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1. Where do I obtain a passport application?

Passport applications are available at the Georgetown Post Office, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. Call 843-546-5515 for inquiries.

2. Where do I obtain a Notary Public application?

Notary Public applications are available through the Legislative Delegation Office in the historic Georgetown County Courthouse, located at:
129 Screven Street
Georgetown, SC 29442

There is an application fee of $25. 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 or she must bring it to the Clerk of Court for recordation. This requires a $10 filing fee. Call 843-545-3029 for inquires.

3. Where can I find a list of qualified bail bondsmen for Georgetown County?

• Qualified Bail Bondsmen for Georgetown County (PDF)

4. How do I view a complete schedule of all criminal cases coming up for trial?

The Solicitor’s Office schedules criminal cases for trial. Contact the Solicitor’s office at 843-545-3169.

5. Does your office provide legal advice?

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.

6. How do I hire a public defender?

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 the 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 Public Defender’s office 843-545-3671 to apply for legal counsel. Applications require a $40 non-refundable fee before processing and is only waived or reduced by the proper authorities under certain circumstances.

7. 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?

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 843-545-3169. The South Carolina Department of Social Services on June 3, 2019, officially implemented the "Federally Mandated" State Disbursement Unit (SDU) in Georgetown County. Obligors currently making support payments to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court’s office will make payments to the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit and mailed to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202

Please note: Obligors will only make PURGE payments to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court’s office. These are payments ordered if an Obligor appears before a Family Court Judge due to him/her being delinquent on the child/spousal support account, or a Bench Warrant was ordered for their arrest.

Do not send PURGE payments to the SDU.

Helpful Resources

If you have questions about when and how to make payments to the State Disbursement Unit, please contact the SDU customer service center at 800-768-5858. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays.

8. How do I inquire about my case by telephone?

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 843-545-3169. 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/Spousal Support inquiries, please call the South Carolina State Disbursement at 800-768-5858.

9. How do I review my file? How do I obtain copies of my file?

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 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.

10. How do I obtain a criminal record report? Will your office complete a criminal background check?

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.

11. What is "expunged?"

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.

12. How do I know if my records are eligible for expunging?

Contact the Georgetown County Solicitor’s office at 843-545-3169.

13. How do I get my criminal record expunged?

The Solicitor’s Office initiates this process. Contact the Solicitor’s office at 843-545-3169.

14. How can I represent myself in court?

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:

• The 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 SC. bar will answer legal questions at no charge 803-799-6653.
• 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.
• 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.
• You are responsible for compliance with the South Carolina Rule of Family, the South Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure, and appropriate courtroom conduct.
• You must file a financial declaration.