Beaufort County Divorce Records
Beaufort County divorce records are created and maintained by the Beaufort County Family Court, part of the 14th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina's southern coastal region. The county includes communities such as Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the City of Beaufort, making it one of the more populous and active Family Court jurisdictions in the state. Those who need Beaufort County divorce records for legal, personal, or research purposes can search through the state's online case portal or visit the clerk's office in person. This page covers the steps, fees, documents, and legal framework involved.
Beaufort County Quick Facts
Beaufort County Family Court Overview
The Beaufort County Family Court operates under the 14th Judicial Circuit and handles all domestic relations matters for county residents. This includes divorce cases, custody disputes, child and spousal support orders, and alimony awards. South Carolina established its statewide Family Court system in 1976, and Beaufort County's court has since grown significantly as the county's population expanded. Today, Beaufort is one of the faster-growing counties in South Carolina, with a strong seasonal and retirement population that adds to the court's caseload.
The Beaufort County Clerk of Court maintains all Family Court records, including divorce filings, temporary orders, and final decrees. The courthouse sits at 102 Ribaut Road in the City of Beaufort. Staff can help with records requests, certified copies, and case status inquiries.
The image below is from the Beaufort County Clerk of Court page, which lists services, fees, and contact information for the records office.
The clerk's office is the primary point of contact for obtaining official copies of divorce decrees and case documents.
| Court | Beaufort County Family Court 102 Ribaut Road, Beaufort, SC 29902 Phone: (843) 255-5050 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | beaufortcountysc.gov |
How to Search Beaufort Divorce Records Online
The South Carolina Judicial Branch offers a free public case search at sccourts.org. The portal allows searches by party name, case number, or date range. Results display case type, filing date, and hearing information. This is a useful first step before making an in-person visit to the courthouse. Index data for Beaufort County cases is included in the statewide system.
Since January 1, 2026, addresses have been removed from the public index for all family court cases. Full address details remain in the physical file. Online results will still show case parties, case number, and status, but you must visit the clerk's office to review the complete record.
For in-person searches at the Beaufort courthouse, bring as much identifying information as possible. Helpful details include the full names of both parties, the year the divorce was filed or finalized, and the case number if you have it. Staff can pull files from the records room or direct you to the appropriate archive for older cases.
The image below shows the Beaufort County government portal, which provides links to the clerk's office, court schedules, and other county services.
The county portal is a reliable starting point for locating court-related resources and contact details.
Note: The SC Courts case search system may not display document images for all cases. Full document access often requires an in-person visit or a formal records request submitted to the clerk's office.
Filing a Divorce in Beaufort County
South Carolina divorce law falls under Title 20, Chapter 3 of the state code. Under § 20-3-10, grounds for divorce include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, desertion for at least one year, and living separate and apart for one year. The separation ground requires no proof of fault and is the most widely used basis for divorce in the state.
Residency requirements apply under § 20-3-30. When only one spouse is a South Carolina resident, that person must have lived in the state for at least one year. If both spouses reside in South Carolina, the required period drops to three months. Under § 20-3-60, venue is generally proper in the county where the defendant resides. A Beaufort County resident being sued for divorce would normally have the case heard in Beaufort County Family Court.
The court follows statutory timing rules. Under § 20-3-80, a reference hearing must occur at least two months after filing, and the final decree cannot issue until at least three months after the complaint was filed. Property is divided under equitable distribution principles in § 20-3-620. This means the court divides marital property fairly based on the facts, not simply fifty-fifty. Alimony may be awarded in one of six forms under § 20-3-130, including periodic, lump sum, rehabilitative, reimbursement, and others.
What Beaufort Divorce Case Files Contain
A Beaufort County divorce file can hold a wide range of documents depending on how the case was handled. Uncontested divorces tend to have fewer filings. Contested cases may include hearing transcripts, financial affidavits, and multiple rounds of motions. Common documents include:
- Complaint for divorce and summons
- Proof of service or acceptance of service
- Financial declarations and affidavits
- Temporary orders for custody, support, or use of property
- Marital settlement or property division agreement
- Final Order of Divorce (form SCCA299)
- Any post-decree modification orders
Beaufort County handles a large volume of cases each year given its population size. The clerk's office maintains both active files and archived records. Very old records from before the 1976 Family Court formation may be stored separately. The staff can tell you where to look for cases from specific time periods.
Divorce Certificates and State Vital Records
South Carolina's Department of Public Health keeps a separate record of divorces called a divorce report. These reports are available for divorces that occurred between July 1962 and December 2023. They can be ordered through the SC DPH vital records office or through VitalChek. The fee is $12 per copy.
A divorce report from DPH is a statistical record confirming the divorce happened. It is not the same as the divorce decree from the court. The decree includes all case details — property division, custody terms, support amounts, and the court's findings. If you need the full terms of a divorce judgment, you must request the decree from the Beaufort County clerk's office. The DPH report works for many administrative purposes, but legal proceedings often require the actual court decree.
Note: South Carolina did not allow divorce at all until April 1949, so no state divorce records exist before that date.
Fees and Cost Waivers
Filing a divorce in Beaufort County costs approximately $150. This is the base filing fee for the complaint. Additional costs arise from other filings — answers, motions, and requests for service. Process server fees and guardian ad litem costs can add to the total in cases involving children. Court reporting fees apply if testimony is recorded at a hearing.
Copy fees are set by the South Carolina Supreme Court for most standard court documents. Certified copies carry a higher fee than plain copies and are typically required for official use. The clerk's office can tell you the current copy rate when you call ahead or arrive in person.
People who cannot afford court costs may apply for a fee waiver using the court's indigency form. The judge reviews the application and may waive all or part of the filing fee. SC Legal Services at sclegal.org can help qualifying residents navigate the waiver process.
Legal Resources for Beaufort County Residents
The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-6653 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Beaufort area. Initial consultations through the referral service are often available at a reduced rate. For those who qualify financially, South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal representation in family law matters.
Court forms for divorce proceedings are available at no charge through the SC Courts forms page. The Final Order of Divorce uses form SCCA299. Other forms cover financial declarations, temporary orders, and pro se party filings. Using the correct form prevents unnecessary delays in processing by the clerk's office.
The SC Family Court information page explains how the court works, what happens at hearings, and what rights each party has during the process.
The SC Courts courthouse search tool can confirm court locations, judges, and current hours for Beaufort County.
Public Records Access in Beaufort County
Family Court records in Beaufort County are public records under South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, codified at § 30-4-10. Any person may inspect the public index and request copies of court filings. Cases involving sealed records or juvenile matters may have restricted access. Either party in a case may ask the court to seal specific portions of the file, and the judge may grant that request based on the circumstances.
The public index shows case parties, filing dates, and case type. It does not show addresses since January 1, 2026. To view the full file, you must visit the clerk's office in person. Staff will retrieve the physical file for your review. You can then request copies of specific pages. Remote or mail-in records requests are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on staff capacity and the age of the records.
The SC clerks of court directory lists contact information for all 46 county clerks in South Carolina, including Beaufort County.
Cities in Beaufort County
Beaufort County includes several notable communities. Divorce cases for all residents are filed with the Beaufort County Family Court regardless of city of residence.
Nearby Counties
Beaufort County shares borders with several other South Carolina counties. If a case was filed in a neighboring county, use the links below to find the relevant records information.