Clerk of Court

CONTACTS

The Greenwood County Clerk of Court’s operating hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. We are closed on major holidays. For different department contacts see listings below.

Our office does not provide legal advice. If such advice is needed, you should contact a private attorney.

REGISTER OF DEEDS

On January 1, 1998, the name of the office changed from Register of Mesne Conveyances (RMC) to Register of Deeds (ROD). Current office holders, whether appointed or elected, were authorized to keep the name of ROD during their tenure in office, however, after their term, the name is to change to ROD.

The Code of Laws of South Carolina sets out the duties of the Register of Deeds. The proper recording of documents provides notice to subsequent purchasers or creditors of the interests of others in the property and establishes priority of claims against that property. Generally, all instruments conveying an interest in real property must be recorded in that county's Register of Deeds in order to be valid. Other documents of public interest may also be recorded by the Register of Deeds.

The Register of Deeds exists as a separate governmental office in 18 counties in South Carolina. In Anderson, Beaufort, Chesterfield, Georgetown, Horry, Kershaw, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Richland, Spartanburg, and Sumter, the position is appointed by the governing body. In the counties of Aiken, Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester, Greenville, and Lexington, the holder of the office is elected. In the remaining 28 counties, the functions are performed by the elected Clerk of Court.

Our RMC department has both terminals and index books for the research of records. All documents are recorded in the same day they are brought into the office. Originals will be mailed out in one (1) to two (2) weeks from the recorded date. Recording fee are as follows: A) Deeds, Leases, Contracts of Sale, Trust Indentures, Agreements, Right of Ways, Restrictions, Amendments, Bond for Title, Mortgages, Surety Bonds, Easements -- $10.00 for the first 4 pages & $1.00 per page thereafter; B) Power of Attorneys, Revocation of Power of Attorneys, Bankruptcy -- $15.00 for the first 4 pages & $1.00 per page thereafter; C) Plats – Small $5.00, Large $10.00; D) Releases, Assignments, Subordinations, Modifications -- $6.00 for the first 4 pages & $1.00 per page thereafter; E) Satisfactions, Notary Registrations -- $5.00; F) Separate Affidavits, Probates or Certificates (not attached to a document), State & Federal Tax Liens -- $10.00; G) Notice of Project Commencements -- $15.00.

Any ROD documents or Common Pleas cases brought in for recording after 4 pm will not be clocked or recorded until the following work day. These documents may not be available on this website for up to one work week.

Financing Statements or UCC Fees -- $8.00 up to 2 pages and up to 2 debtors. $10.00 for UCCs that are 3 pages with up to 2 Debtors. Additional pages (more than 3 pages) are $1.00 per page. Additional debtors (more than 2) are $2.00 per name. Any ROD documents or Common Pleas cases brought in for recording after 4 pm will not be clocked or recorded until the following work day. These documents may not be available on this website for up to one work week.

FAMILY COURT

The uniform statewide Family Court system was established by statute in 1976. The Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters involving domestic or family relationships. Pursuant to this provision, the Family Court is the sole forum for the hearing of all cases concerning marriage, divorce, legal separation, custody, visitation rights, termination of parental rights, adoption, support, alimony, division of marital property, and change of name. The court also generally has exclusive jurisdiction over minors under the age of seventeen alleged to have violated any state law or municipal ordinance. However, most traffic, fish, and game law violations are still triable in the magistrate or municipal courts. Serious criminal charges may be transferred to the Circuit Court.

At least two family court judges are elected for staggered six-year terms to each of the sixteen judicial circuits, and rotate primarily from county to county within their resident circuits. Occasionally they are assigned to other circuits based upon caseload requirements as directed by the Chief Justice.

The Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction to hear cases concerning domestic disputes. Among the many types of matters that the Family Court presides over are the granting of divorces, property disputes between husband and wife, and the granting of alimony. The Family Court is also charged with child custody matters, including child support orders, visitation schedules, the termination of parental rights, the finalization of adoptions, and legal name changes. Additionally, the Family Court hears paternity disputes and domestic violence incidents. The Court also hears most juvenile criminal cases where the juvenile is under the age of seventeen. Unlike the Circuit Court, the Family Court does not employ the use of juries. Appeals from Family Court cases are heard by the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

The Family Court is a formal court of record, and operates under the South Carolina Constitution, the code of Laws of South Carolina, and the Rules of Family Court. A majority people having cases in Family Court are represented by attorneys. These attorneys have spent at least three years in law school studying the various laws and procedures. Laws regarding fairness and impartiality prevent the judges and the Clerk’s staff from giving legal advice to anyone, including those trying to represent themselves. We recommend that you consult an attorney for all Family Court legal matters

Family Court filing fees:

Summons and Complaint $150.00

Summons, Complaint & Motion $175.00

Motion $ 25.00 (if filed individually)

PLEASE NOTE THAT FAMILY COURT FORMS CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.SCCOURTS.ORG

CHILD SUPPORT OFFICE

The Child Support Office accepts payments in the form of cash, money order, and/or business check (no personal checks accepted).

Child Support payments can be mailed to the following address:

Child Support Office

528 Monument Street

Room 103

Greenwood , South Carolina 29646

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CIRCUIT COURTS

 The Circuit Court is the state's court of general jurisdiction. It has a civil court, the Court of Common Pleas, and a criminal court, the Court of General Sessions. In addition to its general trial jurisdiction, the Circuit Court has limited appellate jurisdiction over appeals from the Probate Court, Magistrate's Court, and Municipal Court, as well as appeals from the Administrative Law Judge Division, which hears matters relating to state administrative and regulatory agencies. The State is divided into sixteen judicial circuits. Each circuit has at least one resident circuit judge who maintains an office in the judge's home county within the circuit. There are forty-six circuit judges who serve the sixteen circuits on a rotating basis, with court terms and assignments determined by the Chief Justice based upon recommendations of Court Administration. Circuit court judges are elected by the General Assembly to staggered terms of six-years.

