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Berkeley County Court Records

Civil and criminal actions filed in Berkeley County produce official records known as Berkeley County court records that detail the events and outcomes of such cases. In Berkeley County, court records management falls under the purview of court clerks, who also ensure access in accordance with prevailing state and local regulations.

Court records encompass a variety of information and documents generated, compiled, and filed throughout legal proceedings. Documents may be filed by the court to record orders, judgments, or other pertinent case information or by the parties themselves-for example, to introduce exhibits (documents, photographs/videos, or other items) as evidence at a trial. Consequently, filings can incorporate public records from different government bodies, including incident reports, tax information, probation reports, vital records, and forensic reports.

Are Berkeley County Court Records Public?

Yes. South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) declares the public’s right to access governmental records, including records pertaining to the judiciary’s adjudicative functions. For this reason, any member of the public can view or obtain Berkeley County court records from the official custodian, except for those records that are confidential by statute or law. Examples of confidential documents/information are

  • Records that disclose a confidential source or informant
  • Records whose dissemination would endanger the physical safety or life of any individual
  • Records that would reveal the contents of intercepted wire, oral, or electronic communications not otherwise admitted during a trial
  • Records sealed by the court
  • Records of adoptions

What Information is Available in Berkeley County Court Records?

Berkeley County court records contain comprehensive details about a legal case, along with the documents officially submitted throughout its progression. Although the specific contents vary depending on the type of action and the procedures involved, certain information is commonly present:

  • Pleadings
  • Motions
  • Trial exhibits, evidence, and transcripts
  • Court dockets and calendars
  • Writs (e.g., warrants)
  • Proofs/returns of service
  • Declarations and affidavits
  • Notices of appeal
  • Orders, verdicts, and judgments of the court

Berkeley County Court Records Search

The following methods can be used to access the records of judicial proceedings in Berkeley County, South Carolina:

  • Online Access: The South Carolina (SC) Judicial Branch provides a Case Records Search (the Statewide Trial Court Case Management System) portal for viewing indexes of cases filed across the state, including in Berkeley County. The portal is accessible as follows:
    • On the portal homepage, scroll down to Berkeley County, select "View Case Records," and accept the disclaimer. This action opens the public index for that circuit.
    • Input a name, case number, or other accepted criteria into the relevant search fields, and select "Search."

A list of matching cases will be displayed after each system inquiry. Users can then select the relevant case number from this list. Choosing the case number opens a summary view of the case. If needing copies of case records, one will need to contact or visit the appropriate clerk’s office, as case documents are not available for printing or request through the portal.

Another online option for viewing records from the Berkeley County courts is the SC Judiciary’s Court Roster Search. Specifically, the portal displays information about pending cases on each court’s docket.

Note: The Berkeley County family and probate courts maintain independent online portals for accessing case information (see below).

  • In-Person Access: The most reliable way to get copies of court records from Berkeley County courts is to visit the presiding courthouse in person (i.e., where the trial was held). For inquiries about a circuit or family court record, the request can be made at the Berkeley County Clerk of Court’s Office at the local courthouse.

300-B California Avenue

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone (Charleston): (843) 723-3800 ext: 4400

Phone (Moncks Corner): (843) 719-4400

Phone (St. Stephen): (843) 567-3136 ext: 4400

In other cases, one can directly inquire at the court that heard the legal matter. It should be noted that charges apply to obtain copies of case records.

  • Mail and Phone Requests: The standard procedure for submitting mail requests for court records in Berkeley County is as follows:
    • Prepare a letter bearing sufficient details to locate the desired records.
    • Include payment of the required copy fee, typically paid by check or money order.
    • Attach an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) for the return of the documents.
    • Send all to the respective court/office via mail. When mailing correspondence to the Berkeley County Clerk of Court’s Office (specifically for circuit and family court records), the address is PO Box 219, Moncks Corner, SC 29461.

It is always advisable to confirm the current mailing procedures by contacting the court or clerk’s office. Courts in Berkeley generally do not accept court record requests over the phone.

Fees for Court Records in Berkeley County

Per-page or per-document fees apply when obtaining copies of court records from the Berkeley County courts. The precise fees can be verified by contacting the respective court or clerk’s office. Note that there is no cost for assessing when searching for or viewing case information on the SC Judiciary’s Case Records Search and Court Roster Search portals.

Individuals seeking marriage records in Berkeley may send requests to the Probate Court or the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH). The DPH also issues other vital records (birth/death certificates and divorce reports). Fees can be confirmed from the applicable office.

Berkeley County Courthouse Locations

Berkeley County, South Carolina’s 9th Judicial Circuit, is home to these courts:

  • Circuit Court : The circuit court comprises the General Sessions Court (criminal court) and the Common Pleas Court (civil court). In addition, the court exercises limited appeal jurisdiction over cases from the Magistrate, Probate, and Municipal Courts.
  • Probate Court : This court adjudicates probate matters filed within the county.
  • Master-in-Equity Court : The equity court is a division of the Circuit Court. It presides over particular civil cases without a jury, usually those pertaining to real estate (e.g., foreclosures). Furthermore, the court can hear cases referred or transferred to it by consent of attorneys or by Order of the Circuit Court.
  • Family Court : The family court maintains exclusive jurisdiction over all legal matters involving domestic or family relationships.
  • Summary Courts: These are the Magistrate (County) Courts and Municipal (Town/City) Courts.

