Laurens County Divorce Records
Laurens County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in the city of Laurens. The office holds all divorce complaints, decrees, and related case documents for the county. Laurens County is in the northwestern portion of South Carolina, in the Upstate region, and is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit. The county is largely rural with a tight-knit community. Residents who need to locate, review, or obtain a copy of a divorce record can contact the Clerk of Court directly or use the online tools available through the South Carolina Judicial Branch.
Laurens County Quick Facts
Laurens County Family Court
The Laurens County Family Court handles all divorce cases for county residents. The Clerk of Court keeps every case file from the day a complaint is filed through the final decree. The court is located at 100 Hillcrest Drive in the city of Laurens. 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 verify hours and what forms of identification are required.
Laurens County is part of the 8th Judicial Circuit of South Carolina, which also includes Abbeville and Greenwood counties. The Family Court was established statewide in 1976 to hear domestic relations matters including divorce, child custody, and support. All divorce filings for Laurens County residents go through the single courthouse in Laurens. The Clerk of Court searches records by name or case number. Older paper files may require extra time to retrieve. Visit laurenscounty.us for general county information and links to county offices.
The source below shows the Laurens County Clerk of Court page where residents can find information about court services and public records access.
The Clerk of Court office is the starting point for finding and obtaining Laurens County divorce case documents.
| Court | Laurens County Family Court 100 Hillcrest Drive Laurens, SC 29360 Phone: (864) 984-3717 |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Website | laurenscounty.us |
How to Search Divorce Records in Laurens County
There are two main ways to search for divorce records in Laurens County. Online search through the South Carolina Judicial Branch is the faster route for basic case information. An in-person visit to the Laurens County Courthouse is the right choice when you need full file access or certified copies of documents.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index is the primary online tool for searching divorce records. It covers all 46 South Carolina counties, including Laurens. You can search by party name or case number at no cost. Basic details like filing date, parties, and case status appear in the results. Visit sccourts.org to search Laurens County divorce records online. Cases filed before digital records were kept may not appear online and will require a trip to the courthouse in Laurens.
Before you start your search, have these details ready:
- 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 available
- Any variant name spellings that may have been used
For in-person searches, visit the Clerk of Court at 100 Hillcrest Drive in Laurens. Bring a valid photo ID. Staff can search the system, produce printouts, and issue certified copies of decrees. Genealogy researchers may also find useful guidance through the Library of Congress South Carolina vital records portal at guides.loc.gov.
Note: Address information was removed from public court records in Laurens County effective January 1, 2026.
Divorce Record Fees in Laurens County
Filing a new divorce complaint in Laurens County costs approximately $150. This matches the statewide fee schedule in place across South Carolina. Fees for copies and related services are set separately by the Clerk of Court. Always call (864) 984-3717 before your visit to confirm current rates, since these can change over time.
Certified copies of divorce decrees are priced higher than plain photocopies. The exact per-page fee for certified documents should be verified with the Clerk of Court before your visit. Service fees apply when the other spouse must be formally served with the divorce papers. You may use the Laurens County Sheriff's Office, a licensed private process server, or certified mail with return receipt. Each service option has its own cost. Residents with limited income may qualify for a fee waiver by submitting an Affidavit and Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis with the Laurens County Family Court.
Filing for Divorce in Laurens County
The divorce process in Laurens County begins when one spouse files a complaint with the Clerk of Court at the Laurens County Courthouse. A case number is assigned at the time of filing. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-30, at least one spouse must have lived in South Carolina for one full year before filing. If both spouses currently reside in the state, the residency requirement drops to three months. Venue is set in Laurens County when the defendant lives here.
After filing, you must serve the other spouse. South Carolina allows service through the Laurens County Sheriff, a private process server, or another court-approved method. Proof of service is placed in the case file. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-10, the grounds for divorce recognized in South Carolina are one year of continuous separation, adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and desertion lasting one year. The one-year separation ground is the most frequently used in Laurens County. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-80, a waiting period of at least two or three months after service must pass before a final hearing, depending on the ground used.
