Search Aiken Court Records

AikenCountyCourt.us is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the FCRA and does not provide consumer reports.
All searches conducted on AikenCountyCourt.us are subject to the Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

Aiken County, South Carolina State Court Records

Court records are documents that capture legal proceedings in a civil or criminal case. These records serve as the historical memory of the justice system, documenting every step and action taken in a case. They are created at the onset of a case and only closed after the case has been finalized.

Court records are filed and maintained with the clerk of the court that handled the case. Other public records (e.g., vital records, arrest records, warrants) can be altered or generated from the chain reaction created by the filing or resolution of a court case.

Are Aiken County Court Records Public?

Yes. Aiken County court records are public but are not subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code 30-4-10 through 30-4-165), which primarily relates to bodies within the executive branch of government. Court case records are generally presumed to be open under common law and can be inspected or copied by any member of the public. However, while these records are presumably public, access to certain information is limited. These restricted details are considered confidential under the law and are only released to authorized personnel.

Such confidential details and records include

  • Adoption records
  • Juvenile delinquency records
  • Abuse and neglect records
  • Mental health commitment files
  • Social security digits and other sensitive personal details
  • Sealed documents

What Information is Available in Aiken County Court Records?

The information researchers may find in an Aiken County court record depends on the specific type of record. For example, certain information, such as charging documents, is usually present in a criminal court record but absent in a civil court record.

However, some details are common to all court records. These include

  • The names of the parties involved in the case
  • The case number
  • The filing date
  • The court handling the case
  • The case status
  • The case actions and timeline
  • Documents filed in the case
  • Court orders

Aiken County Court Records Search

Accessing court records in Aiken County is primarily done through the three channels listed below.

Online Access

Online searches are the fastest way to access court records in the county. Researchers only need to have a mobile device or computer and an internet connection to search for a record online. Individuals who want to access criminal, civil, or traffic dockets may use the Aiken Case Records Search Portal. The portal can be searched using a case number, party name, court type, court agency, case type, and case subtype. Probate information may be searched on the South Carolina Probate Website. A search may be done by name or case number.

Researchers should note that the Case Records Search portal shows only docket information, not the full record, whereas the Probate site displays only the decedent's name and case number.

In-Person Access

While online searches are the quickest way to access court records in Aiken County, they are not the most reliable way to access accurate information, as the county does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of information found online. As such, individuals who want the most accurate version of a court record may have to visit the Clerk of Court's Office at the Aiken County Courthouse. Inquirers will need to provide the name of the individual on the record or the record's case number for office staff to perform a search. In-person searches also afford inquirers the option of obtaining a copy of the record for a fee after a search is completed.

Mail and Phone Requests

Another way to obtain a copy of a court record is by drafting a letter detailing the case number, party name, and the specific documents needed, and mailing it to the Aiken County Clerk of Court's Office. However, to obtain the transcript of a proceeding, individuals cannot just write and submit a letter to the Clerk of Court's Office. Instead, requesters will have to complete and mail the official Transcript Request Form to the clerk's office.

Mail-in requesters should note that the turnaround time for mail requests is generally longer than for in-person requests. Mail-in requests may also incur higher fees than in-person requests.

Fees for Court Records in Aiken County

Individuals who access court records in Aiken County through the online search portals do not have to pay a fee. However, when requesting a copy of the record, either in person or by mail, requesters may be asked to pay a fee. The court generally follows this fee schedule:

  • Plain copies: 25 cents per page
  • Certified copies: $5 per document
  • Marriage certificate: $5 per copy
  • Vital record search/copy fee: $12 for initial copy and $3 for additional copies

Aiken County Courthouse Locations

Aiken County operates within South Carolina's Second Judicial Circuit. The system is split between the higher Circuit Court and specialized county-level courts, such as the Family and Probate Court.

The addresses of the courthouses are below.

