Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Florence County
Florence County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Florence County Family Court. Florence is the county seat and the hub of the 12th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. All divorce and dissolution of marriage cases filed by Florence County residents go through this court. You can look up cases online through the FCCMS Public Portal, or you can contact the Clerk of Court in Florence directly for document copies and certified records.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Family Court
Florence County is served by the 12th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Florence County Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases within the county. The Clerk of Court maintains the full record for every case, from the initial filing through the final decree. This office is located in Florence, the county seat, and serves all areas of Florence County.
The Florence County Family Court has authority over a wide range of domestic matters. Dissolution of marriage is one of the most frequently filed case types in this court. When you file in Florence County, your case becomes part of the official court record. That record is stored by the Clerk of Court and is accessible to the public in most circumstances. For general county government information, go to florenceco.org, the official Florence County website.
The Florence County government site provides contact details, office locations, and links to court-related resources for residents seeking dissolution of marriage records in Florence County.
| Court |
Florence County Family Court Florence, SC 12th Judicial Circuit |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | florenceco.org |
Searching Florence County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Looking up dissolution of marriage records in Florence County is straightforward. The FCCMS Public Portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov lets you search Family Court case records online. Enter the name of either party or a case number to pull up Florence County dissolution filings. The portal shows case status, filing dates, and party names. It is free to use and open at any time.
For copies of actual court documents from a Florence County dissolution of marriage case, contact the Clerk of Court in Florence. You can visit in person or call to request copies by mail. Copy fees apply per page, and certified copies cost more than plain ones. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from Florence County, ask the Clerk specifically for certification when you make your request. Bring a valid photo ID when visiting the court in Florence.
If you know the approximate year the Florence County dissolution case was filed, that helps narrow the search. A case number speeds things up most. You can also submit a written public records request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, if you prefer a formal request process for Florence County court documents.
Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Florence County
To begin a dissolution of marriage case in Florence County, you file a Summons and Complaint for Divorce with the Clerk of Court. The filing fee for a domestic case is approximately $150. Pay this fee when you submit your paperwork at the Florence County courthouse. The Clerk of Court will assign a case number and open your file. Everything filed after that point, including motions, agreements, and hearing orders, becomes part of the public record in Florence County.
South Carolina requires one spouse to meet the state residency requirement before filing. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year prior to filing. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, three months of residency is enough. Florence County Family Court hears cases for people who live within the county. If you live in Florence or elsewhere in Florence County, you file your dissolution case here.
South Carolina offers no-fault dissolution based on one year of continuous separation, under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10. Fault-based grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for at least one year. The no-fault route is the most common path for Florence County dissolution cases. Once the applicable ground is met and all issues are resolved, the court enters the final decree of dissolution, which closes the case and becomes a permanent part of the Florence County court record.
Note: Motions filed during a Florence County dissolution case carry their own fee, so confirm current motion fees with the Clerk of Court before filing any additional paperwork.
Property Division and Support in Florence County Cases
Florence County dissolution of marriage cases often involve property division, spousal support, and child-related matters. South Carolina follows equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. The court divides marital property fairly, considering factors like the length of the marriage and each spouse's financial situation. Equitable distribution does not always mean a 50/50 split. The judge looks at all relevant circumstances before deciding how to divide assets in a Florence County dissolution case.
Child support issues in Florence County fall under the jurisdiction of the Family Court. For enforcement and payment questions, the South Carolina Department of Social Services handles child support services statewide. You can reach DSS at 1-800-768-5858 or visit dss.sc.gov. Since June 2019, child support payments in South Carolina are routed through the State Disbursement Unit, P.O. Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202, rather than paid directly to the county clerk.
Contents of Florence County Dissolution Records
A Florence County dissolution of marriage file contains every document filed during the case. The complaint and summons open the file. Subsequent filings include financial disclosures, temporary orders, separation agreements, custody plans, and the final decree. The decree is the document that formally dissolves the marriage in Florence County. It may also address property division, support obligations, and child custody in a single order.
Florence County dissolution of marriage records are public under South Carolina law. Most of the file is open for inspection by any member of the public. Some portions involving minor children or court-sealed financial records may be restricted. For general access, you can visit the Clerk of Court in Florence or search the FCCMS portal. A plain copy of any document from a Florence County dissolution file costs a per-page fee. Certification costs an additional flat fee.
South Carolina Courts provides self-represented litigant packets at sccourts.org that walk Florence County residents through the forms and steps needed to file a simple dissolution of marriage without an attorney.
Divorce Certificates for Florence County Cases
The South Carolina Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records, issues official divorce certificates for cases statewide. This includes all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Florence County. The certificate fee is $12 per copy. To request one, mail your application to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or order through the DPH online at dph.sc.gov. The vital records office holds dissolution records from July 1962 through December 2023.
A DPH certificate confirms that a dissolution occurred but does not include the full terms of the decree. If you need specifics from a Florence County dissolution case, such as a property settlement or custody order, request the full file from the Clerk of Court in Florence.
Legal Resources for Florence County Residents
Florence County residents facing a dissolution of marriage have access to several legal resources. South Carolina Legal Services provides free legal help to qualifying low-income residents. Their website at sclegal.org lists office locations and eligibility requirements. For a private attorney referral, contact the South Carolina Bar at (803) 799-6653. The bar's lawyer referral service can match you with a family law attorney in or near Florence County.
The Women's Law site at womenslaw.org provides accessible guides to South Carolina dissolution law. Cordell and Cordell also maintain a helpful FAQ at cordellcordell.com covering common questions about divorce in South Carolina, including issues that arise regularly in Florence County Family Court.
Resources like Women's Law give Florence County residents a plain-language overview of how dissolution of marriage works under South Carolina law before they visit the courthouse or hire an attorney.
Cities in Florence County
Florence is the county seat and largest city in Florence County. All dissolution of marriage cases for Florence County residents are filed at the Florence County Family Court, regardless of which city or town you live in.
The city of Florence is home to the Florence County Family Court where all dissolution of marriage cases for the county are handled.
Nearby Counties
Florence County is surrounded by several other South Carolina counties. If you are uncertain which county court covers your home address, verify your county before filing your dissolution of marriage case. Filing in the wrong county can delay your case.