-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 2juwWqNlYWtrgAMC4Mkb/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181584-09-000001.txt : 20090130
<SEC-HEADER>0001181584-09-000001.hdr.sgml : 20090130
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090130162720
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181584-09-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090130
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090130

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCBT FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000764038
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				570799315
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			SC
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		520 GERVAIS STREET
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		803-231-3581

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P O BOX 1030
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29201

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST NATIONAL CORP /SC/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATHIS RICHARD C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001181584

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12669
		FILM NUMBER:		09558636

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		13 BEAVER LAKE COURT
		CITY:			ELGIN
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(803)231-3452

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SCBT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
		STREET 2:		520 GERVAIS STREET
		CITY:			COLUMBIA
		STATE:			SC
		ZIP:			29201
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000764038</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SCBT FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SCBT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001181584</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MATHIS RICHARD C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SCBT FINANCIAL CORPORATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>520 GERVAIS STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>COLUMBIA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>SC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>29201</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CHIEF RISK OFFICER</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>COMMON STOCK</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>F</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>700</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>29.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>26026</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>RICHARD C. MATHIS</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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