Lee County, South Carolina: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs

Listed court is Lee County Magistrate in Bishopville. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: set by the court; see its fee table. Claims up to $7,500. South Carolina return time: 30 calendar days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $673. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.

Court listed	Lee County Magistrate
City	Bishopville
Address	115 Greg Street, Bishopville, SC 29010-1622
Phone	(803) 484-6463
Statewide filing fee	Current court fee schedule
Small claims limit	$7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used) only)
State deposit return deadline	30 calendar days after the later of (i) termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, or (ii) demand by the tenant. Applies when: ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock).
Time limit to sue	3 years
Deposit statute	S.C. Code Ann. § 27-40-410

Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.

Details

Limits: $7,500 (magistrate court (statewide civil jurisdiction commonly used) only).

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South Carolina small-claims details: the limit, the deadline to sue, and where to file.

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Details of the return rules

South Carolina statutory deadlines
When it applies	Deadline	Starts from
ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)	30 days	after the later of (i) termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession, or (ii) demand by the tenant

South Carolina return rule: 30 calendar days (ordinary return/itemization deadline (whichever event is later starts or completes the 30-day clock)). Check the dates you entered above.

Court listed for this county: Lee County Magistrate. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.

Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.

Who do you name in the claim?

Find and compare the legal names

Find and compare the legal names in these records:

The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
The owner of record in the property records of Lee County.
The South Carolina business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. South Carolina Secretary of State

A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.

What to bring to the clerk

Your lease.
Deposit receipt or payment record.
The demand letter and proof of delivery.
Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.

Is it worth filing here?

Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Lee County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms	Deposit owed	Statutory amount	Total illustration	Limit check
1	$464	$928	$1,392	Fits under the $7,500 limit for this illustrated claim
2	$673	$1,346	$2,019	Fits under the $7,500 limit for this illustrated claim
3	$910	$1,820	$2,730	Fits under the $7,500 limit for this illustrated claim
4	$865	$1,730	$2,595	Fits under the $7,500 limit for this illustrated claim

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.

How does Lee County compare with other South Carolina counties?

The two-bedroom median gross rent is $673: rank 40 of 46 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 26.5% of households rent in Lee County.

Lee County two-bedroom rent $673, rank 40 of 46 counties

Nearby counties in the two-bedroom rent ranking
County	Median gross rent
Saluda County	$698
Marlboro County	$683
Lee County	$673
Clarendon County	$658
Marion County	$655
Dillon County	$611

Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 46 of 46 listed counties. Census source.

Places in Lee County

Bishopville
Lynchburg

These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.

U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file

Free legal help

South Carolina Legal Services: Free civil legal help for eligible South Carolina residents, including housing and eviction matters. The statewide phone line takes applications; it does not give legal advice during intake.

FAQ

How much does it cost to file in Lee County?

The court sets the fee. Check the current schedule. Court page

Where do I file a deposit claim in Lee County?

Lee County Magistrate is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page

Who should I name in the claim?

Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.

What should I bring to the clerk?

Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.