Hampton County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Hampton County dissolution of marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Hampton County Family Court. The county is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. If you need to search for a divorce case filed in Hampton County, you can look up records through the state court portal or visit the courthouse in Hampton. This guide covers how to find, request, and use Hampton County dissolution of marriage records for legal and personal needs.

Hampton County Family Court and Clerk of Court

The Clerk of Court in Hampton County is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage case files. This office handles new filings, stores all case documents, and provides certified copies of decrees when requested. Hampton County is a rural county in the Low Country region of South Carolina. The courthouse is located in Hampton, the county seat.

Hampton County sits within the 14th Judicial Circuit alongside Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, and Jasper counties. The Family Court handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed by Hampton County residents. The Clerk of Court staff can look up cases by name or case number. If you need a copy of a Hampton County dissolution of marriage decree, contact the Clerk of Court directly to confirm current fees and turnaround times.

The Hampton County government website at hamptoncountysc.gov provides contact information and office details for county departments. Use that site to find the most current courthouse hours and contact numbers before making a trip to Hampton.

Visit the state court portal to begin an online search for Hampton County dissolution of marriage cases. The FCCMS Public Portal at the South Carolina Department of Social Services gives access to Family Court records across all 46 counties, including Hampton County. Basic case details are available at no cost through this portal.

Searching Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Hampton County

The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System, known as FCCMS, is the main tool for searching Hampton County dissolution of marriage records online. You can access it at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov. The system lets you search by party name or case number. Results show case status, filing date, and hearing information. This is free to use and does not require a login for basic searches in Hampton County.

To get a Hampton County dissolution of marriage record, you need at least one of the following: the full name of one or both spouses, the year the case was filed, or the case number. Having the year helps narrow down results when you search by name. The FCCMS portal covers Family Court cases including divorce, custody, and support matters. For older Hampton County records not available online, an in-person visit to the courthouse in Hampton is the best option.

When you visit in person, bring a government-issued photo ID. The Clerk of Court staff can search for your case and make copies on site. Call ahead to confirm hours. If you already have the case number from an online search, the in-person process moves faster.

Note: Some Hampton County records from older years may not be indexed in the online system and require a direct request at the courthouse.

South Carolina Dissolution Of Marriage Laws

South Carolina law governs all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Hampton County. 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 at the time of filing, only three months of residency is required. Hampton County residents file their cases at the Hampton County Family Court.

South Carolina recognizes both no-fault and fault-based grounds for dissolution of marriage. The no-fault ground under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10 requires one year of continuous separation. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or narcotics use, and desertion for one year. Most Hampton County dissolution of marriage cases are filed on no-fault grounds due to the simpler process.

South Carolina follows equitable distribution of marital property under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. This means the court divides marital property fairly but not always equally. Debts, assets, and other financial matters are resolved within the same Hampton County case file.

Review Title 20 of the South Carolina Code of Laws for a full list of statutes that apply to dissolution of marriage cases in Hampton County and across the state.

Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Hampton County

To file a dissolution of marriage in Hampton County, start by getting the correct forms. The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org offers self-represented litigant divorce packets at no cost. Download and complete the forms before you go to the courthouse. You will also need a Family Court Cover Sheet to submit with your initial filing. Bring all documents organized and ready when you arrive at the Clerk of Court in Hampton.

Pay the $150 filing fee at the time you submit your forms. The Clerk of Court assigns a case number and the case enters the court system. You must then serve the other spouse with the divorce papers. Service options include the Hampton County Sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail. Once service is complete, proof of service must be filed with the court. The case then proceeds to hearings or to a final decree if uncontested.

Self-represented litigant packets are available at sccourts.org/resources/general-public/srl-simple-divorce-packets/. These packets walk through each step of the Hampton County filing process in plain language.

The state provides these packets to help residents of Hampton County and all other South Carolina counties file for dissolution of marriage without an attorney when their case is straightforward.

Dissolution Of Marriage Certificates for Hampton County

South Carolina Department of Public Health issues official divorce certificates for Hampton County dissolution of marriage cases. A certificate is a short document that confirms the dissolution took place. It shows the names of both parties, the date, and the county but does not include the full terms of any agreement. Many people in Hampton County need a certificate for name changes, remarriage, or benefit claims.

You can order a Hampton County dissolution of marriage certificate by mail. Send your request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Records are available for divorces from July 1962 through December 2023. For more recent Hampton County dissolution of marriage cases, contact the Clerk of Court directly. Visit dph.sc.gov for current ordering instructions and forms.

If you need the full Hampton County dissolution of marriage decree with all the case terms, you must get it from the Clerk of Court. The DPH certificate does not replace the court decree for legal purposes.

FCCMS Portal Access for Hampton County Records

The FCCMS Public Portal at portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov is the primary online tool for searching Hampton County dissolution of marriage records. This system is run by the South Carolina Department of Social Services and includes Family Court cases from all 46 counties. Results show basic case information at no charge.

When you search on the FCCMS portal, you can filter by county to narrow results to Hampton County. Enter the last name of one of the parties and the approximate year to find dissolution of marriage cases. The portal displays case numbers, party names, and case status. To view the full file or get copies of documents, you must contact the Hampton County Clerk of Court directly or visit in person.

Hampton County dissolution of marriage records are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Any person can request access to public court records. Some parts of a file may be sealed by court order, but most Hampton County dissolution of marriage records are open for public inspection.

Legal Help for Hampton County Residents

Several organizations help Hampton County residents with dissolution of marriage cases. South Carolina Legal Services provides free legal aid to people who qualify based on income. Visit sclegal.org to apply for help with your Hampton County dissolution of marriage case. The South Carolina Bar lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney who handles Hampton County cases. Call (803) 799-6653 for a referral.

Women's Law at womenslaw.org/laws/sc/divorce provides plain-language guides to South Carolina divorce law that apply to Hampton County cases. This resource is helpful for anyone who needs to understand their rights before filing or responding to a dissolution of marriage in Hampton County.

Note: Free legal aid availability in Hampton County may depend on income and case type. Contact SC Legal Services to find out if you qualify before your court date.

Cities in Hampton County

Hampton County includes the town of Hampton as its county seat. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Hampton County are filed at the Hampton County Family Court in Hampton.

Nearby Counties

Hampton County borders several other South Carolina counties in the Low Country region. If you are not sure which county handles your dissolution of marriage case, check the address where you live. You must file in the county where you or your spouse resides.

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