Chester County Divorce Decree Records
Chester County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Chester, South Carolina. The Clerk keeps every case file from the initial complaint through the final signed order. If you need to confirm a case status, obtain a certified copy of a divorce decree, or review a prior court order, the Chester County Clerk of Court is your primary source. You can begin searching online or in person at the Chester courthouse.
Chester County Quick Facts
Chester County Family Court and Divorce Decree Access
The Chester County Family Court handles all divorce proceedings for county residents. The Clerk of Court sits at 140 Main Street in Chester, the county seat. Staff can locate records by party name or case number and prepare certified copies of any divorce decree on request. The courthouse serves Chester County residents and is open weekdays during regular business hours.
Family Court in Chester County has jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, alimony, child custody, visitation, and division of marital property. South Carolina law requires that divorce cases be filed in the county where either spouse resides. Chester County is the proper venue when at least one spouse calls this county home. Staff at 140 Main Street can point you toward the right forms and walk you through basic filing procedures.
The SC Family Court Case Management System provides free online access to Chester County divorce case information. Search by party name, case number, or filing date to find basic case details. Results show the case type, filing date, and current status. Full documents are not displayed in the portal. To obtain the actual Chester County divorce decree or supporting case documents, contact the Clerk of Court directly at the address below.
The image below links to the SC Family Court Case Management System, which serves as the online search portal for Chester County divorce case records. Use the portal to locate case numbers before calling the Clerk.
After finding a case in the portal, call the Chester County Clerk of Court at (803) 385-2605 to request copies of the divorce decree or other documents from the file. Having the case number ready will make the process faster for both you and the staff.
| Court | Chester County Clerk of Court 140 Main Street Chester, SC 29706 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 385-2605 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
How to Search Chester County Divorce Decrees
Start your Chester County divorce decree search at the SC Family Court Case Management System. This free state portal requires no account. Enter a party name or case number to pull up Chester County Family Court records. You will see the case type, filing date, and current status. The search takes only a few minutes from any computer or phone.
When you need the full divorce decree or other case documents, contact the Chester County Clerk of Court in person or by phone. Bring valid photo identification when you visit 140 Main Street. For mail-in requests, include both spouses' full legal names and the approximate year of the divorce. A case number, if known, speeds the search. Staff will tell you the current copy fee and turnaround time when you call (803) 385-2605.
The SC Court Case Finder is another resource if you are unsure which county handled a particular divorce. The SC Judicial Branch site at sccourts.org also links to court resources and a case finder tool. Chester County divorce decree records are kept permanently, so even older cases from decades ago should be retrievable through the Clerk's office.
Note: Providing the approximate year of the divorce along with both party names helps Chester County staff locate records much faster, especially for older cases with common surnames.
What Chester County Divorce Case Files Contain
A Chester County divorce case file holds every document generated from filing through final order. The complaint for divorce is the first document in the file. It names both parties, states the grounds for divorce, and lists the relief the filing spouse seeks. The respondent's answer follows. If the parties reach an agreement, a settlement agreement or consent order is included in the file as well.
The final Chester County divorce decree is the most often requested document. It is the judge's signed order that legally ends the marriage. The decree names both spouses, states the date of the final order, and addresses property division, alimony, and any rulings on children. Many courts, banks, government agencies, and financial institutions require a certified copy when you change a name, transfer property, or update benefit designations. The Chester County Clerk of Court provides both plain and certified copies.
Other documents you may find in a Chester County divorce file include financial declarations, affidavits of separation, temporary support or custody orders, parenting plans, proof of service documents, and hearing transcripts when transcription was ordered. Chester County divorce decree records are generally public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. Some portions with sensitive personal data may be redacted before release.
Chester County Divorce Decree Fees
Filing a divorce complaint in Chester County costs approximately $150. This fee is paid to the Clerk of Court at the time of filing. Call (803) 385-2605 before you file to confirm the current amount, since court fees can be updated.
Certified copy fees for a Chester County divorce decree depend on the number of pages in the document. Plain photocopies cost less than certified copies. Service of process fees apply when serving the other spouse, and a separate charge is assessed if you use the Chester County Sheriff's office for in-person service. The Clerk's staff can give you the full fee schedule when you visit or call.
If paying the filing fee would be a hardship, you may file an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Chester County Family Court. A judge reviews the application and decides whether to waive the fee. This path keeps Chester County Family Court open to those who cannot afford the standard charges.
Filing for Divorce in Chester County
Chester County divorce filings begin at the Clerk of Court at 140 Main Street. Submit a complaint for divorce that names both parties, states the grounds, and sets out the relief you seek. Pay the roughly $150 filing fee at the window. The Clerk assigns a case number that will track your Chester County divorce decree from first filing through final order.
South Carolina sets residency requirements under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30. One year of state residency is required if only one spouse lives in South Carolina. If both spouses reside in the state, three months of residency is enough. Either spouse's Chester County address satisfies the venue requirement for filing here.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, South Carolina recognizes five grounds for divorce: adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or narcotics use, and one year of continuous separation. The separation ground is no-fault and is the most common basis used in Chester County divorce cases. After filing, the other spouse must be formally served. A proof of service document is then filed with the Chester County Clerk. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, no final hearing can be held sooner than two months after filing, and no divorce decree can be entered before three months have passed.
Marital property is divided under equitable distribution rules found in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. The court weighs statutory factors to reach a fair division, which is not always an equal split.
Chester County Divorce Decree vs. Vital Records Certificate
Two separate documents confirm a divorce in South Carolina. The Chester County divorce decree is the court order signed by a Family Court judge. It contains the full terms of the divorce, covering property, alimony, and any orders about children. The Chester County Clerk of Court in Chester is the only source for a certified copy of this document.
The SC divorce certificate is a shorter vital record issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. It confirms that a divorce occurred and includes basic facts such as party names, the date, and the county. SC DPH holds certificates for divorces between July 1962 and December 2023. The certificate does not include the terms of settlement. Chester County residents often request the certificate for routine purposes like remarriage, while the full decree is needed when property or support terms must be documented. Order a certificate from SC DPH at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or call (803) 898-3630. VitalChek is available at 1-877-284-1008. The fee is $12 per copy. Details appear at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports.
For divorces outside that date range, or when you need the actual court order, contact the Clerk of Court in Chester. If a certified copy must be authenticated for use abroad, the SC Secretary of State handles apostilles at sos.sc.gov.
Legal Help for Divorce in Chester County
Chester County residents who need legal help with a divorce have several free and low-cost resources. SC Legal Services provides free assistance to income-eligible residents throughout the state, including Chester County. Call 1-888-346-5592 or visit their site to check eligibility. They handle family law matters such as divorce, custody, and support.
The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects callers with a licensed family law attorney. Dial (803) 799-6653 to reach the referral line. Many Chester County family law attorneys offer a low-cost initial consultation. This meeting helps you understand your rights before you commit to full representation. The resource at WomensLaw.org explains South Carolina divorce law in plain terms and can help you prepare questions before that first meeting.
If you plan to handle your own Chester County divorce filing, the SC Judicial Branch publishes self-represented divorce packets at sccourts.org. These packets contain the forms needed for a simple, uncontested case. Court staff in Chester cannot give legal advice, but they can confirm you have brought the correct forms for your situation.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases must be filed where either spouse resides. Check nearby counties below.