Court records of Laurens County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. LaurensCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through official state online portals, directly at the clerk of court's office, or at public terminals in the courthouse.
Laurens Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Laurens County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding the jurisdiction will help you find the necessary register faster.
- Court of General Sessions — criminal cases: felonies, serious misdemeanors. The state prosecutor presents charges before a district court judge.
- Court of Common Pleas — civil cases: claims over $7,500, real estate disputes, foreclosure enforcement. Both courts are serviced by the Laurens County Clerk of Court's office.
- Family Court — divorces, child custody, alimony, adoptions, protection orders from domestic violence. Family Court is the sole forum for such cases in the state.
- Magistrate Court — minor criminal offenses (misdemeanors with penalties up to 30 days or fines up to $500), civil claims up to $7,500, search and arrest warrants, preliminary hearings.
- Probate Court — estate cases, wills, appointment of guardians and conservators, involuntary commitments.
- Municipal Courts — violations of city ordinances and traffic offenses within the cities of Laurens and Clinton.
Juvenile cases are handled by Family Court, but access to these records is significantly restricted by state law.
Laurens Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the date and time of a specific hearing, start with online resources.
- Visit the General Sessions & Common Pleas page on the county's website — hearing schedules (Appearance and Trial Dockets) for criminal and civil cases are published there.
- Use the South Carolina Judicial Department's public index to find a case by party name or case number and view scheduled dates.
- Call the clerk's office at 864-984-5484 if you need information about a specific case that could not be found online.
The Magistrate Court schedule is usually available directly at the respective magistrate's office. Probate Court and Family Court calendars can also be confirmed by phone.
How to Get a Copy of a Laurens Court Document
Copies of court documents — judgments, complaints, divorce decrees, civil decisions — are kept by the clerk of court's office. Most records are public, except for materials sealed by the court and cases exempt from public view by law.
Ways to Obtain Copies
- In person. Visit the office at 100 Hillcrest Square, Laurens, SC 29360. You need to know the party's name or case number. Documents can be viewed on-site for free, but there is a fee for making copies.
- By mail. Send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number (if known), type of document, and return address. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount. Mailing address:Clerk of Court
- Online search. Through the SC Judicial Department's public index, you can find case information, but downloading full documents or obtaining certified copies usually requires contacting the clerk.
Certified and Regular Copies
A regular copy confirms the content of the document but does not have the legal force of the original. A certified copy bears the clerk's seal and confirms authenticity — it is required by banks, government agencies, and other courts. Confirm with the clerk which type of copy you need before paying.
To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, contact the clerk of the county where the case was filed. The SC Department of Health issues only certificates of divorce, not the text of the decree itself.
Laurens Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and record searches in South Carolina are regulated by the Public Records Act (Title 30, Chapter 4). The fee for searching and retrieving records cannot exceed the proportional hourly rate of the lowest-paid employee who can reasonably fulfill the request.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Certified copy | From $1.00 for the first page + $0.25 for each additional page (depending on the type of document) |
| Record search (by name or case number) | A search fee may be charged according to Title 30-4-30 |
| Criminal check via SLED CATCH | $25.00 (online, name search) |
Payment at the clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Confirm the possibility of card payment directly at the office. For state-level criminal history checks, use the SLED CATCH system — it allows you to view and print results online.
Specific amounts may change, so call the clerk to confirm current rates before sending a mail request.