Civil Court Filing Fees:

Summons and Complaint $150.00 (no additional charge for Motion if filed with Summons & Complaint)

Motion $ 25.00 (if filed individually)

Common Please (Civil) rosters are posted online 30 days before the term of Court.

To view the Court Roster online go to www.judicial.state.sc.us (click on “Trial Court”, then click on “Court Rosters”, choose “Greenwood” on the Map and select “Motion” for the Non-Jury Motion Roster.

JUROR INFORMATION

Each year, the State Election Commission provides our county with a list of potential jurors. The names are collected from voter registration, drivers license and state-issued identification cards. Jurors for each term are selected for each term by random computer selection. Notices are mailed out 30 days in advance of the term of court.

Jury parking is available in the corner lot behind the courthouse beside the Purina Feed and Seed Store. The lot is marked with a sign that states Jury Parking.

Jurors are paid $15.00 per day for each day they have to appear. Jury checks are mailed the last day of service. An excuse is attached to each check to take to the employer.

It is up to each employer whether they pay you while you are on jury duty. You will have to check with your employer to see what their policy is.

We have an automated machine available for jurors to call in to see when they are needed. The judge for your term will give you instructions as to when you will need to call. Usually jury duty lasts only one week.

TO JURORS:

YOU MAY BE EXCUSED FROM JURY DUTY IF:

YOU CANNOT SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE,

YOU HAVE SERVED AS A JUROR IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OR GENERAL SESSIONS WITHIN THE LAST THREE (3) YEARS. (FEDERAL, MAGISTRATE OR MUNICIPAL COURTS DO NOT APPLY),

YOU HAVE LEGAL CUSTODY OF A CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF SEVEN (7) AND DO NOT WORK OUTSIDE THE HOME,

YOU ARE MEDICALLY UNABLE TO SERVE. YOU MUST PROVIDE A DOCTOR’S STATEMENT. YOUR DOCTOR MAY FAX THIS TO 864-942-8693. UNTIL YOU ARE TOLD BY THIS OFFICE THAT WE HAVE YOUR STATEMENT, YOU STILL MUST APPEAR,

YOU ARE SIXTY-FIVE (65) OR OLDER, AND DO NOT WISH TO SERVE, YOU ARE EXCUSED. YOU DO NOT NEED TO CALL OR APPEAR!!! THIS OFFICE ALREADY HAS YOUR AGE AND WILL STRIKE YOU IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM YOU

YOU ARE DISQUALIFIED IF:

YOU ARE NOT A US CITIZEN

YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME AND COULD HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO A YEAR (1) OR MORE

YOU DO NOT LIVE IN GREENWOOD COUNTY

YOU MAY BE TRANSFERRED IF:

YOU ARE A FULL TIME STUDENT, TEACHER, HAVE A CONFLICT DUE TO WORK OR VACATION PLANS, OR HAVE MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS. YOU WILL ONLY BE TRANSFERRED ONCE!!

JURY SERVICE PAYS $15.00 PER DAY OF ACTUAL SERVICE. IF YOU ARE EXCUSED OR TRANSFERRED WHEN YOU APPEAR, YOU ARE NOT PAID FOR THAT DAY.

**ABSOLUTELY NO PHONES, BEEPERS, TANK TOPS, SHORTS ,GUNS, WEAPONS, MACE OR ANY SHARP OBJECTS ARE ALLOWED IN THE COURTROOM.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT CHASTITY HALL @ 942-8612 OR GEJUAN WEST @ 942-8548

THE AUTOMATED JUROR INFORMATION NUMBER IS 864-942-8550.

Failure To Appear for Jury Duty

This section applies only to those jurors summoned by the Greenwood County Clerk of Court. Other courts have different rules and procedures.

Our society considers our court system so important to civilization that federal and state laws require that citizens perform jury service when summoned by the courts. If you receive a summons for jury duty from the Clerk of Court for Greenwood County, then you should promptly complete and return any forms included with the summons. If you feel you are disqualified or exempt from jury service. Please phone Chastity Hall @ (864) 942-8612 or GeJuan West @ (864) 942-8548.

According to the South Carolina Code of Laws, if an individual is summoned to attend jury duty, in any court, and fails to appear on the scheduled date without sufficient excuse, that person may be required to pay a fine or other penalties imposed by the judge. In addition, the judge may require the Sheriff’s Office to come to your home or place of business to escort you to the Courthouse.

Please, do not ignore or forget about a summons to jury service. The court system needs your help and appreciates your cooperation .

Court Reporters and Transcripts

Both the Circuit Court and the Family Court are courts of record in which a court reporter records all proceedings in the courtroom. Court reporters are state employees who are assigned to record the proceedings of an assigned judge. If you anticipate the need for a transcript of any court proceedings, you should obtain the business card of the court reporter assigned to your hearing or trial. Requests for court transcripts must be made in writing directly to the assigned court reporter. The court reporter will contact you with an estimated charge for the transcript.

Court reporters’ names and contact information may also be obtained from your attorney or by calling South Carolina Court Administration at (803) 734-1800. When making a request you must specify the respective case’s name and the date of the hearing or trial.