Lancaster County Divorce Records
Lancaster County divorce records are held by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in the city of Lancaster. The office stores all divorce complaints, decrees, and related case documents for the county. Lancaster County is in the northern portion of South Carolina, near the North Carolina border, and is part of the growing Charlotte metro area. It falls within the 6th Judicial Circuit. Residents who need to find, view, or obtain a copy of a divorce record can reach the Clerk of Court directly or use the online tools offered by the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Family Court
The Lancaster County Family Court handles all divorce cases for county residents. The Clerk of Court maintains every case file from the day a complaint is filed through the final decree. The court is located at 104 North Main Street in Lancaster. Staff at the Clerk of Court office can search records, retrieve case files, and make copies available to members of the public. Call ahead before your visit to confirm what documents and identification you need to bring.
Lancaster County is part of the 6th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina. This growing county has seen significant population increases due to its location near the Charlotte metropolitan area. The Family Court was established statewide in 1976 to hear domestic relations matters, including divorce, child custody, and support cases. All divorce filings for Lancaster County residents are processed through the courthouse in the city of Lancaster. The Clerk of Court can search records by name or case number, and older paper files may require extra time to locate. For more information about county services, visit lancastercountysc.net.
The image below shows the SC Courts courthouse portal used to find court information for Lancaster County.
The SC Courts site provides court locations, contact details, and filing guidance for Lancaster County residents.
| Court | Lancaster County Family Court 104 North Main Street Lancaster, SC 29720 Phone: (803) 285-6961 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | lancastercountysc.net |
How to Search Divorce Records in Lancaster County
You have two main options for searching divorce records in Lancaster County. Online search through the South Carolina Judicial Branch is the fastest approach for basic case details. An in-person visit to the Lancaster County Courthouse gives you full access to case files and allows you to get certified copies the same day.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index is the primary tool for searching divorce case records online. It covers all 46 counties, including Lancaster County. You can search by party name or case number at no charge. Filing date, parties involved, and case status appear in the results. Go to sccourts.org to search Lancaster County records. Cases filed before digital records were maintained may not appear online and will require a visit to the courthouse.
For the best results, 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 finalized
- Case number, if you already have it
- Any variant name spellings that might have been used
- The county where the case was filed, if it may not be Lancaster
For an in-person search, go to the Clerk of Court at 104 North Main Street in Lancaster. A valid photo ID is required. Staff can search the system, provide printouts, and issue certified copies of decrees. Genealogy researchers looking for older records may also use the Library of Congress South Carolina vital records guide at guides.loc.gov.
Note: Address information was removed from public court records in Lancaster County effective January 1, 2026.
Divorce Record Fees in Lancaster County
Filing a new divorce complaint in Lancaster County costs approximately $150. This amount is in line with the statewide fee schedule used across South Carolina. Fees for copies and other services are determined separately by the Clerk of Court. Always call (803) 285-6961 before visiting to verify current rates, as fees are subject to change.
Certified copies of divorce decrees carry a higher fee than plain photocopies. The exact per-page rate for certified copies should be confirmed directly with the office. Service fees apply when the other spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers. You may arrange service through the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, a private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Each method has its own cost. Residents with limited income may qualify for a fee waiver by filing an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Lancaster County Family Court.
Filing for Divorce in Lancaster County
The divorce filing process in Lancaster County follows South Carolina state law. The process begins when one spouse files a divorce complaint with the Clerk of Court at the Lancaster County Courthouse. A case number is issued at that time. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have resided in South Carolina for one year before filing. If both spouses currently live in South Carolina, three months of residency is sufficient. Venue is proper in Lancaster County when the defendant lives here.
Once the complaint is filed, you must serve the other spouse. South Carolina law allows service through the Lancaster County Sheriff, a licensed private process server, or other approved methods. Proof of service is placed in the case file. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the recognized grounds for divorce in South Carolina include one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion for one year. The one-year separation ground is used most often in Lancaster County. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, uncontested divorces require a waiting period of at least two or three months after service before a final hearing, depending on the ground.
Property and financial matters are handled within the same case. South Carolina uses equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620, which divides marital assets fairly but not always equally. Spousal support is addressed under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final divorce decree is a public record kept by the Lancaster County Clerk of Court.
Note: Divorce was not legal in South Carolina until April 1949, so no divorce records from the state exist before that date.
What Lancaster County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Lancaster County includes documents produced at each stage of the proceedings. The complaint for divorce is the first filing. It names both parties and states the legal grounds for the divorce. The defendant's answer or response follows. When the parties agree on terms, a written marital settlement agreement is filed with the court. Each of these papers forms part of the public case record held at the Lancaster County Courthouse.
The divorce decree is the most significant document in the file. It is the final court order that ends the marriage. The decree may address property division, spousal support, child custody, and name changes. Certified copies of the decree are commonly needed for updating a driver's license, changing financial accounts, or completing real estate transfers. The Lancaster County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee.
Additional documents found in a Lancaster County divorce file may include:
- Summons served on the defendant
- Affidavits and financial statements filed by either party
- Temporary court orders entered during the case
- Parenting plans or custody agreements if children are involved
- Hearing transcripts or recorded proceedings
Note: Portions of a Lancaster County divorce file may be sealed or redacted by court order, particularly information about minor children or financial account numbers.
Divorce Certificates from South Carolina DPH
The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues divorce certificates that differ from the case records maintained by the Lancaster County Clerk of Court. A divorce certificate is a short document confirming that a divorce was granted. It includes the names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, and the county where it was filed. It does not contain the terms of the settlement, which appear only in the full divorce decree on file in Lancaster.
DPH holds divorce data for South Carolina cases filed 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 you can place an order.
Online orders through VitalChek are the quickest way to receive a divorce certificate. Contact the Lancaster County Clerk of Court for the full decree and all case documents.
The image below shows the South Carolina vital records certification page for apostille services.
If you need a South Carolina divorce certificate certified for use in another country, the Secretary of State at sos.sc.gov handles apostille requests.
Legal Help for Divorce in Lancaster County
Lancaster County residents who need help with a divorce case have several options. Free legal assistance is available for those who meet income requirements. Paid attorney referrals are available for others. Getting legal guidance early can prevent mistakes and delays in your case.
South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents, including those in Lancaster County. Their attorneys handle family law matters, including divorce. Visit sclegal.org to apply online or locate the nearest office. For a paid referral, call the South Carolina Bar at (803) 799-6653. Their lawyer referral service can connect you with a family law attorney who handles cases in Lancaster County.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch posts self-help forms at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet provides the forms most often used in uncontested divorce cases in South Carolina. Instructions are included on the website. Staff at the Lancaster County Family Court can point you to the right forms but cannot give legal advice.
Public Records Access in Lancaster County
Divorce records in Lancaster 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 copy these records without being a party to the case. The Clerk of Court must respond to a valid public records request within a reasonable time period.
Some records may be restricted. Family Court judges can seal portions of a file when sensitive issues are involved. Sealed records are not available to the public. For a full list of South Carolina clerks of court and their contact information, visit sccourts.org.
The South Carolina Courts case records search portal provides online access to Lancaster County divorce case information without requiring an in-person visit to the courthouse.
Cities in Lancaster County
All Lancaster County divorce cases are filed at the Lancaster County Family Court. There are no separate city-level family courts operating in Lancaster County. Residents from every part of the county file and retrieve divorce records at the courthouse in the city of Lancaster.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County borders several other South Carolina counties in the northern part of the state. If you are unsure which county is the right venue for your divorce, check where the defendant currently lives. South Carolina law requires filing in the defendant's county of residence.