Dillon County Divorce Records
Dillon County divorce records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Dillon. Located in the northeastern corner of South Carolina near the North Carolina border, Dillon County is part of the 4th Judicial Circuit. The Clerk of Court is the official custodian of all divorce case files, including complaints, decrees, and settlement agreements. Residents can search for Dillon County divorce records in person at the courthouse or through the online case search tool offered by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Both options are available to the public without requiring a court order or legal interest in the case.
Dillon County Quick Facts
Dillon County Family Court
The Dillon County Family Court is located at 401 West Main Street in the city of Dillon. The Clerk of Court maintains all divorce case records for the county at this location. Staff can look up cases, provide file access, and issue copies of documents including certified copies of divorce decrees. The office is open on weekdays and serves residents from across Dillon County.
Dillon County is one of South Carolina's smaller counties by population, but the Family Court handles a full range of domestic cases. South Carolina created its unified Family Court system in 1976. Before that, divorce cases in Dillon County went through different court procedures. The county seat is the city of Dillon, which gives its name to both the county and the county seat. Dillon County sits along U.S. Route 301 and Interstate 95 near the North Carolina state line. The 4th Judicial Circuit covers Dillon County as well as neighboring Darlington, Marlboro, and Chesterfield counties.
For more information about the Dillon County government and court offices, visit dilloncounty.org.
The image below comes from the SC Courts courthouse search portal and shows Dillon County court location details.
The sccourts.org portal gives up-to-date contact and location information for the Dillon County Family Court.
| Court | Dillon County Family Court 401 West Main Street Dillon, SC 29536 Phone: (843) 774-1425 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | dilloncounty.org |
How to Find Dillon County Divorce Records
You can locate Dillon County divorce records through two main channels. The first is the online Public Index maintained by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. The second is an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court at the Dillon County Courthouse. Online searches cost nothing and return basic case information quickly. In-person visits let you review complete files and request copies directly from staff.
The Public Index at sccourts.org allows searches by party name or case number for all 46 South Carolina counties, including Dillon County. The system returns the case status, parties involved, and key dates such as filing date and disposition. Full document images are not always available online, so you may need to visit the courthouse to obtain paper copies. Older Dillon County records may not be fully indexed in the digital system and may require a manual search at the courthouse.
To get the best results when searching, have this information ready:
- Full legal name of one or both spouses at the time of the case
- Year the divorce was filed or granted in Dillon County
- Case number, if available
- Any alternate surname spellings or maiden names
For in-person records access, visit 401 West Main Street in Dillon. Bring a government-issued photo ID. The Clerk of Court staff can run a name or case number search, pull files, and make copies. Fees apply for photocopies and certified copies. The Library of Congress publishes a South Carolina genealogy and vital records guide at guides.loc.gov for those researching historical divorce records.
Note: Home address details were removed from publicly accessible Dillon County court records starting January 1, 2026.
Fees for Dillon County Divorce Records
Filing a divorce complaint in Dillon County costs approximately $150. South Carolina courts follow a uniform fee schedule, and Dillon County applies the same standard rates. Fees for copies and certified documents are charged separately. Confirm current rates with the Clerk of Court at (843) 774-1425 before your visit, since fees may be updated from time to time.
Certified copies of a divorce decree cost more than plain photocopies. The exact per-page amount varies based on the document. When you file for divorce in Dillon County, you also need to pay for service of process. The Dillon County Sheriff can serve the other party for a set fee. A private process server is another option, as is certified mail with return receipt in some cases. Each method has different costs, so check with the Clerk's office about what applies to your case. Low-income residents may apply for a fee waiver using the Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis, which you submit to the Family Court judge in Dillon County. Approval is not automatic and depends on your financial situation.
Divorce Filing Process in Dillon County
Filing for divorce in Dillon County begins with submitting a complaint to the Clerk of Court at the Dillon County Courthouse. The complaint identifies both spouses, the grounds for the divorce, and the relief being sought. A filing fee of approximately $150 is paid at the time of submission. The Clerk assigns a case number and the case officially begins. All documents filed from that point forward become part of the public record in Dillon County.
