Find Dissolution Of Marriage Records in Union County
Union County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Union County Family Court. Union County is in the upstate region of South Carolina with a population of about 27,000. The county seat is the city of Union. The county falls under the 7th Judicial Circuit. Residents can search dissolution of marriage records through the South Carolina FCCMS online portal or by contacting the Union County Clerk of Court directly at the courthouse in Union.
Union County Quick Facts
Union County Clerk of Court and Family Court
The Union County Clerk of Court is responsible for all dissolution of marriage records in the county. This office accepts filings, maintains case files, and provides copies of dissolution of marriage decrees and other court documents. The Clerk of Court serves both the circuit court and the family court in Union County. All dissolution of marriage filings for residents of Union County go through this one office at the Union County Courthouse in the city of Union.
Union County is a smaller upstate county that shares the 7th Judicial Circuit with Spartanburg County. Court sessions for Union County are held at the local courthouse. The county government site at unioncountysc.gov provides contact information for the Clerk of Court and other county offices. Call ahead before visiting to confirm office hours and what documents or identification to bring for your records request in Union County.
| Court |
Union County Family Court Union County Courthouse Union, SC 29379 |
|---|---|
| Circuit | 7th Judicial Circuit |
| Website | unioncountysc.gov |
Online Access to Union County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
The South Carolina Family Court Case Management System gives the public online access to dissolution of marriage records filed in Union County. Go to portal.fccms.dss.sc.gov and search by party name or case number. The portal shows case status, key dates, and hearing information. It is free to use and does not require you to create an account. This is the fastest way to check whether a dissolution of marriage case has been filed in Union County without visiting the courthouse.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org also maintains a Public Index covering Union County family court cases. Searching either system gives you basic case details. For a full review of the court file or certified copies, you must visit the Clerk of Court in Union County or submit a written records request. Plain copies and certified copies are available from the clerk for a per-page fee.
Note: Records in the FCCMS portal reflect filings in Union County Family Court and may not include very old cases that pre-date the electronic system.
Dissolution Of Marriage Requirements for Union County Residents
Union County dissolution of marriage cases are governed by South Carolina state law. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, courts can grant a dissolution of marriage on no-fault grounds after the spouses have lived separately for one continuous year. Fault-based grounds available in Union County include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one full year. The type of ground chosen affects how the case proceeds in Union County Family Court.
Residency requirements also apply before a Union County court can hear a dissolution of marriage. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, one spouse must have been a South Carolina resident for at least one year before filing. If both spouses currently live in South Carolina, only three months of residency is needed. Union County residents who meet this standard file their case with the Clerk of Court in the city of Union.
Filing Your Dissolution Of Marriage in Union County
To start a dissolution of marriage in Union County, take your complaint to the Clerk of Court at the Union County Courthouse. Pay the approximately $150 filing fee when you submit the paperwork. The Clerk stamps the complaint, assigns a case number, and opens your file. All documents filed after that point become part of the public record in Union County.
You must next serve your spouse with the complaint and summons. Service options in Union County include the county sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. File proof of service with the Clerk of Court after service is complete. Your spouse has a set period to respond. Uncontested dissolution of marriage cases, where both parties agree on all issues, are generally resolved more quickly in Union County Family Court than contested cases requiring hearings or trials.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free self-help divorce packets for people who represent themselves. Download the packet at sccourts.org. These forms are a practical starting point for a straightforward dissolution of marriage in Union County.
South Carolina divides marital property by equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Union County courts look at the length of the marriage, each spouse's contributions, and other factors to determine a fair split. Property claims must be raised in the same dissolution of marriage proceeding.
Union County Dissolution Of Marriage Record Contents
The dissolution of marriage file in Union County contains all documents submitted from the initial complaint to the final decree. These include the complaint, the answer, any temporary orders, a settlement agreement if one was reached, and the final decree of dissolution of marriage. Each document has a filed stamp from the Union County Clerk of Court showing the date it was accepted.
Under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30, dissolution of marriage records in Union County are open to the public. Any person may inspect them at the Clerk of Court office. Details about minor children or sealed financial matters may be protected from public disclosure. For most dissolution of marriage cases in Union County, the core documents are accessible and may be copied for a fee.
- Complaint for dissolution of marriage
- Summons served on the opposing spouse
- Answer or default if no response is filed
- Temporary orders entered during the case
- Marital settlement agreement if agreed
- Final decree of dissolution of marriage
Statewide Divorce Records for Union County Cases
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains a statewide index of divorce records that includes cases finalized in Union County. A divorce certificate from DPH confirms that a dissolution of marriage occurred and lists the names, date, and county. It does not contain the full text of the decree or any settlement terms. Order online at dph.sc.gov or mail a request to the Division of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The fee is $12 per certified copy.
The DPH holds records for divorces finalized in South Carolina between July 1962 and December 2023. For the complete dissolution of marriage decree from a Union County case, the Clerk of Court in the city of Union is the correct office. Decrees contain all court orders regarding property, support, and children that a certificate does not include.
Reviewing the applicable South Carolina statutes helps Union County residents understand their rights during a dissolution of marriage.
Getting Legal Help in Union County
Union County residents going through a dissolution of marriage can reach out to several legal help resources. South Carolina Legal Services provides free legal representation to qualifying residents with low incomes. Learn more and apply at sclegal.org. The South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral line at (803) 799-6653 can help you find a family law attorney who handles dissolution of marriage cases in Union County.
Plain-language guides to South Carolina divorce law are available free at womenslaw.org. The South Carolina Courts site also has useful information for self-represented individuals. For child support matters arising from Union County dissolution of marriage cases, contact the DSS Child Support Division at dss.sc.gov or call 1-800-768-5858. Payments go to the State Disbursement Unit at PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202.
The FCCMS portal and DSS child support resources work together to give Union County residents a full picture of their dissolution of marriage case status.
Nearby Counties
Union County is surrounded by several South Carolina counties in the upstate region. Confirming your county of residence before filing a dissolution of marriage ensures you submit your case to the right court. Filing in the wrong county may cause delays.