Mount Pleasant Probate Court Records
Mount Pleasant is a fast-growing town in Charleston County, located across the Cooper River from downtown Charleston. All probate matters for Mount Pleasant residents go through the Charleston County Probate Court, which handles estate administration, will probate, marriage licenses, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements, wrongful death approvals, and involuntary commitment petitions for the entire county. The court is located in downtown Charleston and serves every town and community within Charleston County, including Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant Quick Facts
Charleston County Probate Court Serving Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant is entirely within Charleston County, so every probate filing for a Mount Pleasant resident goes to the Charleston County Probate Court. The court is located at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, in downtown Charleston. Mount Pleasant residents who need to open an estate, apply for a marriage license, or petition for guardianship travel to this location or contact the court by phone at (843) 958-5180.
| Court | Charleston County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Broad Street, Suite 469 Charleston, SC 29401 |
| Phone | (843) 958-5180 |
| Website | charlestoncounty.org/departments/probate |
The Charleston County Probate Court operates under Title 62 of the South Carolina Code, the state's probate code that governs all estate administration, guardianship, and related proceedings. The probate judge for Charleston County is elected countywide to a four-year term and presides over all matters including those originating from Mount Pleasant.
The SC Judicial Branch public index at sccourts.org is the primary online tool for searching Mount Pleasant probate court records. The image below comes from the SC Judicial Branch website, which hosts the statewide case search system covering all Charleston County probate filings including those from Mount Pleasant.
By entering a party name and selecting Charleston County in the SC Judicial Branch public index, anyone can search Mount Pleasant probate records for estate filings, guardianship proceedings, and other probate matters at no cost.
Types of Mount Pleasant Probate Court Records
The Charleston County Probate Court maintains several categories of records for Mount Pleasant residents. Estate records are the most frequently requested. When a Mount Pleasant resident dies, an executor or personal representative opens an estate by filing a petition with the probate court. The estate file contains the original will if one exists, the probate petition, an asset inventory, creditor claims, and the final accounting that formally closes the estate. All of these documents are part of the public Mount Pleasant probate record.
When a Mount Pleasant resident dies without a will, the probate court opens an intestate administration proceeding. The court appoints an administrator, typically a surviving spouse or close family member, to gather assets, pay creditors, and distribute what remains to heirs according to South Carolina intestacy law. These administration records follow the same filing structure as testate estate records and are equally accessible through the public index.
Marriage license records are issued at the Charleston County Probate Court for Mount Pleasant residents who marry in Charleston County. The $46 fee applies, both applicants must present valid government-issued photo identification, and South Carolina's mandatory 24-hour waiting period begins at application. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the completed license to the Charleston County Probate Court, where it becomes a permanent part of the public record. Copies of marriage licenses from Mount Pleasant are available through the court.
Guardianship and conservatorship records cover proceedings where the court appoints someone to care for an incapacitated Mount Pleasant resident. A guardian manages personal and health decisions, while a conservator handles financial matters. The petition, medical reports, the court's order, and annual accountings filed by the appointed guardian or conservator are all part of the public Mount Pleasant probate record, though some personal details may be protected under applicable privacy provisions.
Minor settlement records arise in Mount Pleasant when a minor receives more than $10,000 through a personal injury award, insurance settlement, or inheritance. The probate court reviews and approves the settlement to ensure the minor's funds are protected and properly managed. These records are filed with the Charleston County Probate Court and include the settlement terms, the court's approval order, and information about how the funds will be held.
Wrongful death settlement records are a related category filed when a Mount Pleasant estate distributes proceeds from a wrongful death claim. The probate court approves these distributions as part of the estate administration process. Involuntary commitment records are filed when a petition is brought in Charleston County to have a Mount Pleasant resident evaluated for mental health treatment or chemical dependency under South Carolina's civil commitment statutes.
The Charleston County Probate Court website provides forms, fee schedules, and procedural guidance for Mount Pleasant residents filing probate matters. The image below comes from the Charleston County Probate Court department page, the official source for court requirements applicable to all Mount Pleasant probate filings.
