Dorchester County Dissolution Of Marriage Court Records
Dorchester County dissolution of marriage records are held by the Clerk of Court at the Dorchester County Family Court in St. George, South Carolina. The county is one of the fastest-growing in the state with a population over 162,000 and is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. You can search dissolution of marriage cases in Dorchester County through the FCCMS Public Access Portal online or by visiting the courthouse directly. This page explains how to find records, what resources the court provides, and how state law applies to dissolution cases in Dorchester County.
Dorchester County Quick Facts
Dorchester County Family Court and Clerk of Court
The Dorchester County Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for county residents. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files, including every complaint, order, settlement agreement, and final decree. Staff can search records by party name or case number and provide copies to anyone who requests them. The county seat and location of the Family Court is St. George. The court also serves residents in Summerville and the North Charleston portions of Dorchester County.
Resources available through the Dorchester County Family Court include the Clerk of Court contact information, Court Rosters, Child Support and Alimony information, Courtroom Dress Code guidelines, a Family Court FAQ, filing fee schedules, Forms and Applications, and direct access to the FCCMS Public Access Portal. All of these resources are listed on the official county site at dorchestercountysc.gov.
The Family Court FAQ on the Dorchester County website answers common questions about the dissolution process, required forms, and what to expect at hearings. Review it before your first visit to the St. George courthouse.
| Court | Dorchester County Family Court St. George, SC |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit |
| Website | dorchestercountysc.gov |
| FCCMS Portal | portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov |
How to Search Dorchester County Dissolution of Marriage Records
The FCCMS Public Access Portal is the primary online tool for searching dissolution of marriage cases in Dorchester County. Run by the South Carolina Department of Social Services, the portal covers all Family Court cases statewide. You can search free of charge by entering a party name or case number at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov. Results show the case number, party names, filing date, and current status. The portal is linked directly from the Dorchester County Family Court page on the county website.
For a full review of the court file, visit the Dorchester County Clerk of Court in person in St. George. Bring a photo ID. Staff can pull the case file and make copies. Certified copies of dissolution decrees require a fee per page. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, an in-person visit or a written request to the Clerk of Court is the right approach. The South Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains public case information at sccourts.org.
Note: Older dissolution of marriage cases in Dorchester County may require additional time to locate, especially if they predate digital record systems.
FCCMS Portal Access for Dorchester County Cases
Dorchester County Family Court records are included in the statewide FCCMS system. The portal provides real-time access to case data across all 46 South Carolina counties. No account is needed to run a basic search.
Use portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov to check filing dates, case numbers, and hearing schedules for any dissolution of marriage case filed in Dorchester County. This is also the portal referenced on the official Dorchester County Family Court resource page.
South Carolina Laws Governing Dissolution in Dorchester County
Every dissolution of marriage case in Dorchester County follows South Carolina state law. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the grounds for dissolution include one no-fault option and four fault-based options. The no-fault ground requires one full year of continuous separation. Fault grounds are adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. You do not have to prove fault to get a dissolution in Dorchester County. The one-year separation ground is the most common path.
To file in Dorchester County, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement. 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, the required time drops to three months. You file in the county where you live. Dorchester County residents file at the St. George courthouse.
Property is divided by the court under equitable distribution rules in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Courts weigh factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and contributions to marital property. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30 makes most dissolution records in Dorchester County available to the public.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Dorchester County
The dissolution process in Dorchester County begins when you file a Summons and Complaint with the Clerk of Court. You pay the approximately $150 filing fee and receive a case number. After filing, you must serve your spouse with the dissolution papers. Acceptable methods include the Dorchester County Sheriff, a licensed private process server, or certified mail with return receipt requested. The proof of service is filed with the Clerk of Court to show the case can move forward.
If both parties agree on all issues, the case is uncontested. Both spouses sign a settlement agreement that covers property division, debts, spousal support, and any matters involving children. The judge reviews the agreement at a hearing and, if satisfied, enters the final dissolution of marriage decree. That decree becomes a permanent public record at the Dorchester County Clerk of Court. You can request certified copies at any point after the case is closed. Self-represented litigants can download free packets at sccourts.org to guide them through each step.
Dorchester County Dissolution Certificates and Vital Records
The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues certified dissolution of marriage certificates. These short documents confirm that a dissolution took place and include party names, the date, and the county. Many Dorchester County residents need a DPH certificate for administrative tasks like changing a name, updating a driver's license, or applying for a marriage license in the future.
Order a certificate at dph.sc.gov. Each certified copy costs $12. DPH holds records covering dissolutions from July 1962 through December 2023. Mail requests go to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. When you need the full dissolution decree with all the terms, contact the Dorchester County Clerk of Court. Most legal and financial institutions require the decree, not just a certificate.
Legal Help for Dorchester County Dissolution Cases
Dorchester County residents have several options for legal help with dissolution of marriage cases. South Carolina Legal Services provides free legal assistance to residents who qualify based on income. Visit sclegal.org or call to find services near Dorchester County. The South Carolina Bar referral service at (803) 799-6653 can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in the 1st Judicial Circuit.
The Women's Law website at womenslaw.org offers a plain-language overview of South Carolina dissolution law. The guide covers the process from start to finish, including what happens at each hearing. The South Carolina Judicial Branch website at sccourts.org provides forms, instructions, and information for self-represented litigants in Dorchester County. For child support matters, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services at dss.sc.gov or at 1-800-768-5858. Payments go through the State Disbursement Unit at P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
Cities in Dorchester County
Dorchester County includes several cities and communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Dorchester County are filed at the Family Court in St. George regardless of which city you live in.
Summerville and the portions of North Charleston within Dorchester County are among the most populated areas in the county. All dissolution of marriage filings for these residents go through the Dorchester County Family Court in St. George.
Nearby Counties
Dorchester County borders several other South Carolina counties. Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where you reside. If you are unsure which county applies to your case, confirm your county of residence before filing.