Clarendon County, SC Courts and Public Records
- Arrest Records
- Judgments
- Bankruptcies
- DUIs & DWIs
- Felonies
- Warrants
- Jail Records
- Lien Records
- Sex Offenses
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal Records
- Federal Dockets
The Clarendon County Clerk of Court keeps court records for Clarendon County and serves the Circuit and Family Courts. The county is part of the Third Judicial Circuit, which also includes Clarendon, Lee, Sumter, Williamsburg.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Name | Clarendon County Clerk of Court (Circuit and Family Courts) |
| Main Address | PO Box 136, Manning, SC 29102 |
| Main Phone | (803) 435-4443 |
| Website | sccourts.org |
| Clerk of Court | Shanita Brangman |
| Courthouse Locations | 1 (Manning) |
| Handles | Circuit and Family Court records kept by the Clerk of Court |
| Does NOT Handle | Probate, Magistrate, Municipal and Master-in-Equity matters, which are heard in separate courts; federal cases (U.S. District Court for South Carolina) |
| Online Case Search | Public Index |
| Pay Traffic Tickets Online | sc.gov/court-payments |
How to Search Clarendon County Court Records
Have the full name, the case number if you know it, and approximate dates ready before you search. Clarendon County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court Office.
Online
Go to publicindex.sccourts.org to search statewide court records.
Search by name or case number, then open the case details.
Best for: Quick lookups of case status and parties
In Person
Go to PO Box 136, Manning, SC 29102.
Bring the case number and party names if you have them.
Best for: Records and copies not available online
By Phone
Call (803) 435-4443 to reach the Clarendon County Clerk of Court.
Ask about records kept for Circuit and Family Court cases.
Best for: Questions about a specific case
Search by Name on SCCourtAccess.org
Go to SCCourtAccess.org and enter a full name.
Search across record types without a case number.
Confirm results with the court, since they are not official court records.
Best for: Finding leads without a case number
Clarendon County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
Clarendon County courts handled an estimated 2,038 new cases in FY 2026 across the case types covered here, and disposed of 1,017 criminal and probate cases. Criminal cases (General Sessions) and probate estate cases come from county reports; civil and family filings are estimated.
~2,038
Total filings in FY 2026
~2,011
Total dispositions in FY 2026
~2,038
Filings per judicial position (1 estimated positions)
~+5.0%
Change in total filings vs FY 2025
| Metric | FY 2026 | FY 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Filings | ~2,038 | ~1,941 | ~+5.0% |
| Total Dispositions | ~2,011 | ~1,915 | ~+5.0% |
| Criminal Filings | 622 | 629 | -1.1% |
| Civil Filings | ~673 | ~628 | ~+7.2% |
| Family Law Filings | ~304 | ~313 | ~-2.9% |
| Probate Filings | ~439 | ~371 | ~+18.3% |
| Mental Health Filings | ~1 | ~1 | ~+3.6% |
| Juvenile Filings | ~40 | ~39 | ~+3.6% |
| Authorized Judicial Positions | ~1 | ~1 | ~0.0% |
The largest category movement was in probate filings.
How Have Court Filings Changed in Clarendon County?
Estimated total filings in Clarendon County moved down over the last five years; dispositions are estimated at a similar level.
| Fiscal Year | Total Filings | Total Dispositions | YoY Filing Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 | ~2,038 | ~2,011 | ~+5.0% |
| FY 2025 | ~1,941 | ~1,916 | ~-20.2% |
| FY 2024 | ~2,432 | ~2,400 | ~+14.0% |
| FY 2023 | ~2,134 | ~2,106 | ~-1.7% |
| FY 2022 | ~2,171 | ~2,143 | ~-24.5% |
Estimated filings changed -6.1% between FY 2022 and FY 2026, from 2,171 to 2,038. The largest annual change was -20.2% in FY 2025. The latest change of +5.0% was driven mainly by probate filings.
What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clarendon County?
Civil cases are estimated to be the largest category in Clarendon County, at about 33.0% of filings in FY 2026.
| Case Type | Filings FY 2026 | Share of Total | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil | ~673 | ~33.0% | ~+7.2% |
| Criminal | 622 | ~30.5% | -1.1% |
| Probate | ~439 | ~21.5% | ~+18.3% |
| Family law | ~304 | ~14.9% | ~-2.9% |
| Juvenile | ~40 | ~2.0% | ~+3.6% |
| Mental health | ~1 | ~0.0% | ~+3.6% |
Probate cases grew fastest and family law cases fell fastest.