The Charleston County Probate Court department page lists all court forms, explains the process for each type of probate proceeding, and provides current fee information relevant to Mount Pleasant estate and marriage license filings.
How to Search Mount Pleasant Probate Records
Searching Mount Pleasant probate court records online begins at the SC Judicial Branch public index at sccourts.org. The public index is free and covers all Charleston County probate filings, including those from Mount Pleasant. Enter the last name of the deceased or the party involved in the probate proceeding, select Charleston County, and review the results. The index returns case numbers, party names, filing dates, and current case status.
The public index does not provide copies of actual probate documents such as wills, inventories, or court orders. To obtain copies of Mount Pleasant probate records, contact the Charleston County Probate Court at (843) 958-5180 or visit the court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469 in Charleston. Copies can typically be requested by mail with a written request and the appropriate fee, or obtained in person. The court charges a per-page fee for plain copies and a higher rate for certified copies.
For older Mount Pleasant probate records not yet in the online index, the South Carolina State Library maintains guides to historical estate collections held at the state archives and county-level repositories. Charleston County's historical probate records, which cover Mount Pleasant before the town was incorporated as a separate municipality, are among the richest in the state given Charleston County's history dating to the 1600s.
Under Title 62, South Carolina probate court records are public records accessible to any person. Mount Pleasant probate records can be reviewed at the courthouse by any member of the public. Certain limited exceptions apply, including some aspects of involuntary commitment proceedings, but the vast majority of estate and marriage records are fully open. No relationship to a party is required to search or obtain copies of Mount Pleasant probate records.
South Carolina's Title 62 Probate Code sets the rules for all probate proceedings including those originating from Mount Pleasant. The image below comes from the SC State House website, which publishes the full text of Title 62 governing Mount Pleasant probate court procedures.
Title 62 of the South Carolina Code defines the procedural rules, filing requirements, creditor notice periods, and court approval standards that apply to every Mount Pleasant probate court matter from simple estate closings to contested will proceedings.
Marriage Licenses for Mount Pleasant Residents
Mount Pleasant residents who plan to marry in South Carolina apply for their marriage license at the Charleston County Probate Court. The court is at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469, Charleston, SC 29401, and the phone number is (843) 958-5180. Both applicants must appear in person together and present valid government-issued photo identification. The marriage license fee is $46, and South Carolina law requires a 24-hour waiting period between the time the application is submitted and the time the license is issued.
After the marriage ceremony, the officiant has a legal obligation to return the signed license to the Charleston County Probate Court within a set timeframe. Once received and recorded, the license becomes part of the permanent Charleston County probate record. Mount Pleasant couples who need a certified copy of their marriage license contact the Charleston County Probate Court directly and pay the applicable copy fee.
The marriage license remains a Mount Pleasant probate court record indefinitely. Genealogists and individuals who need to prove a marriage for legal purposes obtain copies of these records from the Charleston County Probate Court. The SC Judicial Branch public index also lists marriage license records, making it possible to confirm whether a license was issued without visiting the courthouse.
The South Carolina State Library provides access to historical Charleston County probate records covering Mount Pleasant residents from earlier generations. The image below comes from the South Carolina State Library website, which directs researchers to digitized collections, finding aids, and microfilm resources for historical probate records.
The South Carolina State Library's online research guides point to collections held at the state archives and at Charleston County's own library that include early estate inventories, will abstracts, and administration bonds relevant to Mount Pleasant families.
Charleston County Probate Court Records
Mount Pleasant is located entirely within Charleston County, and the Charleston County Probate Court is the sole probate jurisdiction for all Mount Pleasant residents. The court at 100 Broad Street, Suite 469 in Charleston handles every probate matter filed by or involving Mount Pleasant residents, from marriage license applications to full estate administrations and guardianship proceedings under South Carolina's Title 62 Probate Code.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of cities near Mount Pleasant file probate matters with the probate court for their respective county. Choose a city below to learn about probate court records in that community.