Find Court Docket Records in Aiken County
Aiken County court docket records cover every case filed in Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court in Aiken County, South Carolina. The Clerk of Court at the Aiken County Courthouse maintains these records and makes most of them available through the South Carolina Public Index. Whether you need to look up a civil lawsuit, a criminal case, or a family court matter, this page explains how to search Aiken County court dockets and how to get copies of documents you need.
Aiken County Quick Facts
Aiken County Clerk of Court Office
Robert J. Harte serves as Clerk of Court for Aiken County. He was first elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020. Harte brings extensive legal background to the role, having received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1974. He previously served as Assistant Public Defender, Aiken County Public Defender, and as the 2nd Judicial Circuit Solicitor from 1980 to 1990. In 1988, he received the Silver Scales of Justice award for developing the Victim Witness program in Aiken County.
The Clerk of Court's office at the Aiken County Courthouse is the official keeper of all court filings and docket entries for Circuit Court and Family Court in Aiken County. The office accepts new case filings, processes court orders, manages jury administration, and provides copies of court documents to the public. Staff can search the docket by party name or case number and direct you to the right records for your request.
The link below goes to the SC Courts courthouse information page for Aiken County, which shows the current Clerk of Court, phone and fax numbers, and the courthouse physical address.
The SC Courts page confirms Aiken County is part of the Second Judicial Circuit. It lists the Clerk of Court's direct phone and fax, along with the courthouse address on Park Avenue in Aiken.
| Clerk of Court |
Aiken County Courthouse 109 Park Avenue, SE Aiken, SC 29801 Phone: (803) 642-1715 Fax: (803) 642-1718 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | aikencountysc.gov |
Aiken County Court Docket Explained
A court docket is the official record of everything that happens in a court case. It logs every filing, every hearing, every motion, and every order from the day the case is opened until it is closed. The docket tells you what documents are in the case file, when hearings were held, and what the court decided at each step. When someone files a new case in Aiken County, the Clerk of Court creates a docket and assigns a case number that identifies that case going forward.
South Carolina docket numbers follow a standard format. In Aiken County, a civil Circuit Court case filed in 2024 would carry a number like 2024-CP-02-00456. The first four digits are the year. CP means Common Pleas, the civil division. The two-digit county code for Aiken County is 02. The final digits are the sequential case number. Criminal Circuit Court cases in General Sessions use GS in the same structure. Family Court cases use a different prefix depending on the type of matter.
Knowing the format helps when you search the Public Index or call the Clerk of Court. You can use a full case number for a precise search or just the party name for a broader lookup. The CDR codes listed at sccourts.org explain the criminal charge codes used throughout Aiken County court dockets in General Sessions cases.
Aiken County Courts and Docket Types
Aiken County has a full range of courts, each with its own docket. The Circuit Court is the main trial court and has two divisions. Common Pleas handles civil matters including lawsuits over money, contracts, property, and personal injury. General Sessions handles felony and misdemeanor criminal matters. The Clerk of Court maintains dockets for both. Aiken County also has a Master-In-Equity Court, which handles complex civil cases referred by the Circuit Court judges.
Family Court in Aiken County handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, termination of parental rights, juvenile delinquency, and domestic abuse cases. Orders of Protection are issued through Family Court. The Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court filings and docket entries. Family Court records involving minors are not fully accessible to the public online.
Magistrate Courts in Aiken County handle civil claims up to $7,500 and minor criminal and traffic matters. Probate Court handles wills, estates, and guardianships. Aiken County is one of the counties where Probate Court records can be searched online by name or docket number. The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org maintains links to all court types and their records across the state.
Note: E-filing is available for attorneys in Aiken County Circuit and Family Court cases. Members of the public still submit paper filings in person or by mail to the Clerk of Court.
