You can look up your South Carolina court case status on South Carolina’s Judicial Branch website. Below is the ZumaZip.com guide on South Carolina’s civil court system, how to search for cases online there, and how to access court records in person.
South Carolina courts provide an online portal for finding your court case.
If you’ve been sued for a debt, it’s crucial to keep tabs on your case. Frequently, collectors don’t properly serve defendants with the case documents. So, finding your case online is helpful for reviewing the progress of your case.
You can lookup your case on South Carolina’s Judicial website, here.
Finding your case isn’t always easy, so in this article we’ll show you what you need to know about searching for your court case in South Carolina.
We’ll start off by reviewing the civil court structure of South Carolina.
Understand the South Carolina civil court system
In order to find your case information online or in person, it’s important to understand how the civil courts are structured in South Carolina. When you know what courts have jurisdiction over certain types of cases, it will be easier for you to narrow down the court to which your case is assigned. In South Carolina, there are four levels of courts that deal with civil cases:
- Supreme Court
- Court of Appeals
- Circuit Courts
- Magistrate Court
The Supreme Court is the highest level of court, and it deals with civil cases that have been appealed from the lower level courts. Likewise, the Court of Appeals handles cases that have been appealed.
The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil cases in South Carolina with no monteary limits. It also handles cases that have been appealed from the Magistrate Court. This means that many civil cases will be initiated in the Circuit Court.
The Magistrate Court only deals with small claims cases that involve $7,500 or less.
How do court cases numbers work in South Carolina?
South Carolina adopted a uniform case numbering system back in 1974. With this system, each case number identifies the year (two digits), court (CP , GS, DR, or JU), county (numeric code) and sequential number of that case within a given calendar year.
For example, case number 2022-CP-23-001234 would be the 1,234th Common Pleas case filed during 2022 in Greenville County.
You can check your county’s numeric code on South Carolina’s rules of civil procedure.
Access your South Carolina court records online
South Carolina has instituted an online case lookup tool to give access to those searching for cases in the state. You can search the South Carolina Judicial Branch by visiting the website, selecting the county, agreeing to the Terms of Service, and then searching for your case.
In order to search for your case online with this tool, you will need to provide some or all of the following information:
- Case Number: Each case is assigned a case number for organizational purposes, and this is the easiest way for you to search for and find your case online. When you receive notification of your lawsuit, the case number should be listed on the court documents.
- Case Type: There are several different case types, but if you’re being sued for a debt you owe, the case type will be considered civil.
- Party Name: This is your first and last name, or the first and last name of the party involved in the case (either the person being sued or the person suing).
- Business Name: If you’re being sued by a company, you can also enter the business name instead.
- Action Type: The action type is the specific legal action that was filed into the court system. There are many options for action type, but you usually don’t need to enter this information to be able to find your case online.
- Filing Date: Finally, if you know the exact date (or even a date range) of when the case was filed in the court, you can use the date to search for the case.
Note that you can also narrow your search by selecting the court your case is in, as well as the division.
Once you’ve found your case, click on the case number that is highlighted in blue, and it will take you to a new page where you can view all the scheduled events pertaining to that case, the official case status, and all the documents that have been filed into the case.
If you can’t find your court records online, try calling or visiting the courthouse in person.
Access your South Carolina court records in person
For physical copies of records, residents have numerous options. For example, the Circuit Courts hear all civil cases in South Carolina. In addition, Small Claims Court divisions of Magistrate Courts deal with civil cases, including small claims cases for amounts not exceeding $7,500.
Each divisional clerk’s office at Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville has public access to computer terminals. You can search case information by case number, party name, or filing date range. Expect to pay $.10 per page for printing from these terminals.
For copies by the Clerk’s Office, you may have to pay $.50 per page in advance, and certified copies cost $11.00 each. You must request the documents in person or by written request because of the prepayment requirement and not over the phone.
Your total fee and estimated time frame are based on the number of pages copied. Once you find the desired records, you can collect them or request the clerk to mail them.
