Court records of Sumter County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. SumterCourt.us allows quick access to public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the online tools of the Third Judicial Circuit, directly at the Clerk of Court's office, and on public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to each aspect of the search.
Sumter Court System & Jurisdictions
Sumter County is part of the Third Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. Several courts operate here, each handling specific categories of cases.
Circuit Court is the main court of general jurisdiction. It handles serious criminal offenses (felonies) through General Sessions, as well as civil claims with a dispute amount over $7,500 through the Court of Common Pleas. The Clerk of Court's office maintains records for both divisions: indictments, sentences, arrest warrants, and civil claims.
- Magistrate Court handles minor criminal cases (misdemeanors with a penalty of up to 30 days or a fine of up to $500), civil claims up to $7,500, as well as issuing arrest warrants and setting bail.
- Family Court deals with divorces, child custody, alimony, protective orders, and juvenile cases. The Sumter County Family Court division handles over 35,000 cases and collects about 8 million dollars in alimony annually.
- Probate Court handles wills, estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators, and involuntary hospitalization.
Traffic violations typically go to the Magistrate Court or the Municipal Court of the city of Sumter, depending on where the incident occurred. The Clerk of Court does not directly process traffic tickets.
Federal cases related to this region are handled by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Sumter Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out which hearings are scheduled for today, tomorrow, or this week, use the Third Judicial Circuit schedule. On the Court System page of the county's official website, there are two key links:
- Third Judicial Circuit Court Rosters — current lists of cases scheduled for hearing in Circuit Court (General Sessions and Common Pleas).
- Third Judicial Circuit Public Records Search — search for a specific case by party name or case number.
The Family Court schedule is published separately. Contact the Family Court office by phone or visit the court in person to confirm the hearing date.
Magistrate Court maintains its own calendar. The hearing date is usually indicated on the summons or warrant you received. If the document is lost, call the relevant magistrate's office.
How to Get a Copy of a Sumter Court Document
The Clerk of Court maintains records of criminal cases in General Sessions, civil cases in Common Pleas, and oversees Family Court documentation. You can obtain a copy of a document in three ways.
In Person
Visit the Clerk of Court's office during business hours:
Bring the party's name or case number. An ordinary (uncertified) copy costs less than a certified one. A certified copy has the court's seal and the clerk's signature — it is needed for submission to another court, employer, or government agency.
Online
Through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, you can view the case index and basic information for free. However, downloading the full text of the document or obtaining a certified copy online is usually not possible — a request to the clerk is required for this.
By Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Court's address (listed above). Include in the letter:
- The full name of the party in the case
- Case number (if known)
- Type of document needed
- Whether a certified copy is needed
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount
Call the office in advance to confirm the exact payment amount.
Sumter Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees in South Carolina are regulated by state law. Below are typical rates for the Clerk of Court — specific amounts should be confirmed directly with the office, as they may change according to law updates.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (per search) | Depends on complexity; confirm with the clerk |
| Ordinary copy (per page) | $0.50 – $1.00 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | From $1.00 per document (in addition to copy costs) |
| Filing a civil claim (filing fee, Common Pleas) | Set by S.C. Code § 8-21-310 |
| Filing in Family Court | Set by S.C. Code § 8-21-310 |
Payment is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Some offices accept credit/debit cards — confirm when contacting. For mail requests, include a check payable to "Sumter County Clerk of Court."
State-level criminal history can be checked through SLED CATCH — the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system. This service charges a separate fee set by SLED and is independent of Clerk of Court fees.
The retention schedules for court documents are determined by the SC Department of Archives and History. If you need an old document that is no longer stored in the clerk's active archive, the state archives service can assist with the search.