Not legal advice. This page summarizes public statutes and court fee schedules as of the date shown. Rules and fees change; confirm with the court before you file, and talk to a local attorney about your situation.
South Carolina eviction at a glance
| Court | Magistrate court in the county |
|---|
South Carolina evictions are heard in the magistrate court in the county. Before filing for unpaid rent, the landlord must give the notice required by S.C. Code §27-40-710.
Step by step
- Notice for unpaid rent. A 5-day written notice from the due date (a qualifying conspicuous lease clause can replace it). (S.C. Code §27-40-710)
- File in court. If the tenant doesn't pay or move out, file the eviction case in the magistrate court in the county. Ask the clerk for current filing and service fees. (South Carolina Judicial Branch)
- Hearing, judgment and removal. After the tenant is served, the court sets a hearing. If the landlord wins, removal happens only through the court's order or writ, carried out by a law enforcement officer. Exact timelines are in the court's self-help materials. (South Carolina Judicial Branch)
Statewide fees
| Eviction filing fee | Not verified Set by each court or county; no single statewide figure published |
|---|---|
| Service of process and writ / removal | Not verified Set by the county sheriff, marshal or constable |
Fees vary by court or county. For any county we haven't verified, call the clerk before filing.
About the missing details
Why it's missing: We only list eviction court fees published by an official source. South Carolina hasn't published its local filing, service and writ fees online in a form we could verify, so call the clerk of the magistrate court to confirm before you file.
General information
Not specific to South Carolina
Across the 21 counties where we've read the official fee schedule, the eviction filing fee runs from $41 to $322. Sheriff or constable service usually adds a per-tenant charge, and a writ of possession adds another. Statewide fixed filing fees we've verified: California $240 (claims up to $10,000), Connecticut $175, Delaware $45, Florida $185, Texas $54.
Closest place with verified data
Gwinnett County, GA (about 175 miles away): dispossessory filing cost $60
Call or visit the official office
South Carolina Judicial Branch · Official website
Ask for the clerk's office for the court that handles evictions in your county.
Know the current fee? Tell us. We check every tip against an official source before publishing it.
Official resources
All South Carolina counties
Counties without verified local fees show the statewide rules above.
- Abbeville County
- Aiken County
- Allendale County
- Anderson County
- Bamberg County
- Barnwell County
- Beaufort County
- Berkeley County
- Calhoun County
- Charleston County
- Cherokee County
- Chester County
- Chesterfield County
- Clarendon County
- Colleton County
- Darlington County
- Dillon County
- Dorchester County
- Edgefield County
- Fairfield County
- Florence County
- Georgetown County
- Greenville County
- Greenwood County
- Hampton County
- Horry County
- Jasper County
- Kershaw County
- Lancaster County
- Laurens County
- Lee County
- Lexington County
- McCormick County
- Marion County
- Marlboro County
- Newberry County
- Oconee County
- Orangeburg County
- Pickens County
- Richland County
- Saluda County
- Spartanburg County
- Sumter County
- Union County
- Williamsburg County
- York County
Frequently asked
Which court handles evictions in South Carolina?
Magistrate court in the county.
How much notice does a South Carolina landlord have to give?
A 5-day written notice from the due date (a qualifying conspicuous lease clause can replace it).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in South Carolina?
Fees vary by court or county. For any county we haven't verified, call the clerk before filing.