How Does Clarendon County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
Clarendon County is estimated to account for about 0.61% of the 334,712 cases filed in South Carolina courts in FY 2026.
| Metric | Clarendon County | South Carolina | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total filings | ~2,038 | 334,712 | ~0.61% of statewide filings |
| YoY change in filings | ~+5.0% | +3.8% | Above state (estimate) |
| Filings per judicial position | ~2,038 | ~7,276 | Below state (estimate) |
| Dispositions per judicial position equivalent | ~2,011 | ~7,180 | Below state (estimate) |
| Criminal share of filings | ~30.5% | 39.2% | Below state (estimate) |
| Civil share of filings | ~33.0% | 30.0% | Above state (estimate) |
| Family law share of filings | ~14.9% | 17.1% | Below state (estimate) |
Compared with the state, Clarendon County has a higher share of civil filings and a lower share of criminal filings. Figures marked with ~ are estimates.
Clarendon County Crime Statistics (2025)
These figures are South Carolina statewide totals as reported to the FBI, not counts for Clarendon County. Agency reporting may be incomplete, and county crime counts are not available here. Statewide violent and property crimes combined fell 15.0% from 2024 to 2025. In 2025, reporting agencies covered about 96.4% of South Carolina's population, so year-over-year changes can partly reflect which agencies reported.
20,950
Violent crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025
92,086
Property crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025 (includes arson)
376.1
Violent crime rate per 100K, South Carolina statewide, 2025 (population 5,570,274)
-15.0%
Change in total violent plus property crimes, South Carolina statewide, 2025 vs 2024 (113,036 vs 133,034)
| Offense | 2025 | Rate per 100K | 2024 | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide (murder) | 352 | 6.3 | 428 | -17.8% |
| Rape | 1,877 | 33.7 | 2,137 | -12.2% |
| Robbery | 1,527 | 27.4 | 1,942 | -21.4% |
| Aggravated assault | 17,194 | 308.7 | 19,581 | -12.2% |
| Violent crimes total | 20,950 | 376.1 | 24,088 | -13.0% |
| Burglary | 13,035 | 234.0 | 15,541 | -16.1% |
| Larceny-theft | 69,668 | 1250.7 | 80,928 | -13.9% |
| Motor vehicle theft | 8,880 | 159.4 | 11,872 | -25.2% |
| Property crimes total | 92,086 | 1653.2 | 108,946 | -15.5% |
Rates use the South Carolina 2025 population of 5,570,274. County-level rates are not published, so this section does not compare Clarendon County with the state. The property crimes total includes arson, so it is larger than the sum of the property offenses listed above.
Clarendon County Courthouse Locations
Clarendon County has 1 Clerk of Court location, in Manning. Check your case paperwork for the courtroom or division before you go.
| Courthouse | Address | Phone | Verified Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon County Clerk of Court Office | PO Box 136, Manning, SC 29102 | (803) 435-4443 | Clerk of Court office (Circuit and Family Court records) |
Which Court Handles Your Case in Clarendon County?
In Clarendon County, South Carolina, cases are heard in magistrate, municipal, circuit, family, or probate courts, depending on the case.
| Your Situation | Go To | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic ticket | Magistrate Court or the municipal court that issued the ticket | Tickets within city limits often go to municipal court; others go to magistrate court. |
| Parking ticket | The city or agency that issued the ticket | Follow the payment and appeal instructions on the ticket. |
| Misdemeanor | Magistrate Court or municipal court in Clarendon County | Lower-level misdemeanors are heard in summary courts. |
| Felony | Circuit Court (General Sessions) for Clarendon County | Felonies are heard in General Sessions after a bond hearing in a summary court. |
| DUI | Magistrate or municipal court, or Circuit Court (General Sessions) | Lower-level DUI may be handled in summary court; more serious charges go to circuit court. |
| Domestic violence | Magistrate or municipal court, or Family Court | Criminal charges start in summary court; protection orders are filed in Family Court. |
| Civil lawsuit | Magistrate Court or Circuit Court (Common Pleas) | The amount in dispute decides which court applies. |
| Small claims | Magistrate Court in Clarendon County | Magistrate court handles small civil claims. |
| Eviction | Magistrate Court in Clarendon County | Landlord-tenant cases are filed in magistrate court. |
| Divorce | Family Court for Clarendon County | Family Court handles divorce and legal separation. |
| Child custody or support | Family Court for Clarendon County | Family Court decides custody, visitation, and support. |
| Probate or estate | Probate Court for Clarendon County | Probate Court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. |
| Juvenile case | Family Court for Clarendon County | Juvenile matters are heard in Family Court. |
| Appeal | South Carolina Court of Appeals or Supreme Court | Appeals go to the appellate courts; federal matters go to the U.S. District Court. |
Cases in Clarendon County are heard in South Carolina's trial courts, which include the Circuit, Family, Probate, Magistrate, Municipal and Master-in-Equity Courts. Federal cases are heard in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina, and parking tickets are handled by the agency that issued them. Confirm which court handles your matter with the Clarendon County Clerk of Court at (803) 435-4443, since the Clerk keeps Circuit and Family Court records.
