Union County Court Records

Union County court records are the official documentation of any case filed with the Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, or Municipal Courts. They contain information about everything that transpired during a trial (hearing dates, evidence, testimony, case parties' names, and case rulings). Court records generally serve as official proof of legal actions and can be used to verify case history and status. Individuals can also use court records to appeal a judge’s decision.

Are Court Records Public in Union County?

Yes, according to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. The Act guarantees that the public has access to court records at the state and local levels. This allows the Union County Clerk of Court to release records to anyone who requests them. Only confidential court records are restricted from the public. Typically, the following court records are not available for public inspection or copying:

• Mental health records
• Adoption records
• Juvenile court proceedings
• Attorney-client communications
• Court records whose disclosure would disclose the identity of a confidential source, interfere with pending judicial proceedings, or constitute an unreasonable invasion of a person’s privacy.

Union County Court Records Search

Court records can be viewed or copied in two main ways (online or in person) at the Union County Circuit Court. While online access is free, obtaining copies of court records is fee-based. In-person requests should be made during business hours.

Union County Courts

The Union County court system consists of a Circuit Court, Family Court, Probate Court, Magistrate Court, and Municipal Court, which are located below:

Union County Courthouse
210 West Main Street
Union, SC 29379

Jonesville Municipal Court
131 North Main Street
Jonesville, SC 29353-0785
Office: (864) 674-5746
Fax: (864) 674-6634

Union Municipal Court
215 Thompson Blvd.
Union, SC 29379-2266
Office: (864) 429-1713
Fax: (864) 429-1728

Union County Criminal and Civil Records

Union County criminal records, including arrest, inmate, jail, and warrant information, can be obtained from the Sheriff’s Office or Detention Center. These offices have Inmate Portals where individuals can find Union County arrest records. The search parameters are name, arrest date, custody date, sex, race, or holding agency. Alternatively, record seekers can visit the offices during business hours to obtain copies of criminal records.

The Union County Clerk of Court maintains civil records and makes them available to residents online and in person. The Public Index is a great tool for searching civil records online for free. However, individuals wanting copies of these records must visit the courthouse during business hours. The Clerk charges a small fee for copies of a record.

Union County Marriage Records

Individuals can find certified copies of Union marriage records at the Probate Court. They must download, complete, and print the Marriage Certificate Request Form, mail it, or bring it to the courthouse in person. The Union County marriage certificate costs $5. Mail requesters should send a self-addressed stamped envelope or add $0.50 for postage alongside the standard fee.

Union County Divorce Records

Record seekers can find divorce records online or in person at the Union County Clerk of Court. Online requests can be made using the Public Index. Users must provide a name or case number to proceed with the search. In-person customers can visit the courthouse from Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Copies of divorce records cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost $1.

Union County Birth Records

Union County vital records are confidential, including birth records, which are only made public after 100 years. Non-public birth certificates are open to the registrant, their parents, legal guardian, and their legal representatives. When the registrant dies, immediate family members can get certified copies of their Union County birth records. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) provides birth certificates online, by phone, in person, or by drop-off. A standard $12 non-refundable search fee applies to getting Union County birth certificates, with $3 for each additional copy. Expedited search fees cost $17.

The DPH has a third-party vendor that handles online and phone requests. In addition to the standard fee, the vendor charges a processing fee of $8.75 for online orders and $12.85 for phone orders. Mail customers can complete the Vital Records Birth Application Form and send it alongside the appropriate fee with a valid photo ID to the DPH. The average processing time is 4 weeks. The mailing address is:

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

In-person customers should visit the DPH before 4 p.m. to enjoy same-day services. They should visit with an ID and pay for copies via cash, check, or money order. The processing time is between 30 and 45 minutes.

Union County Death Records

Union County public records include death certificates that are 50 years old. Confidential death records are accessible to the immediate family, their legal representatives, and anyone who has a tangible interest in the deceased person’s property. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) issues death records for $12, with $3 for each additional copy. Individuals who want expedited copies will have to pay a $17 search fee. The DPH provides death records via the following means:

• Online or by phone: The DPH partners with a third-party vendor to provide death records online and by phone. This service attracts an extra processing fee.
• In-person or drop-off: Customers can take a completed Vital Records Death Application Form to any of the DPH regional offices to obtain copies of death records. They must visit during business hours with the appropriate fees and ID. Drop-off customers should pay their fees with exact cash, a cashier's check, or a money order made payable to S.C. DPH.
• By mail: Applications should be made by sending a completed Vital Records Death Application Form, a fee, and a valid photo ID to the DPH state office. Requests should be processed within 4 weeks.

Union County Probate Court Records

The Union County Probate Court handles estates, trusts, involuntary commitments for alcohol/drug abuse and/or mental illness, guardianship, and conservatorship. The courthouse is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for free viewing of probate court records. However, copies of such records cost $0.50 per page, while older archived documents cost $1.00 per page. Individuals who need a copy of a specific document can send copy requests by mail. The requests should include the case name or the decedent’s name, the name of the specific document to be copied, and the requester’s mailing address and phone number. The processing fee is $5 plus $0.50 per page for a plain copy and $1.00 for Papervision copies.

Union County Property Records

The Union County Assessor, Clerk of Court, and Treasurer’s Offices are the custodians of property records, such as taxes, deeds, liens, easements, plats, and property ownership. Requesters can easily visit any of these offices to obtain copies of property records for a small fee. Some record custodians have online portals where property information is available to the public for free. For example, the Union County Assessor has an Online Property Search Portal for conducting property searches using a name, address, or parcel number. The Clerk of Court also permits a property record search through its Online Deed Search portal. The search criteria are party name, property, or book page.

Union County Court Records Online

Members of the public sometimes rely on third-party websites, such as Southcarolinacourtrecords.us, to access court information across multiple jurisdictions. These sites offer free initial name-based searches, but access to detailed records incurs a small fee. Third-party portals sometimes contain inaccurate information, so verifying any retrieved information is vital.