Carolina Forest Dissolution Of Marriage
Carolina Forest dissolution of marriage records are held at the Horry County Family Court in Conway. Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community in Horry County with roughly 25,000 residents. Because Carolina Forest has no municipal government of its own, all dissolution of marriage cases for residents here are handled entirely through Horry County. The Horry County Clerk of Court keeps all case files and provides access to dissolution of marriage records for the public.
Carolina Forest Quick Facts
Where Carolina Forest Residents File for Dissolution of Marriage
Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community. That means it has no city hall, no municipal court, and no local government of its own. All dissolution of marriage cases for Carolina Forest residents go through Horry County. The Horry County Family Court in Conway handles every dissolution of marriage filing from the Carolina Forest area. Conway is the Horry County seat, and that is where all county court functions are based.
The Horry County Family Court is located at 1301 2nd Avenue in downtown Conway. This is where you file a new dissolution of marriage case, pick up certified copies of decrees, and access old case records. The court serves the entire 15th Judicial Circuit, which includes all of Horry County and the Carolina Forest community. Getting to Conway from Carolina Forest takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic along SC-544 or SC-501.
| Court | Horry County Family Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1301 2nd Avenue Conway, SC 29526 |
| Phone | (843) 915-5081 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Website | horrycounty.org/Departments/Clerk-of-Court |
Bring a valid photo ID when you visit the courthouse in Conway. Parking is available in nearby lots and along the surrounding streets.
How to Search Carolina Forest Dissolution of Marriage Records
The Horry County Family Court is the primary resource for searching dissolution of marriage cases from the Carolina Forest area. All case files for Carolina Forest residents are stored here. You can find case status, party names, and filing dates through this resource. For certified copies or full document review, you visit the courthouse in Conway in person.
The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System also covers Horry County. Use the FCCMS public portal to search Carolina Forest dissolution of marriage cases online. Search by the full name of either spouse or by case number if you have it. The FCCMS portal gives you access to basic case information at no cost. For copies of actual documents, contact the Horry County Clerk of Court at (843) 915-5081.
Horry County court records are also accessible through horrycountysc.org. This county department page provides additional information about court services, hours, and contact details for the Clerk of Court. Carolina Forest residents can use this resource to confirm hours and procedures before making the drive to Conway.
Note: Because Carolina Forest has no city-level records office, the Horry County courthouse in Conway is the only place to get certified dissolution of marriage records for this community.
Dissolution of Marriage Filing Process for Carolina Forest
Carolina Forest residents follow South Carolina state law when filing for dissolution of marriage. The filing process is the same statewide. You file your complaint at the Horry County Family Court in Conway. Each document you submit becomes part of your permanent case file and is available to the public once filed.
The residency requirement under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30 requires at least one spouse to have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, that period drops to three months. If you live in Carolina Forest and meet this requirement, you file at the Horry County courthouse in Conway.
South Carolina provides one no-fault ground for dissolution of marriage under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10: living separate and apart for one full year. Fault grounds include adultery, habitual drunkenness or drug use, physical cruelty, and desertion for one year. Carolina Forest residents must meet at least one of these grounds before filing.
The filing fee is approximately $150. After filing, you serve your spouse using the Horry County Sheriff, a licensed process server, or another method allowed under South Carolina law. Proof of service is filed with the Clerk of Court in Conway. Once the case is ready, the judge issues a final dissolution of marriage decree. That decree becomes a public record under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Property is divided through equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620.
South Carolina Resources for Dissolution of Marriage
The SC Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates for South Carolina residents. You can request a certificate from dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports or by mailing a request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per copy. This covers divorces from 1962 to the present. For a full dissolution of marriage decree, contact the Horry County Clerk of Court in Conway.
SC Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free legal help to qualifying Carolina Forest residents. The South Carolina Judicial Branch has self-represented litigant packets available at sccourts.org. These packets include all forms needed to file a simple dissolution of marriage case. They are free to download and print. The SC Bar lawyer referral line at (803) 799-6653 can also connect Carolina Forest residents with a local family law attorney.
Carolina Forest Dissolution of Marriage Fees
Fees for dissolution of marriage cases from Carolina Forest follow the Horry County and South Carolina standard fee schedule. Filing a complaint costs approximately $150. Fees for certified copies, motions, and other filings vary. Call the Horry County Clerk of Court at (843) 915-5081 to confirm current rates before you make the trip to Conway.
If you have low income, you may apply for a fee waiver. You file a petition with the Horry County court showing you cannot afford the fees. The court reviews your petition and decides if you qualify. Even if a waiver is granted, copy fees for existing records may still apply. Ask the clerk about current costs when you call.
Filing Dissolution of Marriage Without an Attorney
Carolina Forest residents can file for dissolution of marriage on their own. This works best when both spouses agree on all terms and the case is straightforward. The court in Conway cannot give legal advice, but free resources are available to guide you through the process.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free self-represented litigant packets at sccourts.org. These include the complaint, response, and all supporting forms. Everything is free to print. The Women's Law website also has plain-language guides for South Carolina dissolution of marriage cases that Carolina Forest residents will find helpful.
Note: SC Legal Services may be able to assist Carolina Forest residents with low income who need help completing the dissolution of marriage paperwork.
Horry County Dissolution of Marriage Records
Carolina Forest is part of Horry County, and all dissolution of marriage filings from this community are held at the Horry County Family Court. For the full county court overview, fee schedule, and all Horry County dissolution of marriage resources, visit the Horry County records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby communities also file dissolution of marriage cases through Horry County or a neighboring county courthouse. Pick a city below to learn more.