Abbeville County Divorce Records
Abbeville County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Abbeville County Family Court. Located in the western part of South Carolina, Abbeville County is a small rural county with a long legal history. The Family Court handles all divorce proceedings filed by residents of the county. The county seat is the city of Abbeville, where the courthouse holds all case files. Whether you need a certified copy of a divorce decree or basic case information, the Clerk of Court is the starting point for any records request in Abbeville County.
Abbeville County Quick Facts
Abbeville County Family Court
The Abbeville County Family Court is the sole venue for all divorce proceedings in the county. The Clerk of Court maintains every case file from initial filing through final decree. Staff can locate records by party name or case number and provide certified copies upon request. The courthouse sits in the city of Abbeville at 903 W. Greenwood St.
Family Court in Abbeville County handles divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation rights, alimony, and equitable distribution of marital property. Under South Carolina law, divorce cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. If you or your spouse lives in Abbeville County, this is where you file. The Clerk of Court office is open standard business hours and staff can direct you to the right forms and procedures.
The statewide SC Family Court Case Management System provides basic online access to Abbeville County divorce case information. You can view case numbers, party names, filing dates, case types, and current status without visiting the courthouse. Full document access requires contacting or visiting the Clerk of Court directly.
The image below shows the SC Family Court Case Management System, which serves as the online portal for Abbeville County case searches.
Use the FCCMS portal to confirm case details before contacting the Abbeville County Clerk of Court for full records.
| Court | Abbeville County Clerk of Court 903 W. Greenwood St., Suite 1200 Abbeville, SC 29620 Phone: (864) 459-5095 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Abbeville County Divorce Records
Searching for divorce records in Abbeville County can be done online or in person. The fastest starting point for basic information is the SC Family Court Case Management System. This free online tool lets you search by party name, case number, or filing date. Results show the case type, filing date, and current status for Abbeville County divorce cases. It does not provide access to full documents.
For full document access, visit the Clerk of Court office at 903 W. Greenwood St. in Abbeville. Bring valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can pull the case file and provide plain or certified copies. Mail requests are also accepted. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate divorce date, and the case number if you have it. Attach payment for applicable fees when mailing a request to the Abbeville County Clerk of Court.
The SC Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org also provides case search tools and links to Abbeville County court resources. This is a good backup if you are not certain which county handled a particular divorce case.
Note: Providing the approximate year of the divorce along with both party names speeds up the search process at the Abbeville County Clerk of Court office.
Abbeville County Divorce Filing Fees
Abbeville County follows the South Carolina statewide fee schedule for Family Court cases. The fee to file a new complaint for divorce is approximately $150. This fee is paid at the time of filing to the Clerk of Court. Fees are subject to change, so call (864) 459-5095 before filing to confirm the current amount.
Additional fees apply for certified copies of divorce decrees and other documents. Plain photocopies cost less than certified copies. The number of pages in the document affects the total cost. Service of process fees apply when serving the other spouse. If you use the Abbeville County Sheriff for service, a separate fee is charged.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may apply for a fee waiver. File an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Abbeville County Family Court. A judge will review your income and expenses and decide whether to waive the fee. This option exists so that financial hardship does not prevent access to the divorce process in Abbeville County.
Divorce Filing Process in Abbeville County
Filing for divorce in Abbeville County begins with submitting a complaint for divorce to the Clerk of Court. The complaint states the grounds for the divorce and what you are asking the court to decide, such as property division, alimony, or child custody. You pay the approximately $150 filing fee when you submit the complaint. The Clerk of Court assigns a case number that identifies your Abbeville County divorce record.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have been a resident of South Carolina for one year before filing for divorce. If both spouses live in South Carolina, only three months of residency is required. If you reside in Abbeville County, this is the correct court for your filing. After the complaint is filed, the other spouse must be served with the divorce papers. Proof of service is filed with the court and becomes part of the Abbeville County divorce record.
