Dissolution Of Marriage in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg County dissolution of marriage records are filed with and kept by the Clerk of Court at the Orangeburg County Family Court. The county seat is the city of Orangeburg, and the Family Court serves all Orangeburg County residents. Orangeburg County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. This page covers how to find and access dissolution of marriage filings, court records, and divorce decrees in Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
Orangeburg County Quick Facts
Orangeburg County Family Court
The Orangeburg County Clerk of Court is the official keeper of all dissolution of marriage records in the county. This office accepts new filings, stores case documents, and issues certified copies of divorce decrees. All family court matters for Orangeburg County residents go through this office in the city of Orangeburg.
The Orangeburg County government website at orangeburgcounty.org has current contact details for the Clerk of Court, including address, phone number, and office hours. Review that information before visiting the courthouse. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can help you locate dissolution of marriage filings by name or case number.
The official Orangeburg County website is the best place to confirm current office hours and contact information for the Clerk of Court, where dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained.
Searching Orangeburg County Dissolution Records
The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System (FCCMS) is the primary online search tool for dissolution of marriage cases in Orangeburg County. Visit portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov to search by party name or case number. The portal is free to use and does not require you to create an account to view basic case status and filing information.
You can also use the South Carolina Courts public index at sccourts.org to search Orangeburg County dissolution of marriage cases. Both tools give you access to case-level information. For actual documents, you must contact the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court or visit the courthouse in person.
In-person searches are the most thorough option. Bring photo ID and the full name of at least one party when you visit. Case numbers help staff find records faster, especially for older dissolution of marriage filings in Orangeburg County.
Note: A public records request under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act may also be used to obtain dissolution of marriage records from the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court.
Filing Dissolution Of Marriage in Orangeburg County
Filing a dissolution of marriage case in Orangeburg County follows the same rules as the rest of South Carolina. You file a complaint with the Clerk of Court and pay the $150 fee. The court assigns a case number. You then serve the other spouse using an approved method under South Carolina rules of civil procedure.
South Carolina divorce law is found in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10. The no-fault ground requires one year of continuous separation. Fault grounds are adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use. Under § 20-3-30, one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing, or three months if both spouses are current South Carolina residents.
South Carolina uses equitable distribution of marital property as stated in § 20-3-620. Property claims, spousal support, and child-related matters are all resolved within the same dissolution of marriage case in Orangeburg County.
State Resources for Orangeburg County Cases
Orangeburg County residents have access to several state-level tools and programs related to dissolution of marriage. The South Carolina Courts website provides self-represented litigant divorce packets for simple, uncontested cases. Download them at sccourts.org/resources. These packets explain what forms are needed and how to file a basic dissolution of marriage without an attorney.
The South Carolina Code of Laws covers all dissolution of marriage statutes that apply to Orangeburg County cases, including grounds, residency requirements, and equitable distribution rules.
South Carolina Legal Services helps income-qualifying residents at sclegal.org. The SC Bar referral line is (803) 799-6653. For child support in Orangeburg County, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services at dss.sc.gov or call 1-800-768-5858.
For divorce certificates, contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Records. The office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per certified copy. Records are available for dissolutions in Orangeburg County from July 1962 through December 2023.
Orangeburg County Divorce Certificates
A divorce certificate from the South Carolina Department of Public Health is a brief record that confirms a dissolution of marriage took place. It shows the names of the parties, the date, and the county. It does not include the full terms of any property or custody agreement. A certificate is often enough for name changes or remarriage applications.
For legal matters that require more detail, you will need a certified copy of the actual divorce decree from the Orangeburg County Clerk of Court. Banks, courts, and agencies frequently ask for the decree, not just the certificate. Certified copies are available at the Orangeburg County courthouse and can also be requested by mail.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains statewide divorce records and can issue certificates confirming Orangeburg County dissolutions from 1962 through 2023.
Legal Help for Dissolution Of Marriage in Orangeburg County
The Orangeburg County Family Court does not give legal advice. If you have questions about your case, you should speak with an attorney. The SC Bar lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653 can match you with a family law attorney who handles dissolution of marriage cases in Orangeburg County.
South Carolina Legal Services provides free help to residents who meet income limits. Visit sclegal.org to apply or find your local office. The Women's Law website at womenslaw.org has plain-English guides on South Carolina dissolution of marriage law, including what to expect from the process in counties like Orangeburg.
The FOIA law that governs public access to dissolution records in Orangeburg County is found at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30. Under this law, most court records, including dissolution of marriage files, are available to any person who requests them.
Cities in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg County includes the city of Orangeburg and several smaller towns. All dissolution of marriage cases for county residents are filed at the Orangeburg County Family Court in the city of Orangeburg.
The city of Orangeburg is both the county seat and the home of the Family Court. All dissolution of marriage filings for Orangeburg County residents are processed here regardless of which town you live in.
Nearby Counties
Orangeburg County borders eight other South Carolina counties. File your dissolution of marriage case in the county where you live. If you have recently moved, check with the Clerk of Court to confirm which county has jurisdiction over your case.