Dorchester County Phone Directory

Dorchester County sits in the South Carolina Lowcountry. It shares borders with Charleston and Berkeley counties. The county seat is St. George. Summerville is the largest town. This phone directory lists key contacts for Dorchester County government offices. You can reach the main office at (843) 563-0160. The Summerville branch answers at (843) 832-0100. Courts, police, and public services all serve the county from two hubs. Use this page to find the right phone number fast.

Dorchester County Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court runs the court system in Dorchester County. This office handles Circuit Court, Family Court, Magistrate Court, and Probate Court. Staff file cases. They store records. They help the public find what they need. The clerk also keeps the 1st Judicial Circuit Public Index. You can search this index for case records tied to Dorchester County.

Two main offices serve the county. The St. George office is at 5200 E Jim Bilton Blvd, St. George, SC 29477. Call (843) 563-0160 to reach it. The Summerville office is at 101 Ridge Street, Summerville, SC 29483. Its phone number is (843) 832-0100. Both are in this phone directory. Copies of court records cost $0.50 per page at each site.

Family Court Phone Directory

Family Court in Dorchester County handles cases that deal with family law. This includes divorce, custody, and support. The court sits at the Troy Knight Judicial Complex. That building is at 212 Deming Way, Summerville, SC 29483. Call the Summerville clerk at (843) 832-0100 for Family Court questions.

Some Family Court records have limits on access. South Carolina law restricts certain files. Under S.C. Code Ann. Section 63-7-1990, child abuse and neglect records are sealed. Section 63-19-2020 protects juvenile case files. Most other Family Court records in Dorchester County are open to the public. You can ask the clerk to check if a file is open or sealed.

Note: Always call the Dorchester County Clerk of Court before you visit. Hours can shift due to court schedules or holidays. Staff can tell you what forms or ID to bring.

How to Use This Phone Directory

This page works as a central phone directory for Dorchester County. It groups contacts by office. Each listing shows a name, address, and phone number. Start with the office that best fits your need. If you are not sure, call the main county line at (843) 563-0160. Staff can route you to the right place.

You can also visit the Dorchester County website for a full list of departments. The site has links to online services as well. Many forms are now available to download. But for quick help, a phone call is still the best first step. Keep this phone directory handy for future use.

Dorchester County Public Records

South Carolina law gives the public broad access to government records. The Freedom of Information Act is found in S.C. Code Ann. Section 30-4-10. It applies to all Dorchester County offices. You can ask for records by phone, mail, or in person. Most requests get a response within 10 business days.

Records you can request from Dorchester County include:

• Court case files and docket sheets
• Property deeds and tax records
• Police reports and incident logs
• Meeting minutes and budgets
• Permits and inspection reports

Some records are exempt. Medical files, active law enforcement cases, and sealed court files are not open to the public. The county must cite a specific code section when it denies a request. If you think a denial is wrong, you can appeal it. The phone directory contacts on this page can help you start that process in Dorchester County.

Copy fees are set by law. The Clerk of Court charges $0.50 per page for most documents in Dorchester County. Certified copies cost more. Ask about fees when you place your request. This saves time and avoids surprise charges.

Summerville Police Phone Directory

The Summerville Police Department serves the largest town in Dorchester County. It is at 300 W 2nd North St, Summerville, SC 29483. The phone number is (843) 871-2463. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. For emergencies, dial 911.

The Summerville Town Clerk is a separate office. It sits at 200 S Main St in Summerville. Call (843) 871-6000 for town business. This includes meeting records, town codes, and general questions. Both numbers belong in any Dorchester County phone directory.

Note: For after-hours police matters that are not emergencies, call the Dorchester County Sheriff dispatch line. They can connect you with the right on-duty officer.

South Carolina State Contacts

Some records come from the state, not the county. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, known as SLED, handles criminal background checks. It also stores statewide crime data. You may need to contact SLED if a county-level search does not turn up what you need. Visit sled.sc.gov for more details.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch runs the court system across all 46 counties. Its public index lets you search case records from Dorchester County and beyond. Go to sccourts.org to use the search tool. You can look up cases by name or case number. Basic results are free. The state also posts court forms and legal guides on that site.

For vital records like birth or death certificates, contact SC DHEC. Their Division of Vital Records is in Columbia. These records are not held at the county level. But the phone directory for Dorchester County offices can point you in the right direction if you call.

Phone Directory Tips for Dorchester County

Calling ahead saves time. Offices in Dorchester County can get busy. Peak hours are mid-morning on weekdays. Try calling right when offices open or just after lunch. Have your case number or name ready. This helps staff look things up fast.

Write down the name of the person you speak with. Note the date and time. This matters if you need to follow up. If the line is busy, try the other office. St. George and Summerville share many functions. One may have a shorter wait than the other.

Keep a few things in mind when you call a number from this phone directory:

• Have your ID number or case number ready
• Ask about fees before you request copies
• Confirm office hours since they can change
• Request the direct line for future calls

Online tools can help too. The Dorchester County website at dorchestercountysc.gov has forms, maps, and department pages. But not all tasks can be done online. Some still require an in-person visit or a phone call. This phone directory is here to bridge that gap.

Dorchester County Court System

Dorchester County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. Four types of courts operate here. Circuit Court hears major civil and criminal cases. Family Court deals with domestic matters. Magistrate Court handles small claims and minor offenses. Probate Court covers wills, estates, and guardianships.

Each court type has its own process. But the Clerk of Court office manages records for all of them. You do not need to call four different places. One call to (843) 563-0160 or (843) 832-0100 can get you started. Staff will tell you which court holds the record you need. The 1st Judicial Circuit Public Index also covers all court types in Dorchester County.

Court records in South Carolina are mostly public. The state constitution and the FOIA both support open access. Only narrow exceptions apply. Sealed cases, juvenile records, and certain adoption files are among them. For all other Dorchester County court records, you have the right to view and copy them.

Note: The Probate Court in Dorchester County handles estate matters and guardianships. If you need those records, ask the clerk to transfer your call to the Probate division.

Cities in Dorchester County

Dorchester County has several cities and towns. Summerville is the largest. It spans parts of Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley counties. St. George is the county seat. All county offices base their main operations there.

Summerville residents use the Dorchester County phone directory for court and county services. Town-level needs go through the Summerville Town Clerk at (843) 871-6000.

Nearby Counties

Dorchester County borders several other South Carolina counties. If you live near a county line, confirm which county handles your records. You must contact the right office. Filing in the wrong county causes delays.

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