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Search Dorchester Probate Court Records, Estates, Marriage Licenses & Guardianship Filings
Use official Dorchester County, South Carolina Probate Court resources to search estate files, open probate, check estate filing fees, apply for marriage licenses, request certified marriage copies, understand guardianship and conservatorship matters, and avoid private record-site confusion.
Choose what you need below. Dorchester Probate Court users usually need estate record search, probate opening instructions, filing fees, marriage license applications, certified marriage copies, guardianship or conservatorship help, public records requests, or court contact details.
📂 Search estate records online
Use this for: estate file lookup, probate case number search, decedent last-name search, and filed document review.
Best official path: South Carolina Probate search website. Select “Dorchester Probate” under county.
Important: online viewable documents may show a watermark; purchased documents should not have the watermark.
Dorchester Probate Court South Carolina Quick Facts
Dorchester County Probate Court is the official Probate Court for Dorchester County, South Carolina. The court oversees marriage licenses, estates of deceased persons, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under $25,000, involuntary commitments, trusts, and certain powers of attorney matters.
What This Dorchester Probate Court Guide Covers
Official Dorchester Probate Court Path in South Carolina
For Dorchester Probate Court search intent, start with the official Dorchester County Probate Court website. The official Probate Court page lists subpages for Judge Blunt, Commitment Division, Estate Division, Marriage License Division, Therapeutic Division, Defined Terms, Frequently Asked Questions, and Public Records Requests.
The court’s official page states that the Probate Judge oversees marriage licenses, estates of deceased persons, guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under $25,000, and involuntary commitments. It also states that the Probate Judge has exclusive jurisdiction over trusts and concurrent jurisdiction with Circuit Courts over powers of attorney.
Use South Carolina Probate search and select “Dorchester Probate” to search estate files by case number or decedent last name.
Use the Estate Division page for opening probate, older estates, heirs, missing heirs, and estate-file access instructions.
Use the Marriage License Division page for online marriage license applications and certified marriage copy instructions.
Use the Therapeutic Division for guardianship-related personal and custodial matters for incapacitated persons.
How to Search Dorchester Probate Court Estate Records Online
The official Estate Division page explains that the general public can view estate files by visiting the South Carolina Probate search website. Users should select “Dorchester Probate,” enter a 13-character case number such as 2020ES1800025 or enter the decedent’s last name, make sure “Case Name” is checked, and then search.
Open South Carolina Probate search
Use the official South Carolina Probate search link rather than a private record website.
Select Dorchester Probate
Under county selection, choose “Dorchester Probate” so you do not search the wrong South Carolina county.
Search by case number or last name
Use a 13-character case number with no spaces or dashes, or search by the decedent’s last name.
Open the filed document list
Click the plus button next to the case number to see what has been filed.
Opening Probate or Starting an Estate in Dorchester County
The official Estate Division page asks whether the decedent was a resident of Dorchester County at the time of death and whether the decedent died within the last ten years. If both answers are yes and the user wants to begin probate without an attorney, the court directs users to complete the Opening Probate Worksheet, print it, and return it with all required documents requested in the worksheet.
Once the worksheet is reviewed and approved by the estate clerk, the user will be assigned a date and time to attend an Opening Probate Seminar. At the seminar, users receive general probate-process information and assistance completing the legal documents necessary to start probate. If the user does not want to attend the seminar, the court states that they will need to retain an attorney.
Start with Dorchester County if the decedent was a Dorchester County resident at death.
The court’s self-help opening path applies when the decedent died within the last ten years and other requirements are met.
Complete and print the Opening Probate Worksheet and return it with required documents.
After review and approval, the estate clerk assigns an Opening Probate Seminar date and time.
Petition to Determine Heirs and Older Dorchester County Estates
The Estate Division page states that if more than ten years have passed since the decedent’s death, the court is required by state law to hold a hearing to determine who the heirs were at the time of death. An interested party, typically a spouse or child, must formally petition the court and provide supporting documents.
The official page lists examples such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce orders, adoption records, and termination of parental rights records.
The petition and formal summons must be personally served on heirs, and proof of service must be filed with the court.
Heirs are allowed thirty days to answer the petition.
Publication is required to allow potential heirs to come forward, and testimony is taken at the hearing.
Dorchester Probate Court Estate Filing Fees
The official Estate Filing Fees page states that Dorchester County charges an initial filing fee of $25.00 and that remaining court costs are calculated based on the inventory and billed later. It also lists South Carolina Probate Estate Fee Schedule amounts and possible additional fees.
Listed fee: $25.00, with remaining court costs calculated by inventory and billed later.
Listed fee: $25.00.
Listed fee: $67.50.
Listed additional fee: $25.00.
Listed fee: $5.00 to issue certified copies; certified copy of will is $5.00 plus $0.50 per page.
