Clerk of Court Charleston County South Carolina

• Maximum claim: $7,500 in South Carolina
• File at Magistrate Court for amounts under $7,500
• Court of Common Pleas for amounts over $7,500
• No attorney required for small claims

• Written contracts: 3 years to file
• Property damage: 3 years from incident
• Personal injury: 3 years from injury
• Unpaid wages: 3 years from due date

The main Clerk of Court office is at 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401. This historic courthouse in downtown Charleston handles civil cases, family court, and probate matters. Small claims under $7,500 are filed at the Magistrate Court at 101 Meeting Street.

The Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends and all federal and state holidays. For emergency filings, contact the on-call judge through the main number (843) 958-5000.

Filing fees vary by case type: Small claims (Magistrate Court) cost $50-95, civil cases in Common Pleas start at $150, family court filings range from $150-350, and probate matters are $95-200. Additional fees apply for service of process ($40+) and certified copies ($3 per page).

While Charleston County is working on e-filing systems, most cases still require in-person or mail filing. However, you can use services like PettyLawsuit to prepare and file your documents online. We handle all the paperwork and filing requirements, saving you a trip to downtown Charleston.

Magistrate Court handles small claims up to $7,500, landlord-tenant disputes, and minor criminal matters. No attorney is required. Common Pleas Court handles civil cases over $7,500 and more complex legal matters. While you can represent yourself, many people hire attorneys for Common Pleas cases.