Access Free Charleston County Divorce Records (Lookup Tools)

Run a free Charleston County divorce records lookup in just moments using this resource. Whether it’s for research on a family tree or a pursuit for information, local divorce records can be accessed conveniently thanks to state and federal public records laws.

Getting the full scope of personal and legal family histories often includes the use of divorce files. Within the context of Charleston County, South Carolina, this article provides clear and helpful advice for efficiently tracking down details of anyone’s marital dissolution.

How To Find Free Charleston County Divorce Records

To initiate the process of locating divorce records in Charleston County, individuals should begin by gathering any known essential details about the divorce. This includes the full names of those involved, the approximate date of the divorce and any additional information, such as the court where the finalization of the divorce took place.

The Charleston County Clerk of Court is the primary resource for divorce records.¹ Users can visit the official website or contact the clerk directly for any inquiries. Specific procedures for accessing filed divorce papers may encompass:

• Associated fees ($10 per record retrieval by mail and $0.11 per page for copies in person)
• Required identification such as a photo ID
• Specific documentation pertaining to the divorce
• Any potential restrictions on access

To conduct an online search in Charleston County for public divorce records, the County Clerk offers online services such as Court Plus to locate general and family court cases based on first and last name, case number or file date if known.² Specific details pertaining to obtaining divorce decrees can be found on their FAQ page under the expandable Family Court section.

The Charleston County Public Index may also provide the necessary files.³ Be as accurate as possible to narrow down the search results and make use of any advanced features.

When utilizing Court Plus, a search by party name also includes options for case type and status as well as party type. Using a case number to find records offers additional refinement of the case year and type or allows searches by a warrant number. Searches by file date require a start and end date, but the case type and status fields provide added details to help refine the results.

After initiating a search, review the results. The system may produce multiple matches to the criteria provided. Click on any entry for more details to find the correct record.

After logging in with a free account, some records are available for download or copies can be mailed and emailed upon request. Only individuals named on the report, adult children of a divorcee, or a present or former spouse, can receive copies of a divorce record.

Should any questions arise or problems occur while conducting an online search, the Clerk of Record can also be reached via email at [email protected] or by visiting the offices located at:

Charleston County Family Court
100 Broad St., Ste 143
Charleston, SC 29401

Phone: 843-958-4400
Fax: 843-958-4434

The court operates business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of specific court holidays.

When visiting the court offices, be aware that requesting copies of divorce records in person comes with a fee of $0.11 per page. A money order for $10.00 must accompany all written requests sent by mail to the court, so if finding the record through an online search provides the necessary information, that remains the most cost-effective option when non-certified copies will suffice.

If the divorce involved legal proceedings, consider visiting the Family Court in Charleston County that handled the filing of the divorce decree. As most court records are typically public domain, copies can often be obtained by submitting a request to the court clerk.

A final option to consider may be the Charleston County Public Library. Local libraries and archives often house historical records, including copies or digital scans of divorce papers or divorce certificates.

Charleston County regularly transfers some older documents to the library in order to make the records more accessible. Inquire with the library about collections and procedures for accessing divorce records.

For any resource utilized, always be aware of any legal restrictions or privacy considerations associated with the divorce records. Certain details may be redacted or restricted, especially if the divorce is recent.

Browse Divorce & Dissolution Records for Charleston County’s Top Cities

In some instances, an online search might not produce the information needed, and a visit to the county clerk of record might result in unforeseen delays.

Because Charleston County exists as the largest county in South Carolina, dozens of requests come through the county clerk’s office and are handled in the order they’re received. That might mean waiting longer to receive copies of the necessary divorce records.

If a time-sensitive event requires these records, the additional wait time may not be an option. Restricting search parameters to a specific city can help reduce this wait time and may provide more personable assistance.

The city of Charleston is the seat of Charleston County. Within the city, divorce records fall under the jurisdiction of the Municipal Court.

