Spartanburg County court records in South Carolina are available through several channels. SpartanburgCourt.us allows searching for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online portals of the state court system, the Clerk of Court's office in person, and through public terminals installed in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to searching, obtaining, and understanding Spartanburg County court records.
Spartanburg Court System & Jurisdictions
Several levels of courts operate in Spartanburg, each handling its type of cases. Knowing which court you need is the first step to a successful search.
Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil claims with disputes over $7,500, as well as divorce and other family matters at the general jurisdiction level.
Family Court handles cases related to:
- Divorces and alimony
- Child custody and parental rights
- Adoptions
- Juvenile delinquency cases
- Protective orders from domestic violence
Magistrate Court deals with minor criminal offenses (misdemeanors) punishable by up to 30 days or a fine of up to $500, civil claims up to $7,500, and traffic violations. Small Claims are part of the Magistrate Court's jurisdiction.
Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, guardianship of incapacitated adults, and the issuance of marriage licenses. This court operates separately from the Clerk of Court's office.
Traffic violations typically fall under the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Court or, in the case of serious offenses (e.g., DUI with aggravating circumstances), the Circuit Court.
Spartanburg Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which cases are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the court schedule search on the South Carolina Judicial Branch website. This tool allows filtering by county, court type, and date.
Here are some practical tips:
- Open the Court Roster Search page and select "Spartanburg" in the county field.
- Select the court type — Circuit, Family, or Common Pleas.
- Set the date range and click "Search."
The results will show the judge's name, case number, parties, and hearing time. Note: For the portal to work correctly, cookies and JavaScript must be enabled in your browser.
Magistrate courts may publish their schedules separately. If you cannot find the required case online, contact the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's office by phone directly.
How to Get a Copy of a Spartanburg Court Document
You can obtain a copy of a court document in three ways: online, in person, or by mail.
Online. Through the Spartanburg County public index, you can find basic case information — number, parties, dates, status. Downloading the full document from this portal is not always possible; to obtain full copies, you often need to contact the Clerk's office.
In person. Visit the Clerk of Court's office in the courthouse at the address above. Bring as many details as possible: case number, party names, approximate filing date. The clerk can issue both regular and certified copies.
By mail. Send a written request specifying:
- Full case number or party names
- Type of document you need
- Whether a certified copy is required
- Return address and contact phone number
- Check or money order for the appropriate amount
A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's signature — it is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or for immigration procedures. A regular copy is suitable for personal review.
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family cases are typically closed to public viewing. State-level criminal records can be checked through the CATCH system, supported by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
Spartanburg Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees are set according to South Carolina law and the internal rules of the Clerk's office. Below are approximate rates — we recommend confirming exact amounts with the clerk, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Registry search (per name) | $5–$10 |
| Regular copy (per page) | $0.25–$0.50 |
| Certified copy (per document) | $1.00–$3.00 for the first page + for each additional |
| Document certification fee | $1.00 per seal |
| Criminal background check via SLED | $25 (online via CATCH) |
Payment at the Clerk's office is usually accepted in cash, money order, or check payable to "Spartanburg County Clerk of Court." The possibility of card payment should be clarified in advance.
For historical records — such as old land documents or materials prior to the 20th century — refer to the Spartanburg County records guide on the South Carolina Department of Archives and History website. These records are free to view, but a separate fee may be charged by the archive for copies.
If you are starting a search and do not know the exact case number, try the free search through SpartanburgCourt.us first to gather basic data before contacting the Clerk's office.