A dissolution of marriage in Richland County, South Carolina, ends a marriage through the family court, and the paperwork it leaves is a court record rather than a state certificate. The file holds the decree and the terms a judge set.
The Clerk of Court keeps the case file, a judge signs the decree, and the Family Court handles custody, support, and property terms. A search starts with the case number or the names of both spouses. Confirm copy rules with the office before you order, and keep the case number on hand for each request.
Divorce Record Search
These steps narrow the file before you ask for a copy.
- Search the Family Court index by the names of both spouses.
- Try a maiden name or a former surname, since a filing may use either.
- Add the approximate filing year to shorten the list.
- Use the case number when you have it to prevent a mix-up with another couple.
- Ask the clerk which parts of the file may be copied.
| Detail you have | Where to start | Record it reaches |
|---|---|---|
| Full names of both spouses | Family Court index | Case file and decree |
| Divorce case number | Clerk of Court | Docket and judgment |
| Filing year | Family Court index | Matching case entries |
| Certified copy request | Clerk of Court | Sealed decree copy |
Filings, Decrees & Custody Terms
A divorce file opens with a complaint and may include an answer, a counterclaim, and a financial declaration. Temporary orders can cover support and custody as the case proceeds. The final decree ends the marriage and sets the terms that survive it, such as property division and a parenting plan. Read the decree rather than the complaint when you need the binding outcome, and check the filing date.
Certified Divorce Decrees & Judgment Dates
A certified decree carries the clerk’s seal and is the copy a lender, an insurer, or another court will usually accept. The judgment date is the date the judge signed the decree, which may differ from the date the clerk recorded it. Ask for the certified copy by case number and name the exact judgment date. Keep the original in a safe place and use a plain copy for routine mail.
Property Division & Spousal Support Logs
A decree usually divides real property, bank accounts, retirement funds, and debts, and it may order one spouse to pay support. The file can include a settlement agreement, a property schedule, and a wage withholding order. Those pages are part of the public case record in most instances, though a judge can seal a specific exhibit. Ask the clerk which documents in the file may be copied.
Child Custody & Post-Divorce Modifications
A parenting plan sets custody, visitation, and decision-making, and the court can modify it when circumstances change. A modification request opens a new phase in the same case or a related file, and it may carry a different date. Support amounts can change with income or a change in the child’s needs. Read the newest order, since an older decree may no longer control the case.
Public Availability & Official Copies
Most divorce files in South Carolina are open to public view, yet the court can restrict financial schedules and any record that names a child. A certified copy request goes to the Clerk of Court, and the office may ask for photo identification and a completed form. Fees and processing times vary, so confirm them at the counter or on the county site. Ask whether the decree you need is on file.
Clerk of Court Files & Search Logs
The Clerk of Court keeps the docket, the filed pleadings, and the signed orders for a divorce case. A search log may record each time a file was pulled or copied, though that log is usually an internal tool rather than a public index. Ask the clerk to search by case number first, then by the names of both parties. Request the docket sheet if you need a list of every filing.
Confidential Child Data & Sealed Records
Records that name a minor can be shielded, and a court may seal a financial affidavit or a home study. A sealed file stays in the clerk’s custody and is released only by court order. A parent who needs a copy for a custody or support matter may ask the court for permission. Do not assume a missing document was destroyed, and ask the clerk what the file shows.
Certified Copies, ID Rules & Processing Fees
Bring a government photo identification when you request a certified decree in person, and expect a short form that names the case and the document. A mailed request usually needs a signed letter, a copy of the identification, and a self-addressed envelope. The office sets the copy fee, and it can change. Confirm the amount, the accepted payment method, and the mailing address before you send anything.
Record Accuracy & Resolution
A divorce record can carry an error in a spouse’s name, a filing date, or a case number that was assigned twice. The Clerk of Court can correct a clerical mistake, and a judge can amend a decree that misstates a term. Bring the case number and the document that shows the correct detail. Ask what proof the office needs and whether a corrected certified copy will be issued.
Matching Spouse Names & Case Numbers
Two people with the same surname can produce a confusing list, so compare the first names, the middle initials, and the marriage date. A woman may file under a maiden name, and a later modification can appear under a different spelling. Use the case number from the decree when you have it. If two files look alike, read the parties’ addresses and the children’s initials before you merge them. The divorce records guide explains how a final decree is requested after the case closes.
System Delays for Recent Filings
A new complaint may take days to reach the public index, and a signed decree can wait for scanning before it appears. A busy filing week adds time. If you know the filing date, ask the clerk to check the intake log rather than the public terminal. A hearing that just ended will not appear until the order is signed and entered. Confirm with the office before you resend a request.
Unlisted Divorce Record Resolution
Start with the county where the couple lived at the time of filing, since a divorce is usually filed where at least one spouse lives. A case may sit in a neighboring county if the couple moved before the split. Search both names and the years around the separation. If the file still does not appear, call the Family Court and ask whether the case was dismissed, transferred, or sealed.
County Contact Information
The offices below handle the divorce records described on this page. The Family Court keeps the case file and the custody and support orders, and the Clerk of Court maintains the docket and issues certified copies. The Administration office can route a question that crosses county departments. Counter hours can vary, so confirm them before you travel to Columbia. Bring identification for any certified copy.
| Office | Address | Phone | Contact | Website | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richland County Family Court | 1701 Main St, 1st Floor West Wing, Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-576-3320 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Richland County Clerk of Court | 1701 Main St, Room 205, Columbia, SC 29201 | 803-576-1950 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Richland County Administration and Public Information | 2020 Hampton St, Columbia, SC 29204 | 803-576-2050 | Official contact form | richlandcountysc.gov | Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. |
Have both spouses’ names, the approximate judgment date, and the case number ready before you call. Ask which office holds the decree and whether the file is open or sealed. A clerk can describe the copy fee, the identification rule, and the current processing time. Keep the receipt and a copy of your written request with your notes for the next visit or follow-up call.
Frequently Asked Questions
These notes answer the questions that arrive most often at the family court counter. They describe how a dissolution file differs from a marriage record and why some pages stay sealed. Copy rules and fees can change, so confirm the current practice with the Clerk of Court before you travel. The contact table near the end lists the offices that can resolve a specific request.
Are dissolution of marriage files open to the public in Richland County?
Most are. A divorce case in South Carolina is a court record, and the docket and the final decree can usually be viewed by any member of the public. Financial affidavits and records that identify a child may be restricted. A sealed file needs a court order. Ask the Clerk of Court which documents in a specific case may be released before you request a copy.
What is required to obtain a certified divorce decree copy?
Expect to give the case number or both spouses’ names, the approximate judgment date, and a government photo identification. A written request should carry a signature and a return address. The clerk may ask for a completed form and the copy fee before the search begins. Confirm the current requirements and the fee with the office, since the procedure can differ for older decrees or out-of-county records.
Are financial details and child custody orders viewable online?
An online index may show that a case exists and list the filing dates, yet it rarely displays a full financial affidavit or a detailed parenting plan. Those pages often require a counter visit or a written request. A court can restrict a document that names a child. Ask the clerk what the public terminal shows before you assume a complete file is posted online.
Who confirms missing or unlisted divorce filings?
Call the Family Court first, since that office controls the case index and can say whether a filing exists. The Clerk of Court can confirm a docket entry and a judgment date. If the couple divorced in another state, the record will sit with that state’s court. Bring both names, the marriage date, and the last shared address, and ask for a written reply that names the case.