Lexington County Divorce Decree Records
Lexington County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Lexington, South Carolina. The Clerk holds every case file from the initial complaint through the signed final order. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree, want to check a case status, or need to review a prior court order, the Lexington County Clerk of Court is the authoritative source. Lexington County offers multiple online resources for searching records, and searches may also be conducted in person at the Lexington courthouse.
Lexington County Quick Facts
Lexington County Family Court
The Lexington County Family Court in Lexington handles all divorce proceedings for county residents. The Clerk of Court is the official records custodian for every Lexington County divorce case file. Staff can search records by party name or case number and produce certified copies on request. The courthouse is located at 205 E Main Street in Lexington, which serves as the county seat of Lexington County.
Family Court in Lexington County holds jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, alimony, child custody, visitation, and the division of marital assets. Under South Carolina law, divorce cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. Lexington County residents bring their cases to the Lexington courthouse. The courthouse operates on standard business hours on weekdays, and staff can direct you to the correct forms and procedures for your case.
Lexington County maintains several online resources that make it easier to research divorce decree records before contacting the Clerk in person. The image below links to the Lexington County Courts marriage and divorce records search portal, a useful starting point for locating case information.
Lexington County also maintains a broader public records portal where you can search a range of court and government records. The link below leads to that resource, which may be useful when researching case history or locating related court filings.
An additional Lexington records search tool is available through LexingtonRecords.us, which indexes divorce decree records and provides another avenue for confirming case existence and gathering basic case details before requesting documents from the Clerk.
For full document text, contact the Lexington County Clerk of Court at (803) 785-8212. Have the case number ready when you call. The Clerk can confirm document availability and walk you through the process for requesting certified or plain copies of any Lexington County divorce decree.
| Court | Lexington County Clerk of Court 205 E Main St Lexington, SC 29072 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 785-8212 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Searching Lexington Divorce Decrees Online and In Person
The SC Family Court Case Management System is the statewide portal for searching Lexington County divorce case records. This free portal requires no account. Enter a party name or case number to locate Lexington County family court cases, along with filing dates and current case status. The portal does not display full document text, but it provides the case number you need when requesting records from the Clerk.
Lexington County also offers its own marriage and divorce records portal and a general public records portal, both of which may surface additional case information. For a third search option, LexingtonRecords.us indexes Lexington County divorce records and allows name-based searches. These resources can help you confirm that a case exists and gather the details you need before contacting the Clerk.
For the actual Lexington County divorce decree or other case documents, visit or contact the Clerk of Court at 205 E Main Street in Lexington. Call ahead at (803) 785-8212 to ask about mail-in request procedures and current copy fees. When requesting records, provide both spouses' full legal names and the approximate year of the divorce. A valid photo ID is required for in-person visits.
Note: When contacting the Lexington County Clerk by mail, include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a check or money order made payable to the Clerk of Court for any applicable copy fees.
What Lexington County Divorce Decree Files Contain
A complete Lexington County divorce case file includes all documents generated from the filing of the initial complaint through the entry of the final order. The complaint for divorce is the first document in the file. It states the grounds for the divorce and the relief the petitioner seeks. The respondent's answer follows. If both spouses reach an agreement, a written settlement agreement or consent order is incorporated into the file. Each of these records is maintained by the Lexington County Clerk of Court.
The final divorce decree is the document most often requested by former spouses and third parties. It is the judge's signed order officially dissolving the marriage. This document identifies both parties, records the date of the final order, and addresses all court rulings on property division, alimony, and any child-related matters. Banks, title companies, government agencies, and courts in other states frequently require a certified copy of the Lexington County divorce decree when verifying marital status or processing a name change. The Clerk provides both plain and certified copies at the current fee schedule.
Other documents found in Lexington County divorce files include financial declarations, affidavits of separation, temporary custody and support orders, parenting plans, proof of service documents, and transcripts of any hearings where transcription was requested. Court records are generally public under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. Portions containing sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers and minor children's full names, may be redacted from copies provided to the public.
Lexington County Divorce Decree Fees and Copies
Filing a divorce complaint in Lexington County costs approximately $150. This fee is paid to the Clerk of Court at the time of filing. Call (803) 785-8212 before filing to confirm the current amount, since fees are set by the state and can change. Service of process fees are separate and apply when delivering divorce papers to the other spouse.