Are Clarendon County Court Records Public?
Yes, most Clarendon County court records are public, with exceptions set by the South Carolina Judicial Branch court-records policy.
Public records
Most court records are open to the public under the Judicial Branch court-records policy, which is summarized on the Judicial Branch court access page.
Restricted or confidential records
Records that the policy, a rule or a court order makes confidential are not available to the public. Do not expect sealed records to appear online.
Online access
Case information can be searched in the Public Index. Online results may not include every document, so ask the Clerk of Court Office for documents that are not online.
In-person access
Visit the Clarendon County Clerk of Court at PO Box 136, Manning, SC 29102, or call (803) 435-4443 to confirm where a record is kept.
How to Search Clarendon County Court Records Online
South Carolina offers an online public index that may show circuit, magistrate, and some municipal court cases from Clarendon County.
- Identify whether your case is criminal, traffic, civil, family, probate, or juvenile.
- Open the official South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index.
- Search by county, court type, party name, or case number.
- Review the case details, parties, hearing dates, and dispositions.
- Contact the clerk or court in Clarendon County to request documents not available online.
| Case Type | Where to Search | What You'll Find | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Circuit and many magistrate case records, charges, and dispositions. | Municipal coverage is partial; document copies come from the clerk. |
| Traffic | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Traffic cases in magistrate and some municipal courts. | Not every municipal court is included; contact the issuing court. |
| Civil | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Common Pleas and magistrate civil case information. | Filed documents are generally not provided online. |
| Small claims | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Magistrate court civil case information. | Detail varies by court; confirm with the magistrate court. |
| Family law | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Family Court case information may be listed. | Some family records are confidential; contact the clerk. |
| Probate | Probate records are held by each county Probate Court; check the court in Clarendon County. | Probate case information if offered by the county. | Probate is not part of the general public index; contact the probate court. |
| Juvenile | South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index | Little or no juvenile information is public. | Juvenile records are confidential and generally not shown online; contact the clerk. |
Use South Carolina's official Judicial Branch search tools to find Clarendon County cases, then ask the Clerk of Court Office for documents that are not available online.
- Identify the case type, such as criminal, traffic, civil, family or probate.
- Open the Public Index or the case records search on sccourts.org.
- Search by party name or case number and note the case number from the results.
- Review the case details for status and parties.
- Call the Clarendon County Clerk of Court at (803) 435-4443 to request documents that are not online.
This page does not list which case types appear in the Public Index, so confirm coverage for your case with the Clerk of Court Office.
How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clarendon County
Court fines and fees in Clarendon County can be paid online through the Judicial Branch, or by contacting the Clarendon County Clerk of Court.
- Online: Pay court fines and fees at sc.gov/court-payments.
- Traffic tickets: Look up your ticket with the Traffic Ticket Search before you pay.
- Clerk of Court: Call (803) 435-4443 to ask about payment options for your case.
Parking tickets are paid through the agency that issued the ticket, not through the court.
Clarendon County Court Records FAQ
How do I search Clarendon County court records?
Search the Public Index by name or case number, or contact the Clarendon County Clerk of Court at (803) 435-4443.
Are Clarendon County court records public?
Most are, under the South Carolina Judicial Branch court-records policy, but records made confidential by a rule or court order are restricted.
How do I find a criminal case in Clarendon County?
Search the Public Index by name or case number, or call the Clerk of Court Office at (803) 435-4443 for help.