South Carolina recognizes five grounds for divorce under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10: adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or use of narcotics, and one year of continuous separation, which is the no-fault ground. Most divorces in Abbeville County are filed on the no-fault separation ground. The court sets a final hearing date after all required waiting periods are met. At that hearing, the judge reviews the terms and signs the final decree. The divorce decree is then filed with the Clerk of Court and becomes a permanent part of the public record in Abbeville County.
Property matters are addressed under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, which governs equitable distribution. Courts divide marital property fairly, though not necessarily equally, based on a range of factors.
What Abbeville County Divorce Records Contain
Abbeville County divorce records include all documents filed with the Family Court from the start of the case through its conclusion. The complaint for divorce is the first document and sets out the grounds and relief sought. The answer, filed by the other spouse, responds to the complaint. A settlement agreement or marital property agreement may be included when the parties resolve their differences before trial. All of these are part of the official case file at the Abbeville County Clerk of Court.
The final divorce decree is the most requested document. It is the court order that legally ends the marriage. Certified copies are often required when changing a name, refinancing property, applying for a marriage license, or for international legal purposes. The decree typically includes the date of the final order, the names of both parties, and any rulings on property, support, and children.
Other documents commonly found in an Abbeville County divorce case file include:
- Financial declarations from both parties
- Affidavits of separation
- Motions for temporary orders on support or custody
- Parenting plans and custody agreements
- Proof of service documents
- Court hearing transcripts if ordered
Divorce records in Abbeville County are generally public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Documents containing Social Security numbers, minor children's identifying information, or financial account numbers may be redacted before release. Anyone may request to view these records without having to be a party to the case.
Divorce Certificates in Abbeville County
A certified divorce certificate is a separate document from the full divorce decree. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DPH) issues certified divorce certificates for divorces that occurred between July 1962 and December 2023. The certificate is a shorter record that confirms the divorce took place and includes basic identifying information. It does not contain the terms of property settlements or custody arrangements.
Many people in Abbeville County request a divorce certificate for purposes like remarriage, name changes, or international document requirements. To order a certified divorce certificate, contact SC DPH Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, by phone at (803) 898-3630, or through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Include a copy of your government-issued photo ID with your request.
For divorces not covered by the DPH date range, or when you need the full terms of the court order, you must contact the Abbeville County Clerk of Court at (864) 459-5095. Learn more about the SC DPH divorce certificate process at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports.
Legal Help for Divorce in Abbeville County
Several organizations can help Abbeville County residents navigate the divorce process. If you cannot afford an attorney, South Carolina Legal Services may provide free assistance. You can reach them at 1-888-346-5592 or visit their website to check eligibility. They serve people with limited income across South Carolina, including Abbeville County.
The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed family law attorney in or near Abbeville County. Call 1-800-868-2284 to speak with a referral specialist. Many attorneys offer an initial consultation at a reduced rate, which can help you understand your legal options before committing to representation.
The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides forms and instructions for self-represented litigants. If you plan to file without an attorney in Abbeville County, review the available forms carefully. Court staff cannot give legal advice, but they can point you toward the correct forms for your situation.
Note: Family Court staff at the Abbeville County courthouse are not permitted to provide legal advice or tell you how to fill out forms.
Related Records in Abbeville County
Other Abbeville County offices maintain records that often connect to divorce cases. The Abbeville County Register of Deeds records property deeds, which frequently change after a divorce settlement. If the court ordered a transfer of real estate as part of a divorce, the new deed will be recorded with the Register of Deeds. The Probate Court holds marriage licenses and estate records. You may need a marriage certificate as part of the divorce filing process in Abbeville County.
Child support matters in Abbeville County are handled through the SC Department of Social Services Child Support Services Division. After a divorce involving children, ongoing modifications to child support or custody orders are filed with the Abbeville County Family Court. Protection from abuse orders and contempt proceedings related to divorce cases are also filed with the same court.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. If you live outside Abbeville County, check the list below to find the correct county court for your case.