcripts, court judgments, or any other paperwork related to a specific case may find it by looking up Marlboro County court records. These documents, whether available in physical format or online, contain crucial details about judicial proceedings and law enforcement.

Marlboro County court records comprise part of South Carolina court records. They are classified as judicial documents, indicating that they are typically organized and overseen by the courthouse, which also distributes them to the public.

Are Court Records Public in Marlboro County?

Yes. Several regulations govern access to court records in Marlboro County. The Freedom of Information Act allows general access to these records, while S.C. Code § 14-5-10 explicitly addresses access to circuit court documents. Members of the public hold the right to review certain court records, particularly essential information concerning a case.

However, some limitations exist regarding specific aspects of case files, and in certain instances, entire records may only be accessible to authorized individuals. This includes law enforcement materials like audio and video recordings, the disclosure of which could compromise an ongoing investigation or its results. Additionally, sensitive information, such as the identities of confidential witnesses and victims, confidential government data, or personal details including Social Security numbers, driver's license information, and health records, may be restricted to protect individuals' safety and privacy.

Marlboro County Court Records Search

Marlboro County court records are accessible to the public through various avenues provided by their custodians. These avenues include:

Government Sources

• Online databases
• Mail requests
• In-person visits

Third-Party Websites

• Online databases

Marlboro County Courts

The judicial system in Marlboro consists of several courts, including the circuit court, family court, probate court, magistrate court, and municipal court. Each court is responsible for specific cases, with the circuit court managing most of them. Cases are adjudicated following the county's Code of Ordinances and any relevant regulations applicable to each hearing. These courts are located at:

Circuit Court

Marlboro County Circuit Court
Marlboro County Courthouse
105 Main Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-5613
Fax: (843) 479-5653

Family Courts

Marlboro County Family Court
Marlboro County Courthouse
105 Main Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-5613
Fax: (843) 479-5640

Probate Courts

Marlboro County Probate Court
Marlboro County Courthouse
105 Main Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-5610
Fax: (843) 479-5668

Magistrates Court

Marlboro County Magistrate Court
Marlboro County Justice Complex
249 Throop Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-5620
Fax: (843) 479-5646

Marlboro County Bond Court
249 Throop Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Office: (843) 479-5620
Fax: (843) 479-5646

Municipal Courts

Bennettsville Municipal Court
501 East Market Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-1582
Fax: (843) 479-1585

Clio Municipal Court
110 North Main Street
Clio, SC 29525
Phone: (843) 586-2211
Fax: (843) 586-7733

McColl Municipal Court
210 East Gibson Avenue
McColl, SC 29570
Phone: (843) 523-5223
Fax: (843) 523-5695

Marlboro County Criminal and Civil Records

Criminal records and civil records are included in Marlboro County public records. Here is what researchers seeking to find any of these records should be aware of:

• Access Laws: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to these records
• Authorized Custodians: Law enforcement agencies.
• The Sheriff's office facilitates access to Marlboro arrest records
• The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division provides access to Marlboro criminal records, which include both Marlboro County arrest records and court outcomes
• The FBI offers RAP sheets that represent criminal history
• Key Documents/Information: Marlboro County arrest records and court outcomes.
• Access Methods: Available online and through traditional mail

An online database is provided on the South Carolina Law Enforcement website which allows registered users or guests to look up these records remotely. Alternatively, requests can be sent via mail. To do so, individuals must include a completed Criminal Records Check Form, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the appropriate fee. Mail requests should be directed to:

SLED Records Department
P.O. Box 21398
Columbia, SC 29221-1398

• Cost: $25

Marlboro Civil Records

• Access Legislation: The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
• Custodian: The judiciary
• Key Documents/Information: Details regarding the involved parties and case specifics
• Cost: Inspection is free; however, obtaining copies requires payment
• Access Methods: Available online, by mail, and in person
• Case Types Included: Various disputes between entities

Marlboro County Marriage Records

Marlboro County marriage records are not public and remain confidential, accessible only to authorized individuals (either of the spouses, their children, legal representative) as per S.C. Chap. 61-19-303.

