North Charleston Dissolution Of Marriage
North Charleston dissolution of marriage records are held at either the Charleston County Family Court or the Dorchester County Family Court. North Charleston is a unique city because it spans both Charleston County and Dorchester County. With about 115,000 residents, it is the third-largest city in South Carolina. Which court holds your dissolution records depends on which county your address falls in. This guide helps North Charleston residents find the right court and access dissolution of marriage records.
North Charleston Quick Facts
Which County Handles Your North Charleston Case
North Charleston is one of the few cities in South Carolina that crosses a county line. Parts of the city sit in Charleston County, and other parts are in Dorchester County. When you file for dissolution of marriage in North Charleston, you must file at the Family Court in the county where you actually live. Filing in the wrong county will cause delays. Check your most recent tax bill, voter registration, or a county GIS map if you are not sure which county your address is in.
Most North Charleston residents live in the Charleston County portion of the city. If that is your situation, you file at the Charleston County Family Court at 100 Broad Street. A smaller portion of North Charleston falls inside Dorchester County, and those residents must file at the Dorchester County Family Court. Dissolution of marriage records follow the same rule. The records from your case are kept at whichever county court handled it.
| Charleston County Court | Charleston County Family Court 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 (843) 958-5000 |
|---|---|
| Dorchester County Court | Dorchester County Family Court Serves residents in the Dorchester portion of North Charleston |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Charleston County Website | charlestoncounty.org |
Note: If you are unsure which county applies to your address, call the Charleston County Family Court at (843) 958-5000 and give them your street address. They can confirm which court has jurisdiction over your North Charleston dissolution case.
North Charleston City Court and Records
The City of North Charleston operates its own municipal court, but that court handles city ordinance violations only. All dissolution of marriage cases go to the county Family Court. Visit the official North Charleston city portal for general city resources.
The North Charleston city website at northcharleston.org provides city services, but for dissolution of marriage records you must contact the county Family Court that serves your specific address in North Charleston.
How to Search Dissolution Records in North Charleston
North Charleston residents can search dissolution of marriage records online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. The public index covers all counties, including Charleston and Dorchester. Search by the full name of either spouse or by case number. Results show filing dates, party names, and case status for free. For actual copies of documents, you must contact the clerk at the county that handled your case.
The FCCMS portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov provides an additional search tool for family court cases in North Charleston. You need a case number to search this portal. It covers both Charleston County and Dorchester County cases, making it useful for North Charleston residents who filed on either side of the county line.
For in-person searches, visit the Clerk of Court at the county that holds your dissolution records. Charleston County Clerk of Court Julie J. Armstrong is located at 100 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401, phone (843) 958-5000. Bring a valid photo ID and any case details you have. Staff can pull the file and make copies while you wait, or you can submit a written request by mail for North Charleston dissolution records.
Dissolution Of Marriage Filing in North Charleston
The filing process for dissolution of marriage in North Charleston follows South Carolina state law. You begin by confirming which county you reside in, then file your complaint at that county's Family Court. The filing fee is $150. You must serve your spouse with the complaint and file proof of service with the court. The case then moves through the court system until the judge signs the final dissolution order.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses live in South Carolina, only three months of residency applies. North Charleston residents who meet this requirement can file right away at the correct county court.
South Carolina allows no-fault dissolution of marriage under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10 when both spouses have lived separate and apart for one continuous year. Fault grounds include adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use. North Charleston residents who meet one of these grounds can begin the dissolution process at the appropriate county Family Court. Once filed, the case becomes a public record subject to the SC Freedom of Information Act.
Online Case Access for North Charleston Residents
South Carolina provides an online portal through the Department of Social Services where North Charleston residents can look up family court cases, including dissolution of marriage filings, by case number.
The FCCMS portal covers both Charleston County and Dorchester County cases, making it a single starting point for North Charleston residents who want to check family case status online.
North Charleston Dissolution Fees and Costs
The standard filing fee for a dissolution of marriage in North Charleston is $150, paid at the time you file the complaint with the county Family Court. Copy fees vary by county. Charleston County charges fees set by the court schedule. Dorchester County has its own fee structure. Call the clerk at your county to confirm current fees before ordering copies of dissolution of marriage records from your North Charleston case.
If you qualify based on income, you can ask the court to waive the filing fee by submitting a petition in forma pauperis. You must show proof of financial hardship. The judge reviews the petition and decides. Certified copies of the final dissolution decree cost more than plain copies, but certified copies carry the court seal and are needed for most official purposes like name changes or insurance updates after a dissolution of marriage in North Charleston.
The SC Division of Public Health issues divorce certificates for $12 per copy. Request one at dph.sc.gov or by mail to DPH Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630.
Legal Help for North Charleston Dissolution Cases
Several organizations assist North Charleston residents with dissolution of marriage cases. South Carolina Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying residents. Their service area includes both Charleston County and Dorchester County. Learn more at sclegal.org.
The SC Bar lawyer referral line at (803) 799-6653 connects North Charleston residents with family law attorneys. The SC Judicial Branch Self-Represented Litigant Packets at sccourts.org include all the forms and instructions needed to file a simple dissolution of marriage case in North Charleston without an attorney. The Women's Law South Carolina page offers plain-language guidance for people navigating dissolution of marriage in the Charleston area.
Certified Divorce Records for North Charleston
South Carolina's Division of Public Health maintains statewide divorce records and issues certified divorce certificates for cases going back to 1962. North Charleston residents can request certified dissolution records through this office.
Visit dph.sc.gov to request a certified divorce certificate for a North Charleston dissolution case. The $12 fee covers one certified copy, and requests can be submitted online, by phone, or by mail.
Charleston County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Most North Charleston residents fall within Charleston County. All dissolution of marriage filings for that portion of the city go through the Charleston County Family Court. The county page has full details on the court system, fees, and how to search dissolution records across all of Charleston County.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Residents of nearby cities file for dissolution of marriage at their own county courthouse. Select a city below to learn more about dissolution records in that area.