Lexington County court records, South Carolina, are available through several channels. LexingtonCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official online portals of the state court system, directly at the office of the Lexington County Clerk of Court, and through public terminals in the courthouse.
Lexington Court System & Jurisdictions
Several courts operate in Lexington County, each handling specific categories of cases. The county is part of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of South Carolina.
- Court of General Sessions — criminal cases, including felonies and serious misdemeanors. The Clerk of Court maintains records for this court.
- Court of Common Pleas — civil cases: claims over $7,500, real estate disputes, contract disputes. Records are also maintained by the Clerk of Court.
- Family Court — divorces, child custody, alimony, adoptions, protection orders. A significant portion of family cases has restricted public access.
- Probate Court — wills, estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship. The official county website contains information about this court.
- Magistrate Court — minor criminal cases (misdemeanors punishable by up to 30 days or fines up to $500), civil claims up to $7,500, as well as search and arrest warrants.
- Municipal Courts — violations of city ordinances and traffic offenses within the municipalities of the county.
Traffic fines can be paid online through the state's Traffic Tickets and Court Payments portal — simply select the county and enter the case number.
Lexington Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week depends on the type of court.
- For General Sessions and Common Pleas cases, check the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index. This portal allows you to search by party name or case number and view scheduled hearing dates.
- Contact the Clerk of Court's office directly for schedule clarification — some calendars are published only in the courthouse or provided upon request.
- The Eleventh Judicial Circuit publishes links to public indexes for Lexington County, which may also contain information about scheduled hearings.
Magistrate Court and Municipal Court usually publish their calendars separately. Call the respective court to find out the exact date and time.
How to Get a Copy of a Lexington Court Document
There are two types of copies: certified and uncertified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and legal force — it is required for submission to other courts, government agencies, or immigration procedures. An uncertified copy is suitable for personal review.
Ways to Obtain
- In-person: Visit the Clerk of Court's office at the address below. You will need the party's name or case number. Copies are usually made the same day.
- By mail: Send a written request specifying the full name of the party, case number (if known), type of document, and number of copies. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
- Online: Through the Public Index, you can view basic case information, but certified copies usually require direct contact with the clerk.
Family court records have access restrictions — the requester must be a party to the case or have court permission. Records sealed by a judge's decision are not available to the general public. According to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), most court records are public, but there are clearly defined exceptions.
Lexington Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in South Carolina are set by state law. Below are typical rates applied by the Lexington County Clerk of Court.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (upon request) | Depends on complexity; check with the clerk's office |
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Certified copy | $1.00 for the first page, $0.25 for each additional page (plus certification fee) |
| Certification fee (clerk's seal) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Online traffic fine payment | Fine amount + portal service fee |
Exact amounts may vary. Before visiting, call the clerk's office at (803) 785-8200 to confirm current rates.
Payment Methods
- In-person — cash, check, money order; some offices accept credit and debit cards.
- By mail — check or money order payable to "Lexington County Clerk of Court."
- Online — use the SC.gov portal for paying fines and court fees.
For state-level criminal background checks, the SLED CATCH service is available, allowing searches by name and viewing criminal history. This is a separate service with its own fees, not associated with the county clerk's office.