Certified copies of a Lexington County divorce decree cost more than plain photocopies. The total depends on the page count of the document and the certification charge. If you use the Lexington County Sheriff's office for service of process, a separate service fee is charged at the time of delivery. Ask the Clerk about the current copy fee schedule during your call or visit, so you can bring the correct payment.
If you cannot pay the filing fee, you may apply for a fee waiver. Submit an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Lexington County Family Court. A judge reviews the application and decides whether to waive the fee based on your income and financial circumstances. This waiver process keeps financial hardship from blocking access to the Lexington County Family Court.
Note: Fee waivers apply only to court filing fees and do not automatically cover the cost of certified copies requested after a case is closed.
Filing for Divorce in Lexington County
Divorce filings in Lexington County begin at the Clerk of Court office at 205 E Main Street in Lexington. You submit a complaint for divorce that sets out the grounds for the action and the relief you are requesting. The approximately $150 filing fee is due at the time of submission. The Clerk assigns a case number that will track your Lexington County divorce decree record from filing through the final order.
South Carolina establishes residency requirements under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30. If only one spouse resides in South Carolina, that spouse must have lived here for at least one year before filing. If both spouses live in South Carolina, three months of residency is sufficient. Residence by either spouse in Lexington County makes this the correct court for filing.
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 one-year separation ground is no-fault and is the most common basis for Lexington County divorce filings. Once the complaint is filed, the other spouse must be formally served. Proof of service is then filed with the Clerk. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, the court cannot hold a final hearing less than two months after filing, and no final decree may be entered before the three-month mark.
Property division is governed by equitable distribution rules under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. The court weighs a set of statutory factors to reach a fair division of marital property. Equal division is not required. The goal is a result that is equitable given the full circumstances of the Lexington County marriage.
Self-represented litigants can download the SC Judicial Branch divorce packet at sccourts.org. These forms are designed for uncontested, simple divorces. Review them carefully before visiting the Lexington courthouse to file.
Divorce Decree vs. Certificate in Lexington County
Two separate documents prove a divorce in South Carolina. The divorce decree is the court order signed by a Lexington County Family Court judge. It contains all the terms of the divorce, including property division, any alimony award, and orders regarding children. The Lexington County Clerk of Court in Lexington is the only source for a certified copy of this decree.
The divorce certificate is a different, shorter document. It is issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health and confirms only that the divorce took place. It includes the parties' names, the date, and the county where the case was filed. The SC DPH issues certificates for divorces finalized between July 1962 and December 2023. The certificate does not include the terms of the divorce settlement. Many Lexington County residents use the certificate for simple purposes such as proving eligibility for remarriage. The full decree is necessary when a lender, title company, or government agency needs to review specific settlement terms.
To order a South Carolina divorce certificate, contact SC DPH Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, call (803) 898-3630, or use VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. The fee is $12 per copy. Full details are at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports. For divorces outside the DPH coverage dates or when the full Lexington County court order is required, contact the Clerk of Court in Lexington. For certified copies needed in foreign legal proceedings, the SC Secretary of State handles apostille authentication; see sos.sc.gov for the process.
Legal Help for Lexington County Divorce Cases
Lexington County residents who need legal assistance with divorce have several resources available. SC Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying individuals based on income. Call 1-888-346-5592 or visit their website to confirm eligibility. They assist Lexington County clients with family law matters including divorce, child custody, and support cases.
The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed family law attorney. Call (803) 799-6653 to reach the referral line. Many Lexington County attorneys offer a reduced-cost initial consultation, which gives you a chance to understand your legal rights and options before committing to full representation. Plain-language information about South Carolina divorce law is also available at WomensLaw.org, which can help you prepare questions for an attorney meeting.
If you plan to handle your own Lexington County divorce filing without an attorney, the SC Judicial Branch self-represented divorce packets are available at sccourts.org. These packets include the forms needed for a simple, uncontested divorce. Courthouse staff in Lexington cannot provide legal advice, but they can confirm you have the correct forms before you begin your Lexington County divorce filing.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. If you live outside Lexington County, check the links below to find the correct court for your case.