Greer Divorce Records
Greer is a growing city that straddles the line between Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Because of this split, divorce records for Greer residents may be held at either the Greenville County Family Court or the Spartanburg County Family Court depending on which side of the county line a person lives on. This guide explains how to determine the correct court, how to search for records, what documents are available, and what the filing process looks like for residents on both sides of the county line.
Greer Quick Facts
Where to File in Greer
Greer residents must file for divorce in the county where they live. If your address falls in Greenville County, file at the Greenville County Family Court. If your address falls in Spartanburg County, file at the Spartanburg County Family Court. You can check your county by looking at your voter registration card, property tax bill, or county government website. The City of Greer itself does not process divorce filings.
| Greenville Court | Greenville County Family Court 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: (864) 467-7140 |
|---|---|
| Spartanburg Court | Spartanburg County Family Court 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 Phone: (864) 596-2591 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Greenville Clerk | greenvillecounty.org |
| Spartanburg Clerk | spartanburgcounty.org |
Both courts are in the 7th and 13th judicial circuits respectively. Greenville County falls under the 13th Circuit, while Spartanburg County falls under the 7th Circuit. The two circuits operate independently, each with their own set of Family Court judges and docket schedules.
Source: cityofgreer.org
Venue rules under § 20-3-60 require that you file in your county of residence. Filing in the wrong county can result in dismissal or delay. If you are uncertain which county you live in, confirm before submitting any paperwork.
Note: If you and your spouse live in different counties — for example, one in the Greenville portion of Greer and one in the Spartanburg portion — the filing party's county of residence controls where the case is filed.
How to Search Greer Divorce Records
The SC Judicial Branch offers a free public case search at sccourts.org. This statewide tool covers both Greenville and Spartanburg county courts. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. It is the easiest starting point if you do not know which county the case was filed in. The portal shows basic information like filing date, case type, and current status.
For detailed records, visit the clerk's office in the correct county. Staff can pull the physical case file and confirm which documents are open to public inspection. Cases filed before digital systems were in place may exist only on paper, and retrieval of older records can take additional time. If you know the approximate year of the divorce, have that ready when you call or visit.
Useful information to gather before starting a search:
- Full legal name of one or both parties as used at the time
- Year or approximate range of the filing
- Case number, if available
- County portion of Greer where the filing party lived
If a search by name returns multiple results, narrowing by year or attorney name often helps. Both the Greenville and Spartanburg clerks' offices can assist with name-based searches during regular business hours.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home addresses have been removed from publicly available South Carolina divorce records. This applies to records accessed or requested after that effective date.
Filing for Divorce in Greer
South Carolina recognizes five grounds for divorce under § 20-3-10: adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and separation for at least one year. The one-year separation ground is the most commonly used across the state, including in Greer. It requires no proof of wrongdoing. Both parties simply need to show they have lived apart continuously for the required period.
Residency requirements under § 20-3-30 apply to all South Carolina divorce filings. If both spouses live in South Carolina, one must have been a state resident for at least three months before filing. If only one spouse resides in the state, that person must have lived here for at least one year. Greer residents who meet these requirements can file in their respective county — Greenville or Spartanburg.
When a case involves marital property, South Carolina courts apply equitable distribution under § 20-3-620. This means the court divides marital assets in a way it considers fair, taking into account factors such as the length of the marriage, each party's financial situation, contributions to the household, and the value of marital property. Greer's location between two county seats means both Greenville and Spartanburg courts handle these determinations regularly for city residents.
Source: sccourts.org
Note: Alimony is addressed under § 20-3-130. The court weighs the length of the marriage, standard of living, and each party's earning ability. Either spouse may request alimony as part of the divorce proceeding.
Fees for Greer Divorce Records
Filing a divorce petition costs approximately $150 in both Greenville and Spartanburg counties. This is the base fee at the time of initial filing. Additional charges may apply for motions, continuances, and service of process throughout the case. Both counties may update their fee schedules periodically. Call the relevant clerk before your visit to confirm current rates — (864) 467-7140 for Greenville County and (864) 596-2591 for Spartanburg County.
