Jasper County Divorce Records
Jasper County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Ridgeland. The office stores all divorce complaints, decrees, and case documents for the county. Jasper County sits in the southern Lowcountry region of South Carolina near the Georgia border and is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit. Residents who need to find, review, or copy a divorce record can reach the Clerk of Court directly or use the online search tools provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Staff can assist with both current and older filings.
Jasper County Quick Facts
Jasper County Family Court
The Jasper County Family Court handles all divorce cases for county residents. The Clerk of Court keeps each case file from initial filing through the final decree. The court is located at 265 Russell Street in Ridgeland. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can search records, pull case files, and produce copies for the public. Call ahead before your visit to confirm what documents you need and what forms of identification are accepted.
Jasper County is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. This circuit also includes Beaufort and Hampton counties. The Family Court was established statewide in 1976 to hear domestic matters, including divorce, child custody, and support orders. All divorce proceedings for Jasper County residents go through the single courthouse in Ridgeland. The Clerk of Court searches records by name or case number. Older paper files may take more time to locate. For the official county website and information about county services, visit jaspercountysc.gov.
The source below shows the Jasper County portal where residents can find links to court services and public records offices.
The county website connects residents to the Clerk of Court and other offices that hold public records.
| Court | Jasper County Family Court 265 Russell Street Ridgeland, SC 29936 Phone: (843) 726-7710 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | jaspercountysc.gov |
How to Search Divorce Records in Jasper County
There are two main ways to search for divorce records in Jasper County. The first is online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch. The second is in person at the Jasper County Courthouse in Ridgeland. Online search provides fast, free access to basic case information. An in-person visit allows you to review full case files and obtain certified copies the same day.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index is the main online tool for finding divorce case records. It covers all 46 counties, including Jasper County. You can search by party name or by case number. Basic case details such as filing date, parties involved, and case status are available at no charge. Go to sccourts.org to begin your online search. Keep in mind that older records filed before the digital era may not appear in the online system and require an in-person request.
To search effectively, have this information ready before you start:
- Full legal name of one or both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Approximate year the divorce was filed or granted
- Case number, if you already have it
- Any alternate name spellings that may have been used
- County where the divorce was filed, if you are not certain it was Jasper
For in-person visits, go to the Clerk of Court at 265 Russell Street in Ridgeland. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up cases, provide printouts, and issue certified copies of decrees. Genealogy researchers may also find useful background through the Library of Congress South Carolina vital records guide at guides.loc.gov.
Note: Address information was removed from public court records in Jasper County effective January 1, 2026.
Divorce Record Fees in Jasper County
Filing a new divorce complaint in Jasper County costs approximately $150. This aligns with the statewide fee schedule used across South Carolina. Fees for copies and related services are set separately by the Clerk of Court. Always call (843) 726-7710 before your visit to confirm current rates, since fees can change without public notice.
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost more than plain photocopies. The exact per-page rate for certified copies varies. Service fees apply when you need the other spouse served with divorce papers. You may use the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Each method carries its own cost. If income is limited, you may qualify for a fee waiver by submitting an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Family Court in Jasper County.
Filing for Divorce in Jasper County
The divorce filing process in Jasper County follows South Carolina state law. The process starts when one spouse files a complaint for divorce with the Clerk of Court at the Jasper County Courthouse. A case number is assigned right away. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses currently reside in South Carolina, only three months of residency is required. You file in Jasper County when the defendant lives here.
Once the complaint is filed, you must serve the other spouse. South Carolina allows service through the Jasper County Sheriff, a private process server, or other approved methods. Proof of service goes into the court file. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the recognized grounds for divorce include one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year of desertion. The one-year separation ground is the most commonly used in Jasper County. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, uncontested divorces must wait at least two or three months after service before a final hearing, depending on the grounds used.
Property and financial matters are resolved in the same case. South Carolina uses equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, which divides marital property fairly but not always in equal shares. Spousal support may be addressed under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final divorce decree becomes a public record kept by the Jasper County Clerk of Court.
Note: Divorce was illegal in South Carolina until April 1949, so no divorce records from the state exist before that date.
What Jasper County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Jasper County holds many documents created during the proceedings. The complaint for divorce is the first filing. It names both parties and states the grounds under South Carolina law. The defendant's answer or response follows. When the parties settle, a written marital settlement agreement is filed with the court. All these papers are part of the public case file maintained at the Jasper County Courthouse.
The divorce decree is the most important document in the file. It is the final court order that legally ends the marriage. It may include rulings on property division, spousal support, child custody, and name restoration. Certified copies of the decree are often required for tasks like updating a driver's license, changing bank accounts, or completing real estate transfers. The Jasper County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee.
Other documents commonly found in a Jasper County divorce file include:
- Summons served on the defendant
- Affidavits and financial declarations from either party
- Temporary orders entered during the case
- Parenting plans or custody agreements
- Hearing transcripts, if ordered
- Final order or decree of divorce
Note: Some portions of a Jasper County divorce file may be sealed or redacted, especially details involving minor children or financial account numbers.
Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH
The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates that are separate from the court records held in Jasper County. A divorce certificate is a brief document confirming that a divorce took place. It shows the names of both parties, the date the divorce was granted, and the county where it was filed. This is not the same as a full divorce decree, which contains the terms of the settlement and is kept by the Clerk of Court in Jasper County.
The DPH holds divorce records for cases filed in South Carolina from July 1962 through December 2023. Certificates cost $12 each. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records in Columbia, or in person at the DPH office. The image below shows the DPH divorce reports page where orders can be placed.
Online orders through VitalChek are the fastest way to receive a divorce certificate. If you need the full decree with all terms and conditions, contact the Jasper County Clerk of Court instead.
For apostille certification of a divorce certificate to use in another country, contact the South Carolina Secretary of State at sos.sc.gov.
Legal Help for Divorce in Jasper County
Several resources can assist Jasper County residents who need help with a divorce case. Some offer free legal aid based on income. Others connect you with a licensed family law attorney in the area. Getting help early can prevent costly mistakes in your case.
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents, including those in Jasper County. Their attorneys handle family law matters, including divorce proceedings. Visit sclegal.org to apply online or find a nearby office. For a paid attorney referral, contact the South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653. They can connect you with a family law attorney who serves the Jasper County area.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides self-help forms at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet contains the forms most often used in uncontested divorce cases in South Carolina. Step-by-step instructions are available on the site. Staff at the Jasper County Family Court may direct you to the right forms, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Public Records Access in Jasper County
Divorce records in Jasper County are public records under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, codified at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. Any member of the public can request to inspect or obtain copies of these records. You do not need to be a party to the case to view the file. The Clerk of Court must respond to a public records request within a reasonable time.
The image below shows the South Carolina Judicial Branch case records search portal, which provides online access to Jasper County divorce case information.
The Public Index lets you find basic case details from home without a trip to the courthouse in Ridgeland.
Some records may be restricted. Family Court judges can seal portions of a file when sensitive information is involved. Sealed records are not available to the public. To find clerks of court across all South Carolina counties, visit sccourts.org.
Cities in Jasper County
All Jasper County divorce cases are filed at the Jasper County Family Court in Ridgeland. There are no separate city-level family courts in Jasper County. Residents from all parts of the county file and retrieve divorce records at the courthouse in Ridgeland.
Nearby Counties
Jasper County borders several other South Carolina counties in the southern Lowcountry region. If you are unsure which county handles your divorce case, check the county where the defendant lives. South Carolina law sets venue at the defendant's county of residence.