Dorchester County Divorce Records
Dorchester County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in St. George. One of South Carolina's fastest-growing counties, Dorchester County sits in the Charleston metro area and is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit. The county's Family Court handles all divorce filings, decrees, and domestic case documents for residents. According to the county, all Family Court records are public records. You can search for Dorchester County divorce records online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch or by visiting the courthouse in person. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can assist with searches and provide certified copies of divorce documents.
Dorchester County Quick Facts
Dorchester County Family Court
The Dorchester County Family Court is located at 101 Ridge Street in St. George. The Clerk of Court maintains all divorce case files for the county at this location. This includes every document from the initial complaint through the final decree. The office is open on weekdays and handles requests from the public for case searches, file reviews, and copies of court records. Dorchester County has confirmed that all Family Court records are public records, meaning any member of the public can request to view them.
Dorchester County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, which also includes Calhoun and Orangeburg counties. The county's population has grown rapidly over the past two decades as the Charleston metro area expanded. Both Summerville and North Charleston have portions within Dorchester County, though parts of each city also extend into neighboring counties. All divorce cases for county residents are handled at the courthouse in St. George, regardless of which city or town the resident lives in. South Carolina established its Family Court system in 1976, and Dorchester County's court has maintained records since that year. The county's courts page is at dorchestercountysc.gov.
The image below shows the SC Courts case search portal with Dorchester County court information.
Use the online portal at sccourts.org to look up Dorchester County divorce case numbers and filing dates before visiting the courthouse.
| Court | Dorchester County Family Court 101 Ridge Street St. George, SC 29477 Phone: (843) 563-0160 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | dorchestercountysc.gov |
How to Search Dorchester County Divorce Records Online
Searching for divorce records in Dorchester County is simple using the South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index. This free online tool covers all 46 South Carolina counties. You can search by party name or by case number. The system returns basic case information including filing date, parties involved, and the status of the case. Full document images are not always available in the online system, but it gives you the case number you need to request paper copies.
Visit sccourts.org to begin your online search. The search is free and no account is required. Once you locate a case, note the case number and parties listed. Then contact the Dorchester County Clerk of Court to request copies of specific documents. Not all older Dorchester County records have been digitized, so cases from earlier years may require an in-person search at the courthouse in St. George.
Before you search, gather this information:
- Full legal name of one or both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Approximate year the case was filed or the divorce was granted
- Case number, if you already have one
- Alternate names or spellings that may have been used in court documents
For in-person visits, go to 101 Ridge Street in St. George. Bring a valid photo ID. The Clerk of Court staff can search the records system, pull case files, and make copies. Certified copies are available for a fee. Staff can also confirm whether a particular record is sealed or restricted. For historical genealogy research involving older divorce records, the Library of Congress maintains a South Carolina local history guide at guides.loc.gov.
Note: As of January 1, 2026, home address information has been removed from the public-facing portions of Dorchester County court records.
Fees for Dorchester County Divorce Records
The cost to file a new divorce complaint in Dorchester County is approximately $150. This follows the statewide fee schedule set by the South Carolina Legislature. Fees for obtaining copies of records are charged in addition to any filing fees. Call the Clerk of Court at (843) 563-0160 to confirm current rates before your visit, as fees may be updated.
Certified copies of the divorce decree cost more than plain photocopies. The per-page rate for certified copies varies based on the type of document. When you file for divorce in Dorchester County, you must also pay for service of process. This is the step where the other spouse is formally notified of the case. You can use the Dorchester County Sheriff, a licensed private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Costs differ by method. If you do not have the funds to pay court costs, you can apply for a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis. Submit this to the Family Court in Dorchester County, and the judge will decide whether to grant a waiver based on your financial situation.
Filing for Divorce in Dorchester County
Starting a divorce in Dorchester County means filing a complaint with the Clerk of Court at the Dorchester County Courthouse in St. George. The complaint names both spouses, states the legal grounds for divorce, and requests the relief you want from the court. The filing fee is paid at this time. The Clerk assigns a case number, and the case becomes part of the public record from that point forward. All documents filed in the case are kept by the Clerk of Court in Dorchester County.
You must meet the residency requirement before filing. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, the spouse who files must have lived in South Carolina for at least one year. If both spouses are South Carolina residents, only three months of residency is needed. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-60, the case is filed in the county where the defendant lives. If your spouse lives in Dorchester County, you file here. If your spouse lives outside South Carolina, you file in your own county of residence.