The directory below has the physical addresses and contact information of the Berkeley County courts:

Berkeley County Circuit and Family Courts

300-B California Avenue

PO Box 219

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone (Court of Common Pleas and Court of General Sessions): (843) 719-4400

Phone (Family Court): (843) 719-4500

Berkeley County Probate Court

300-B California Avenue

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 719-4519

Fax: (843) 719-4527

Magistrate Courts in Berkeley County - Locations

Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Central Summary Court

223 North Live Oak Drive

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 719-4050

Phone (Charleston): (843) 723-3800 ext. 4050

Fax: (843) 719-4534

Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Bond Court

223 North Live Oak Drive

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 719-4593

Fax: (843) 719-4528

Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Goose Creek

653 Red Bank Road

Goose Creek, SC 29445

Phone: (843) 553-7080

Phone: (843) 553-6099 (Small Claims)

Fax: (843) 553-7074

Berkeley County Magistrate Court - Moncks Corner

223 North Live Oak Drive

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 719-4537

Phone: (843) 719-4535 (Preliminary Hearings)

Phone: (843) 719-4933 (Small Claims)

Fax: (843) 719-4528

Berkeley County Magistrates Court - St. Stephen

137 Hood Street

St. Stephen, SC 29479

Phone: (843) 567-7400

Fax: (843) 567-3102

Municipal Courts in Berkeley County

Bonneau Municipal Court

422 Municipal Lane

Bonneau, SC 29431-5015

Phone: (843) 825-3385

Fax: (843) 825-2577

Goose Creek Municipal Court

519 North Goose Creek Boulevard

Goose Creek, SC 29445

Phone: (843) 569-4230

Fax: (843) 569-4206

Hanahan Municipal Court

1255 Yeamans Hall Road

Hanahan, SC 29410

Phone: (843) 576-5262

Fax: (843) 747-3220

Jamestown Municipal Court

Highway 41 & 17-A

Jamestown, SC 29453

Phone & Fax: (843) 257-2233

Moncks Corner Municipal Court

118 Carolina Avenue

Moncks Corner, SC 29461

Phone: (843) 719-7918

Fax: (843) 719-7980

Saint Stephen Municipal Court

124 Hood Street

St. Stephen, SC 29479

Phone: (843) 567-3116

Fax: (843) 567-7235

Criminal Records Access in Berkeley County

Criminal records in Berkeley County can be obtained from various criminal justice agencies, including courts and law enforcement agencies.

Courts are responsible for maintaining detailed criminal case records, which include information about the events and final outcomes of criminal charges. Since all courts in Berkeley County, except for probate and master-in-equity courts, have criminal jurisdiction, it is crucial to determine the specific court where the criminal trial took place to ensure the correct records custodian is contacted for the query. A helpful tool for this is the free South Carolina Judiciary’s Case Records Search portal.

Alternatively, individuals can conduct a paid state-level search on the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s CATCH (Citizens Access to Criminal Histories) portal. Each name search through the portal requires a $25 fee, plus a $1 processing fee.

Berkeley County Probate Records

The probate court in Berkeley County presides over probate cases. These cases involve or pertain to the following legal issues:

  • Involuntary commitments to institutions for mentally ill or chemically dependent persons.
  • Estates of deceased persons (or decedents)
  • Guardianships of incompetents
  • Conservatorships of the estates of minors and incompetents
  • Marriage licenses
  • Minor settlements under $25,000
  • Trusts
  • Powers of attorney

To look up Berkeley County probate records-for example, estate records-one can utilize the Berkeley County Public Probate Inquiry Portal. The portal can be searched by the case participant’s name, case number, or disposition status. Access can also be procured at the courthouse in Moncks Corner during regular business hours.

Note that nominal charges apply where copies are requested, and confidential/restricted records (e.g., guardianship reports) are only accessible to legally authorized entities, such as the case parties.

Berkeley County Family Court Records

Documentation from family law proceedings heard in Berkeley County by the family court is referred to as the Berkeley County family court records. These proceedings include termination of parental rights, paternity, adoption, custody, name change, divorce, and legal separation. Records from the family court are maintained by the Berkeley County Clerk of Court’s Office. As such, all record inquiries can be made to this office. The court can be contacted at (843) 719-4500 for general record inquiries, and charges apply to duplicate or certify court records.

Alternatively, individuals can obtain remote access to Berkeley County family court records through the Berkeley Family Court Public Portal. Searches can be performed via name or case number.

Federal Court Records in Berkeley County

Berkeley County is served by the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, specifically its Charleston division. This court handles all matters relating to federal law that arise in the court and maintains the associated federal court records. Below are the division’s addresses:

J. Waties Waring Judicial Center

83 Meeting Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Or

U.S. District Courthouse

85 Broad Street

Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: (843) 579-1401

Fax: (843) 579-1402

Federal court records can be accessed through PACER, the federal Public Access to Court Electronic Record system, for a fee of 10 cents per page and $2.40 per audio file. Alternatively, individuals can visit the federal courthouses to use public access terminals for free case review.

Additionally, the South Carolina U.S. District Court provides copy request forms for obtaining copies of court records from the federal court clerk’s office.

Berkeley County Court