Find your courthouse’s address and the court clerk’s number on the South Carolina Judicial Branch’s website. There is a County Information Lookup tool on the left hand side of the page where you can select a county from a dropdown menu, which opens a new page with all the courts located within that county and their addresses and clerk contacts.
Request copies from National Archives And Records Administration
Each state in the US may be subject to either state courts or federal courts. If a lawsuit begins in a state court, it may be bumped up to federal court. Usually, only civil cases with high dollar amounts are in federal court. Debt collection cases are almost always in state court. Federal cases in South Carolina go to the 4th Circuit of United States District Courts. Here’s a map of all the federal circuits.
If you are involved in a federal case in the District of South Carolina, you can still search your court records online or request them through the court clerk. Here’s how.
Using the Federal Records Center’s SmartScan service program, the court can scan and email your order if it contains 100 pages or less. It costs $19.90 for the service (covers a $10 Judiciary fee and a $9.90 FRC charge for pulling and filing the paper record), plus $0.65 for each PDF page.
The court cannot certify documents through electronic access since the original record is not in their possession. Send a SmartScan request to the appropriate divisional office, and you will receive a response within a week.
If you wish to view and copy a paper file, the fee for the clerk to retrieve the first box of records from NARA is $64 and $39.00 for each additional box. A request to the National Archives And Records Administration (NARA) must include the case file’s Accession Number and Location Number. The FORMS section under Record Retrieval contains many of these numbers listed by the year and number of the case.
If the case is not listed here, you must contact the Clerk’s Office for the Accession Number and Location Number. Lastly, money orders, personal checks, and credit cards are all accepted for making payments.
South Carolina has a unique system of assigning case numbers
Electronic case file filing (CM/ECF) began in February 2005 in the District of South Carolina. Searching for South Carolina case records is available for all 46 counties. Hence, the Clerk’s Office no longer maintains case files. Court documents and dockets are kept electronically at https://ecf.scd.uscourts.gov/ and via PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
The Clerk’s Office files and retrieves documents based on case numbers. The party index may help identify the case number in the case’s absence number. You can view the party index during weekdays from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at Charleston, Columbia, Florence, and Greenville staffed offices. If you ask the Clerk’s Office to do a name search, the cost is $31.00 per name, and all search requests must be in writing.
Respond to a lawsuit with ZumaZip.com
If you’ve been sued for a debt you owe, ZumaZip can help you respond in minutes. The first step to winning your debt collection lawsuit in South Carolina is to respond to the case with a written Answer. In South Carolina, you have 30 days to respond before you lose by default. When you lose by default, the debt collector can garnish your wages or put liens on your property.
To learn more about how to Answer a debt lawsuit, check out ZumaZip.com
What is ZumaZip?
ZumaZip is a convenient solution designed to streamline your response to a debt collection lawsuit. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect when you use ZumaZip:
Firstly, you’ll access our user-friendly web application, which guides you through the process step by step. You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions related to your specific situation. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire, you have the option to either print out the finalized forms and mail them to the appropriate courts yourself, or you can opt to utilize ZumaZip’s services to file them on your behalf. Additionally, if you choose this option, an attorney will review your document for added peace of mind.
If you’re seeking guidance on how to effectively respond to a debt collection lawsuit, ZumaZip can provide the assistance you need. Feel free to explore our FAQs for more information on what ZumaZip has to offer.
What if I haven’t been sued yet?
If you’ve only received a collections notice, but not a lawsuit, the best way to respond is with a Debt Validation Letter. When a debt collector contacts you in any way, whether it’s by phone or mail, you can respond by formally requesting a debt validation with a Debt Validation Letter . This letter notifies the collector that you dispute the debt and forces them to provide proof you owe the debt. They can’t call you or continue collecting until they provide validation of the debt. This flowchart shows how you can use a Debt Validation Letter to win.
Get started with a Debt Validation Letter here.
