Clerk of Court

Location: 129 Screven Street, 2nd Fl. Room 221
(Parking very limited)
Phone: (843)-545-3215 Fax: (843) 545-3281
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (except legal holidays)
Mailing Address: P.O. Drawer 421270, Georgetown, SC 29442-1270
Contact Person: Alma White, Clerk of Court

OnLine Payments

Department Functions:

To provide administrative support, maintaining court records and information of the judicial system for Common Pleas, Family Court and General sessions including criminal felony and misdemeanor cases, civil, family, and juvenile cases. Records include the filing of new civil cases, judgments, Lis Pendens, arbitration actions and attachments, coordinating motion hearings, jury and non-jury court proceedings, and court rosters for attorneys. Elected countywide, the Clerk of Court serves a four-year term.

Directions to Courthouse:

From Columbia: Take S.C. Highway 76/378 toward Sumter. Travel about 25 miles then exit onto S.C. Highway 261 to Manning. S.C. Highway 261 becomes 521 in Manning. Take Highway 521 to Georgetown. Inside the city limits, highway 521 becomes Highmarket (H-Market) Street. Continue on Highmarket Street to Screven Street. Turn right onto Screven Street. Travel one block over to Prince Street. The stately historic courthouse sits on the corner.

From Charleston: Take S.C. Highway 17 North to Georgetown. Once inside the city limits, highway 17 becomes S. Fraser Street. At the second traffic light, turn right onto Front Street. Continue on Front Street to Screven Street. Turn left onto Screven Street. Travel one block to the courthouse.

From Myrtle Beach: Take S.C. Highway 17 South to Georgetown. Upon entering Georgetown, highway 17 becomes Church Street. Travel three blocks along Church Street; turn left onto Screven Street. Travel three blocks along Screven to Prince Street. The immaculate historic courthouse sits on the corner.

From Conway: Take S.C. Highway 701 South to Georgetown. Inside the city limits, highway 701 becomes N. Fraser Street. At the fifth traffic light, turn left onto Highmarket (H-Market) Street. Take Highmarket Street to Screven Street. Turn right onto Screven and go one block over. The 18th Century Courthouse sits on the corner.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Where do I obtain a passport application?
A. Passport applications are available at the Georgetown Post Office, Monday thru Friday between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. Call 843-546-5515 for inquiries.

Q. Where do I obtain a notary public application?
A. Notary Public applications are available through the Delegation Office in the Georgetown County Courthouse, Room 107. There is an application fee of $25.00. Once an applicant completes the form and returns the form to the Delegation Office, the form is then notarized and sent to Columbia. Once the applicant receives the commission, he/she must bring it to the Clerk of Court for recordation. This requires a $5.00 filing fee. Call 843-545-3029 for inquires.

Q. Where can I find a list of qualified bail bondsmen for Georgetown County?
A. See the section "additional Information" below for a listing of qualified bail bondsmen for Georgetown County.

Q: How do I view a complete schedule of all criminal cases coming up for trial?
A: The Solicitor’s Office schedules criminal cases for trial. Contact the Solicitor’s office at (843) 546-3751.

Q: Does your office provide legal advice?
A: The Clerk of Court´s office cannot give legal advice. Persons seeking advice or acting as their own attorney should consult the most recent edition of South Carolina Rules of Court and follow the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Q: How do I hire a Public Defender?
A: If you are financially unable to obtain adequate legal representation and you are a defendant in a criminal case, you can apply for a public defender. Staff presents to you upon arrival at Georgetown County Detention Center or the City of Georgetown Police Department, an application determining whether or not you qualify for a public defender. In the event you do not apply at the County Detention Center or the City Police Department, call the Clerk of Court’s office (843) 545-3215, Ext. 1 to make an appointment to apply for legal counsel. Accepted by appointment only, applications require a $40.00 non-refundable fee before processing and is only waived or reduced by the proper authorities under certain circumstances.

