Mount Pleasant Divorce Records
Mount Pleasant divorce records are filed at the Charleston County Family Court. Located across the Cooper River from Charleston, Mount Pleasant has grown to roughly 100,000 residents and is one of the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina. Despite its size, Mount Pleasant does not have its own family court. Divorce cases for Mount Pleasant residents are filed at the Charleston County Family Court in downtown Charleston. The Clerk of Court maintains all divorce records and handles requests for copies of decrees and case documents.
Mount Pleasant Quick Facts
Where to File for Divorce in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents file for divorce at the Charleston County Family Court on Broad Street in downtown Charleston. All family court matters for Charleston County are handled at the county courthouse, which is the only location in the county where divorce cases can be filed or accessed. There is no satellite family court in Mount Pleasant. Plan for the drive across the Ravenel Bridge when making the trip to file or search divorce records as a Mount Pleasant resident.
| Court | Charleston County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 100 Broad St Charleston, SC 29401 |
| Phone | (843) 958-5000 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | charlestoncounty.org |
The courthouse is in the historic district of downtown Charleston. Paid parking is available at several nearby garages and on metered streets. Security screening is in place at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID and avoid bringing large bags or prohibited items when visiting to look up or obtain divorce records for a Mount Pleasant case.
How to Search Mount Pleasant Divorce Records
Because Mount Pleasant is part of Charleston County, all divorce records for Mount Pleasant residents are part of the Charleston County court system. You can search for these records online using the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index or by visiting the Clerk of Court in person. Online access is useful for verifying that a case exists and pulling up basic information. Visiting the courthouse gives you access to the physical file and the ability to request certified copies on the spot.
Start your search at the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. The system allows searches by party name or case number and shows filing dates, party names, and case status at no charge. To obtain copies of specific documents from a divorce case, you must contact the Clerk of Court or visit the Charleston County Courthouse in person.
For a successful search of Mount Pleasant divorce records, it helps to have:
- The full name of at least one party to the divorce
- The year the case was filed, or an approximate range
- The case number, if known
Clerk of Court staff in Charleston can locate records by name or case number and produce copies on request. Certified copies carry a higher fee than plain copies. Before making the drive from Mount Pleasant, call the Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 to ask about fees and what identification to bring.
Divorce Filing Process in Mount Pleasant
Divorces for Mount Pleasant residents follow the same South Carolina statutes that govern family law statewide. All filings go to the Charleston County Family Court, and every document submitted becomes part of the case file available to the public. The process is straightforward for uncontested cases, while contested matters involving property, alimony, or children may require more hearings and additional time.
At least one spouse must meet the residency requirement under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30 before filing. One spouse must have lived in South Carolina for a full year prior to filing, or both spouses must have been residents for at least three months. Mount Pleasant residents who meet this requirement can file at the Charleston County Family Court.
The process begins with filing a complaint for divorce at the Clerk of Court. The standard filing fee is approximately $150. The other spouse must then be served with the divorce papers through an acceptable method: the Charleston County Sheriff's Office, a licensed private process server, or another means allowed under South Carolina law. Proof of service is then filed with the court to show the case can proceed.
South Carolina law provides one no-fault divorce ground under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10: continuous living apart for one year. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of desertion. Mount Pleasant residents must prove at least one of these grounds before the court can grant a final divorce.
Once all issues are resolved, the judge enters a final divorce decree. That document becomes a public record under the SC Freedom of Information Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10).
Note: Marital assets and debts are divided through equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Child custody, child support, and alimony are all addressed in the same family court case. Mount Pleasant residents handle all of these matters at the Charleston County Family Court.
Mount Pleasant Divorce Fees
Mount Pleasant residents pay fees set by the South Carolina Unified Court System at the Charleston County Family Court. Filing a new complaint for divorce costs approximately $150. These amounts can change, so call the Clerk of Court at (843) 958-5000 before your visit to confirm current fees for filing a divorce as a Mount Pleasant resident.