How to Answer a Summons for debt collection in all 50 states
Here’s a list of guides on how to respond to a debt collection lawsuit in each state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont; Vermont (Small Claims court)
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Guides on how to beat every debt collector
Hey there! Facing off against a debt collector can feel like a daunting challenge, but fear not! We’re here to help you navigate through it all with our handy guides designed to assist you in beating every debt collector you encounter. Whether you’re facing a new lawsuit or dealing with a persistent collector, we’ve got your back. Stay positive, stay informed, and let’s tackle this together!
- Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC
- Accredited Collection Services
- Alliance One
- Amcol Clmbia
- American Recovery Service
- Asset Acceptance LLC
- Asset Recovery Solutions
- Associated Credit Services
- Autovest LLC
- Cach LLC
- Cavalry SPV I LLC
- Cerastes LLC
- Colinfobur
- Covington Credit
- Crown Asset Management
- CTC Debt Collector
- Cypress Financial Recoveries
- Delanor Kemper & Associates
- Eagle Loan of Ohio
- Educap
- Estate Information Services
- FIA Card Services
- Forster & Garbus
- Freshview Solutions
- Fulton Friedman & Gullace LLP
- Harvest Credit Management
- Howard Lee Schiff
- Hudson & Keyse LLC
- Integras Capital Recovery LLC
- Javitch Block
- Jefferson Capital Systems LLC
- LVNV Funding
- Mannbracken
- Mariner Finance
- Medicredit
- Michael J Adams PC
- Michael J Scott
- Midland Funding LLC
- Mullooly, Jeffrey, Rooney & Flynn
- Mountain Land Collections
- MRS Associates
- National Collegiate Trust
- Nationstar Foreclosure
- Northstar Capital Acquisition
- NCEP LLC
- NRC Collection Agency
- OneMain Financial
- Palisades Collection LLC
- Pallida LLC
- Paragon Revenue Group
- Pinnacle Collections Agency
- PMAB LLC
- Portfolio Recovery Associates
- Provest Law
- PYOD LLC
- Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
- Revenue Group
- Regents and Associates
- RSIEH
- Salander Enterprises LLC
- Second Round Sub LLC
- Security Credit Services
- Sherman Financial Group
- Suttell and Hammer
- T-Mobile
- Transworld Systems
- Tulsa Teachers Credit Union
- UCB Collection
- Velo Law Office
- Velocity Investments
- Waypoint Resource Group
- Weinberg and Associates
- Wolpoff & Abramson
Settle your medical debt
Having a health challenge is stressful, but dealing medical debt on top of it is overwhelming. Here are some resources on how to manage medical debt.
- Am I Responsible for My Spouse’s Medical Debt?
- Do I Need a Lawyer for Medical Bills?
- Do I Need a Lawyer to Fight Medical Bill Debt?
- Does Bankruptcy Clear Medical Debt?
- How Much Do Collection Agencies Pay for Medical Debt?
- How to Find Medical Debt Forgiveness Programs
- Is There a Statute of Limitations on Medical Bills?
- Medical Debt Statute of Limitations by State
- Summoned to Court for Medical Bills — What Do I Do?
- Summoned to Court for Medical Bills? What to Do Next
Stop calls from Debt Collectors
Do you keep getting calls from an unknown number, only to realize that it’s a debt collector on the other line? If you’ve been called by any of the following numbers, chances are you have collectors coming after you, and we’ll tell you how to stop them.
- 800-390-7584
- 800-289-8004
- 800-955-6600
- 877-366-0169
- 877-591-0747
- 800-278-2420
- 800-604-0064
- 800-846-6406
- 877-317-0948
- 888-899-4332
- 888-912-7925
- 202-367-9070
- 502-267-7522
Other wage garnishment resources
- Bank Account Garnishment and Liens in Texas
- Can I Stop Wage Garnishment?
- Can My Wife’s Bank Account Be Garnished for My Debt?
- Can Payday Loans Garnish Your Wages?
- Can pensions be garnished?
- Can Private Disability Payments Be Garnished?
- Can Social Security Disability Be Garnished?
- Can They Garnish Your Wages for Credit Card Debt?
- Can You Stop a Garnishment Once It Starts?
