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Greenville County Court Records

What Is Greenville County Court Records

Greenville County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts in Greenville County, South Carolina. These records document legal proceedings, including criminal cases, civil disputes, family court matters, and probate issues. Court records typically include case filings, motions, judgments, orders, and other documents related to court proceedings.

The Greenville County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining these records. Greenville County Clerk of Court, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5600, Greenville, SC 29601

Are Court Records Public In Greenville County

Yes, most court records in Greenville County are public information according to South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act and the state's public records laws. This means that citizens have the right to access and review these documents.

However, certain records may be sealed or restricted by court order or statute. These typically include:

  • Juvenile records
  • Adoption proceedings
  • Mental health commitments
  • Cases involving minors
  • Records sealed by judicial order
  • Certain domestic violence cases

The Greenville County Public Index provides online access to many public court records. Greenville County Public Index, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601

How To Find Court Records in Greenville County in 2025

There are several methods to access court records in Greenville County in 2025:

  1. Online Access: Use the Greenville County Public Index website to search for cases by name, case number, or filing date.

  2. In-Person Requests: Visit the Greenville County Courthouse to request records directly from the Clerk of Court's office. Greenville County Courthouse, 305 E. North Street, Greenville, SC 29601

  3. Mail Requests: Submit a written request to the Clerk of Court with specific case information.

  4. Municipal Court Records: For city-level violations, contact the Greenville Municipal Court. Greenville Municipal Court, 426 N. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601

  5. Probate Court Records: For wills, estates, and guardianships, visit the Probate Court. Greenville County Probate Court, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5600, Greenville, SC 29601

How To Look Up Court Records in Greenville County Online?

To access Greenville County court records online:

  1. Visit the Greenville County Public Index website (https://www2.greenvillecounty.org/scjd/publicindex/)
  2. Select the type of search you wish to perform (name, case number, etc.)
  3. Enter the required information
  4. Review the search results
  5. Select specific cases to view available details

The online system provides access to:

  • Case numbers and filing dates
  • Party names
  • Case types
  • Hearing dates
  • Document listings
  • Case status information

For complete case files or documents not available online, you may need to request copies from the Clerk of Court. Records Department, Greenville County Clerk of Court, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5600, Greenville, SC 29601

Can You Search Greenville County Court Records for Free?

Yes, basic searches of Greenville County court records are free through the Public Index website. In-person searches at the courthouse are also available at no cost.

However, fees apply for:

  • Printed copies of documents ($0.25-$1.00 per page)
  • Certified copies ($5.00 per document plus copy fees)
  • Research assistance from court staff ($10-$25 per hour)
  • Expedited processing

The Greenville County Clerk of Court accepts payment by cash, credit card, money order, or certified check. Greenville County Clerk of Court, 301 University Ridge, Suite 5600, Greenville, SC 29601

What's Included in a Greenville County Court Record?

A typical Greenville County court record may include:

  • Case information sheet with party names and contact information
  • Complaint or petition that initiated the case
  • Summons and service of process documentation
  • Answers and responses from defendants
  • Motions filed by either party
  • Court orders and judicial decisions
  • Transcripts of hearings (if requested)
  • Evidence admitted during proceedings
  • Final judgment or disposition
  • Appeals documentation (if applicable)

The specific contents vary by case type and complexity. Some sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of documents.

How Long Does Greenville County Keep Court Records?

Greenville County follows South Carolina's record retention schedules, which vary by case type:

  • Criminal Cases: Felony records are permanent; misdemeanor records are kept for 10 years after case closure
  • Civil Cases: Most records are kept for 10-20 years after final disposition
  • Family Court: Records are generally permanent, especially those involving child custody or support
  • Probate Court: Estate records are permanent
  • Traffic Cases: Generally kept for 3-10 years depending on severity

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History provides guidelines for court record retention. South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223

Types of Courts In Greenville County

Greenville County has several courts with different jurisdictions:

  1. Circuit Court: The main trial court, divided into:

    • Common Pleas (civil matters)
    • General Sessions (criminal cases)

  2. Family Court: Handles domestic matters including divorce, child custody, and juvenile cases

  3. Probate Court: Oversees wills, estates, guardianships, and conservatorships

  4. Magistrate Courts: Handle minor civil claims (up to $10,000), landlord-tenant disputes, and misdemeanor criminal cases

  5. Municipal Courts: City-level courts handling local ordinance violations, traffic tickets, and minor criminal offenses within city limits

Each court maintains its own records, though the Clerk of Court manages most county-level court documents.

What Types of Cases Do Greenville County Courts Hear?

Greenville County courts handle a wide range of legal matters:

Circuit Court - Common Pleas:

  • Civil lawsuits over $10,000
  • Contract disputes
  • Personal injury claims
  • Property disputes
  • Appeals from lower courts

Circuit Court - General Sessions:

  • Felony criminal cases
  • Serious misdemeanors
  • Criminal appeals from lower courts

Family Court:

  • Divorce proceedings
  • Child custody and support
  • Adoption
  • Juvenile criminal matters
  • Domestic violence orders of protection

Probate Court:

  • Wills and estate administration
  • Guardianships and conservatorships
  • Mental health commitments
  • Marriage licenses

Magistrate Courts:

  • Civil claims under $10,000
  • Evictions
  • Minor criminal offenses
  • Traffic violations
  • Preliminary hearings for felony cases

Municipal Court:

  • City ordinance violations
  • Traffic tickets issued within city limits
  • Public intoxication
  • Shoplifting and other minor offenses

How To Find a Court Docket In Greenville County

Court dockets list scheduled hearings and proceedings. To access Greenville County court dockets:

  1. Online: Check the Public Index website for upcoming court dates
  2. In Person: Visit the Clerk of Court's office to view printed docket sheets
  3. By Phone: Call the appropriate court division to inquire about specific cases
  4. Attorney Access: Attorneys have additional access through the South Carolina Judicial Department's secure portal

For Circuit Court dockets, contact: Greenville County Circuit Court, 305 E. North Street, Greenville, SC 29601

For Family Court dockets: Greenville County Family Court, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601

Docket information typically includes:

  • Case numbers
  • Party names
  • Scheduled hearing dates and times
  • Assigned courtrooms
  • Presiding judges
  • Purpose of hearings

Which Courts in Greenville County Are Not Courts of Record?

In Greenville County, the following are not courts of record, meaning they don't maintain verbatim transcripts of all proceedings:

  1. Magistrate Courts: While they keep case files, they don't automatically record full proceedings. Greenville County Central Magistrate Court, 4 McGee Street, Greenville, SC 29601

  2. Municipal Courts: City courts typically don't maintain verbatim transcripts. Greenville Municipal Court, 426 N. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601

For cases in these courts, if a complete record is needed (such as for appeal purposes), parties must arrange for court reporters at their own expense.

Courts of record in Greenville County include:

  • Circuit Court (both Common Pleas and General Sessions)
  • Family Court
  • Probate Court

These courts maintain official transcripts of proceedings, which become part of the permanent case record.

Lookup Court Records in Greenville County

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