Florence Divorce Records
Florence divorce records are filed at the Florence County Family Court. Florence is the largest city in Florence County and a major hub in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina, with about 38,000 residents. All divorce cases for Florence residents are handled at the Florence County courthouse on North Irby Street. The Clerk of Court maintains the complete record of all divorce filings and provides copies of decrees and judgments.
Florence Quick Facts
Where to File for Divorce in Florence
Florence residents file for divorce at the Florence County Family Court. The courthouse is on North Irby Street in Florence and serves all residents of Florence County. This is where new divorce cases are initiated and where you can obtain certified copies of divorce decrees. The Clerk of Court handles all filings and records requests for divorce cases in Florence County.
| Court | Florence County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 180 N Irby St Florence, SC 29501 |
| Phone | (843) 665-3031 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | florenceco.org |
The Florence County courthouse is centrally located in Florence. Parking is available in lots near the courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting, as security screens all visitors at the entrance. Florence residents filing for divorce or requesting records can expect the courthouse to be busy, especially mid-week, so arriving early is helpful.
How to Search Florence Divorce Records
Florence divorce records can be accessed online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index or by visiting the courthouse in person. Online searches are a quick and free way to find basic information on a Florence divorce case. Visiting the courthouse lets you review the complete case file and obtain certified copies the same day.
The SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org includes all Florence County Family Court cases. You can search by party name or case number to find filing dates, case status, and other basic details. Copies of actual documents require a trip to the courthouse or a written request to the Clerk of Court at (843) 665-3031.
When searching for Florence divorce records, it helps to have:
- The full name of at least one party to the divorce
- The year the divorce was filed or granted
- A case number, if available
Staff at the Florence courthouse can search by name or number and produce copies from the case file. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Contact the Clerk of Court at (843) 665-3031 to confirm the current fees and any other requirements before visiting to request Florence divorce records.
Divorce Filing Process in Florence
Florence residents follow South Carolina state procedures to file for divorce. All filings are made at the Florence County Family Court on North Irby Street. Each document submitted to the court becomes part of the official case record, which is available to the public through the Clerk of Court.
You must meet the South Carolina residency requirement before filing. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, only three months is required. Florence residents who meet this standard can file at the county courthouse.
The process begins with filing a complaint for divorce with the Clerk of Court. The filing fee is approximately $150. Your spouse must then be served with the complaint. The Florence County Sheriff, a private process server, or another method allowed under state rules may be used. Once your spouse is served, proof of service is filed with the court and added to the Florence divorce record.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, South Carolina's no-fault ground for divorce is living separate and apart for one continuous year. Recognized fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of desertion. Florence residents must satisfy at least one ground before the court can finalize the divorce.
If both parties agree on all issues, they can submit a settlement agreement for the judge to review and approve. The final divorce decree dissolves the marriage and is a public record under the SC Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10).
Note: Marital property is divided through equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Alimony, child custody, visitation, and child support are all addressed within the same Florence County Family Court divorce proceeding.
Florence Divorce Fees
Fees for filing a divorce in Florence follow the South Carolina statewide fee schedule and are paid at the Florence County courthouse. The filing fee for a new divorce complaint is approximately $150. Call the Clerk of Court at (843) 665-3031 to confirm current fees before filing your Florence divorce case, as amounts may be updated.
Common fees for a Florence divorce include:
- File a complaint for divorce: ~$150.00
- Response filing fee: varies
- Motion filing fee: varies
- Certified copy of decree: varies
If you qualify due to low income, you may apply for an in forma pauperis fee waiver at the Florence County courthouse. You will need to provide evidence of financial hardship such as proof of public assistance or documentation that your income falls below the court's threshold. The judge reviews the petition and decides whether fees are waived. Separate fees apply for obtaining copies of existing Florence divorce records, with certified copies costing more than plain ones.
Legal Help for Divorce in Florence
Florence residents dealing with a divorce have access to several legal resources. Free legal help is available to those who qualify, and referral services can connect you with experienced family law attorneys who handle cases in Florence County.
South Carolina Legal Services offers free civil legal assistance to residents who qualify based on income, including those in Florence County. Visit sclegal.org to apply or find out whether you are eligible for help with your Florence divorce case.
The South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653 can put you in touch with a family law attorney in the Florence area. The Florence County Bar Association also assists residents in finding qualified attorneys. For self-help tools, visit the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org for court forms, filing guides, and instructions for handling a Florence divorce without an attorney.
Florence Community Resources
Florence and Florence County offer a range of programs to help residents manage the challenges that come with a divorce. These services address housing, child care, crisis support, and more. They are not legal services, but they play an important role in helping Florence residents get through the difficulties of a divorce.
Community resources available to Florence residents include:
- Child care assistance through Florence County programs
- Child protective services through SC DSS
- Child support enforcement through SC Department of Social Services
- Domestic violence advocacy and emergency shelter
- Transitional and emergency housing programs
- Mental health counseling and crisis intervention
- Substance abuse treatment and recovery support
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 at any time. Florence-area organizations provide safety planning and legal advocacy for survivors. The SC Department of Social Services Child Support Division handles child support questions. The Florence County Department of Social Services can also point you toward additional local services.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Florence
Florence residents can file for divorce without hiring an attorney by representing themselves pro se. This is most practical in uncontested cases where both parties agree on all issues and there are no major disputes over property, children, or debt. The court cannot give legal advice, but several tools can help you navigate the process on your own in Florence County.
All required divorce forms for South Carolina are available for free at sccourts.org. The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides complaint forms, financial affidavits, and other papers required to start a Florence divorce case. Forms are organized by case type and are clearly labeled for easy use.
The Florence County Family Court Clerk's office on North Irby Street can walk you through the filing steps and tell you which forms apply to your case. When children are involved, extra documents such as custody agreements and child support worksheets are required. Call (843) 665-3031 before visiting to find out exactly what you need to bring to file your Florence divorce case.
Divorce Certificates in Florence
Once a Florence divorce is finalized, you may need either a certified copy of the divorce decree or a divorce certificate. These are not the same document. The certificate is a short official record from the state confirming the divorce. The decree is the full court order with all terms spelled out. Most legal needs require the decree, but in some cases a certificate is sufficient.
SC DHEC, Division of Vital Records issues divorce certificates for South Carolina divorces. To request one, mail a written request with a fee of $12 per certified copy to: Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
To get the full divorce decree from a Florence case, contact the Clerk of Court at the Florence County courthouse. The decree includes the complete terms of the court order. The certificate provides only the names of the parties, the date of the divorce, and the county where it was filed. For most purposes involving proof of a Florence divorce, the decree is the more complete and useful document.
Note: Divorce certificates are available from the Division of Vital Records for South Carolina divorces that occurred from 1962 to the present.
Florence County Divorce Records
Florence is the county seat of Florence County, and all divorce filings in the county go through the Florence County Family Court. For more information on the county court system, complete fee listings, related records, and other resources, visit the Florence County divorce records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file for divorce at their own county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn about divorce records in that area.