Richland County Divorce Decree Records
Richland County divorce decree records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Columbia, South Carolina. As the most populous county in the state and home to the state capital, Richland County processes a substantial volume of family court filings each year. 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 Richland County Clerk of Court is the authoritative source. Searches may begin online using the statewide portal or in person at the Columbia courthouse.
Richland County Quick Facts
Richland County Family Court
The Richland County Family Court in Columbia handles all divorce proceedings for county residents. As the seat of South Carolina state government, Columbia hosts a large and active Family Court that manages one of the highest caseloads in the state. The Clerk of Court is the official records custodian for every Richland 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 1701 Main Street in Columbia, which serves as the county seat of Richland County.
Family Court in Richland 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. Richland County residents bring their cases to the Columbia courthouse. The courthouse operates on standard business hours on weekdays, and staff can direct you to the correct forms and procedures for your case.
Richland County offers several online resources for locating Family Court records. The links below connect to the Richland County Family Court page, the Common Pleas civil court records portal, and the SC Courts courthouse directory — each a useful starting point depending on the nature of your records request.
The Richland County Family Court page on the county's official website provides court contact information, general guidance on filing procedures, and links to court resources. It is a good first stop before visiting the courthouse in Columbia.
The Richland County Common Pleas portal provides access to civil court records and can help you distinguish between family court and general civil filings when searching for a Richland County case. Use this if you are unsure which court division handled a particular matter.
After locating a case, contact the Richland County Clerk of Court at (803) 576-1930 to request the actual divorce decree or other documents from the case file. Have the case number ready. Full document text is only available through the Clerk, not through the online portals.
| Court | Richland County Clerk of Court 1701 Main St Columbia, SC 29201 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 576-1930 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Searching Richland County Divorce Decrees Online and In Person
The SC Family Court Case Management System is the starting point for any Richland County divorce decree search. This free state portal requires no account. Enter a party name or case number to find Richland County family court cases. Results include the case type, filing date, and current status. The portal does not display the full text of documents. It is best used to confirm that a case exists and to locate the case number you will need when requesting records from the Clerk.
For the actual Richland County divorce decree or other case documents, visit or contact the Clerk of Court at 1701 Main Street in Columbia. Call ahead at (803) 576-1930 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. Knowing the case number ahead of time speeds the process considerably.
The SC Judicial Branch website also provides court resource links and a statewide case finder tool. If you are uncertain which county handled a particular divorce, this is a helpful backup option. For older Richland County records, divorce case files are kept permanently under state archival standards, so records going back decades should still be available from the Clerk.
Note: When contacting the Richland 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 Richland County Divorce Decree Files Contain
A complete Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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.
Richland County Divorce Decree Fees and Copies
Filing a divorce complaint in Richland County costs approximately $150. This fee is paid to the Clerk of Court at the time of filing. Call (803) 576-1930 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland County
Divorce filings in Richland County begin at the Clerk of Court office at 1701 Main Street in Columbia. 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Columbia courthouse to file.
Divorce Decree vs. Certificate in Richland County
Two separate documents prove a divorce in South Carolina. The divorce decree is the court order signed by a Richland County Family Court judge. It contains all the terms of the divorce, including property division, any alimony award, and orders regarding children. The Richland County Clerk of Court in Columbia 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 Richland 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 Richland County court order is required, contact the Clerk of Court in Columbia. 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 Richland County Divorce Cases
Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland 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 Columbia cannot provide legal advice, but they can confirm you have the correct forms before you begin your Richland County divorce filing.
Nearby Counties
Divorce cases must be filed in the county where either spouse resides. If you live outside Richland County, check the links below to find the correct court for your case.