Dissolution Of Marriage in Florence SC
Florence dissolution of marriage records are filed and kept at the Florence County Family Court. Florence is the county seat and the largest city in Florence County, serving as the regional hub for the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. All dissolution of marriage cases for Florence residents go through the Florence County court system. You can search these records online using state portals or visit the courthouse in person. The Florence County Clerk of Court maintains all case files and issues certified copies of dissolution decrees.
Florence Quick Facts
Where to File a Dissolution in Florence
Florence residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the Florence County Family Court. Florence County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. The 12th Circuit serves Florence and Marion counties. All family court matters, including dissolution of marriage, are handled at the Florence County courthouse since Florence is the county seat.
Florence County government resources are available at florenceco.org. This site links to the Clerk of Court, court schedules, and other county offices you may need during a dissolution of marriage case. The City of Florence portal at cityofflorence.com provides local government contacts and community services. While the city portal does not handle court records directly, it connects residents to county and state resources for dissolution cases.
Note: All dissolution of marriage filings for Florence residents go to Florence County Family Court regardless of what part of the city you live in.
Florence City Government and Court Access
The City of Florence is the center of government and services for the Pee Dee region. Florence serves as a hub for healthcare, education, and government services across several surrounding counties. The city website at cityofflorence.com is the starting point for Florence residents who need local government information during a dissolution of marriage case.
Florence's role as a regional center means the county courthouse sees a significant volume of family court cases each year. The Florence County Family Court handles dissolution of marriage cases for residents across the entire county. As the county seat, Florence is where all dissolution filings originate and where records are stored.
How to Search Florence Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Searching dissolution of marriage records in Florence can be done online or in person. The online route is faster for basic information. In-person visits are better when you need certified copies or want to review the full case file. Both options give you access to records going back many years in Florence County.
The FCCMS portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov is the main statewide system for family court case searches. You can look up Florence dissolution of marriage cases by party name or case number. The portal shows filing dates, case status, and basic party information. For full documents and certified copies, you contact the Florence County Clerk of Court or visit the courthouse directly.
Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process in Florence
Florence residents follow South Carolina law when filing for dissolution of marriage. The steps are the same statewide, but you file at the correct county court. Since Florence is in Florence County, all dissolution cases go to the Florence County Family Court in the 12th Judicial Circuit. Every document filed is a public record that can be searched and copied by authorized persons.
Residency must be established first. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents at the time of filing, only three months of residency is needed. Florence residents who have been here long enough may file immediately at the Florence County courthouse.
South Carolina provides one no-fault ground for dissolution of marriage. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, one year of continuous separation satisfies the no-fault requirement. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. Florence residents must meet one of these grounds before the court will hear the case.
After filing the complaint, you serve your spouse using the Florence County Sheriff, a process server, or another method approved by the court. The filing fee is $150. Once service is complete, a proof of service document goes into the court file. All these filings together form the dissolution of marriage record in Florence County. Property division follows equitable distribution rules under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620.
State Resources for Florence Dissolution Cases
Several state resources help Florence residents manage dissolution of marriage cases from start to finish. These include legal aid, court forms, vital records, and reference guides. All apply to Florence County cases in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health at dph.sc.gov issues certified divorce certificates for Florence County dissolutions. The fee is $12 per copy. Mail requests to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. DPH certificates cover dissolutions from 1962 to the present. They confirm the dissolution occurred but do not include the full court order. Get the complete decree from the Florence County Clerk of Court.
Free court forms for dissolution cases are available through the SC Self-Represented Litigant program at sccourts.org. South Carolina Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free legal help to qualifying Florence residents. The SC Bar lawyer referral line at (803) 799-6653 connects Florence residents with family law attorneys in the 12th Judicial Circuit. Women's Law at womenslaw.org offers plain-language guides on South Carolina dissolution law.
South Carolina Code Title 20 governs all dissolution of marriage proceedings in the state. Florence residents filing in the 12th Circuit follow these same statutes as all other South Carolina residents.
Florence Dissolution Of Marriage Fees
The standard fee to file a dissolution of marriage case in Florence County is $150. This is the complaint filing fee paid at the Clerk of Court. Other fees may apply for motions, responses, certified copies, and service costs. Call the Florence County Clerk of Court to confirm current fee amounts before you file.
Florence residents with low income can apply for a fee waiver. The court may reduce or eliminate fees if you can show financial hardship. Bring proof of income or public assistance when you apply at the courthouse. Getting copies of existing dissolution records also has its own costs. Certified copies cost more than plain ones. Budget for all of these costs separately when planning your dissolution of marriage case in Florence.
Florence County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Florence is the county seat of Florence County. All dissolution of marriage cases filed by Florence residents are handled by the Florence County Family Court in the 12th Judicial Circuit. For complete county-level information including courthouse details, fee schedules, and county resources, visit the Florence County dissolution of marriage records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file dissolution of marriage cases at their own county courthouse. Select a city below to find dissolution of marriage records for that area.