Spartanburg Divorce Records

Spartanburg is the county seat of Spartanburg County and a key city in South Carolina's Upstate region. All divorce cases for Spartanburg residents are handled by the Spartanburg County Family Court at 180 Magnolia Street, right in the city. This page covers how to search for divorce records, what the filing process requires under South Carolina law, what a divorce case file contains, and where to turn for legal help. Whether you need a copy of a past decree or are starting a new case, this guide walks you through it.

Where to File in Spartanburg

Spartanburg is both the county seat and the home of the Spartanburg County Family Court. Unlike many South Carolina cities where residents must drive to a different town to reach the courthouse, Spartanburg residents file and access records in their own city. The court at 180 Magnolia Street handles all divorce, custody, and support cases for the entire county. It sits in the downtown area and is accessible by public transportation.

Venue rules under § 20-3-60 of the South Carolina Code permit a divorce case to be filed in the county where either spouse lives. For Spartanburg residents, that means Spartanburg County. If your spouse has relocated out of state, you can still file here as long as you meet the residency requirement. The same court also handles cases from smaller towns throughout Spartanburg County.

The City of Spartanburg provides municipal services and information through its official website. Family court matters are handled through the county court system.

Spartanburg serves as the hub of the Upstate region and is home to several universities and major employers. All divorce records and filings go through the Spartanburg County Family Court at 180 Magnolia Street.

Note: Spartanburg County is part of the 7th Judicial Circuit. Its family court handles a high volume of cases given the county's population and the number of communities it serves.

How to Search Spartanburg Divorce Records

The South Carolina Judicial Branch runs an online case lookup system called Public Index. You can use it to search Spartanburg County divorce cases by entering either party's name or a case number. The tool shows filing dates, docket entries, and case status. It does not display full document images in most cases, but it is a quick and free way to confirm whether a case exists and to get the case number you need to request physical copies.

For the full case file, visit the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court in person at 180 Magnolia Street. You should bring the following items:

• A government-issued photo ID
• The names of both parties or the case number if you have it
• Payment for per-page copy fees
• A written request if you need certified copies for legal purposes

The clerk's office staff can help you search for a case once you provide the party names or case number. They can process your copy request and tell you what current fees apply. They are not permitted to give legal advice or help you complete legal forms.

Note: As of January 1, 2026, South Carolina courts have removed home addresses from publicly accessible court records. Any record pulled after that date will not include full residential addresses.

Filing for Divorce in Spartanburg

South Carolina recognizes both fault and no-fault divorce under § 20-3-10. The fault grounds are adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and desertion lasting one year or more. The no-fault ground is one year of continuous separation. Most Spartanburg residents who go through a divorce use the separation ground. It requires no proof of wrongdoing, which simplifies hearings and reduces conflict during the process.

To file, at least one spouse must meet South Carolina's residency requirement under § 20-3-30. If both spouses live in the state, one must have been a resident for at least three months before filing. If only one spouse lives in South Carolina, that spouse must have been a resident for one year. Most long-term Spartanburg residents meet this requirement well before their separation period ends.

After filing the complaint, the other party must be served. They have a set period to respond. Under § 20-3-80, the court will not finalize the divorce until a waiting period has passed — generally at least three months from the date the complaint was filed for separation-based cases. A judge reviews the case, holds a final hearing, and signs the divorce decree. The clerk enters the order into the record, completing the legal process. Until that order is signed, the divorce is not final.

Property division in South Carolina is governed by § 20-3-620, which uses equitable distribution. Alimony questions are addressed under § 20-3-130. Both can be resolved in the same proceeding as the divorce or through a written settlement agreement signed by both parties.

Fees for Spartanburg Divorce Cases

The filing fee to open a divorce case in South Carolina is approximately $150. That covers the initial complaint. Other costs may arise during the case, including fees for serving the other party, filing motions, or purchasing certified copies of the final decree. A fully contested divorce involving hearings on property and children will cost more than a straightforward case where both sides agree on everything.

South Carolina allows courts to waive the filing fee for people who cannot afford it. You submit a financial affidavit to the clerk showing your income, expenses, and household size. If the court finds that you qualify, it waives the fee. People receiving public assistance or earning below state poverty guidelines commonly qualify. The Spartanburg County clerk can give you the waiver application form.

Note: Call the Spartanburg County Family Court at (864) 596-2591 before your visit to confirm current fees and payment methods. The fee schedule is set by the state and may be updated periodically.

What Divorce Records Contain

Spartanburg County divorce case files are public records under South Carolina law. Each file holds all documents submitted during the case. Here is what a typical divorce file includes:

• The original divorce complaint and any answer or counterclaim
• Financial declarations listing each party's income, property, and debts
• Temporary orders entered while the case was ongoing
• A marital settlement agreement if the parties reached one
• 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 key document. It legally ends the marriage, states the date of divorce, and names both parties. It is used for name changes, remarriage, insurance, and estate matters. Certified copies can be obtained from the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court at a standard per-page fee. Always request a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy when you need it for legal or financial purposes.

Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH

South Carolina's Department of Public Health holds administrative divorce reports for divorces recorded in the state from July 1962 through December 2023. These are separate from the court's case files. A DPH divorce report costs $12 per copy and can be ordered through the DPH website or through VitalChek online.

The SC DPH vital records office processes requests for divorce reports that cover cases from July 1962 to December 2023.

DPH divorce reports confirm a divorce occurred and was recorded with the state. They do not include the terms of the court order. For the full legal record, request a certified copy from the Spartanburg County clerk.

If you need to certify a document for use in another country, the South Carolina Secretary of State can attach an apostille to certified court documents and vital records. This is required by many foreign agencies and courts when authenticating US legal documents.

Note: A DPH report is not the same as a certified court decree and should not be used as a substitute when a court-certified copy is specifically required.

Legal Help in Spartanburg

Spartanburg residents who cannot afford a private attorney have access to free and low-cost legal help. SC Legal Services serves low-income South Carolinians statewide, including Spartanburg County. Their staff handles family law matters such as divorce and custody. Qualifying residents may receive full representation at no cost.

The South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral service connects people with licensed attorneys for a reduced-fee initial consultation. Many Spartanburg attorneys who handle family law accept payment plans, particularly for uncontested divorces. An uncontested case is one where both parties agree on all terms — property, debt, custody, support — before they file. These cases move faster and cost less.

You can download court forms including the SCCA299 from the SC Courts website. These are the standard forms used in South Carolina divorce cases. The Spartanburg clerk can tell you which forms apply to your situation.

The South Carolina Courts website provides detailed information about the family court system, case procedures, and self-help materials for unrepresented parties.

South Carolina's Family Court was created in 1976 and handles all divorce cases across the state. In Spartanburg, the court is located at 180 Magnolia Street and serves the full county.

Note: South Carolina did not allow divorce until April 1949. All divorce records in the state therefore date from that point forward. Cases before that date do not exist in state court records.

Spartanburg County Divorce Records

Every divorce case filed by a Spartanburg resident is part of the Spartanburg County court system. The Spartanburg County Family Court at 180 Magnolia Street is where filings go and where records are kept. Search cases through the Public Index tool online, or visit the clerk in person to access full case files. The county page has more information about accessing divorce records throughout Spartanburg County.

View Spartanburg County Divorce Records

Nearby South Carolina Cities

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

View Major South Carolina Cities