How do I find a court date in Clarendon County?
Check your ticket or notice, or call the Clarendon County Clerk of Court at (803) 435-4443 to confirm the date.
How do I pay a traffic ticket in Clarendon County?
Pay court fines and fees online at sc.gov/court-payments, or look up your ticket with the Traffic Ticket Search first.
How many cases are filed in Clarendon County each year?
County filing counts for Clarendon County are not published here, so this page does not give an annual case total.
What is the most common type of case in Clarendon County?
Case-type counts for Clarendon County are not published here, so this page does not name the most common case type.
Is crime rising or falling in South Carolina?
County crime counts are not available here. Statewide, reported violent crimes fell 13.0% to 20,950 in 2025 from 24,088 in 2024, and property crimes fell 15.5% to 92,086 from 108,946, as reported to the FBI. These are South Carolina statewide figures, and reporting coverage changed between years.
Courts in the County
Clarendon County Magistrate CourtMore Info
| Address: | 102 S. Mill St., Manning, SC, 29102 |
| Phone Number: | 803-435-2670 |
| Fax: | 803-435-0885 |
| Website: | https://www.clarendoncountygov.org/departments/ct-m-s/magistrate-court |
Useful Links
- South Carolina Judicial Branch: This is the official website for South Carolina courts, providing access to statewide court services.
- Clarendon County Government: Explore government services and departments in Clarendon County, including local legal resources and county administrative services.
- South Carolina Court of Common Pleas: Access information about the jurisdiction, procedures, and cases handled by the Court of Common Pleas in South Carolina.
- Municipal Courts of South Carolina: Provides statewide information about municipal courts and their operations in South Carolina cities, including traffic and minor cases.
- Magistrate Courts of South Carolina: Discover jurisdiction, procedures, and services offered by Magistrate Courts including small claims and minor criminal cases.
- South Carolina Public Index: Search for case information in South Carolina's courts using this comprehensive public access system.
- Clarendon County Solicitor's Office: Learn about the services provided by the Solicitor's Office, including prosecution responsibilities and victim assistance programs.
- Family Court of South Carolina: Find resources and information on South Carolina's Family Court, handling cases like divorce, child custody, and juvenile matters.
- South Carolina Department of Public Safety: Access statewide law enforcement services, including public safety initiatives, crime data, and traffic reporting.
- Probate Court of South Carolina: Provides information on the Probate Court's services like estate matters, guardianship, and mental health cases in the state.
- South Carolina Association of Counties: Statewide association offering resources, legislative updates, and training for counties including Clarendon County.
- South Carolina Bar: The official bar association provides legal resources, lawyer directories, and public service announcements for South Carolina residents.
- South Carolina Juror Information: Essential information for jurors serving in South Carolina courts including rights, responsibilities, and frequently asked questions.
- South Carolina State University Law Department: A useful resource for legal studies and activities, offering educational opportunities in legal education within South Carolina.
- South Carolina Court Forms: Find a comprehensive library of legal forms required for various court processes in South Carolina.
- South Carolina Clerk of Court Offices: Directory of Clerk of Court offices including contact information and services in South Carolina counties.
- South Carolina Citizen's Guide to the Courts: A guidebook intended to educate the public on the functioning and procedures of South Carolina's court systems.
- LawHelp.org/SC: A non-profit platform providing legal aid resources, guides, and tips for navigating legal challenges in South Carolina.
- South Carolina Legal Services: Offers free legal aid to qualifying low-income residents in South Carolina on a range of civil legal issues.
- South Carolina Court Self-Help Center: Provides self-help legal resources for residents seeking to understand or represent themselves in legal matters within South Carolina.
Table of Contents
- Clarendon County, Courts and Public Records
- How to Search Clarendon County Court Records
- Clarendon County Court Statistics (FY 2026)
- How Have Court Filings Changed in Clarendon County?
- What Types of Cases Are Filed in Clarendon County?
- How Does Clarendon County Compare With South Carolina Overall?
- Clarendon County Crime Statistics (2025)
- Clarendon County Courthouse Locations
- Which Court Handles Your Case in Clarendon County?
- Are Clarendon County Court Records Public?
- How to Search Clarendon County Court Records Online
- How to Pay Fines & Citations in Clarendon County
- Clarendon County Court Records FAQ
- Courts in the County
- Useful Links