Common fees you may encounter in a Mount Pleasant divorce case include:
- File a complaint for divorce: ~$150.00
- Response filing fee: varies
- Motion filing fee: varies
- Certified copy of decree: varies
Mount Pleasant residents facing financial hardship can apply for a fee waiver by filing an in forma pauperis petition with the court. You must document your income or show that you receive public assistance. A judge reviews and decides on the petition. Copy fees for existing divorce records are separate from filing fees. The Clerk of Court can tell you what plain and certified copies currently cost when you contact them.
Legal Help for Divorce in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents have access to legal aid services and attorney referral programs that cover Charleston County. Whether you qualify for free legal help or need a referral to a private family law attorney, several organizations can help you navigate a divorce case that will be heard at the Charleston County Family Court.
South Carolina Legal Services covers Charleston County and provides free civil legal representation to qualifying low-income residents, including those in Mount Pleasant. Visit sclegal.org to check eligibility and learn more about the services available in the Charleston area.
The South Carolina Bar's referral line at (803) 799-6653 can match you with a licensed family law attorney who handles cases in Charleston County. The Charleston County Bar Association also has local resources. For self-represented litigants, the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org offers court forms, procedural guides, and step-by-step instructions for handling a divorce case in family court.
Mount Pleasant Community Resources
Mount Pleasant and Charleston County offer community services that can help residents deal with the practical side of a divorce. These programs are not substitutes for legal help, but they address child care, housing, emotional support, and safety needs that often become pressing during a divorce. Residents of Mount Pleasant can access both town and county resources depending on what they need.
Mount Pleasant community resources include:
- Child care assistance programs through SC DSS
- Child protective services through South Carolina Department of Social Services
- Child support enforcement through the SC DSS Child Support Services Division
- Domestic violence advocacy and legal help
- Emergency and transitional housing assistance
- Mental health counseling and crisis services
- Substance abuse support and treatment referrals
Charleston County Department of Social Services is the primary point of contact for many of these programs for Mount Pleasant residents. For domestic violence help at any hour, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233. The Charleston area has shelter programs and advocacy services available to Mount Pleasant residents in unsafe situations. Child support questions should be directed to the SC DSS Child Support Services Division.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant residents who decide to represent themselves in a divorce case file pro se at the Charleston County Family Court. Self-representation works best when the divorce is uncontested and both spouses agree on all issues, particularly when there are no minor children and no significant shared property. The clerk's office can help you identify the right forms but cannot provide legal advice.
All forms required for a divorce case in Charleston County are available for free at the South Carolina Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org. The site has complaint forms, financial disclosure statements, proposed parenting plans, and all supporting documents you would need to file a complete case. Forms can be printed at home and brought to the courthouse with your filing fee.
Cases involving children require additional paperwork including a parenting plan and a child support calculation worksheet. The Clerk of Court at the Charleston County Courthouse can review your filing package to confirm it is complete before you pay the fee. This can save time and avoid having your filing rejected for missing documents.
Divorce Certificates in Mount Pleasant
After a divorce is final in Charleston County, Mount Pleasant residents may need official documentation of the dissolution. The divorce decree from the court and the divorce certificate from the state are two different documents. The decree is the full court order with all the terms, including property division and custody. The certificate is a shorter state record confirming that a divorce occurred.
SC DHEC, Division of Vital Records handles divorce certificates for South Carolina. To request one, mail your written request and a $12 fee per certified copy to: Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
For a complete copy of the divorce decree, contact the Clerk of Court at the Charleston County Courthouse. The decree is required for most official purposes such as changing a last name, applying for remarriage, or resolving title and property issues. The state certificate only confirms the basic facts of the divorce. Mount Pleasant residents who need to demonstrate their divorce for a legal or financial purpose will almost always need the full decree rather than just the certificate.
Note: SC DHEC divorce certificates are available for divorces recorded in South Carolina from 1962 to the present.
Charleston County Divorce Records
Mount Pleasant is part of Charleston County, and all divorce filings for Mount Pleasant residents go through the Charleston County Family Court. The county court processes all family law cases in the county. For a full overview of the county court, the fee schedule, related public records, and other resources, visit the Charleston 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.