Find Berkeley County Court Records Through Official Sources
Search civil and criminal case information, check court rosters, locate Family Court and Probate Court resources, and learn how to request documents from the correct Berkeley County office.
Which Berkeley County Court Holds Your Record?
Berkeley County is part of South Carolina’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, along with Charleston County. Its Circuit Court has two principal divisions: the Court of Common Pleas for civil matters and the Court of General Sessions for criminal cases. Family Court, Probate Court and Magistrate Courts handle other categories of proceedings.
Selecting the correct court matters because a single public search does not necessarily contain every filing, historical case or restricted record.
Court of Common Pleas
Handles civil disputes and related judgments within Circuit Court jurisdiction. The Berkeley County Clerk maintains Common Pleas case records.
Search route: State Judicial Branch Case Records Search, followed by the Clerk when documents are unavailable.
Court of General Sessions
Handles criminal cases assigned to Circuit Court. Records may show charges, hearings, court orders and dispositions.
Search route: Berkeley County’s official public case index and General Sessions Clerk.
Family Court
Handles divorce, custody, child support and other family matters. Certain proceedings, particularly juvenile, adoption and sealed cases, have restricted access.
Search route: Clerk of Court’s Family Court resources and authorized records-request process.
Probate Court
Handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses and related probate matters.
Search route: Berkeley County Probate Court and its estate information resources.
Magistrate Courts
Handle certain smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant matters, criminal offenses and traffic-related proceedings.
Search route: Appropriate Berkeley County Magistrate Court or the official index where the particular case is available.
Municipal Courts
Some city citations, local ordinance matters and traffic cases are handled by municipal courts rather than the county Circuit Court.
Search route: The specific issuing or hearing municipal court.
How to Search Berkeley County Court Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a state-level entry point to public case records. Select Berkeley County, then use the search options supplied by the linked county system. The state website notes that browser cookies and JavaScript may be required.
- Open the official website. Go to South Carolina Case Records Search.
- Choose Berkeley County. Select the correct county instead of automatically using Charleston County because both counties belong to the Ninth Circuit.
- Read the portal’s access notice. Review its public-access limitations, browser requirements and terms before searching.
- Choose a supported search method. Enter a case number when available or search by party name using the fields offered by the official system.
- Review matching results. Compare the court, names, case number, filing date and case category. A shared name alone does not prove identity.
- Open available case details. Read the docket events, case status and disposition information. Check whether documents are actually accessible.
- Contact the responsible records office. If the document is missing or certification is required, note the case number and request the record from the Clerk or appropriate court.
Search by case number or party name?
| Search | When useful | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Case number | You have a citation, filing, order or court notice. | Exact number, case category and issuing court. |
| Party name | You know a person’s name but not the case number. | Name variations and other distinguishing case facts. |
| Business name | You are locating a company-related civil dispute. | Registered name and naming variations. |
| Court roster | You want a scheduled hearing or court session. | Court, date, case number and schedule updates. |
For common names, use additional identifying information that appears lawfully in the court record. A match should not be treated as confirmed simply because a person’s name is similar.
Berkeley County Criminal Court Records
The Berkeley County Clerk of Court maintains records of criminal cases heard in the Court of General Sessions. For such cases, the state public index is a starting point for locating filings and docket activity.
However, a criminal matter may first involve a Magistrate Court. An arrest, initial appearance, preliminary hearing and later General Sessions proceeding are not necessarily represented by the same record or office.
What a criminal case record may show
- Case number and court jurisdiction.
- Names of parties included in the public record.
- Case or charge descriptions where available.
- Docket entries and hearing activity.
- Recorded case disposition when entered.
- Orders or documents available for public access.
Criminal hearing schedules
For listed court proceedings, use the state Court Roster Search. Select Berkeley County and verify the relevant court. A roster is a scheduling resource; it does not replace the full case record.
Arrest and jail records are different
An arrest record belongs to the responsible law-enforcement agency, and a jail booking record concerns custody. Neither should be confused with a filed criminal case or final court disposition. If no court case is found, confirm that you are searching the proper record type and jurisdiction.
