Florence SC Divorce Records

Florence is the county seat of Florence County and serves as a regional hub for the Pee Dee area of South Carolina. All divorce cases filed by Florence city residents are handled by the Florence County Family Court at 180 North Irby Street. This page explains how to search for divorce records, how the filing process works under state law, what documents you can expect to find in a case file, and how to get help if you need it. The courthouse is in the city itself, which makes access straightforward for most residents.

Where to File in Florence

Florence is the county seat, so the Florence County Family Court is located right in the city. Residents do not need to travel to another town to file or access records. The courthouse at 180 North Irby Street handles all divorce, custody, and support cases for the county. It is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, which serves Florence County.

South Carolina's venue rules under § 20-3-60 say that a divorce case may be filed in the county where either spouse lives. Florence city residents file in Florence County. If your spouse has moved out of state, you can still file in Florence as long as you have met the residency requirement. The court sees both contested and uncontested cases, and the process is the same regardless of which type you file.

The City of Florence provides local government services and information through its official website. Divorce matters are handled at the county court level.

Florence serves as the Pee Dee region's main hub for commerce and services. Its Family Court location at 180 North Irby Street makes record access convenient for city residents.

Note: Florence County includes several smaller communities besides the city of Florence. All of them use the same courthouse on North Irby Street for family court matters.

How to Search Florence Divorce Records

The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides a free tool called Public Index where anyone can search Florence County divorce cases online. You can enter either spouse's name or a case number to pull up basic case information, including filing dates, docket entries, and case status. Full document images are typically not available through Public Index, but it is a fast starting point to confirm whether a case is on file and to retrieve the case number for a document request.

In-person access to full case files is available at the Florence County Clerk of Court. When you visit, bring the following:

• A valid photo ID such as a driver's license or state ID
• The names of both parties or the case number
• Payment for per-page copy fees
• A written request form if you need certified copies

Clerk staff can help you find a case once you provide the party names or case number. They can tell you how to get certified copies and what the current fees are. They do not give legal advice.

Note: Since January 1, 2026, South Carolina courts have removed home addresses from public divorce records. You will not find full residential addresses on documents accessed after that date.

Divorce Filing Process in Florence

South Carolina law under § 20-3-10 allows divorce on five grounds. Four are fault-based: adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and desertion for one year. The fifth is no-fault: living separate and apart for one full year. Most Florence residents who file for divorce use the one-year separation ground. It avoids contested fault hearings and generally speeds up the process. The year of separation must be continuous, with no resumption of the marital relationship.

South Carolina's residency rule under § 20-3-30 requires that if both spouses live in the state, one of them must have been a resident for three months before filing. If only one spouse lives in South Carolina, that person must have been a resident for one year. For most Florence residents who have lived here for several years, this requirement does not create a problem. It typically runs out well before the separation period ends.

Once the complaint is filed with the Florence County clerk, the other spouse must be formally served. A response period follows. South Carolina requires a waiting period before the divorce becomes final. Under § 20-3-80, the court generally will not finalize a case until at least three months after the filing date. A judge holds a final hearing and signs the decree. The clerk records that order, and the divorce is legally complete at that point.

Equitable distribution of marital property is governed by § 20-3-620. Alimony, if requested, falls under § 20-3-130. Both can be addressed in the same case as the divorce itself.

Divorce Filing Fees in Florence County

The base filing fee for a divorce in South Carolina is approximately $150. This covers the initial complaint filing. There can be additional costs for serving the other party through the sheriff, filing temporary motions, or getting certified copies of the final decree. A contested case requiring hearings and mediation will cost more overall than an uncontested one where the parties agree on all terms upfront.

Florence County residents who cannot pay the filing fee may apply for a fee waiver. You submit a financial affidavit to the clerk showing your income, expenses, and household size. If the court finds that you qualify based on income guidelines, it waives the upfront fee. People receiving food assistance, Medicaid, or other public benefits often meet the standard. Ask the clerk for the waiver application before assuming you cannot afford to proceed.

Note: Always call the Florence County Family Court at (843) 665-3031 to confirm current fees before you go. Fees are set by state schedule and may be updated.

What Divorce Records Contain

Florence County divorce case files are part of the public court record. Each file holds all the documents filed during the case. A typical divorce file includes the following:

• The complaint for divorce and any answer or counterclaim filed by the other party
• Financial affidavits showing each party's income, property, and debts
• Temporary orders entered while the case was pending
• A marital settlement agreement if the parties reached one outside of court
• Child custody and support orders if the couple had minor children
• The final decree of divorce signed by the family court judge

The final decree is the most commonly requested document. It proves the marriage legally ended, gives the date, and identifies both parties. Certified copies of the decree can be used for name change requests, insurance updates, remarriage, and estate planning purposes. The Florence County clerk can provide certified copies at the standard copy fee rate.

Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH

South Carolina's Department of Public Health maintains administrative divorce records for divorces that occurred in the state from July 1962 through December 2023. These are separate from the court case files. A DPH divorce report costs $12 and can be ordered directly through DPH or through VitalChek online.

South Carolina DPH vital records allows online and mail orders for divorce reports recorded between July 1962 and December 2023.

DPH reports are administrative records and do not include the terms of the divorce, such as property division or custody. For complete documentation, request certified copies directly from the Florence County Family Court clerk.

If you need a court-certified copy of your divorce decree authenticated for use in a foreign country, the South Carolina Secretary of State can attach an apostille to state-certified documents. This is required by many foreign courts and government agencies.

Note: DPH reports are not legal substitutes for a certified court decree. They confirm the fact of a divorce but do not carry the same weight for legal or financial transactions.

Legal Help in Florence

Florence residents who need legal assistance with a divorce case have several options. SC Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents across South Carolina, including Florence County. Their staff attorneys handle family law matters and can sometimes provide full representation at no cost to qualifying individuals.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch website includes self-help resources, court forms, and detailed information about the family court process.

South Carolina established its statewide Family Court system in 1976. The Florence County division handles all divorce and family matters filed by county residents, including those living in the city of Florence.

Standard divorce forms including the SCCA299 are available on the SC Courts forms page. Downloading forms ahead of time and reviewing them before your visit to the courthouse can save time. The clerk can tell you which forms you need based on your situation. They cannot complete the forms for you or advise on strategy.

Note: If your case involves significant property, retirement accounts, or disputes over children, even a single hour with a private attorney can prevent costly errors in the paperwork or during the hearing.

Florence County Divorce Records

All divorce records for Florence city and Florence County are held by the Florence County Family Court at 180 North Irby Street. Because Florence is the county seat, the courthouse is in the city and easy to reach. Search cases through Public Index online or visit the clerk in person. The county page provides more information about record access for all of Florence County.

View Florence County Divorce Records

Nearby South Carolina Cities

The cities below are near Florence and each has its own divorce records page. Each uses the family court in its own county for all filings.

View Major South Carolina Cities