Searching Aiken County Court Dockets Online
The South Carolina Public Index is the primary online tool for searching Aiken County court docket records. Access it at publicindex.sccourts.org/aiken/publicindex. The system is free to use. You can search by party name, business name, or case number. Results show the case caption, court type, filing date, and a list of docket entries for each case. Each entry has a date and a short description of what was filed or what action the court took.
The image below links to the Aiken County Government portal, which connects residents to county services including court information and the Public Index for Aiken County cases.
The Aiken County government website at aikencountysc.gov provides access to county services and directs users to court information and the Clerk of Court office. Citizens can also use the site to stay current on local government activities and subscribe to notifications.
The SC Judicial Branch also provides a unified case records search at sccourts.org that covers all South Carolina counties. You can filter by county, court type, and date range. This is useful if you are not sure whether a case was filed in Aiken County or a neighboring county.
The following screenshot comes from the South Carolina Public Index portal for Aiken County, which shows the search interface for docket records.
The Aiken County Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org allows anyone to search the 2nd Judicial Circuit docket for Aiken by case number, party name, or filing date range. As of January 1, 2026, home address information is no longer shown in the Public Index for all counties including Aiken.
Aiken County Court Rosters and Scheduled Cases
Court rosters in Aiken County list cases that are scheduled for upcoming hearings, motions, and trials. The Clerk of Court prepares these rosters for Circuit Court and Family Court sessions. You can view current Aiken County court rosters at sccourts.org/court-roster-search. To access rosters, you accept a disclaimer and then select the court agency, roster type, and date you want to view. Rosters show the case number, party names, and the scheduled date and time.
Rosters are useful for attorneys, parties, and members of the public who want to know when a specific Aiken County case is set for hearing. They are updated as new matters are added and as old ones are continued, settled, or resolved. Traffic cases in Aiken can also be tracked through the unified online system at sccourts.org.
Fees for Aiken County Court Records and Filings
Filing a new civil case in the Aiken County Circuit Court costs approximately $150 for most complaints. The Clerk of Court collects all filing fees at the time the case is submitted. For copy requests, Aiken County follows the state schedule: copies cost $0.50 per page, and certified copies carry an additional $5.00 fee per document. Call the Aiken County Clerk of Court at (803) 642-1715 to confirm current rates before you visit.
If you need a certified copy of an order or judgment from an Aiken County court case, you can request it in person at the Clerk's office or submit a written request with payment. Allow time for the office to locate the file and prepare the copy. Older cases may require more time to retrieve from storage. Record checks are available in person with a valid government-issued ID.
The following types of fees apply to Aiken County court records:
- Circuit Court civil complaint filing: approximately $150.00
- Plain copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copy surcharge: $5.00 per document
- Record check in person: available with valid ID
- Service of process through Sheriff: separate fee applies
Note: Fee amounts can change. Always confirm the current fee schedule with the Aiken County Clerk of Court before submitting any filing or payment.
Public Access to Aiken County Court Docket Records
Court docket records in Aiken County are public records under South Carolina law. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. Title 30, Chapter 4 gives the public the right to inspect and copy records of government bodies. Court records fall within this framework unless sealed by specific statute or court order. In Aiken County, you can view and request copies of court docket entries without needing to be a party to the case.
Criminal court records in General Sessions are not fully available on the Public Index online, but they are accessible in person at the Aiken County Clerk of Court office. You can request a docket sheet for any General Sessions case by visiting the courthouse at 109 Park Avenue, SE in Aiken. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search by name or case number and provide you with a copy of the docket sheet for any case that is not under seal.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org is the central resource for court forms, rules, attorney information, and online case access tools. The site also has current status updates for court openings and delays across all circuits in South Carolina, including the Second Judicial Circuit that covers Aiken County.
Nearby Counties
Aiken County borders several other South Carolina counties in the Second Judicial Circuit and surrounding circuits. If you are unsure which county a case was filed in, the county where the plaintiff or defendant lived at the time of filing is the starting point. Check the counties nearby to find the right Clerk of Court office.