Richland County Small Claims Court: How to File a Case in Columbia, SC

Where to File in Richland County

Richland County, home to Columbia and the state capital, handles small claims through the civil division of its Magistrate Court. There is no separate small claims court in South Carolina — all civil claims up to $7,500 go through the magistrate system under Title 22 of the state code.

Richland County has multiple magistrate court offices across the county. Its Central Court is at 2500 Decker Boulevard in Columbia, and the county magistrate directory lists other locations with addresses and phone numbers. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 22-3-30, venue is proper where the defendant resides or where the cause of action arose; check the directory to confirm the correct office for your case.

Being the state capital, Richland County is also where many statewide businesses are registered. If you're suing a company with headquarters in Columbia, the defendant's registered agent address will often be in Richland County — verify through the Secretary of State's business entities portal.

Filing Requirements

The jurisdictional limit is $7,500 (S.C. Code § 22-3-10). To file, you need:

• Form SCCA/701 — the standard Civil Complaint form. List both parties, describe the dispute, and state the amount you're claiming.
• Magistrate Civil Summons — attached to the complaint, notifying the defendant of 30 days to respond.
• Copies — the original plus one set per defendant, plus your personal copy.
• $80 filing fee — cash, money order, cashier's check, or credit card.

If you're suing on an open account (like an unpaid invoice), attach an itemized statement and have your verification signature notarized. All supporting documents — contracts, estimates, photos — must be submitted in duplicate.

Self-represented filers can't use the eFlex electronic filing system. File in person at the magistrate office or send the complete package by certified mail.

Serving the Defendant

After filing, the defendant must be formally served. You cannot deliver the papers yourself. Three options:

1. Richland County Sheriff — The clerk forwards your paperwork to the sheriff's office for personal delivery. Delivering to the sheriff tolls your statute of limitations for 120 days.
2. Certified mail — USPS Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, Restricted Delivery. Works if the defendant actually signs for it. An "Unclaimed" return means service failed.
3. Private process server — Anyone at least 18 years old with no connection to the case.

For corporate defendants, service goes to the registered agent or a company officer — not the front desk receptionist.

Common Richland County Disputes

Columbia's mix of state government workers, university students (University of South Carolina), and military-connected residents creates some common dispute patterns in the magistrate court:

• Security deposits — Tenants in the Columbia rental market suing landlords who withheld deposits without the required 30-day itemized accounting under S.C. Code § 27-40-410
• Contractor disputes — Home repair deposits for work that was never completed or was completed poorly
• Unpaid invoices — Small businesses and freelancers chasing payment for completed work
• Vehicle-related claims — Auto repair disputes and property damage from accidents

The statute of limitations for most of these is 3 years from when you knew or, through reasonable diligence, should have known that a cause of action existed (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-3-530, 15-3-535).

At the Hearing

After the defendant responds (or fails to respond within 30 days, opening the door to a default judgment), the court schedules a hearing:

• Present your evidence and testimony directly to the magistrate
• All witnesses must testify in person — written statements are generally inadmissible
• Bring organized duplicate copies of every supporting document
• Either party may request a jury trial in writing at least 5 business days before the hearing

The magistrate usually announces the decision at the end of the hearing. If you win and the defendant doesn't pay, collection options include bank levies and property liens. Wage garnishment is not available for most consumer civil debts in South Carolina (S.C. Code § 15-39-410).

Appeals go to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days (Form SCCA/720, $150 fee).

For a complete walkthrough of the Richland County filing process, the South Carolina Small Claims Filing Guide covers demand letters, forms, service, evidence preparation, and judgment collection with deadline trackers built for the SC magistrate system.

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