Search Anderson County Dissolution Of Marriage
Anderson County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Anderson County Family Court in the city of Anderson. With a population of more than 216,000, Anderson County handles a significant volume of divorce filings each year. The Clerk of Court's office manages all case documents including complaints, decrees, and court orders for every dissolution of marriage filed in the county. You can search Anderson County divorce cases online through the statewide FCCMS portal or visit the courthouse in person to review files and request copies.
Anderson County Quick Facts
Anderson County Clerk of Court
The Anderson County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all Family Court records in the county. This includes every dissolution of marriage case filed by Anderson County residents. The Clerk's office processes new filings, maintains the case files, and provides copies of court documents to the public. Staff can search records by party name or case number and issue certified copies of divorce decrees.
Anderson County is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Family Court serves the entire county from the courthouse in the city of Anderson. For information on the Clerk of Court's office, office hours, and location details, visit andersoncountysc.org/courts/clerk-of-court.
The Anderson County Clerk of Court website lists current contact information, filing instructions, and directions to the courthouse. If you plan to visit in person to search dissolution of marriage records, call ahead to confirm hours and ask whether any appointments are required.
Anderson County Family Court
The Anderson County Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for county residents. It is the only court in Anderson County with jurisdiction over divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, and spousal support. Every Anderson County dissolution of marriage case is filed here and assigned to a Family Court judge. The court record begins with the complaint and continues through every motion, order, and hearing until a final decree is entered.
More information about Family Court procedures specific to Anderson County is available at andersoncountysc.org/departments-a-z/family-court/. This page covers how to file, what forms to use, and what to expect when your case is scheduled for a hearing. Anderson County Family Court follows the procedural rules set by the South Carolina Supreme Court and the 10th Judicial Circuit local rules.
The volume of dissolution of marriage cases in Anderson County is relatively high given its population size. Cases can move at different speeds depending on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested. Uncontested cases where both parties agree on all issues typically move faster through the Anderson County court system than contested divorces involving disputes over property or children.
Note: The Family Court clerk's office can explain which forms to file but cannot give legal advice. Contact an attorney if you are unsure how to handle a contested matter.
Searching Anderson County Divorce Cases Online
The statewide Family Court Case Management System portal is the fastest way to search for a dissolution of marriage case in Anderson County without visiting the courthouse. The portal is free and available at any time.
Go to portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov and enter the name of one or both parties or a case number to search Anderson County dissolution of marriage records. The portal returns results showing the case number, filing date, case type, and current status. You can use this to confirm whether a divorce was filed in Anderson County and to get the case number before requesting documents. The portal does not display the actual documents. To get copies of the divorce decree or other papers from an Anderson County case, you need to contact the Clerk of Court directly.
The South Carolina Courts website at sccourts.org also provides a public index of court cases and may return results for Anderson County dissolution of marriage filings. Use both resources together for the most complete picture before submitting a formal records request.
South Carolina Divorce Law Applied in Anderson County
All Anderson County dissolution of marriage cases are governed by the South Carolina Code of Laws. Understanding the key statutes helps you prepare a proper filing and know what to expect from the process.
The statute governing grounds for divorce is S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10. South Carolina recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds. The no-fault ground requires one full year of continuous separation with no resumption of cohabitation. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug abuse, and one year of desertion. Under § 20-3-30, residency requirements call for at least one spouse to have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, the minimum residency is three months. Anderson County residents who meet these requirements file their cases at the Anderson County Family Court.
South Carolina is an equitable distribution state. Under § 20-3-620, the Anderson County court divides marital property in a way that is fair given the circumstances. This does not always mean a 50/50 split. The court weighs factors like each party's financial contribution, the duration of the marriage, and each spouse's economic prospects. Separate property brought into the marriage is generally not subject to division. Claims for alimony and attorney fees are also handled within the same Anderson County dissolution of marriage case.
How to File for Divorce in Anderson County
The dissolution of marriage process in Anderson County starts when you file a complaint with the Clerk of Court. Pay the $150 filing fee when you submit the complaint. The Clerk assigns your case a number and stamps the documents. You then serve your spouse using an approved method such as the Anderson County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service gets filed with the court to confirm the other party received notice.
After service, your spouse has a set number of days to file a response. If both parties agree on all issues, you can submit a settlement agreement covering property, children, and support. If there are disputes, the court schedules hearings to resolve them. South Carolina law requires a minimum two-month wait before the court can refer the case for final hearing, and a three-month minimum before the judge can enter the final decree. These waiting periods apply to all Anderson County dissolution of marriage cases under state law.
Once all issues are settled and the waiting period is met, the judge signs the final divorce decree. This document legally ends the marriage and becomes part of the Anderson County dissolution of marriage record. Both parties receive a copy. You can get additional certified copies from the Clerk of Court at any time after the decree is entered.
Self-represented filers in Anderson County can get the forms they need from the SC Courts website. The simple divorce packet page has everything a person needs to file an uncontested dissolution of marriage without an attorney.
Anderson County Divorce Records and Certificates
Two different offices provide dissolution of marriage records for Anderson County cases. The Clerk of Court at the Anderson County Family Court has the complete court file including all documents, orders, and the final decree. The South Carolina Department of Public Health holds a separate set of vital records covering divorces granted in the state from July 1962 through December 2023.
A DPH certified divorce report costs $12 per copy and can be ordered by mail through the Division of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Visit dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/divorce-reports for instructions. This short-form document is useful when you only need proof that a divorce occurred. It shows names, date, and county. For the full Anderson County divorce decree with all terms and rulings, go to the Clerk of Court.
Dissolution of marriage records in Anderson County are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Any person may request access without needing to prove a specific interest in the case. Most of the file is accessible. Sections dealing with minor children may have restricted access.
South Carolina's public records law gives residents a clear path to accessing Anderson County dissolution of marriage filings. Requests submitted in writing must receive a response within a reasonable time under state law.
Legal Resources in Anderson County
Anderson County residents have access to multiple legal resources for dissolution of marriage cases. Free help is available for people who qualify based on income. Paid attorney options are also available through the South Carolina Bar referral network.
South Carolina Legal Services provides free family law assistance to qualifying low-income residents in Anderson County. They can help with both uncontested and contested dissolution of marriage cases. Call their intake line to check eligibility before your hearing date. The South Carolina Bar lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653 connects callers with private family law attorneys who practice in Anderson County and the 10th Judicial Circuit. For questions about child support in Anderson County, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. Payments are handled through the State Disbursement Unit at P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
The WomensLaw.org South Carolina divorce page explains state divorce law in plain language, covering topics from grounds and residency to safety planning. This is a useful starting point for anyone new to the process in Anderson County.
Cities in Anderson County
Anderson County includes several communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for county residents are filed at the Anderson County Family Court in the city of Anderson regardless of which city or town the parties live in.
Anderson is the county seat and largest city in Anderson County. The Family Court is located there and serves the entire county for dissolution of marriage cases.
Nearby Counties
Anderson County borders several other South Carolina counties. If you are not sure which county a divorce was filed in, use the FCCMS portal to search statewide and narrow down the county. Jurisdiction follows where the filing spouse lived at the time the case was started.