Aiken County Courthouse

109 Park Avenue, Southeast

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 642-1715

Fax: (803) 642-1718

Probate Court Phone: (803) 642-2002

Family Court Phone: (803) 642-1715

Midland Valley Magistrate's Court

129 Langley Dam Road

Warrenville, SC 29851

Phone: (803) 593-5171

Aiken Magistrate's Court

1930 University Parkway

Suite 1519 / Government Center

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 642-1744

Fax: (803) 642-1749

Monetta Magistrate's Court

3580 Wire Road

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 685-7125

Fax: (803) 685-7988

North Augusta Magistrate's Court

537 Edgefield Road

Services Center

North Augusta, SC 29841

Phone: (803) 202-3580

Fax: (803) 202-3583

New Ellenton/Jackson Magistrate's Court

227 Gateway Drive

Suite 133

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 652-3609

Aiken City Municipal Court

834 Beaufort Street Northeast

Aiken, SC 29801

Phone: (803) 642-7676

Burnettown Municipal Court

3187 Augusta Road

Burnettown, SC 29851-9851

Phone: (803) 593-2676

Fax: (803) 593-2676

Jackson Municipal Court

106 Main Street

Jackson, SC 29831-9500

Phone: (803) 471-2228

Fax: (803) 471-9563

New Ellenton Municipal Court

200 Main Street

New Ellenton, SC 29809-9809

Phone: (803) 652-2214

Fax: (803) 652-3233

North Augusta Municipal Court

1210 Georgia Avenue

North Augusta, SC 29841-3018

Phone: (803) 441-4273

Fax: (803) 441-4286

Perry Municipal Court

1075 East Railroad Avenue North

Perry, SC 29137-8921

Phone: (803) 564-5756

Fax: (803) 564-6004

Salley Municipal Court

230 Pine Street, Northwest

Salley, SC 29137-9137

Phone: (803) 258-3485

Fax: (803) 258-3485

Wagener Municipal Court

299 Park Street Northeast

Wagener, SC 29164-9164

Phone: (803) 564-3412

Fax: (803) 564-3507

Criminal Records Access in Aiken County

Criminal records in Aiken County comprise arrest, conviction, and sentencing information. To access basic arrest information, individuals may contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office or the arresting agency. However, to obtain an official statewide criminal history record, individuals will have to contact the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the central repository for criminal records in the state.

Researchers may access a criminal record online through the Citizens Access to Criminal Histories (CATCH). The CATCH portal allows members of the public to perform a name-based search for the criminal history record of an individual. The fee for a search is $25.

Criminal records are also maintained by the judiciary in Aiken County and detail court proceedings on criminal cases. Members of the public can access criminal docket information through the Aiken Case Records Search Portal or the complete record at the Clerk of Court's Office.

Aiken County Probate Records

Aiken County probate records are documents managed by the Aiken County Probate Court regarding the administration of a deceased person's estate. The Aiken Probate Court also handles voluntary commitments for alcohol/drug abuse and mental illness, the appointment of guardians and conservators, marriage licenses, and wrongful death settlements.

Probate records are generally public in the county and are highly valued by genealogists and researchers as they show family connections and asset ownership history. However, some records are not available to the public eye (e.g., guardianship records).

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) maintains all original estate documents from 1873 to 1903, while the Aiken Probate Court has the microfilmed copy of the records for public viewing. The Aiken Probate has managed the original documents of estate records from 1904 to the present. Individuals can search probate information on the South Carolina Probate site or obtain a copy at the Aiken County courthouse.

Aiken County Family Court Records

Family court records in Aiken County document cases that involve domestic relationships and family matters. These records cover divorce, adoption, juvenile delinquency, child custody, and paternity cases. Family court records are technically public, but may face more access restrictions due to the sensitive nature of most records.

Aiken County residents can search for family court records on the Aiken Case Records Search or visit the county courthouse to inspect the record in person or obtain a copy.

Federal Court Records in Aiken County

Federal court records cover cases involving federal law and the U.S Constitution and are outside the jurisdiction of local county courts. The U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina is the court with jurisdiction over federal cases from Aiken County. Aiken County particularly falls under the Aiken Division of the federal court.

To access federal court records online, individuals may search the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) or visit the Clerk of Court's Office in Charleston, Columbia, Florence, or Greenville.

Aiken County Court