Online services involve submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request in order to obtain copies of public records.⁴ Logging in to an existing account or creating a new one allows the submission of a request. For in-person requests, visit:

Charleston Municipal Court
80 Broad St.
Charleston, SC 29401

The Citizens Service Desk can be reached at 843-724-7311.

In North Charleston, online services provided by the Municipal Court only encompass paying for tickets and fines. For divorce records filed within city limits, interested parties must visit in person or call the office.

North Charleston Municipal Court
2500 City Hall Lane, 1st Floor
North Charleston, SC 29406

Phone: 843-740-2601

The city of Mount Pleasant provides the opportunity to request documents using this form or by contacting the Clerk of Record, but they also accept requests in person.⁶ The Municipal Court hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex
100 Ann Edwards Lane
Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Phone: 843-884-6796

Summerville and Goose Creek round out the top five biggest cities in Charleston County, but they’re part of the Charleston metro area that also spills over into Dorchester and Berkeley counties. Inquiries for records retained in those cities should be directed toward the county clerk offices there.

Use the Department of Health & Environment Control To Find Statewide Divorce Information

Sometimes, a record may be on file in a different county than expected. When this occurs, using a broader search area can help. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is responsible for maintaining vital records, including divorces.⁷

These records encompass all divorces that occurred from July 1962 through December 2022. For records dated prior to 1962, users can utilize the archives at the City of Charleston Records Center.

When contacting DHEC or visiting the website, searchers will need to read through the details provided on the site and take note of any fees or required forms and identification needed for the request being made. Always verify online sources to ensure the credibility and validity of the information being provided.

The DHEC office in Columbia does accept in-person requests. The standard wait time of approximately 30-45 minutes applies to most requests, but adoption processing or corrections and amendments don’t fall under same-day processing. To receive a certified copy of a divorce record, you’ll need to complete this marriage/divorce application form, then:⁸

• Have a money order, cashier’s check or exact cash for $17.00
• Add $3.00 for each additional copy
• Present a valid government-issued ID

Bring all of this to:

DHEC State Vital Records Office
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201

Phone: 803-898-3630

Their operating hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If mailing or dropping off a request, the processing fee is $12.00, and a photocopy of a valid ID is accepted, but the turnaround time can take up to four weeks. Expedited drop-off requests cost $17.00, and copies can be picked up at the office or mailed.

For the fastest access to state divorce records online, South Carolina partners with VitalChek and searches typically take less than 10 minutes. This is a third-party resource endorsed by the government.

Are Divorce Records in Charleston County Publicly Accessible?

According to Title 30, Chapter 1, of the South Carolina Code of Laws, individuals can access divorce records in Charleston County because they’re typically considered public domain.⁹

However, there are some considerations and restrictions to keep in mind. Privacy concerns may cause certain parts of the records to be redacted or restricted from view. Personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account details and certain aspects of child custody agreements may be protected.

Sometimes, an online search may produce the basic file details, but receiving a copy of that file requires a fee paid to the county clerk’s office. Limitations on who can receive a certified file may also mean the record isn’t available unless a searcher is one of the named persons on the record, an adult child of one of those individuals or an existing or former spouse.

Records filed outside the timeframe of July 1962 through December 2022 are either too recent or have been moved to the Charleston County Public Library for archiving. Tracking family history, genealogy or lineage can be done through the collections department at the library or the Records Center archives.

Certain documents might cover divorce papers or divorce decrees as available records. The papers encompass all documents filed during the divorce process and typically cover the issues addressed and resolved. Decrees officially terminate a marriage and serve as a legally binding document that outlines the terms of the divorce settlement.

Following the outlined steps and utilizing the provided resources will help users access pertinent information within this jurisdiction. The County Clerk of Court and other relevant agencies exist as government-endorsed entities for looking up Charleston County divorce records.

Third-party sites might also be helpful, but without certified endorsement, they’re unreliable for searches in an official capacity.