A divorce record in South Carolina begins with a family court case and ends with a decree that dissolves the marriage. In Richland County, those files sit with the Family Court and the Clerk of Court in Columbia.
The parties, their attorneys, and the public may see different parts of the same case. A search works best with both spouses’ names and an approximate filing year, and a case number shortens the path. A filing year narrows a list of common surnames. Start with the county where the couple lived.
Divorce Record Search
The file is public in part, and the clerk controls what is released.
- A divorce case is captioned with both parties’ names, so have both ready.
- A case number from a decree or a lawyer’s letter gives the fastest match.
- The Family Court index covers domestic filings, and staff can confirm which years it includes.
- Ask whether the file is open or restricted before you order copies.
- Certified copies usually require a request, identification, and a fee the clerk can quote.
- Some financial or custody details may be sealed even when the decree is open.
Case Filings, Decrees & Custody Terms
A divorce file grows in stages, and each stage leaves a document behind. The petition opens the case, temporary orders govern the parties as the case proceeds, and the final decree closes it. Custody, support, and property terms may appear in the decree or in a separate written agreement adopted by the judge. Read the documents in date order, including any attached exhibits, to see how the terms changed.
Petitions, Orders & Final Judgments
The petition states the grounds, the relief requested, and the facts the plaintiff intends to prove. Temporary and interim orders address money, housing, and parenting during the pending case. The final decree recites the findings and sets the terms that survive the marriage. A decree may attach a written settlement agreement by reference, so request the attachment if the main document refers to one by name.
| Document | What it records | Usually filed by |
|---|---|---|
| Petition | Grounds, requests, and initial facts | Plaintiff or attorney |
| Temporary order | Interim money, housing, or parenting terms | Court |
| Settlement agreement | Negotiated property and support terms | Both parties |
| Final decree | Findings and terms ending the marriage | Court |
Property Division & Spousal Support Filings
South Carolina uses equitable division for marital property, and the decree states how the judge reached a split. Filings may list real estate, vehicles, accounts, retirement interests, and debts, along with proposed values. Spousal support can be requested, denied, limited in time, or set at an amount the judge finds fair. A financial declaration often supports the argument, and it may be sealed in part.
Child Custody, Support & Visitation Orders
A custody order sets legal and physical custody, a parenting schedule, and the terms for decisions about school, health, and travel. Child support follows the state support schedule and a worksheet that lists income, insurance, and other adjustments. Visitation terms may include holidays, vacations, and exchanges. A later motion can change any of these points when circumstances shift, and the file should show the current order.
Post-Divorce Modifications & Supplemental Orders
A modification request asks the court to change support, custody, or another term after the decree. The moving party usually must show a substantial change in circumstances since the date of the last signed order. A supplemental order records the new terms and replaces the earlier provision it addresses. Enforcement motions are different, and they ask the court to compel compliance with an order already in place.
Public Availability & Official Copies
Divorce case files are usually open, but not every page is public. Financial declarations, settlement terms, and details about minors may be shielded or redacted. The clerk can confirm what may be viewed at the public counter and what requires a judge’s signed order. An official certified copy of the final decree is the document most often needed for banking, benefit applications, or a name change.
Clerk of Court Directory & Search Logs
The Clerk of Court maintains the case index and the public counter where files can be reviewed. A search log may record the case number, the date requested, and the person who asked, and staff may keep it for internal tracking. Ask the clerk which index covers the year you need and whether an older divorce sits in a separate ledger. Do not assume a single database holds every decade.
Protected Financial, Minor & Sealed Data
Courts can restrict material that would expose account numbers, income details, or a child’s identifying information. A judge may seal a document on motion, and the docket will show that a filing exists without showing its contents. Some protection is automatic under court rules, and some requires an order. Ask the clerk what specific pages can be released and what must first be reviewed by the judge.
Certified Copy Rules, Fees & Timelines
A certified decree carries the clerk’s seal and is usually accepted by banks, insurers, and government agencies. The current fees depend on the number of pages and on the certification, and the amount can change. Bring photo identification and the case number, and expect a short wait for a recent file. Older records kept off site may take longer to retrieve, so ask for a pickup estimate.
Record Accuracy & Resolution
Names change, dates are misread, and a case can be indexed under a maiden name or a misspelled surname. A divorce decree may use a former name that no longer matches a current identification document. Compare the caption, the case number, and the filing date before deciding that a record is wrong. The clerk can outline the correction process and whether an amended decree is required.
Matching Spouse Names & Case Identifiers
A divorce is captioned with both spouses, and either name can appear first depending on the filing. A maiden name, a prior married name, or a hyphenated form can hide the right file. Search each version of the surname and compare the marriage date and the county where the case was filed. The case number remains the single surest identifier once you locate one likely candidate.
System Delays for Recent Dissolution Filings
A decree signed this week may not appear in a public index for days or weeks. Staff must docket the order, scan it, and link it to the case before an online viewer shows the text. A newly filed case can sit in a pending queue even longer. Keep the signed copy you receive in court, and wait for the index to catch up before ordering another certified version.
Unlisted Divorce Record Resolution
When a divorce does not appear, ask which court entered the decree. A couple may have filed in another county or state, and a later remarriage does not fully remove the earlier case. Check the caption spelling and the years around the separation. If the file sits elsewhere, request the certified copy from that clerk, and ask whether a transcript can be sent to a South Carolina court.
County Contact Information
Divorce filings in Richland County move through the Family Court, and the Clerk of Court maintains the official file. A certified decree usually comes from the clerk, and questions about a pending motion go to the family division that heard the case. Use the table below for the main contacts, and confirm current counter hours and certified copy rules before visiting the county courthouse in Columbia.
| 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. |
Keep the case number and the final decree together with any later modification order, since a bank or agency may ask for both. If you request a copy by mail, send the form and identification the clerk requires and keep a written record of the date. A name change after divorce may require a separate filing, so ask which county office handles it before starting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Visitors often ask whether a divorce file is open, what a certified copy costs, and which parts stay hidden. The notes below answer those points in a short form. They do not replace the rules applied by the Family Court or the Clerk of Court, and a judge’s order can change what may be released. Confirm the current practice before you travel or mail a request.
Are divorce case files open to the public in Richland County?
A divorce file is usually open to inspection at the clerk’s office, and the docket can be viewed without ordering a copy. Some pages may be pulled or redacted before release, and a sealed document may show only a placeholder. Bring the case number and a photo identification. Ask the counter staff which portions can be copied and which need a judge’s written approval before release.
What is required to obtain a certified divorce record?
Order a certified copy from the clerk that holds the file, and give the case number, the names of both parties, and the date of the decree. Photo identification is commonly requested, and a mail request may need a signed form. The clerk can confirm the fee for the number of pages involved. A certified copy is not the same as a plain printout from a website.
What information is protected from public disclosure?
Certain details are kept out of the public file, including account numbers, income statements, and a child’s full identifying data. A judge may close a hearing or seal a document when privacy outweighs the public interest. The docket still shows that a filing occurred, and the parties receive their copies. Ask the clerk which redactions currently apply to the specific file you want to view.
Who confirms missing or unlisted divorce filings?
If a case cannot be found, ask the clerk to search both surnames and the years around the separation. A divorce may have been filed in another county, dismissed, or never completed. The parties can hold a copy even when the public index does not show one. Request a written search result, and keep it with your other papers if you need to describe a gap later.