Allendale County Divorce Records
Allendale County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Allendale County Family Court in Allendale, South Carolina. Located in the southwestern portion of the state, Allendale is one of South Carolina's smaller counties and part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Divorce records here include petitions, decrees, and related case documents filed under SC Code Title 20. You can search Allendale County divorce records through the state's online public index or by contacting the clerk's office directly. Records are subject to the SC Freedom of Information Act, and decrees are available with standard privacy redactions.
Allendale County Quick Facts
Allendale County Family Court
South Carolina established its Family Court system in 1976. Since then, Family Courts have held exclusive authority over domestic relations cases in every county. Allendale County's Family Court sits within the 14th Judicial Circuit and handles all divorce, separation, custody, visitation, adoption, support, alimony, property division, and name change matters for the county.
The Clerk of Court is the official record keeper for all Family Court proceedings. The clerk's office processes new filings, maintains the case index, and provides copies of records to authorized parties. Staff can assist with procedural questions but cannot offer legal advice to parties in a case.
| Court | Allendale County Family Court 292 Barnwell Highway, Allendale, SC 29810 Phone: (803) 584-2732 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | allendalecounty.com |
The Allendale County Clerk of Court page provides direct access to court filing information. The image below shows the clerk's office portal as it appears online.
This screenshot is sourced from allendalecounty.com/clerk-of-court and reflects current clerk services for Allendale County.
Searching Allendale Divorce Case Records
The SC Judicial Branch provides a free public case index at sccourts.org. You can use this tool to look up Allendale County divorce records by name or case number. The index returns basic case details such as filing date, case number, parties involved, and current status. It does not display full document contents, but it confirms that a case exists and provides the reference information needed to request copies.
The county's own public records resources can also be a useful starting point. The image below is sourced from the Allendale County public records page.
For cases not yet available in the online system, contact the clerk's office at (803) 584-2732 or visit in person at 292 Barnwell Highway. Bring a government-issued photo ID and know both parties' names along with the approximate filing year.
Note: Home addresses were removed from the public court index as of January 1, 2026, in line with a statewide policy to protect personal information in public filings.
Grounds and Residency for Allendale County Filings
South Carolina allows divorce on both fault and no-fault grounds under SC Code § 20-3-10. The fault-based grounds are adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use. The no-fault option requires the spouses to have lived separate and apart for one continuous year. Most Allendale County filings rely on the one-year separation ground.
Residency requirements under § 20-3-30 determine when someone may file. If both spouses reside in South Carolina, either may file after living in the state for at least three months. If only one spouse lives in South Carolina, that person must have been a resident for at least one year before filing. These rules apply in Allendale County just as they do in every other South Carolina county.
Under § 20-3-60, a petition must be filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant lives outside the state, the resident spouse may file in their home county. This makes Allendale County the correct venue when the responding party is a county resident.
What Allendale County Divorce Files Contain
Allendale County Family Court records vary based on the complexity of each case. Most divorce files include a summons and complaint, proof of service, and the final divorce decree. Cases that go through a contested process will also include motions, hearing notices, financial declarations, and written orders from the judge.
The SC Judicial Branch provides standardized court forms used across all counties. The image below shows the court forms portal from sccourts.org, where self-represented filers can access divorce petitions and supporting documents.
The final divorce decree in South Carolina is issued on form SCCA299. This document officially ends the marriage and is the one most often requested for legal or personal purposes. Certified copies of the SCCA299 are available from the Allendale County Clerk of Court.
Cases involving children will also contain parenting plans, custody orders, and child support worksheets. Property cases may include deeds, financial affidavits, or settlement agreements.
Allendale County Filing Fees and Copy Costs
The initial filing fee for a divorce in Allendale County is approximately $150. This amount is set by South Carolina court rules and may change. Additional fees apply for motions, certified mail service, and other filings during the case process.
Copies of case documents are available for a per-page fee. Certified copies carry a separate certification charge. The clerk's office at (803) 584-2732 can confirm current rates. Residents who cannot afford filing fees may qualify for a fee waiver. Waiver applications are available at the clerk's office or through the SC court forms page at sccourts.org.
Divorce Reports from SC Division of Public Health
The SC Division of Public Health keeps statistical divorce reports that are separate from court decrees. DPH holds these records for divorces that occurred between July 1962 and December 2023. A certified copy costs $12 and can be ordered through the DPH vital records portal or through VitalChek.
These reports confirm that a divorce occurred but are not the same as the court-issued final decree. For the actual decree, contact the Allendale County Clerk of Court. For divorces after December 2023, only the clerk's office will have the record on file.
For use of South Carolina vital records abroad, apostille certification is handled by the SC Secretary of State. Details are at sos.sc.gov.
Note: Divorce was not legal in South Carolina before April 1949, so no divorce records exist in any county before that date.
Public Records Access and FOIA in Allendale County
Allendale County divorce records are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, found at SC Code § 30-4-10. Most divorce filings, orders, and decrees can be accessed by any member of the public. Records sealed by court order or those involving protected parties are not part of the public file.
The Allendale County website provides a starting point for understanding what public records are available locally. The image below is sourced from allendalecounty.com.
Requests for records can be made in person, by phone, or in writing to the clerk's office. The clerk's office processes requests during regular business hours. Because Allendale is a smaller county, older paper records may take a day or two to retrieve.
Legal Resources for Allendale County Residents
Navigating a divorce in South Carolina involves multiple legal steps. The state's Family Court system offers general guidance at sccourts.org, but court staff cannot advise you on your specific situation. If you have questions about property division, the court applies equitable distribution rules under § 20-3-620. For alimony, SC law at § 20-3-130 recognizes six separate types.
Free legal help for qualifying residents is available through SC Legal Services. Residents who do not qualify for free services can contact the South Carolina Bar at (803) 799-6653 for a referral. The SC Judicial Branch also posts self-help forms at sccourts.org/court-forms, including standardized divorce petitions and financial declarations that work for Allendale County filings.
The image below is sourced from the SC Courts courthouse directory and shows how Allendale County court information appears on the state system.
Genealogical researchers looking for older Allendale County divorce records may find the Library of Congress resource helpful at guides.loc.gov.
Allendale County Divorce Case Filing Location
All Allendale County divorce cases are filed at the Allendale County Family Court.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records for neighboring counties are held by each county's own Clerk of Court. Use the links below to find records pages for counties near Allendale.