What the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court Does — and What They Won’t Do

The Orangeburg County Clerk of Court's Office provides administrative support for the 1st Judicial Circuit Court and Family Court. In plain terms, they're the behind-the-scenes operation that keeps these courts running - handling paperwork, recordkeeping, and the administrative tasks families often need when a case moves through the system.

A major part of the job is maintaining court records and dockets. Court records are the files tied to cases - documents, filings, case history. A docket is the court's running list of case activity and scheduling, tracking what's happening and when hearings are set.

The office also handles reporting requirements for the court. You probably won't interact with this directly, but it's how the courts stay organized and accountable.

• ✓ Receives and disburses child support fees, fines, and costs
• ✓ Processes civil legal actions where the demand or value of property involved exceeds $7,500

One thing worth knowing: the Clerk of Court is an elected position. The officeholder is elected countywide and serves a four-year term. You'll deal with staff for most requests, but the Clerk themselves is a publicly elected official.

If you use the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index to look up Orangeburg County cases, expect a privacy change starting January 1, 2026: home addresses will no longer appear on the public index for new or existing cases. Even if you've seen addresses listed before, they won't show after that date.

1. Identify what you need - Start with the basics: the person’s name and any case details you have, and decide whether you’re requesting a specific court record or information tied to a docket.
2. Ask the Clerk’s Office for the right request process - Because the Clerk’s Office maintains court records, they’re the place to request copies of records they keep.
3. Be ready for fees or filing costs - Some transactions handled through the Clerk’s Office involve money, including child support fees, fines, and costs. Civil filings can also come with filing-related costs, especially for civil legal actions where the demand or value of property involved exceeds $7,500.
4. Confirm what you’re getting before you leave or submit payment - Make sure the copy or record you requested matches what you need (correct case, correct document, correct date range) so you don’t have to redo the request.

Not sure if your question is about court records, scheduling, or filing? Contact the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court's Office directly. Since they handle administrative support for the 1st Judicial Circuit Court and Family Court, they can usually tell you whether your request belongs there - or point you to the right office.