Richland County Divorce Records

Richland County divorce records are filed with the Clerk of Court and handled by the Family Court, both located at the courthouse in Columbia, the South Carolina state capital. The 5th Judicial Circuit serves Richland County, which is the second most populous county in the state with around 420,000 residents. All divorce cases — from initial filing through the final decree — are part of the public court record under state law. Searches are available online through the SC Courts system or in person at the Main Street courthouse. Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina and a wide range of legal resources for residents navigating the family court process.

Richland County Family Court

The Richland County Family Court sits at 1701 Main Street in Columbia and is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit. South Carolina created the Family Court as a distinct judicial division in 1976. Since then, every divorce filed in Richland County has gone through this court. The Clerk of Court keeps the official record of each case. Columbia's role as the state capital means the courthouse also serves as a hub for statewide legal activity.

The courthouse is on Main Street in the heart of Columbia. Public parking is available nearby. The Clerk's office is on the ground floor and can assist with locating case files, requesting copies, and directing you to the right window for certified documents.

Given the size of Richland County, the volume of cases is high. Arriving early in the day helps avoid long waits, especially mid-week when foot traffic tends to peak.

The image below is from the Richland County official website.

The county site lists all departments and services, including the Clerk of Court and the links for online record access.

Note: Office hours may differ on state or federal holidays. Call the Clerk's office at (803) 576-1999 before visiting on days near a holiday.

How to Search Richland County Divorce Records

Richland County divorce records can be searched through two main channels. The first is the SC Courts online Public Index, which covers cases filed in the county's Family Court. The second is an in-person visit to the Clerk of Court on Main Street. Both options draw from the same underlying record system. Online results show case-level data. Full documents require a direct request to the Clerk's office.

The SC Courts case records search allows anyone to search by name or case number. You can filter by county and court type. Results show the case status, filing date, and parties involved. Since January 1, 2026, home address details have been removed from online case displays in line with a statewide privacy update.

To search in person at the courthouse, plan to bring:

• Full legal name of one or both parties
• The approximate year the divorce was filed
• Case number if you already have it
• A valid photo ID
• Payment for copies or certifications

Staff can retrieve the file and allow you to review it. Copies cost a per-page fee. Certified copies require additional processing and cost more. Older cases may be stored off-site and could take extra time to retrieve.

Note: The online search tool shows case summaries. Full document images are not always available digitally for older filings.

Filing Fees and Copy Costs

The base filing fee for a divorce in Richland County is around $150, paid to the Clerk of Court at the time of filing. This covers the administrative cost of opening the case. Additional motions, such as requests for temporary orders or enforcement actions, carry separate fees. These amounts are set by state statute and can change when the legislature updates the fee schedule.

Copies of documents from an existing case file are priced per page. Plain photocopies cost less than certified copies. Certified copies carry an official seal and signature and are required for legal use outside the court system — such as for name changes with the Social Security Administration or a passport renewal. The Clerk's office can provide an exact price list. Fee waivers exist for filers who meet income criteria and must be requested in writing at the time of filing with supporting financial documents.

Note: Always confirm current fees with the Richland County Clerk of Court, as amounts can be updated without notice on this site.

The Divorce Filing Process in Richland County

Filing for divorce in Richland County begins with meeting the residency requirement under South Carolina Code § 20-3-30. When both spouses live in the state, either may file after three months of state residency. When only one spouse lives in South Carolina, that spouse must have been a resident for at least one year. Under § 20-3-60, venue is proper in any county where either spouse lives, so Richland County residents can file here even if their spouse lives elsewhere in the state.

South Carolina lists five divorce grounds in § 20-3-10. These are adultery, willful desertion for one year, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and living separate and apart for one year without cohabitation. The one-year separation ground does not require proving fault and is by far the most common basis used in Richland County. Once a petition is filed and served, § 20-3-80 sets a waiting period of two to three months before a final hearing can take place.

