Court records of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. OrangeburgCourt.us allows you to search public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online court system portals, the Clerk of Court's office, and public terminals installed directly in the courthouse.
Orangeburg Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Orangeburg County, each handling specific categories of cases. Understanding the jurisdiction will help you go to the right place where the needed record is stored.
Circuit Court — the main court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal cases (felonies), large civil lawsuits over $7,500, and appeals from lower courts. This is where cases involving murders, armed robberies, and large-scale contract disputes are heard.
Magistrate Court operates quite differently — it serves the everyday needs of county residents:
- Minor criminal offenses (misdemeanors) with penalties up to 30 days or fines up to $500
- Civil claims up to $7,500
- Preliminary hearings and bail decisions
- Issuance of arrest and search warrants
Family Court handles cases of divorce, child custody, alimony, adoption, and protective orders from domestic violence. Most family court records are restricted and not fully public.
Probate Court deals with wills, estate administration, guardianship appointments, and involuntary hospitalization. The probate judge also issues marriage licenses in this county.
Traffic violations are usually handled by Magistrate Court or the Municipal Court of the city of Orangeburg. You can pay traffic fines online through the South Carolina state fine payment portal.
Federal cases involving the county are heard by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Orangeburg Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the South Carolina court system's public index. This portal allows you to search cases by party name or case number and view scheduled hearing dates.
Here's how to find the hearing schedule:
- Go to the state's Public Index portal
- Select Orangeburg County from the list
- Enter the party's name or case number
- In the search results, view the section with scheduled events
Magistrate Court publishes its schedule separately. Call the magistrate court's office directly to confirm the date and time of a specific hearing. Circuit Court and Family Court schedules are also available in the courthouse on public bulletin boards.
If you're interested in a person's criminal history rather than a specific hearing, the SLED CATCH system allows you to search by name and view criminal history records within the state.
How to Get a Copy of a Orangeburg Court Document
The Orangeburg County Clerk of Court maintains Circuit Court records and issues their copies. To obtain a document, you need to know the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate year of filing.
Certified copies bear the official seal of the clerk and are accepted by other courts and government agencies as evidence. Uncertified copies are regular photocopies for informational purposes.
Ways to obtain copies:
- In person — visit the Clerk of Court's office, fill out a request, and receive the copy on-site
- By mail — send a written request with the case number, party name, and document type, including payment in the form of a money order
- Online — basic case information can be viewed through the public index of the court system, but obtaining a certified copy usually requires an in-person visit or a mail request
Certified copies of divorce decrees can also be ordered through the Vital Records Division of the Department of Health or through the Secretary of State's office for apostille certification.
Records related to minors, adoptions, and certain family matters are typically closed to public access. Ask the clerk if the document you need is subject to restrictions.
Orangeburg Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches are set by South Carolina law. Below are the approximate rates applied at the Clerk of Court's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (by name) | $5.00 |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy (first page) | $1.00 |
| Certified copy (each additional page) | $0.50 |
| Document certification (court seal) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
These fees are based on statewide standards provided by S.C. Code § 8-21-310. Specific amounts may vary slightly depending on the type of document. Confirm current rates directly with the Clerk's office before submitting a request.
Acceptable forms of payment:
- Money order — for mail requests
- Cash or check — for in-person requests
- Some offices accept debit and credit cards, but this should be confirmed in advance
Criminal history checks through SLED CATCH cost $25 per request — this is a separate service from the State Law Enforcement Division, not from the Clerk of Court. For county-level requests, fees are usually significantly lower.