Bamberg County Divorce Records
Bamberg County divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court at the Bamberg County Family Court in Bamberg, South Carolina. Located in the southwestern part of the state and part of the 11th Judicial Circuit, Bamberg County has a population of roughly 14,000. The Clerk of Court serves as the official record keeper for both Circuit Court and Family Court proceedings. Bamberg County divorce records include petitions, final decrees, and supporting case documents filed under SC Code Title 20. You can find these records through the state's online case search or by contacting the clerk's office directly at 2959 Main Highway.
Bamberg County Quick Facts
Bamberg County Family Court
South Carolina established its statewide Family Court system in 1976. The Bamberg County Family Court operates within the 11th Judicial Circuit and holds exclusive authority over all domestic relations matters in the county. This includes divorce, legal separation, annulment, custody, visitation, adoption, child support, alimony, property division, and name changes.
The Clerk of Court at 2959 Main Highway is the official record keeper for all Family Court filings. The clerk's office processes new case filings, maintains the case index, and issues certified copies of divorce decrees. Staff can assist with filing procedures but are not able to provide legal advice to any party in a case.
| Court | Bamberg County Family Court 2959 Main Highway, Bamberg, SC 29003 Phone: (803) 245-3025 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | bambergcounty.sc.gov |
The Bamberg County Clerk of Court page describes the services the clerk's office provides for Family Court and Circuit Court records. The image below is sourced from the clerk's office portal.
This screenshot reflects the current Bamberg County Clerk of Court web presence for record access and filing services.
Searching Bamberg County Divorce Case Records
The SC Judicial Branch provides a free online index for case records at sccourts.org. You can use this tool to search Bamberg County divorce records by party name or case number. The index shows filing dates, case numbers, party names, and case status. It does not display the full text of documents, but it gives you the case reference information needed to order copies.
For records not yet in the online system or older paper files, contact the Bamberg County Clerk of Court at (803) 245-3025 or visit in person at 2959 Main Highway. Bring a valid photo ID and know both parties' names. An approximate filing year helps narrow the search.
The image below shows how the Bamberg County courthouse appears in the SC Courts directory, sourced from the SC Courts courthouse search page.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home addresses have been removed from the public court index to protect personal information in filings statewide.
SC Divorce Law and Bamberg County Filings
South Carolina law at SC Code § 20-3-10 sets out the grounds on which a court may grant a divorce. Fault-based grounds include adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, and habitual drunkenness or drug use. The no-fault ground requires one continuous year of living separate and apart. Most Bamberg County petitions are filed on the no-fault separation ground.
Residency rules under § 20-3-30 require that if both spouses live in South Carolina, either may file after three months of state residency. If only one spouse is a South Carolina resident, that person must have lived in the state for at least one year before filing the petition.
Under § 20-3-60, the petition must be filed in the county where the defendant lives. If the defendant is out of state, the resident spouse may file in their own county. This makes Bamberg County the correct venue when the responding spouse lives there. The law at § 20-3-80 also requires that no case be referred to the court before two months from filing, and no final decree may be entered before three months from the date of filing.
What Is in a Bamberg County Divorce File
Divorce files at the Bamberg County Clerk of Court vary based on the type of case. Every case begins with a summons and complaint, which states the grounds for divorce and the relief being requested. From there, files may grow to include the defendant's answer, temporary orders, motions, financial declarations, and hearing records.
When a case ends, the court issues the final divorce decree on South Carolina court form SCCA299. This form is the official legal record that terminates the marriage. Certified copies of SCCA299 are available from the Bamberg County Clerk of Court and are often required for legal purposes such as remarriage or updating financial accounts.
Cases involving children add parenting plans, custody orders, and child support worksheets to the file. Cases with significant property may include deeds, financial affidavits, and settlement agreements. Property division in South Carolina follows equitable distribution rules under § 20-3-620, which guides how the court weighs marital assets.
Fees for Filing and Copying Bamberg County Records
The filing fee for a divorce in Bamberg County is approximately $150. This is the base charge at the Clerk of Court. Additional fees may apply for motions, service of process, and other actions during a contested case. Fees are set by South Carolina court rules and subject to periodic changes.
Copies of case documents cost a per-page fee. Certified copies include an additional charge. The clerk's office at (803) 245-3025 can confirm current rates. Residents who cannot cover filing costs may qualify for a fee waiver based on income. Waiver applications are available at the clerk's office or through the SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org/court-forms.
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 reports for divorces granted between July 1962 and December 2023. A certified copy from DPH costs $12 and can be ordered through the DPH vital records portal or through VitalChek.
These DPH reports confirm a divorce occurred but are not the same as the court-issued final decree. For the actual decree signed by the judge, contact the Bamberg County Clerk of Court. For divorces granted after December 2023, only the clerk's office will have the official court file. Apostille certification of South Carolina vital records is handled by the SC Secretary of State at sos.sc.gov.
The image below is sourced from the DPH vital records page and shows how divorce report orders are processed at the state level.
Note: Divorce was not legal in South Carolina before April 1949, so no divorce records in any county predate that year.
Public Records Access in Bamberg County
Bamberg County divorce records are public under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at SC Code § 30-4-10. Most court documents, including divorce petitions, motions, and final decrees, are open to public inspection. Sealed records or those involving protected parties are not accessible without a court order.
Anyone may request records from the Bamberg County Clerk of Court in person, by phone, or in writing. Requests are processed during regular business hours. Because Bamberg is a smaller county, retrieval of older paper records may require an extra day or two. The county's website provides background on public records services at bambergcounty.sc.gov.
The image below is sourced from the Bamberg County government portal at bambergcounty.sc.gov.
The SC clerks of court directory at sccourts.org lists contact information for all 46 counties, including Bamberg.
Legal Resources for Bamberg County Residents
Divorce cases in South Carolina involve legal steps that can be difficult to navigate without help. The SC Family Court system provides general information at sccourts.org, but court staff cannot advise you on your rights or legal strategy. Alimony decisions are guided by § 20-3-130, which recognizes six distinct types. Property division follows § 20-3-620 and the equitable distribution standard.
Free legal services for qualifying residents are available through SC Legal Services. For paid representation, the South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral line is (803) 799-6653. Self-represented litigants can access standardized forms at sccourts.org/court-forms, which include divorce petitions, financial declarations, and custody worksheets accepted by Bamberg County Family Court.
Researchers studying older Bamberg County records can find genealogical guidance through the Library of Congress at guides.loc.gov. The full text of South Carolina's divorce statutes is also available at law.justia.com.
Bamberg County Divorce Case Filing Location
All Bamberg County divorce cases are filed at the Bamberg County Family Court in Bamberg.
Nearby Counties
Divorce records from counties that border Bamberg are held by each county's own Clerk of Court. Use the links below to find records pages for counties near Bamberg County.