Q: How do I check on the status of my case? How do I discover the outcome of my case? How do I review case files?
A: All documents filed with the court are public records and are available through the Clerk´s office. Sometimes sealed by special court order, and sometimes sealed and confidential by operation of law, such as Adoptions, Abuse and Neglect and criminal files relating to juveniles, availability of documents vary. If your criminal case is pending with the Clerk’s office but should be dismissed, please contact the Solicitor’s office in Georgetown County at (843) 546-3751. Our new Automated Access System is available free of charge, 24 hours a day. It updates the users on support payments; last payment made, what amount was paid, total due balance, issued bench warrants, and if a rule to show cause has been issued. Dial (843) 545-3057.

Q: How do I inquire about my case by telephone?
A: If you have an attorney, you should contact your attorney to learn the status of your case. If you do not have an attorney, you may contact the Solicitor’s office at (843) 546-3751. When calling to inquire about your case, if you provide the indictment or warrant number for the case, the Clerk’s office may answer your questions. Without an indictment or warrant number, you or your designee must visit the office and conduct your own research. For Family Court Child Support Inquiries dial (843) 545-3057 and follow the instructions.

Q: How do I review my file? How do I obtain copies of my file?
A: All records filed in the Clerk’s office are public information with the exception of cases sealed by Order of the Court. The fee for file copies is .25 cents per page and $1.00 for each certified copy. If your case was heard in Magistrate Court / Municipal Court you need to contact that specific Magistrate Court or Municipal (City) Court.

Q: How do I obtain a criminal record report? Will your office complete a criminal background check?
A: To obtain a criminal record report, contact the arresting agency in the county where the arrest took place. The Clerk of Court’s office does not perform criminal background checks. You or your designee may visit the office during regular office hours and complete this research.

Q: What is "expunged"?
A: Expunged is a process destroying or sealing the records of a criminal conviction. This includes records in files, on computer, or in any other depositories. Once expunged, it is as if the criminal case never existed.

Q: How do I know if my records are eligible for expunging?
A: Contact the Georgetown County Solicitor office at (843) 546- 3751.

Q: How do I get my criminal record expunged?
A: The Solicitor’s Office initiates this process. Contact the Solicitor’s office at (843) 546-3751.

Q: How can I represent myself in court?
A: A pro se litigant is one who acts on his own behalf, someone who represents himself or herself without a lawyer. Although not recommended, each party in a legal case has the right to appear pro se. Should you decide to represent yourself, please be mindful of the following things:
a). Clerk of Court, the Clerk of Court’s staff, the judge or his/her staff cannot offer any assistance or legal advice. A member of the S.C. bar will answer legal questions at no charge (1-888-321-3644).
b). Judges may not discuss a case outside the presence of the adverse party. Do not contact the Judge outside of a courtroom, whether by phone, by letter, or in person.
c). You must prepare your own case. This includes preparing the proper pleadings and court documents, presenting all relevant evidence supporting your position, objecting to irrelevant or inadmissible evidence, and arguing the applicable law.
d). You are responsible for compliance with the South Carolina Rule of Family, the South
Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, and appropriate courtroom conduct.
e). You must file a financial declaration.

Additional Information:

The Qualified Bail Bondsman Listing is in Adobe PDF file format:
Qualified Bail Bondsman Listing: Revised 7-24-2008

For individuals who truly cannot afford an attorney, there are two methods of obtaining legal services. Those who qualify under the income guidelines may get a legal aid lawyer through the S.C. Center for Equal Justice at 1-888-346-5592. For those who do not qualify for a legal aid attorney, the South Carolina Bar operates a Pro Bono Program (1-803-799-4015), under which lawyers agree to represent needy litigants free of charge. Legal Aid screens Pro Bono clients. For those who can afford an attorney, they may contact the South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-868-2284, or refer to the attorney listings in the yellow pages of the local telephone book.

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