Dissolution Of Marriage Filings in Edgefield County
Edgefield County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Court, who also serves as the Register of Deeds for the county. Edgefield County is in the 11th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases for county residents, including related matters like child support, custody, and alimony. You can search Edgefield County dissolution of marriage records online through the FCCMS Public Access Portal or by contacting the Clerk of Court office in Edgefield. This page covers the court, the records, and the resources you need.
Edgefield County Quick Facts
Edgefield County Clerk of Court
The Edgefield County Clerk of Court's Office oversees the 11th Judicial Circuit Courts for Edgefield County. The courts are divided into three separate divisions: General Sessions, Common Pleas, and Family Court. The Family Court division handles all domestic matters including dissolution of marriage, child support, child custody, and juvenile cases. The Clerk of Court also serves as the Register of Deeds for Edgefield County, making this office a central point for many legal records in the county.
All dissolution of marriage case files are stored and maintained by the Clerk of Court. This includes the original complaint, any responses, hearing orders, the final dissolution decree, and any subsequent modifications. You can contact the Edgefield County Clerk of Court at 803-637-4080, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. More information is available at edgefieldcounty.sc.gov.
| Court | Edgefield County Family Court Edgefield, SC |
|---|---|
| Judicial Circuit | 11th Judicial Circuit |
| Phone | 803-637-4080 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | edgefieldcounty.sc.gov |
| FCCMS Portal | portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov |
How to Search Edgefield County Dissolution of Marriage Records
The statewide FCCMS Public Access Portal is your fastest path to searching dissolution of marriage records in Edgefield County without leaving home. The system is managed by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and includes Family Court records from all 46 counties. Searches are free. You can enter a party name or case number at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov to see case status, filing dates, and other key details for Edgefield County dissolution cases.
For a certified copy of a final dissolution of marriage decree, visit the Edgefield County Clerk of Court in person during office hours. Staff can locate the case file and provide copies. Bring a government-issued photo ID. Older records in Edgefield County may require extra time to retrieve. You can also submit a written public records request under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30 to obtain records without visiting in person.
Note: Case records showing financial details or information about minors may be partially redacted in public copies from the Edgefield County Clerk of Court.
Online Portal for Edgefield County Family Court Records
Edgefield County Family Court dissolution of marriage records are accessible through the FCCMS system. The portal connects directly to the case management data for the 11th Judicial Circuit and every other circuit in South Carolina.
Go to portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov to look up Edgefield County dissolution cases by name or case number. The portal shows hearing schedules, case status, and key dates at no cost to the searcher.
South Carolina Dissolution of Marriage Laws and Edgefield County
South Carolina law governs every dissolution of marriage filed in Edgefield County. The key statute is S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, which lists valid grounds for dissolution. South Carolina offers one no-fault ground: one year of continuous separation between spouses. Fault grounds are adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. Most Edgefield County filings rely on the one-year separation ground, which does not require proving wrongdoing by either party.
Before filing in Edgefield County, you must meet the residency requirement. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. The residency period drops to three months if both spouses are current South Carolina residents. Jurisdiction lies in the county where you reside, so Edgefield County residents file at the Clerk of Court in Edgefield.
Marital property is divided using the equitable distribution standard in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Courts consider the length of the marriage, each spouse's income, and contributions to the marital estate. Equitable does not always mean equal. The result depends on the facts of each case in Edgefield County.
Reviewing the South Carolina Code for Edgefield County Cases
The South Carolina Code of Laws is the source of all dissolution of marriage rules that apply in Edgefield County. Title 20 covers marriage and family law. Title 30 covers public records access. Both are relevant to anyone dealing with a dissolution case in Edgefield County.
Read the full text of relevant statutes at scstatehouse.gov. The statutes explain exactly what the court considers when deciding a dissolution of marriage case in Edgefield County, including property division, alimony, and child custody.
Filing a Dissolution of Marriage in Edgefield County
You start a dissolution of marriage case in Edgefield County by filing a Summons and Complaint with the Clerk of Court. The standard filing fee is approximately $150. The Clerk of Court office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You must serve the other spouse with the dissolution papers after filing. Service options include the Edgefield County Sheriff, a licensed private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service goes back to the Clerk of Court to document that service was completed.
After service, your spouse has time to respond. If both parties reach an agreement on all issues, you proceed as an uncontested dissolution. A signed settlement agreement covering property, debt, support, and children is submitted to the judge. For uncontested cases, no long court battle is needed. The judge reviews the agreement and enters the final dissolution of marriage decree if everything meets legal standards. That decree becomes a permanent record at the Edgefield County Clerk of Court. You can request certified copies at any time after the case closes. Litigants handling their own case can find free forms and step-by-step instructions at sccourts.org.
Dissolution of Marriage Certificates in Edgefield County
South Carolina's Department of Public Health maintains vital records for dissolutions that occurred across the state. A dissolution of marriage certificate from DPH is a short document confirming that a dissolution took place. It lists party names, the date, and the county. Edgefield County residents often need a DPH certificate for practical purposes like updating identification documents or proving dissolution status.
Request a certificate at dph.sc.gov. Each certified copy costs $12. DPH holds records for dissolutions from July 1962 through December 2023. Mail requests go to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. If you need the full decree for a legal matter, contact the Edgefield County Clerk of Court directly for a certified copy of the original court document.
Legal Help and Resources for Edgefield County Residents
Several organizations can help Edgefield County residents navigate a dissolution of marriage. South Carolina Legal Services provides free help to those who qualify based on income. Apply or find contact information at sclegal.org. The South Carolina Bar referral service at (803) 799-6653 can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in the 11th Judicial Circuit. A first consultation may help you understand your options before you file.
The Women's Law website at womenslaw.org offers a plain-language overview of the dissolution process in South Carolina, including what happens step by step in a dissolution case. The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides forms, filing instructions, and SRL packets for self-represented litigants in Edgefield County. For child support, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services at dss.sc.gov or 1-800-768-5858. Child support payments are processed through the State Disbursement Unit at P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
Note: Because the Edgefield County Clerk of Court also serves as Register of Deeds, property deed changes following a dissolution in Edgefield County can be handled through the same office.
Cities in Edgefield County
Edgefield County includes the city of Edgefield and other nearby communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for Edgefield County residents are filed at the Family Court in Edgefield regardless of which city or community you live in.
North Augusta is one of the larger communities in the area near Edgefield County. Residents who live within the Edgefield County limits file their dissolution of marriage cases at the Edgefield County Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Edgefield County borders several other South Carolina counties in the western part of the state. File your dissolution of marriage in the county where you currently reside. If you have questions about jurisdiction, contact the Clerk of Court before filing.