Listed fee: $150.00 for multiple summons-and-petition matters, including guardianship, conservatorship, sale of real estate, and determine heirs.
Dorchester Probate Court Marriage License Information
The official Marriage License Division page states that all marriage licenses are processed online. The page says applicants do not need to drive to the courthouse in St. George, wait in lines, or have physical interaction with court staff or the judge.
Marriage license applications are processed online by the Dorchester County Probate Court Marriage Division.
Each applicant must be over age 18 and have a Social Security card plus a state-issued driver’s license or military ID available to upload.
The official page lists a $75 application fee and $2.40 processing fee paid online.
There is a 24-hour waiting period from application time until the license can be received.
Applicants do not have to be residents of Dorchester County or South Carolina.
The license is valid only if the ceremony takes place in South Carolina, and the Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies.
Request a Certified Copy of a Dorchester County Marriage License
The official Marriage License Division page says certified copies of marriage licenses can be ordered online. In the dropdown menu, users should select “Dorchester Marriage” for the county, then search by the groom’s or bride’s last name. The listed total cost for one certified copy is $11.50 and is non-refundable.
Use the South Carolina Probate search site and choose “Dorchester Marriage.”
Search by groom’s last name or bride’s last name.
The official page lists one certified copy at $11.50, non-refundable.
You cannot order a certified copy until after the ceremony and after the required Probate and Probate/DHEC versions are mailed back to the Probate Court.
Dorchester Probate Court Guardianship, Conservatorship and Therapeutic Division
The official Probate Court page states that the Probate Judge oversees guardianships, conservatorships, minor settlements under $25,000, and involuntary commitments. The Therapeutic Division page is connected with appointment of a guardian to handle personal and custodial matters for an incapacitated person.
Use this path when a person may need a guardian to handle personal or custodial matters.
Use this path when a person may need court-supervised help with property, money, or financial matters.
The Probate Court page states the court oversees minor settlements under $25,000.
The Commitment Division oversees involuntary commitment of persons with mental illness, drug addiction, or alcohol addiction.
Dorchester Probate Court Public Records Requests
Dorchester County provides a Probate Court Public Records Requests page for users who need records beyond basic online search access or who need to ask the court for specific probate-related records.
Start with South Carolina Probate search for estate files when you have a case number or decedent name.
Use certified marriage copy search and select “Dorchester Marriage.”
Use the Probate Court Public Records Requests page when you need court-directed record assistance.
For official use, ask whether you need certified copies, exemplified copies, authenticated copies, or plain copies.
Official Dorchester Probate Court Links
Probate Court
Main official Probate Court page for Dorchester County, South Carolina.
Open Probate CourtEstate Division
Opening probate, estate seminars, heirs, missing heirs, and estate-file access.
Open Estate DivisionEstate Filing Fees
South Carolina Probate Estate Fee Schedule and additional fees.
Open Filing FeesSC Probate Search
Search estate files or certified marriage records by selecting Dorchester Probate or Dorchester Marriage.
Open SC Probate SearchMarriage License
Online marriage license application, requirements, fee, and copy instructions.
Open Marriage DivisionPublic Records
Public records request page for Probate Court records assistance.
Open Public RecordsDorchester Probate Court Map and Location
The official Dorchester County Probate Court page lists the mailing address and office location as 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477. The listed office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Dorchester Probate Court FAQs
Where is Dorchester Probate Court located?
Dorchester County Probate Court is located at 5200 E. Jim Bilton Blvd., St. George, SC 29477.
What is the phone number for Dorchester Probate Court?
The official Probate Court page lists phone numbers (843) 563-0105 and (843) 832-0105.
What are Dorchester Probate Court hours?
The official page lists office hours as 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Who is the Dorchester County Probate Judge?
The official Probate Court page lists the Honorable Mary L. Blunt as Probate Judge.
How do I search Dorchester County estate records?
Use South Carolina Probate search, select “Dorchester Probate,” then search by a 13-character case number or the decedent’s last name.
How do I open probate in Dorchester County without an attorney?
If the decedent was a Dorchester County resident and died within the last ten years, the official Estate Division page directs users to complete the Opening Probate Worksheet and return it with required documents. After review, the estate clerk assigns an Opening Probate Seminar date.
How much is the initial Dorchester County estate filing fee?
The official Estate Filing Fees page states that the initial filing fee charged by Dorchester County is $25.00, with remaining court costs calculated based on inventory and billed later.
How do I apply for a Dorchester County marriage license?
The official Marriage License Division page says all marriage licenses are processed online. Applicants must meet the listed requirements, pay the online fee, and wait 24 hours from application before the license can be received.
Does Dorchester Probate Court perform marriage ceremonies?
No. The official Marriage License Division page states that the Probate Court does not perform marriage ceremonies.