Property is divided under § 20-3-620, which follows the equitable distribution standard. This means fair rather than equal. The judge weighs factors like the length of the marriage, each spouse's income and contributions, and what assets each brought in. Alimony under § 20-3-130 is decided separately based on the specific facts and financial situation of the parties.

The image below is from the SC Courts courthouse directory.

The SC Courts directory lists courthouse addresses and clerk contacts for all 46 counties, including Richland.

Note: The filing process has multiple required steps. Missing a deadline or filing the wrong form can add significant time to your case.

What Divorce Records Contain

A Richland County divorce case file can hold many types of documents depending on the complexity of the case. Uncontested cases tend to be shorter. Contested cases, especially those involving children or substantial property, often include much more material.

Typical documents in a Richland County divorce file include:

• Summons and complaint filed by the petitioner
• Response from the other party
• Temporary restraining orders or support orders
• Financial declarations from both spouses
• Marital settlement agreement if applicable
• Final divorce decree issued by the Family Court judge
• Any post-decree motions to modify orders

The final decree is the key document. It ends the marriage and sets the terms for any property split, parenting plan, or support obligation. You will need this document for name changes, benefits updates, and remarriage.

Note: Per the statewide change effective January 1, 2026, address information no longer appears in public-facing court record displays.

Divorce Certificates from the SC Department of Public Health

The South Carolina Department of Public Health holds a statewide collection of divorce reports going back to July 1962 and running through December 2023. These reports are a summary record, not the full court file. A certified copy costs $12 and confirms the legal fact of a divorce. People use this type of document when they need quick proof of a prior divorce for government or administrative purposes without pulling the entire case file from the courthouse.

Requests can be made through the DPH vital records page or through VitalChek. You will need the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and proof of your identity. Turnaround times vary, and expedited service may be available for an added charge.

For documents that need to be used internationally, the SC Secretary of State provides apostille certification through its vital records certification service. This attaches an authentication stamp recognized by foreign governments.

The image below is from the SC Courts Family Court information page.

The SC Courts site provides background on the Family Court system and links to local court contacts across all 46 counties.

Note: DPH records stop at December 2023. For divorces finalized after that date, only the Richland County Clerk of Court has the record.

Legal Help in Richland County

Richland County has more legal resources than most South Carolina counties given its size and its role as the state capital. Self-represented filers can use the standardized packet of forms available through the SC Courts forms page. The SCCA299 packet covers uncontested divorce filings. Clerk's office staff can help you find the right form but are not permitted to give legal advice.

SC Legal Services offers free civil legal help to income-eligible residents in Richland County. They handle family law cases, including divorce, and can assist with cases involving children, domestic situations, or contested property. Even for relatively simple divorces, a brief consultation with an attorney can help identify issues you might not have considered. Columbia's legal community is large enough that most residents can find representation at a range of price points.

Note: SC Legal Services is income-based. Contact them directly at sclegal.org to find out if you qualify before your filing date.

Public Access Under South Carolina Law

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act, found at Title 30, Chapter 4, makes most court records accessible to the public. Richland County Family Court files are open for inspection at the courthouse unless a judge has ordered a file sealed. Sealed cases require a court order to access. The vast majority of divorce case files are not sealed and can be reviewed during business hours.

Online access through the Public Index shows case-level data for all filed cases. Full document images may not be available for older cases or those filed before electronic records were standard. Paper-only cases must be accessed in person. The SC Courts clerks of court directory is the best starting point for finding current contact information for the Richland County Clerk's office.

Researchers with historical or genealogical needs can also consult the Library of Congress South Carolina vital records guide. Divorce was not legal in South Carolina until April 1949, so court records for divorce only exist from that date forward.

Note: Access to records in active cases may be limited until the case is fully resolved by the court.

Cities in Richland County

Richland County is anchored by Columbia, the state capital and the county seat. Columbia is the largest city in South Carolina and the center of activity for the 5th Judicial Circuit.

Nearby Counties

Richland County is surrounded by several counties across the central portion of South Carolina. Each maintains its own Family Court for divorce filings and public record access.

View All 46 Counties