Residency requirements must be met before you can file. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, the filing spouse must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year before filing. When both spouses live in South Carolina, the required period drops to three months. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-60, you file in the county where the defendant resides. Dillon County is the proper venue if your spouse lives here. If your spouse lives out of state, file where you live.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the recognized grounds for divorce in South Carolina are one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of desertion. The one-year separation ground is used most often and does not require proof of fault by either spouse. Mandatory waiting periods under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80 apply between the date of service and the final hearing. Marital property is divided under the equitable distribution standard of S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Alimony is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final divorce decree signed by the Family Court judge closes the case and is kept on file in Dillon County.
What Dillon County Divorce Records Contain
A complete divorce case file in Dillon County holds every document created during the case. The complaint for divorce is the first item. It states who is filing, who is the defendant, the grounds being used, and what the plaintiff is asking the court to do. The defendant's answer comes next if one is filed. If both spouses reach a settlement, a written agreement is filed with the court and becomes part of the record. The final divorce decree closes the case. It is signed by the Family Court judge and states all rulings on property, support, and other matters.
Certified copies of the divorce decree are used for many purposes. You may need one to restore your former name, change your name on a passport or driver's license, transfer real estate, or remarry. The Dillon County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee. Plain copies cost less and work for some informal purposes, but official institutions usually require a certified copy.
Common documents in a Dillon County divorce file include:
- Complaint for divorce and summons
- Defendant's answer or waiver of service
- Proof of service filed by the process server
- Financial declarations from both parties
- Marital settlement agreement, if applicable
- Final divorce decree entered by the judge
- Any temporary or pendente lite orders issued during the case
Note: Records involving minor children may have certain sections sealed or withheld from public access in Dillon County.
Divorce Certificates from the SC Department of Public Health
The South Carolina Department of Public Health holds statewide divorce certificate records that are separate from the case files in Dillon County. A divorce certificate is a short document. It states the names of the parties, the date, and the county where the divorce was granted. This is not the full divorce decree and does not include property terms, custody orders, or other settlement details.
The DPH maintains records for divorces granted in South Carolina from July 1962 through December 2023. The fee is $12 per certified copy. You can order through VitalChek online, by mail to the Division of Vital Records in Columbia, or in person at the DPH office. Visit dph.sc.gov for instructions and ordering options. The image below shows the DPH vital records section for divorce.
Online orders through VitalChek are usually processed faster than requests sent by mail. If you need the full decree with all its terms, contact the Dillon County Clerk of Court.
For apostille certification of a vital record, visit sos.sc.gov for guidance from the South Carolina Secretary of State.
Legal Help for Divorce in Dillon County
Dillon County residents have access to both free legal aid and paid attorney referral services for divorce cases. Knowing your options before you file can help you avoid delays and protect your interests throughout the case.
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to people with low income across the state, including Dillon County. They handle divorce, custody, and support cases. Visit sclegal.org to apply or find contact information for the nearest office. For a referral to a licensed family law attorney who serves Dillon County, call the South Carolina Bar at (803) 799-6653. Their referral service can connect you with a lawyer who practices in the 4th Judicial Circuit area.
Free court forms and filing instructions for uncontested divorces are posted at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet is the standard set of forms used for uncontested cases in South Carolina. The Dillon County Family Court staff can help you identify which forms to use, though they are not permitted to give legal advice. The Family Court information page at sccourts.org has an overview of how the court works for self-represented parties.
Public Records Access in Dillon County
Divorce records in Dillon County are public records under South Carolina law. The Freedom of Information Act, S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, grants the public the right to inspect and obtain copies of government records, including court files. You do not need to be a party to a divorce case to request access to the records. The Clerk of Court must respond to your request and provide access to records that have not been sealed by a court order.
The SC Courts public index provides online access to case records across all counties. The image below shows the Family Court information page, which explains how the court system is organized and how to access records.
The sccourts.org Family Court page is a useful starting point for understanding your rights when requesting public records in Dillon County.
Records sealed by court order or containing sensitive financial data may not be available to the public. A directory of all South Carolina clerks of court is available at sccourts.org.
Cities in Dillon County
All Dillon County divorce cases are filed at the Dillon County Family Court in Dillon. There are no separate city-level family courts in the county. Residents of Dillon, Latta, Lake View, and all other communities in Dillon County file and access divorce records at the courthouse on West Main Street in the city of Dillon.
Nearby Counties
Dillon County borders several other South Carolina counties in the northeastern part of the state. Always file your divorce in the county where the defendant lives. Confirm the correct county before going to the courthouse.