Authorized persons must complete a data release agreement that:

• Prohibits information re-distribution unless specifically permitted
• Ensures ownership of vital records lies with the Bureau of Vital Statistics
• Limit data usage to the intended purpose
• Defines what constitutes confidential and non-releasable variables
• Establishes data suppression guidelines for maintaining confidentiality in small case counts

Marlboro County marriage certificates can be obtained from the probate court or the vital records office, depending on when the marriage was recorded. Inquirers can check with the probate court for marriages before July 1950 and after December 2023. For records between July 1950 and December 2023, requests should direct their request to the vital records office.

Marriage certificates can be requested online, by phone, mail, in person, or through drop-off. In-person requests receive same-day processing. Regardless of the method chosen, all applicants must complete a request form and pay the required fee.

Marlboro County Divorce Records

The South Carolina Office of Vital Records oversees the divorce documentation for marriage annulments occurring between July 1962 and December 2023. Divorce records are considered vital records, and the process for obtaining a Marlboro divorce record is similar to that for a marriage record.

It is important to note that the fee for procuring a vital record varies based on the method used to request the record. Typically, online requests incur higher costs, while mail requests are more economical. Requesters must provide the following information: full names of both spouses, date of divorce, county of the hearing, the inquirer's relationship to the divorced individuals, as well as a contact number and address. Individuals would need to complete and submit the application form to the custodian of the record or the approved contractor.

Marlboro County Birth Records

Obtaining Marlboro County birth certificates is limited to individuals who are at least 18 years old, including the certificate owner, a parent, or a legal representative. Close family members may request the record if the holder is deceased, as per S.C. Chap. 61-19-303.

The following options are available for acquiring a birth certificate:

Online: service is offered by authorized vendors; price is $17 for the certificate plus a service fee of $8.70 to $8.75. Processing takes 5-7 days; only record bearers can use this method.

Phone: This option is available through a third-party vendor. The certificate costs $17, and the service fee is $12.85. The processing time is 5-7 days.

In-person: Inquirers may visit the vital records office during business hours. Processing takes 30-45 minutes. The cost is $17 for the first copy and $3 for additional copies. A photo ID and completed form are required.

Mail and Drop-off: This is processed by the state vital records office and costs $12 for standard service or $17 for expedited service. Processing may take up to four weeks. The applicant must fill out the application form and provide a photo ID.

A Marlboro County birth certificate is required when applying for any license or insurance.

Marlboro County Death Records

Death records are classified as confidential and considered part of Marlboro County's vital records. Death certificates are accessible exclusively to immediate family members and legal representatives, while other authorized individuals may obtain a statement of death verifying a person's passing. Besides serving as proof of death, such records are essential for probate hearings and the execution of wills.

The methods for acquiring a death record in the county are exactly the same as those used for obtaining a birth record, with fees remaining consistent across different channels. Completed forms must be submitted to the appropriate agency.

Marlboro County Probate Court Records

To access a probate court record in Marlboro, individuals can:

• Utilize the SouthCarolinaprobate.net database to search by case number or name, filtering for Marlboro County
• Submit a request via mail to the courthouse
• Visit the courthouse to inspect or request records in person

Records from the Marlboro Probate Court may include wills, marriage certificates, documents of minors, and family case files. The court is responsible for overseeing deceased estates, managing wills, administering trusts, overseeing the estates of minors and incapacitated persons, and processing marriage licenses and involuntary commitments.

Marlboro County Property Records

Property records fall under Marlboro County public records and are kept by the county's Tax Assessor. Researchers can access these documents through third-party sites by using the property owner's name, the property's address, or the parcel number. The available information may include deeds, tax assessment records, maps, and other relevant property documents.

For further inquiries regarding a specific property, individuals can reach out to the Assessor at:

Marlboro County Assessor
P.O. Box 62
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Phone: (843) 479-5602

Marlboro County Court Records Online

Third-party sites like Southcarolinacourtrecords.us offer inquirers an alternative means to obtain court record information remotely. While many of these databases provide benefits such as simplified retrieval and an extensive range of information, sometimes exceeding just court records, the requester should note that thorough searches may incur costs significantly higher than those associated with obtaining records directly from government sources. Additionally, since these sites operate independently of official custodians, the validity and accuracy of their information may not be guaranteed.