Property and financial matters are resolved within the same divorce case. South Carolina applies equitable distribution under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-620. Marital assets are divided fairly but not always in equal shares. Spousal support is governed by S.C. Code Ann. § 20-3-130. The final divorce decree is the court's official order ending the marriage. It becomes a public record maintained by the Laurens County Clerk of Court.
Note: Divorce was illegal in South Carolina until April 1949, so no state divorce records exist before that year.
What Laurens County Divorce Records Contain
A divorce case file in Laurens County holds documents created at each stage of the proceedings. The complaint for divorce is the first paper filed. It names both parties and sets out the legal grounds for the divorce. The defendant's answer or response follows after service. If the parties reach an agreement on the terms, a written marital settlement agreement is filed with the court. All these papers make up the public case record kept at the Laurens County Courthouse.
The divorce decree is the most critical document. It is the final court order that legally ends the marriage. The decree may address property division, spousal support, child custody, and name restoration. Certified copies of the decree are often needed for changing a driver's license, updating financial accounts, or handling real estate matters. The Laurens County Clerk of Court issues certified copies for a fee set by the office.
Other items typically found in a Laurens County divorce file include:
- Summons served on the defendant
- Affidavits and financial disclosures from either party
- Temporary court orders entered before the final hearing
- Parenting plans or custody agreements
- Hearing transcripts or recorded proceedings
- Final order or judgment of divorce
Note: Some portions of a Laurens County divorce file may be sealed by the court, including details about minor children or sensitive financial information.
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 Laurens County Clerk of Court. A divorce certificate confirms that a divorce took place. It includes the names of both parties, the date the divorce was granted, and the county where it was filed. This document does not contain the settlement terms. Those details are found only in the full divorce decree kept in Laurens.
The DPH holds records for South Carolina divorce cases filed from July 1962 through December 2023. Each certificate costs $12. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail to the Division of Vital Records in Columbia, or in person. The image below shows the DPH divorce reports page where you can place an order.
The Laurens County portal provides links to the Clerk of Court office and other resources for accessing public records in the county.
Online orders placed through VitalChek are the fastest way to receive a certificate. For the full divorce decree with all terms and conditions, contact the Laurens County Clerk of Court. For apostille certification needed for use in another country, the South Carolina Secretary of State handles requests at sos.sc.gov.
Legal Help for Divorce in Laurens County
Laurens County residents facing a divorce have access to several sources of legal assistance. Free help is available for those who meet income guidelines. Paid attorney referrals are also available for those who do not qualify for free aid. Early legal guidance often prevents costly errors and delays.
South Carolina Legal Services offers free civil legal help to qualifying low-income residents across the state, including those in Laurens County. Their attorneys work on family law matters, including divorce cases. Visit sclegal.org to apply online or find the nearest 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 practices in Laurens County and the surrounding Upstate area.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides free self-help forms at sccourts.org/court-forms. The SCCA299 packet contains the forms used most often in uncontested divorce cases in South Carolina. Instructions are posted on the site. Staff at the Laurens County Family Court can point you to the right forms but are not permitted to give legal advice.
Public Records Access in Laurens County
Divorce records in Laurens 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 divorce case. The Clerk of Court must respond to a valid public records request within a reasonable time.
The image below shows the SC Courts courthouse search portal, which can be used to locate court contact details and resources for Laurens County.
The SC Courts portal helps residents locate the courthouse address, contact information, and other court resources for Laurens County.
Some records may be restricted. Family Court judges can seal parts of a file when sensitive information is at stake. Sealed records are not available to the public. For contact information for all 46 South Carolina clerks of court, visit sccourts.org.
Cities in Laurens County
All Laurens County divorce cases are filed at the Laurens County Family Court. There are no separate city-level family courts in Laurens County. Residents from all parts of the county, including Clinton and smaller communities, file and retrieve divorce records at the courthouse in the city of Laurens.
Nearby Counties
Laurens County shares borders with several other South Carolina counties in the Upstate region. If you are uncertain which county is the right venue for your divorce case, check where the defendant currently resides. South Carolina law requires filing in the county where the defendant lives.