Guide
South Carolina Judgments & Liens Search at a Glance
In South Carolina, money judgments come from the circuit courts, the magistrates courts and other courts of record. A final judgment is a lien on the debtor's real estate in a county once the judgment, or a transcript of it, is entered on that county's book of abstracts of judgments and indexed. UCC financing statements are filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Always confirm the official record by ordering a certified copy from the originating office when accuracy matters for closing, refinancing, or litigation.
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Where to search court judgments in South Carolina
The South Carolina Judicial Branch website leads to the Public Index case records search for each county, which also holds some municipal court records. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases are searched on C-Track Public Access.
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Where liens are recorded in South Carolina
Final judgments of South Carolina courts of record, and of the federal courts in the state, are a lien on the debtor's real estate in any county where the judgment or a transcript of it is entered on the book of abstracts of judgments and indexed, starting from that entry (S.C. Code 15-35-810). A mechanics lien is dissolved unless, within ninety days after the claimant stops work or stops furnishing materials, a sworn statement of the account is served on the owner and filed with the register of deeds or clerk of court of the county (S.C. Code 29-5-90).
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South Carolina UCC filings
UCC financing statements are filed with the South Carolina Secretary of State. Its UCC electronic filing, search and retrieval system searches financing statements, retrieves copies, orders certified search results and takes filings online.
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How long a judgment lien lasts in South Carolina
A judgment lien begins when the judgment is entered on the book of abstracts and indexed, and it lasts ten years from the date of the final judgment (S.C. Code 15-35-810). It does not reach real property that the Constitution exempts from attachment, levy and sale (S.C. Code 15-35-820); the debtor's exemptions, the residence exemption among them, are listed in S.C. Code 15-41-30.
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Finding the debtor's assets after judgment in South Carolina
South Carolina's procedure is the supplementary proceeding in S.C. Code 15-39-310 and the sections that follow. When an execution against property is returned unsatisfied in whole or in part, the judgment creditor at any time after the return is entitled to an order from a judge of the circuit court requiring the judgment debtor to appear and answer concerning his property before the judge at the time and place the order specifies. Under 15-39-330 the debtor is examined on oath in the same manner as a witness, and under 15-39-350 a person who holds property of the debtor or owes the debtor money may be ordered to appear and answer as well.
Two court files may already hold the answers. A South Carolina Family Court file is public unless sealed, and the Financial Declaration in it lists what each spouse earned, owned and owed while the decree shows the apportionment. A bankruptcy file in the District of South Carolina lists deposit accounts by institution and the employer by name. The South Carolina asset search page covers both.
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Court forms and self-help in South Carolina
The South Carolina Judicial Branch posts self-help resources for people without a lawyer, explaining what court staff can help with, and its statewide court forms.
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Federal & National Authoritative Sources
By state
Judgments and liens in other states
Straight answers
South Carolina Judgments & Liens Search, questions
How long is a judgment lien enforceable in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a money judgment is enforceable as a lien for 10 years from the date it is entered or properly docketed. Creditors who want to extend collection beyond that period must file a renewal motion with the issuing court before the lien lapses. Read the South Carolina statute.
What is the deadline for filing a mechanics lien in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, a mechanics lien (also called a construction or materialman's lien) must generally be filed within 90 days after the claimant last furnished labor or materials to the project. Different deadlines may apply to general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers, so check the exact statute before relying on this window. Source: South Carolina statute.
What property is protected from judgment creditors in South Carolina?
South Carolina protects a homestead, the debtor's primary residence, up to $50,000 in equity from forced sale by most judgment creditors. Personal property exemptions (motor vehicle, household goods, tools of trade, retirement accounts) are listed separately in the state code. Confirm the current amount on the official source.
Where do I file or search a UCC-1 in South Carolina?
UCC-1 financing statements for personal-property collateral in South Carolina are filed with the Secretary of State (or equivalent state filing office). Open the official South Carolina UCC filing portal. Real-property liens (mortgages, judgment-lien dockets, mechanics liens) are recorded at the county recorder/clerk where the property is located, not at the state level.