Aiken Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Aiken dissolution of marriage records are filed at the Aiken County Family Court. Aiken is the county seat of Aiken County and the largest city in the area, with around 31,000 residents. All dissolution of marriage cases for Aiken residents go through the Aiken County Family Court system. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files and provides certified copies of divorce decrees and related documents to the public.
Aiken Quick Facts
Where to File a Dissolution of Marriage in Aiken
Aiken residents file all dissolution of marriage cases at the Aiken County Family Court. Aiken sits in the 2nd Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Aiken County Clerk of Court keeps all dissolution of marriage records, from initial filings through final decrees. Because Aiken is the county seat, the courthouse is right in the center of town and easy to reach.
The City of Aiken is a major South Carolina city known across the state. Its history as a horse country destination and cultural hub makes it one of the more prominent cities in the western part of the state. When you need to file or look up dissolution of marriage records, the county courthouse is your first stop. The Clerk of Court office handles all filings, issues certified copies, and manages public access to case files.
| Court | Aiken County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 109 Park Avenue SW Aiken, SC 29801 |
| County Resources | aikencountysc.gov/clerk-of-court |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Circuit | 2nd Judicial Circuit |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the Aiken County courthouse. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. If you know your case number, bring it along. It speeds up the search process at the Clerk of Court window.
Search Aiken Dissolution of Marriage Records
The City of Aiken provides information about local government and services at cityofaikensc.gov. For dissolution of marriage filings, the records are held by the Aiken County Clerk of Court rather than the city. Both online and in-person search options are available for Aiken dissolution of marriage records.
Online searches work well when you only need basic case information. The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System gives public access to case names, filing dates, and case status. Use the FCCMS public portal to search Aiken dissolution of marriage records from home. You can search by party name or case number. For full document copies, you will need to contact the Clerk of Court or visit in person.
To search Aiken dissolution of marriage records, you will typically need the full name of at least one spouse and the approximate year the case was filed. A case number makes any search faster. Certified copies of divorce decrees require payment at the Clerk of Court window.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing in Aiken
Filing a dissolution of marriage in Aiken follows South Carolina state law. The process is the same across all counties, but you must file at the correct courthouse. Aiken residents file at the Aiken County Family Court in downtown Aiken. Every step of the process creates a record that becomes part of your case file and is accessible to the public once filed.
Residency is the first requirement. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, the required period drops to three months. Aiken residents who meet the residency requirement can file their dissolution of marriage case here.
South Carolina law under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10 provides one no-fault ground for dissolution of marriage: living separate and apart for one continuous year. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. At least one of these grounds must apply before the court can grant a dissolution of marriage in Aiken.
The filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in Aiken is approximately $150. After filing the complaint, you must serve your spouse with the court papers. You can use the Aiken County Sheriff's office, a private process server, or another method allowed under South Carolina law. Proof of service must be filed with the Aiken County Clerk of Court. Once both sides have responded and all issues are resolved, the judge issues a final decree. That decree becomes a public record under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act.
Note: Property in Aiken dissolution of marriage cases is divided through equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, which means the court divides marital property fairly but not always equally.
South Carolina Dissolution of Marriage Resources
The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov is the main public tool for searching dissolution of marriage cases across the state, including Aiken. You can look up case status, party names, and filing dates at no charge. This portal covers Aiken County and all other South Carolina counties.
South Carolina Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free legal help to Aiken residents who qualify based on income. If you cannot afford an attorney, this is the right place to start. The South Carolina Judicial Branch also offers self-represented litigant divorce packets at sccourts.org. These free packets include all the court forms you need to file for dissolution of marriage in Aiken on your own.
For general guidance on South Carolina dissolution of marriage law, Women's Law at womenslaw.org/laws/sc/divorce has plain-language explanations of the process. The SC Bar lawyer referral service is also available at (803) 799-6653 for Aiken residents who need a family law attorney.
Note: Divorce certificates are issued by the SC Department of Public Health for $12 per copy and cover divorces from 1962 forward in South Carolina.
Aiken Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Fees for dissolution of marriage in Aiken follow the South Carolina standard fee schedule. The cost to file a complaint is approximately $150. Additional fees apply for motions, responses, and copies of documents. Fees can change, so call the Aiken County Clerk of Court before you file to confirm current rates.
Certified copies of dissolution of marriage decrees cost more than plain copies. The Aiken County Clerk of Court can tell you the exact copy fees when you call or visit in person. If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver in Aiken. You file a petition showing you cannot afford the fees, such as receiving public assistance or having income below the court threshold. The court reviews each waiver petition individually.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Aiken
Some Aiken residents file for dissolution of marriage on their own without hiring an attorney. This is called filing pro se. It tends to work best when both spouses agree on all terms and the case does not involve complicated property or child custody issues. The court does not provide legal advice, but a number of resources are available to help.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides free self-represented litigant packets for simple dissolution of marriage cases. These packets include the complaint form, response form, and all required supporting papers. All forms are free to download and print. The Aiken County Family Court Clerk can tell you which forms apply to your specific situation.
The South Carolina Code of Laws at scstatehouse.gov contains the full text of the dissolution of marriage statutes. Reading the relevant sections gives Aiken residents a clear picture of the legal requirements before they file. Resources like Women's Law and Cordell and Cordell also break down the law in plain language that is easy to follow.
Aiken Divorce Certificates and Decrees
After a dissolution of marriage is final in Aiken, you may need a copy of the official documents. There are two kinds: the divorce certificate and the divorce decree. The decree is the full court order issued by the Aiken County Family Court. The certificate is a shorter summary document issued by the state. Most legal and personal matters require the decree.
Get the divorce decree from the Aiken County Clerk of Court. The decree shows the full terms of the dissolution of marriage, including property division, custody, and any other court orders. Get the certificate from the SC Department of Public Health by mailing a request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Certificates cover South Carolina divorces from 1962 to the present.
Aiken County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Aiken is the county seat of Aiken County, and all dissolution of marriage cases are filed and maintained at the Aiken County Family Court. For the full county court overview, complete fee schedule, and related county resources, visit the Aiken County dissolution of marriage records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file for dissolution of marriage at their own county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn more about dissolution of marriage records in that area.