Beaufort County Probate Court Records

Beaufort County probate court records include estate filings, wills, guardianship and conservatorship cases, marriage licenses, and involuntary commitment records. The Beaufort County Probate Court operates from a main office in Beaufort and two satellite locations serving Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Residents across the county use these offices to open estates, apply for marriage licenses, and file petitions related to incapacitated individuals. Records are governed by South Carolina Title 62 and are available through the court directly.

Beaufort County Probate Court Locations and Hours

The Beaufort County Probate Court operates from three locations to serve residents across this geographically spread county. The main office sits at 102 Ribaut Road in Beaufort and handles all matter types including estates, guardianships, conservatorships, trusts, therapeutic filings, and marriage licenses. Two satellite offices in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton serve residents in the southern parts of the county, though their scope is more limited than the main office.

Probate Judge Heather R. Galvin and Associate Judge Lindsay A. Sutcliffe lead the court. Court Administrator Kimberly Rumsey can be reached at (843) 255-5851 for administrative matters. All three offices follow weekday schedules, though hours vary by location. Plan any visit carefully based on what type of filing you need to make or records you need to access.

The Beaufort County Probate Court website lists current staff, hours, and filing guidance for all three office locations and is the best source for up-to-date contact information.

Note: Marriage license appointments at the main office must be scheduled in advance. Walk-ins for marriage licenses are not accepted, so call ahead before making the trip to the Beaufort County Probate Court.

Beaufort County Probate Court Satellite Offices

Effective December 22, 2025, both satellite offices for the Beaufort County Probate Court accept estate filings only. They are not equipped to handle guardianship, conservatorship, trust, or therapeutic filings. If your matter falls outside of estate administration, you must go to the main office at 102 Ribaut Road in Beaufort. Both satellite locations operate on a drop-off basis only, meaning clerks cannot assist you in filling out forms or advising on fees. Filing fees at the satellite offices must be paid by check or money order. Clerks at these locations can notarize estate forms.

The Hilton Head Island satellite office is located at County Government Center South, 539 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928. The phone number is (843) 255-5866. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the office closing to the public at 4:30 PM. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM each day. Residents of Hilton Head Island who need to file guardianship or conservatorship petitions must travel to the Beaufort main office instead.

The Bluffton satellite office serves residents in and around Bluffton. Its phone number is (843) 255-5872 and hours are Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Like the Hilton Head Island office, it closes from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM for lunch. Estate filings can be dropped off here, but all other probate matters must go to the main office.

Note: If you are unsure whether your filing qualifies as an estate matter for the satellite offices, call the main office at (843) 255-5850 before traveling to a satellite location to avoid a wasted trip.

Estate Records and Probate Filings in Beaufort County

Estate administration is the most common type of matter handled by the Beaufort County Probate Court. When a Beaufort County resident dies, the estate is opened at the Probate Court. If a will exists, it is submitted and validated. The court appoints a personal representative who then manages the estate under the rules of South Carolina Title 62. The personal representative files an inventory of assets, pays debts and taxes, and eventually distributes what remains to heirs. Every step in this process creates probate court records in Beaufort County.

When no will exists, the estate is intestate. The Beaufort County Probate Court applies the intestate succession rules from Title 62 to determine who inherits. The court appoints a personal representative, who handles the same steps as in a testate estate. The resulting probate filings document the entire administration from opening to closing. These records can later serve as proof of asset transfers and are useful in title searches and genealogical research involving Beaufort County families.

The South Carolina Probate Code is the legal framework that governs every estate filing in Beaufort County. Title 62 covers the requirements for valid wills, the duties of personal representatives, and the rights of heirs and creditors. Reading the relevant portions of Title 62 can help you understand the documents that appear in a Beaufort County estate file.

Beaufort County Probate Court and Register of Deeds

Beaufort County has a separate Register of Deeds office, appointed by the county's governing body. This is different from counties where the Clerk of Court handles property recording. The Register of Deeds in Beaufort County records deeds, mortgages, and other real property instruments. When a Beaufort County estate includes real property, the personal representative may need to work with both the Probate Court to close the estate and the Register of Deeds to record a deed transferring the property to heirs or a buyer.

The SC Register of Deeds page on the South Carolina Judicial Branch website explains the recording function and provides links to county-level resources. Understanding how these two offices interact is important when researching estate records tied to real property in Beaufort County.

Property transfers that arise from Beaufort County probate proceedings will appear in both the estate file at the Probate Court and in the deed records at the Register of Deeds. Checking both offices gives you the fullest picture of how property moved through an estate.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides broader context for how probate courts operate across all 46 counties, and its directory is useful for verifying current Beaufort County court contact information.

Using the SC Judicial Branch directory alongside the Beaufort County Probate Court website gives you two reliable sources for confirming court details before making a filing or records request.

Marriage Licenses and Beaufort County Probate Records

The Beaufort County Probate Court issues all marriage licenses for couples marrying in the county. Both applicants must appear in person at the main office at 102 Ribaut Road to apply. Appointments are required and must be scheduled between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekdays. South Carolina law requires both parties to be at least 18 years old to marry without parental consent. The license is valid for 30 days from the date of issue. After the ceremony, the officiant returns the signed license to the Probate Court, where it is filed as part of the permanent record.

Marriage license records from Beaufort County are public records. Certified copies can be obtained from the Beaufort County Probate Court. Older historical marriage records from the county may also be available through the South Carolina State Library. For ordering vital records online, VitalChek offers an ordering service for South Carolina marriage certificates.

Note: Marriage licenses must be applied for in person at the main office only. The satellite offices in Hilton Head Island and Bluffton do not process marriage license applications as of December 2025.

Beaufort County Probate Court and Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island is a municipality within Beaufort County. Residents of Hilton Head Island who need probate court services can use the satellite office at 539 William Hilton Parkway, which is located at the County Government Center South. This office accepts estate filings by drop-off during business hours. For all other probate matters including guardianships, conservatorships, and marriage licenses, Hilton Head Island residents must visit the main Beaufort County Probate Court office.

The Town of Hilton Head Island manages its own municipal services, but probate matters fall under county jurisdiction. The Probate Court's satellite presence on the island reduces travel time for estate filings while keeping the full range of services at the main Beaufort office.

Hilton Head Island residents planning to file probate documents at the satellite office should confirm the estate-only restriction applies to their matter before arriving, since non-estate filings cannot be processed there.

Finding Beaufort County Probate Court Records Online

Several online resources can help you research Beaufort County probate court records before contacting the court directly. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a public index where you can search for case information across courts statewide. This can help you locate a Beaufort County probate case by name or case number. The index is free to use for basic searches, though copies of actual documents require a request to the court.

The SC Judicial Branch also maintains a forms page with court forms used in probate proceedings. If you plan to file a petition in Beaufort County, reviewing the required forms in advance will help you come to the court prepared. The South Carolina General Assembly site has the full text of Title 62 and any recent amendments that may affect Beaufort County probate procedures.

The SC.gov portal is a useful starting point when you need to navigate multiple state agencies in connection with a Beaufort County probate matter, from vital records to the Department of Archives and History.

Cities in Beaufort County

Beaufort County includes several municipalities. Probate matters for all residents of Beaufort County, regardless of city, are handled by the Beaufort County Probate Court.

Nearby Counties with Probate Court Records

Beaufort County borders several South Carolina counties. Probate cases are filed in the county where the deceased resided at the time of death, so confirm the correct county before requesting estate records.

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