Dissolution Of Marriage in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County dissolution of marriage records are filed with the Clerk of Court at the Spartanburg County Family Court. Spartanburg County is one of the largest counties in South Carolina with a population of over 330,000. The county seat is the city of Spartanburg. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of Spartanburg County are managed through the 7th Judicial Circuit. You can search for records online through the FCCMS portal or by visiting the courthouse in person.
Spartanburg County Quick Facts
Spartanburg County Clerk of Court
The Clerk of Court in Spartanburg County maintains all dissolution of marriage records from the date of filing through the final decree. This office is responsible for keeping case files, issuing certified copies, and helping the public access court records. The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court handles all Family Court filings for the county, including dissolution of marriage cases from the cities of Spartanburg and Greer.
Spartanburg County Courts operates a dedicated website with detailed information about accessing records and court services. You can visit spartanburgcountycourts.org/clerk-of-court/ for information about the Clerk of Court office in Spartanburg County. The broader courts portal at spartanburgcountycourts.org provides additional resources for cases filed in the county.
| Court |
Spartanburg County Family Court 180 Magnolia Street Spartanburg, SC 29306 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | 7th Judicial Circuit |
| Website | spartanburgcountycourts.org |
Find Spartanburg County Dissolution Of Marriage Cases Online
Spartanburg County dissolution of marriage cases are accessible through the South Carolina Family Court Case Management System. This online portal, known as FCCMS, is the primary tool for looking up family court cases statewide. Go to portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov and enter a party name or case number to find dissolution of marriage filings in Spartanburg County. The search is free and available to the public.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch also maintains a public records index at sccourts.org. This index covers both circuit and family court cases filed across the state, including Spartanburg County. You can search by name, date range, or case number. Both portals show case status and key hearing dates. For certified copies of specific documents, you need to contact the Clerk of Court in Spartanburg directly.
The FCCMS portal covers every Family Court in South Carolina, making it easy to confirm whether a dissolution of marriage case was filed in Spartanburg County.
Grounds for Dissolution Of Marriage in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County Family Court follows South Carolina law for all dissolution of marriage cases. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the state allows no-fault divorce based on one continuous year of separation. During that year, the spouses must live apart without cohabitation. Fault-based grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual use of alcohol or drugs, and desertion lasting at least one year. Either ground can support a dissolution of marriage filing in Spartanburg County.
South Carolina also requires residency before a court can grant a dissolution of marriage. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing. When both spouses are current South Carolina residents, the required time drops to three months. Spartanburg County residents who meet this test file with the Clerk of Court in the city of Spartanburg.
Note: Courts in Spartanburg County consider all factors allowed by state law when deciding whether fault grounds have been proven.
How to File for Dissolution Of Marriage in Spartanburg County
Filing a dissolution of marriage in Spartanburg County starts with submitting a complaint to the Clerk of Court. You pay the filing fee of approximately $150 at the time of submission. The Clerk assigns a case number and opens your file. That file becomes the official court record for your dissolution of marriage case in Spartanburg County.
After filing, you serve your spouse with the complaint and summons. Spartanburg County residents can use the county sheriff for service, hire a private process server, or use certified mail with return receipt. Proof of service is filed with the Clerk of Court. The other party then has time to file a response. Uncontested dissolution of marriage cases move faster in Spartanburg County than contested ones requiring hearings.
South Carolina Courts offers free self-help divorce packets for people who represent themselves. Download the forms at sccourts.org. These packets are designed for straightforward cases and walk through every required step for a dissolution of marriage in Spartanburg County.
Property claims must be resolved as part of the same dissolution of marriage case in Spartanburg County. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, the court divides marital assets equitably based on the circumstances of each marriage.
Spartanburg County Dissolution Of Marriage Record Contents
A dissolution of marriage file in Spartanburg County includes all documents submitted from the date the complaint is filed through the entry of the final decree. The complaint describes the grounds for divorce and lists what the filing spouse is asking the court to decide. The answer, any counter-claims, temporary orders, and settlement agreements are all part of the record. The final decree of dissolution of marriage ends the marriage and becomes a permanent court record in Spartanburg County.
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, dissolution of marriage records in Spartanburg County are generally public. Any person may request access. Records involving minor children or sealed financial details may have certain portions withheld. The Clerk of Court in Spartanburg can tell you what portions of a specific file are open for public inspection.
Divorce Certificates from Spartanburg County Cases
The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues official divorce certificates confirming that a dissolution of marriage was finalized. These records are separate from the court file held by the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court. A divorce certificate is useful for proving that a dissolution of marriage occurred, but it does not contain settlement terms or child custody details.
Order a divorce certificate through the DPH at dph.sc.gov. You can also mail a request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per certified copy. The office holds records covering divorces finalized in South Carolina between July 1962 and December 2023. For the full dissolution of marriage decree from a Spartanburg County case, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
Divorce certificates and full decrees serve different purposes, so be sure to request the right document for your needs in Spartanburg County.
Legal Help for Dissolution Of Marriage in Spartanburg County
Several organizations provide legal assistance to Spartanburg County residents going through a dissolution of marriage. South Carolina Legal Services offers free help to qualifying low-income residents. Apply for assistance at sclegal.org. The South Carolina Bar runs a lawyer referral service reachable at (803) 799-6653 that can connect you with a family law attorney familiar with Spartanburg County courts.
Free guides to South Carolina divorce law are available at womenslaw.org. This resource explains the dissolution of marriage process in plain language and covers topics that come up in Spartanburg County cases. For questions about costs, Cordell and Cordell publishes South Carolina-focused guidance at cordellcordell.com. These tools can help you prepare before meeting with a lawyer in Spartanburg County.
Understanding the law before you file gives you a stronger foundation for your dissolution of marriage case in Spartanburg County.
Cities in Spartanburg County
Spartanburg County includes the city of Spartanburg and the city of Greer among its communities. All dissolution of marriage cases for residents of these cities are filed at the Spartanburg County Family Court.
All dissolution of marriage cases filed by residents of Spartanburg and Greer are handled at the Spartanburg County Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Spartanburg County borders several South Carolina counties. Confirm your county of residence before filing a dissolution of marriage. The court only has jurisdiction over cases filed by residents of that county.