Berkeley County Family Court and Divorce Records
The Berkeley County Clerk of Court maintains Family Court records, including divorce proceedings, domestic relations, child support and certain juvenile matters. It also provides copies of divorce decrees where access is authorized.
Family Court records require special care. Adoption, juvenile, child-protection and sealed proceedings may be confidential. Public case information does not mean that every underlying filing can be viewed or downloaded by any visitor.
How to request a Berkeley County divorce decree
- Confirm that Berkeley County Family Court handled the divorce.
- Gather the parties’ names and the approximate year or case number.
- Contact Family Court at (843) 719-4500.
- Identify the exact document required, such as the final decree.
- Ask about eligibility, identification, certification and current copy fees.
- Follow the court’s instructions for payment, pickup or delivery.
Berkeley County Probate, Estate and Marriage Records
Berkeley County Probate Court is responsible for estates, guardianships, conservatorships, marriage licenses and several other statutory probate services. It maintains a separate official department website and an Estates Division with an estate lookup resource.
Estate records
Use the official Estates Division to find the estate lookup and filing guidance. If a case is not available online, contact Probate Court with the decedent’s name and known case details.
Marriage license records
Probate Court maintains records of marriage licenses issued and returned following the ceremony. The court prepares certified copies of licenses maintained in its records.
Call (843) 719-4519 to confirm the copy procedure.
Opening an estate: local filing details
For visitors who need to open an estate rather than merely find one, Berkeley County’s Estates Division lists an original death certificate, photo identification for document signers, and mailing or email addresses for heirs among its preparation requirements.
The county also distinguishes proceedings involving a will, no will, small estates and estates without assets. Published guidance identifies a $25 filing payment for certain estate-opening situations and separate requirements for other procedures. These charges are not ordinary court-record copy fees.
The Estates Division publishes weekday walk-in guidance and indicates that listed estate payments must be made by cash or check rather than credit card. Check whether the particular estate proceeding requires an appointment, additional documents or a formal filing.
Berkeley County Court Dockets, Rosters and Magistrate Cases
A docket shows recorded case activity. A court roster lists scheduled proceedings. The two resources have different purposes: finding a hearing date does not establish that every filing is available, and finding a case number does not necessarily confirm the next hearing.
| Record needed | Official starting point |
|---|---|
| Circuit civil case | Case Records Search / Clerk of Court |
| General Sessions criminal case | Public case index / Clerk of Court |
| Court hearing schedule | Court Roster Search |
| Divorce or Family Court file | Family Court / Clerk of Court |
| Estate or marriage license | Probate Court |
| Eviction or small claim | Responsible Magistrate Court |
| Municipal citation | Responsible Municipal Court |
Berkeley County Magistrate Court locations
Berkeley County operates multiple Summary Court offices. The county’s official directory identifies offices serving Moncks Corner, Goose Creek and St. Stephen.
Central Summary Court
Phone: (843) 719-4050
Moncks Corner, South Carolina.
Goose Creek Magistrate Office
653 Red Bank Road
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Phone: (843) 553-7080
Moncks Corner Magistrate Office
223 North Live Oak Drive
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Phone: (843) 719-4537
St. Stephen Magistrate Office
137 Hood Street
St. Stephen, SC 29479
Phone: (843) 567-7400
Confirm the location and hearing venue before traveling.
How to Obtain Court Records and Certified Copies
Public online case information is not automatically a certified court record. The Berkeley County Clerk of Court provides copies of records it maintains, subject to availability, restrictions and applicable charges.
Prepare these details for your request
- The correct court and case category.
- Case number, if known.
- Names of relevant parties.
- Approximate case filing date or year.
- The document needed, such as a judgment, order or decree.
- Whether a certified copy is required.
- Any deadline imposed by the organization requesting the document.
Plain copy versus certified copy
A plain copy may be sufficient for personal research. A certified copy carries formal court authentication and may be required for official purposes. The correct type depends on the receiving institution’s requirements.
Ask the records office about payment methods, per-page charges, certification costs and fulfillment options. Copy fees may differ from filing fees, online search fees or transcript costs.
