Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Pickens County
Pickens County dissolution of marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Pickens County Family Court in the city of Pickens. The county is part of the 10th Judicial Circuit along with neighboring Oconee County. With a population of around 127,000, Pickens County is one of the larger upstate counties in South Carolina. This guide explains how to search for dissolution of marriage cases, request certified copies, and access related court records in Pickens County.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Pickens County Clerk of Court
The Pickens County Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all dissolution of marriage records filed in the county. The Clerk's office processes new filings, maintains case files, and issues certified copies of divorce decrees and related orders. If you need to access a dissolution of marriage record in Pickens County, this is the first office to contact.
The county's official site at pickenscountysc.gov has up-to-date contact details for the Clerk of Court office, including location, phone number, and business hours. Check the site before making a trip to the courthouse. Staff can search dissolution records by party name or case number for cases filed in Pickens County.
The Pickens County official website is the primary starting point for locating the Clerk of Court and understanding how to access dissolution of marriage case files in Pickens County.
Pickens County Dissolution Of Marriage Case Search
You can search for dissolution of marriage cases in Pickens County online through the FCCMS portal. Go to portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov and search by the full name of either party or by the case number. The portal gives you access to case status, filing dates, and basic information for dissolution cases across South Carolina, including Pickens County.
The South Carolina Courts website at sccourts.org provides a second path to searching public court records. You can look up Pickens County cases through the public index there. For document-level access, such as the actual complaint or divorce decree, contact the Pickens County Clerk of Court or visit the courthouse in person.
When searching, the full name of at least one party is required. An approximate year of filing helps narrow results. Bring photo ID when visiting in person. Older dissolution of marriage records may need more time to locate in Pickens County.
Note: The FCCMS portal is free to search and does not require you to register or log in to view basic case information for Pickens County dissolution cases.
South Carolina Dissolution Of Marriage Law
All dissolution of marriage cases in Pickens County are governed by South Carolina law. Grounds for divorce are set out in S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10. The no-fault ground, which is the most commonly used in Pickens County, requires one full year of continuous separation. Fault grounds include adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use.
Residency rules are found in § 20-3-30. At least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses currently live in South Carolina, the requirement drops to three months. Pickens County residents file their dissolution of marriage cases at the Family Court in the city of Pickens.
South Carolina uses equitable distribution under § 20-3-620. Courts divide marital property in a way they consider fair, which is not always equal. Property, support, and any children's issues are all resolved in the same dissolution of marriage proceeding in Pickens County.
Filing a Dissolution Of Marriage in Pickens County
To start a dissolution of marriage in Pickens County, file a complaint with the Clerk of Court and pay the $150 fee. The court issues a case number. You must then serve your spouse using a method allowed by South Carolina law, such as through the county sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt.
Pickens County Family Court does not provide blank divorce forms to the public. You must draft your own documents, hire an attorney, or use the self-represented litigant packet from sccourts.org/resources if your case is a simple, uncontested dissolution. For contested cases or matters involving children or property, an attorney is strongly recommended. The SC Bar referral line at (803) 799-6653 can help you find a family law attorney in the Pickens County area.
For child support matters related to your Pickens County dissolution of marriage, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services at dss.sc.gov or call 1-800-768-5858. Payments go to the State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia SC 29202.
State Resources for Pickens County Residents
Several statewide resources are useful for Pickens County residents dealing with a dissolution of marriage. South Carolina Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free legal help to those who qualify based on income. Their attorneys handle family law matters including dissolution of marriage in Pickens County.
The SC Courts self-represented litigant packets provide step-by-step guidance for filing an uncontested dissolution of marriage in Pickens County without an attorney.
Divorce certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per copy. Records cover dissolutions in Pickens County from July 1962 through December 2023. For full divorce decrees, contact the Pickens County Clerk of Court. The Women's Law website at womenslaw.org also has helpful guides on South Carolina dissolution law written in plain language.
Public Access to Pickens County Divorce Records
Dissolution of marriage records in Pickens County are public records under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Any member of the public can request to view or copy dissolution of marriage records from the Pickens County Clerk of Court. You do not have to be a party to the case.
Some parts of a file may be sealed or redacted, particularly information about minor children. Most of the dissolution of marriage record, including the complaint, answer, and final decree, is open to the public in Pickens County. Submit your request in person or in writing to the Clerk of Court office in the city of Pickens.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health can provide official divorce certificates for Pickens County dissolutions, which are useful for proving that a dissolution of marriage took place.
Cities in Pickens County
Pickens County includes the city of Pickens and several other communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for Pickens County residents are handled at the Family Court in the city of Pickens, the county seat.
Easley is one of the larger cities in Pickens County. Residents of Easley file dissolution of marriage cases at the Pickens County Family Court in the city of Pickens.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County is bordered by Anderson, Greenville, and Oconee counties. If you are unsure which county is the right place to file your dissolution of marriage case, use the county where you currently live as your guide.