South Carolina law lists the grounds for divorce at S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10. These are one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of desertion. One-year separation is the most commonly used ground in Dorchester County and statewide. It requires no proof of fault by either spouse. Mandatory waiting periods under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80 govern how long the process takes before a final hearing. All property claims are resolved under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, which requires equitable distribution of marital property. Spousal support is addressed under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final decree signed by the Family Court judge is the official record of the divorce in Dorchester County.
Note: Divorce was illegal in South Carolina until April 1949, meaning no divorce records exist in Dorchester County before that date.
What Dorchester County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Dorchester County holds all documents submitted to the court during the proceedings. The complaint for divorce is the first document. It sets out who is suing whom, on what grounds, and what relief the plaintiff seeks. If the defendant responds, their answer becomes part of the file as well. A marital settlement agreement, if one is reached, is filed with the court and included in the record. Financial affidavits, temporary orders, and certificates of service are also part of the case file in Dorchester County.
The divorce decree is the final and most requested document in the file. The judge signs it to close the case and legally end the marriage. The decree may include rulings on property division, spousal support, and name restoration. Certified copies are needed for many common tasks such as changing your legal name, transferring property, or updating financial accounts. The Dorchester County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee at the courthouse in St. George.
Common documents in a Dorchester County divorce file include:
- Complaint for divorce and summons
- Defendant's answer or waiver of service
- Proof or affidavit of service
- Any temporary or pendente lite orders
- Financial declarations filed by both parties
- Marital settlement or property agreement
- Final divorce decree signed by the judge
Note: Portions of a Dorchester County divorce file involving minor children or sealed financial records may not be accessible to the general public.
Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains a separate set of statewide divorce certificates that differ from the case files held by the Dorchester County Clerk of Court. A divorce certificate is a brief record that confirms a divorce was granted. It lists the names of both spouses, the date the divorce was finalized, and the county. It does not include the terms of any settlement, property division, or custody arrangement. Certificates are often used when someone simply needs proof of a divorce without needing the full decree.
DPH holds records for divorces granted in South Carolina from July 1962 through December 2023. Each certified copy costs $12. Orders can be placed online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records in Columbia, or in person at the DPH office. Instructions and order forms are at dph.sc.gov. The image below shows the DPH divorce reports ordering page.
Online VitalChek orders are typically faster than mailed requests. Always request a certified copy, as plain copies may not be accepted for official purposes.
If the divorce certificate needs to be used in another country, contact the South Carolina Secretary of State for apostille certification at sos.sc.gov.
Legal Help for Divorce in Dorchester County
Several resources serve Dorchester County residents who need legal help with a divorce case. Free aid is available to those who qualify by income. Paid referral services can connect you with a licensed attorney. Getting the right guidance before you file helps you understand your rights and avoid procedural mistakes that can delay the case.
South Carolina Legal Services offers free civil legal assistance to low-income residents in Dorchester County. They handle family law matters including divorce. Apply online or find a local office at sclegal.org. For a referral to a private family law attorney in Dorchester County, contact the South Carolina Bar at (803) 799-6653. Their lawyer referral service can connect you with someone who practices in the 1st Judicial Circuit area, which includes Dorchester County.
Court forms for uncontested divorce cases are posted at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet is the standard set used for uncontested divorces in South Carolina. Instructions are included with the forms. Dorchester County Family Court staff can help identify the correct forms for your situation, but they are not able to give legal advice or tell you what to write. The SC Judicial Branch Family Court overview at sccourts.org explains how the court process works for people who represent themselves.
Public Records Access in Dorchester County
Dorchester County has stated that all Family Court records are public records. This aligns with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10, which gives the public the right to inspect and copy government records. You do not have to be a party to a divorce case to view its records in Dorchester County. The Clerk of Court must respond to public records requests and provide access to documents that have not been restricted by a court order.
The SC Courts portal provides online access to case records. The image below shows the SC divorce records and Family Court overview page for context on how records are maintained statewide.
The online Public Index at sccourts.org lets you look up Dorchester County divorce cases by name or case number without visiting the courthouse.
Records sealed by court order or records involving protected financial details may be withheld from public inspection. A directory of all county clerks of court is available at sccourts.org.
Cities in Dorchester County
Dorchester County includes several communities in the greater Charleston area. Parts of both Summerville and North Charleston fall within Dorchester County, though portions of each city also extend into neighboring counties. All divorce cases for Dorchester County residents are filed at the Family Court in St. George, regardless of which city or town the resident lives in.
Nearby Counties
Dorchester County borders several South Carolina counties in the southeastern part of the state. Check the county of your spouse's residence before filing. You must file in the correct county for the Family Court to have jurisdiction over your divorce case.