Kershaw County Divorce Records
Kershaw County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Camden. The office stores all divorce filings, decrees, and case documents for the county. Kershaw County is in the north-central portion of South Carolina and is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. Camden is one of South Carolina's oldest cities and served as a key site during the Revolutionary War. Residents who need to search, review, or obtain a divorce record can contact the Clerk of Court directly or use online resources provided by the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Kershaw County Quick Facts
Kershaw County Family Court
The Kershaw County Family Court handles all divorce cases for county residents. The Clerk of Court maintains every case file from the time a complaint is filed through the final decree. The court is located at 1121 Broad Street in Camden. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can search records, pull case files, and make copies available to the public. Call ahead before visiting to confirm hours and what identification you need to bring.
Kershaw County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. The Family Court was created statewide in 1976 to hear domestic relations cases including divorce, child custody, and support matters. All divorce proceedings for Kershaw County residents go through the courthouse in Camden. The Clerk of Court can search by name or case number. Older paper records may take additional time to retrieve from storage. For general county information, visit kershawcountysc.net.
The image below shows the SC Courts courthouse search portal used to locate court services in Kershaw County.
The SC Courts site helps residents find court locations, contact information, and filing instructions for Kershaw County.
| Court | Kershaw County Family Court 1121 Broad Street Camden, SC 29020 Phone: (803) 425-1500 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | kershawcountysc.net |
How to Search Divorce Records in Kershaw County
There are two main ways to search for divorce records in Kershaw County. Online search through the South Carolina Judicial Branch is the faster option for basic case information. An in-person visit to the Kershaw County Courthouse in Camden is the better choice when you need full case files or certified document copies.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index is the primary online tool for divorce case records. It covers all 46 counties, including Kershaw. You can search by party name or case number at no cost. Basic details such as filing date, case parties, and current status appear in the results. Visit sccourts.org to begin searching Kershaw County records online. Older cases filed before digitization may require an in-person request at the courthouse in Camden.
To get the best results, gather this information before you search:
- Full legal name of one or both spouses at the time of the divorce
- Approximate year the divorce was filed or finalized
- Case number, if you have it
- Any alternative name spellings to try
For in-person searches, visit the Clerk of Court at 1121 Broad Street in Camden. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can look up cases, produce printouts, and issue certified copies of divorce decrees. Genealogy researchers may also find the Library of Congress South Carolina vital records guide at guides.loc.gov a useful starting point.
Note: Address information was removed from public court records in Kershaw County effective January 1, 2026.
Divorce Record Fees in Kershaw County
Filing a new divorce complaint in Kershaw County costs approximately $150. This is consistent with the statewide fee schedule across South Carolina. Fees for copies and other services are determined separately by the Clerk of Court. Call (803) 425-1500 before your visit to confirm current rates, as fees may change.
Certified copies of divorce decrees cost more than standard photocopies. The per-page rate for certified copies varies and should be confirmed with the clerk's office. Service fees apply when the other spouse must be served with divorce papers. You may use the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office, a licensed private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Each service method has its own cost. If your income is limited, you may be eligible for a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Family Court in Kershaw County.
Filing for Divorce in Kershaw County
The divorce process in Kershaw County begins when one spouse files a complaint with the Clerk of Court at the Kershaw County Courthouse. A case number is assigned at filing. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one year before a divorce can be filed. When both spouses are South Carolina residents, only three months of state residency is required. Venue is set in Kershaw County when the defendant resides here.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse. South Carolina permits service through the Kershaw County Sheriff, a licensed process server, or other court-approved methods. Proof of service is added to the case file. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, recognized grounds for divorce in South Carolina are one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. The one-year separation ground is the most widely used in Kershaw County. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, a minimum waiting period of two or three months after service must pass before a final hearing, depending on the ground used.
Property and financial issues are resolved in the divorce case. South Carolina applies equitable distribution principles under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Marital property is divided fairly but not necessarily in equal shares. Spousal support may be addressed under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final divorce decree is signed by the Family Court judge and filed as a public record with the Kershaw County Clerk of Court.
Note: Divorce was illegal in South Carolina until April 1949, so no state divorce records exist before that year.
What Kershaw County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Kershaw County includes many documents created during the proceedings. The complaint for divorce is the first document in the file. It names both parties and sets out the grounds under South Carolina law. The defendant's answer or response follows. If the parties reach an agreement, a written marital settlement agreement is filed with the court. All these papers are part of the public case file held at the Kershaw County Courthouse.
The divorce decree is the key document. It is the final court order that ends the marriage. The decree may cover property division, spousal support, child custody, and name restoration. Certified copies of the decree are often needed for updating identification, bank records, or completing real estate transactions. The Kershaw County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee set by the office.
Other documents typically found in a Kershaw County divorce file include:
- Summons issued to the defendant
- Financial declarations filed by either party
- Temporary orders entered during the case
- Custody agreements or parenting plans
- Hearing transcripts or recorded proceedings
- Final judgment or decree of divorce
Note: Certain portions of a Kershaw County divorce file may be sealed by court order, particularly records involving minor children or sensitive financial data.
Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH
The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates that are separate from the case records held by the Kershaw County Clerk of Court. A certificate is a brief document confirming that a divorce was granted. It shows both spouses' names, the date, and the county. It does not include the settlement terms. Those details are only in the full divorce decree held in Camden.
The DPH holds divorce data for cases filed in South Carolina from July 1962 through December 2023. Each certificate costs $12. You can order through VitalChek online, 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 you can start an order.
Online orders through VitalChek are the fastest route to receiving a certificate. For the full decree with all terms, contact the Kershaw County Clerk of Court in Camden.
The image below shows the SC Judicial Branch portal, which is another key access point for Kershaw County divorce case records.
The Judicial Branch portal connects you to the Public Index and other tools for locating case information across all South Carolina counties.
For apostille certification of a South Carolina divorce certificate for use abroad, contact the Secretary of State at sos.sc.gov.
Legal Help for Divorce in Kershaw County
Several resources are available for Kershaw County residents who need help with a divorce case. Free legal aid is offered to those who qualify based on income. Paid attorney referrals are also available for those who need representation. Getting guidance early can help avoid costly errors.
South Carolina Legal Services offers free civil legal help to low-income residents across the state, including Kershaw County. Their attorneys handle family law cases, including divorce. Visit sclegal.org to apply online or find a local office near Camden. For a paid referral, call the South Carolina Bar's lawyer referral service at (803) 799-6653. They can match you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Kershaw County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch posts self-help forms at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet covers the forms most commonly used in uncontested divorce cases. Clear instructions are included on the site. Staff at the Kershaw County Family Court can direct you to the right forms but are not permitted to offer legal advice.
Public Records Access in Kershaw County
Divorce records in Kershaw County are public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, found at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10. Any person can request to inspect or copy these records. You do not need to be a party to the case. The Clerk of Court must respond to a public records request within a reasonable period.
Some records may be restricted. Judges can seal portions of a file to protect sensitive information. Records under seal are not available to the public. For contact information for clerks of court across all 46 South Carolina counties, visit sccourts.org.
The image below shows the South Carolina Family Court information page, which describes how court records are maintained and accessed across the state.
The Family Court information page outlines the structure and rules for accessing domestic case records in South Carolina.
Cities in Kershaw County
All Kershaw County divorce cases are filed at the Kershaw County Family Court in Camden. There are no separate city-level family courts in Kershaw County. Residents from across the county file and retrieve divorce records at the courthouse in Camden.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County is surrounded by several other South Carolina counties in the north-central part of the state. If you are not sure which county handles your divorce case, check where the defendant lives. South Carolina law sets venue in the county of the defendant's residence.