- Guide to Garnishment Limits by State
- How Can I Stop Wage Garnishments Immediately?
- How Long Before a Creditor Can Garnish Wages?
- How Long Does It Take to Get Garnished Wages Back?
- How to Fight a Wage Garnishment
- How to Prevent Wage Garnishment
- How to Stop a Garnishment
- How to Stop Social Security Wage Garnishment
- How to Stop Wage Garnishment — Everything You Need to Know
- New York Garnishment Laws – Overview
- Ohio Garnishment Laws — What They Say
- Wage Garnishment Lawyer
- What Is Wage Garnishment?
Guides on Arbitration
If the thought of going to court stresses you out, you’re not alone. Many Americans who are sued for credit card debt utilize a Motion to Compel Arbitration to push their case out of court and into arbitration.
Below are some resources on how to use an arbitration clause to your advantage and win a debt lawsuit.
- How Arbitration Works
- How to Find an Arbitration Clause in Your Credit Agreement
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration in Florida
- How to Make a Motion to Compel Arbitration Without an Attorney
- How Credit Card Arbitration Works
- Motion to Compel Arbitration in California
- Sample Motion to Compel Arbitration
Federal Debt Collection Laws Can Protect You
Knowing your rights makes it easier to stand up for your rights. Below, we’ve compiled all our articles on federal debt collection laws that protect you from unfair practices.
- 15 USC 1692 Explained
- Does the Fair Credit Reporting Act Work in Florida?
- FDCPA Violations List
- How to File an FDCPA Complaint Against Your Debt Collector (Ultimate Guide)
- How to Make a Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Demand Letter
- How to Submit a Transunion Dispute
- How to Submit an Equifax Dispute
- How to Submit an Experian Dispute
- What Debt Collectors Cannot Do — FDCPA Explained
- What Does Account Information Disputed by Consumer Meets FCRA Requirements Mean?
- What does “meets FCRA requirements” mean?
- What does FCRA stand for?
- What is the Consumer Credit Protection Act
Resolve Your Debt with Your Creditor
Some creditors, banks, and lenders have an internal collections department. If they come after you for a debt, ZumaZip can still help you respond and resolve the debt. Here’s a list of guides on how to resolve debt with different creditors.
- American Express; American Express – Debt Collection
- Bank of America
- Barclay
- Best Buy Credit Card
- Capital One
- Chase
- Credit One Bank
- Old Navy Credit Card
- PayPal Synchrony Card
- Regional Finance
- Retailers National Bank
- Reunion Student Loan Finance Corporation
- SYNCB/PPEXTR
- Synchrony Bank
- Synchrony Walmart Card
- Target National Bank
- Webbank
- Wells Fargo
- Can I Pay My Original Creditor Instead of a Debt Collection Agency?
- Can I Settle a Debt with the Original Creditor?
Check the Status of Your Court Case
Don’t have time to go to your local courthouse to check the status of your case? We’ve created a guide on how to check the status of your case in every state, complete with online search tools and court directories.
- Alabama Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit
- Alaska Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Arizona Court Case Search – Find Your Lawsuit
- Arkansas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- California Court Case Search- Find Your Lawsuit
- Colorado Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Connecticut Case Lookup — Find Your Court Case
- Delaware Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Florida Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Georgia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Hawaii Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Idaho Court Case Search – Find Your Lawsuit
- Illinois Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Indiana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Iowa Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Kansas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Kentucky Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Louisiana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Maine Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Maryland Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Massachusetts Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Michigan Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Minnesota Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Mississippi Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Missouri Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Montana Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Nebraska Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Nevada Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- New Hampshire Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- New Jersey Court Case Search—Find Your Lawsuit
- New Mexico Court Case Search – Find Your Lawsuit
- New York Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- North Carolina Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- North Dakota Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Ohio Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Oklahoma Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Oregon Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Pennsylvania Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Rhode Island Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- South Carolina Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- South Dakota Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Tennessee Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Texas Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Utah Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Vermont Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Virginia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Washington Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- West Virginia Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Wisconsin Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit
- Wyoming Court Case Search — Find Your Lawsuit