Copies of divorce decrees and other case documents cost a per-page fee set by the clerk. Certified copies carry an additional charge. Certified copies are the type most often needed for legal and administrative purposes, including name changes, passport applications, and remarriage applications.
Both counties offer a fee waiver option for those who cannot afford court costs. Ask the clerk for a poverty affidavit form or download a waiver application from the SC court forms page. Approval depends on your income and household situation at the time of the request.
Note: Payment methods may differ between Greenville and Spartanburg county clerks. Confirm accepted payment types before your visit to avoid making the trip twice.
What Greer Divorce Records Contain
Divorce case files in both Greenville and Spartanburg county courts can hold a range of documents. The contents depend on whether the case was contested or uncontested and what issues were before the court. A typical divorce file may include:
- Complaint for divorce and summons
- Answer or counterclaim in contested cases
- Financial declaration affidavits from both parties
- Temporary orders for support, custody, or use of property
- Property settlement agreement or marital dissolution agreement
- Final decree of divorce
- Post-divorce modification orders, if any
The final divorce decree is the document most often requested after the case concludes. It contains both party names, the date the divorce was granted, and the court's orders on all issues addressed. This is what most agencies require as proof of a divorce.
The SC Family Court page provides general information on record-keeping practices across the state. South Carolina established its Family Court system in 1976. Records before that date were handled by the circuit courts and may require a separate search process.
Note: Records involving minor children may have restricted sections. Ask the clerk at either county courthouse which portions of a file are open for public review before making a formal request.
Certified Divorce Certificates from the State
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains certified divorce records for cases granted between July 1962 and December 2023. These are summary documents, not full court files. They confirm that a divorce occurred and provide the party names, the county where the case was filed, and the date the divorce was granted.
The cost is $12 per copy. You can order online through the DPH vital records page or through VitalChek. VitalChek adds a service fee for online orders. Both options are available regardless of whether the divorce was filed in Greenville or Spartanburg County.
For cases outside the July 1962 to December 2023 range, contact the appropriate county clerk directly. The clerk can provide certified copies of the actual court decree and related documents. For Greenville County cases, call (864) 467-7140. For Spartanburg County cases, call (864) 596-2591.
Records needed for use abroad may require an apostille from the SC Secretary of State. This certification is often required for immigration applications, foreign court proceedings, and international remarriage.
Note: Use the SCCA299 form when requesting a divorce record through DPH. Check the DPH website for the current version of the form before submitting your order.
Legal Help for Greer Residents
Greer residents who need legal assistance with a divorce have access to several low-cost and free resources. SC Legal Services provides free civil legal help to income-qualifying South Carolinians. Family law matters including divorce are among the covered case types. Contact SC Legal Services to find which office serves the Upstate region and what the current intake process requires.
The South Carolina Bar referral program at (803) 799-6653 can match Greer residents with a licensed attorney in the Greenville or Spartanburg area. Many attorneys in both counties offer a free or reduced-cost initial consultation. Even a single meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your rights and avoid procedural mistakes.
For those who choose to handle their own divorce, the SC court forms page offers free downloadable forms for uncontested divorces and related filings. Instructions accompany each form. Clerk staff at both county courthouses can help with procedural questions but cannot offer legal advice on your case or its merits.
Note: Greer's split county status means some issues — like which court has jurisdiction if a couple separates and moves to different counties — can get complicated. A brief consultation with a family law attorney is a wise investment in these situations.
Greenville County Divorce Records
Greenville County Family Court handles divorce cases for Greer residents whose addresses fall in the Greenville County portion of the city. The Greenville County Clerk of Court at 301 University Ridge maintains all divorce case records for that portion of Greer. Contact the clerk at (864) 467-7140 to confirm record availability and current copy fees.
Greer residents in the Spartanburg County portion of the city can find court information on the Spartanburg County divorce records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Greer sits between Greenville and Spartanburg, with several other Upstate communities nearby. If you need divorce records from a neighboring city or are looking for court information in the surrounding area, these pages provide county-specific details.