Obtaining transcripts
A transcript is a written record of proceedings prepared under the applicable court-reporting procedures. It is different from a docket or an ordinary copy of a filed pleading. If you need testimony or a hearing transcript, ask the court which reporting or transcription procedure applies.
Older and archived court files
Older cases may be stored in legacy systems or archives, and electronic availability may be incomplete. Give the Clerk the approximate year, party names and any old reference number. Ask about historical indices, archive retrieval and special charges.
Why a Berkeley County Court Record May Not Appear
No online search result is not proof that a court record never existed. The problem may be the search criteria, court jurisdiction, access restrictions or historical coverage.
| Problem | Possible cause | Next action |
|---|---|---|
| No name match | Different spelling or naming format. | Try supported variations and case-number search. |
| Wrong case found | Several people share a similar name. | Compare case identifiers and official details. |
| Traffic case missing | Municipal or Magistrate Court jurisdiction. | Contact the court identified on the citation. |
| Family Court file unavailable | Confidential or restricted proceeding. | Ask Family Court about authorized access. |
| Docket visible, document unavailable | Not every filing has an online image. | Request the document from the custodian. |
| Old case missing | Legacy or archived records. | Ask the Clerk about archive searches. |
| Case belongs to another county | Different filing venue. | Check the court named on the original paperwork. |
Berkeley County Clerk of Court Contact Information
Berkeley County Clerk of Court
Clerk: Leah Guerry Dupree
Courthouse:
300-B California Avenue
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Mailing address:
PO Box 219
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Circuit Court:
(843) 719-4400
Family Court:
(843) 719-4500
Published hours:
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Other record custodians
The Clerk does not manage every type of county record. For marriage licenses or probate cases, contact the Probate Court. For deeds and recorded property instruments, use the Register of Deeds. For Magistrate Court matters, consult the Magistrate Court department.
Before visiting, ask the relevant office whether the record is available for inspection, whether advance arrangements are needed and what identification or payment method is required.
Federal and South Carolina Appellate Records
If the proceeding was filed in federal court, the Berkeley County state court index is not the appropriate federal search. The federal PACER system provides electronic access to participating federal court case information, subject to account, fee and access rules.
South Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases use separate appellate resources. Start from the South Carolina Judicial Branch to find appellate case search and opinion information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Berkeley County court records public?
Many civil and criminal case records are publicly searchable, but online availability varies. Certain Family Court, juvenile, adoption and sealed records may be restricted. Public access to a docket does not guarantee access to every document.
Can I search Berkeley County court records by name?
Yes, where the official county case index offers party-name searching. Use the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s Case Records Search to select Berkeley County, then follow the portal’s available search fields. Confirm any result using additional case details.
Where can I obtain a certified divorce decree?
Contact Berkeley County Family Court through the Clerk of Court at (843) 719-4500. Confirm the requested decree, identity requirements, authorization, fees and certification procedure.
Can I look up criminal court dates online?
Use the South Carolina Court Roster Search and select Berkeley County. Important hearing dates should be confirmed with the responsible court because schedules can change.
How much does a Berkeley County court record cost?
The charge depends on the document and service requested. A public case lookup, a document copy and a certified copy are different services. Contact the appropriate Clerk or court office for a current quote.
Are Probate Court estate records in the regular Circuit Court search?
Do not assume all probate records appear in the Circuit Court public index. Berkeley County Probate Court provides separate estate information and an Estates Lookup resource.
Why can I see a docket but not download the actual filing?
An online case index may provide a summary of proceedings without hosting every document. Some documents may require a direct request, while others may be confidential or restricted.
Does a missing search result mean no court record exists?
No. The case may belong to another court, appear under a different name, predate online coverage or have restricted access. A negative online search does not establish that no record exists.
Official Berkeley County and South Carolina Court Resources
These official websites provide the starting points for court searches, record requests and procedural verification. Use them to confirm current information before filing, making payments or visiting an office.
- South Carolina Judicial Branch — Case Records Search
- South Carolina Judicial Branch — Court Rosters
- Berkeley County — Clerk of Court
- Berkeley County — Court Structure and History
- Berkeley County — Probate Court
- Berkeley County — Estates Division
- Berkeley County — Magistrate Locations
- PACER — Federal Court Electronic Records