Williamsburg County Divorce Records

Williamsburg County divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in Kingstree, South Carolina. Located in the Pee Dee region of the northeastern part of the state, Williamsburg County is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases for county residents go through the Family Court in Kingstree, the county seat. The clerk's office holds case files, final decrees, and related documents. This page explains how to locate, request, and use these records.

Williamsburg County Family Court

The Williamsburg County Family Court operates as part of the 15th Judicial Circuit and handles all divorce and domestic matters for the county. The court is located in Kingstree, the county seat, in the northeastern part of South Carolina. Judges here hear cases involving divorce, property division, alimony, and custody. The Clerk of Court maintains all case records and is the proper office for public record requests.

The image below is from the Williamsburg County government portal, which provides access to court and clerk information.

The portal directs visitors to the clerk's office, which keeps records for all family court cases in the county.

Note: Call ahead if you are traveling a long distance, as rural courthouse hours can sometimes vary around holidays.

How to Search Williamsburg County Divorce Records

You can start your search for Williamsburg County divorce records using the statewide online case search tool. The SC Judicial Branch case records search lets you search by party name or case number. This tool shows basic case information including filing date and case status. It does not provide full documents, but it helps you confirm that a case exists and note the case number before visiting the courthouse.

For full records, you must contact the clerk's office in person. Staff can pull the file and make copies for you. Williamsburg County is a rural area, and the clerk's office is smaller than those in urban counties. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm the file is available before making the trip to Kingstree.

The image below shows the SC Courts portal used to locate Williamsburg County case records online.

Steps for requesting records in person:

• Go to 147 West Irishman Street, Kingstree, SC 29556
• Ask for family court records at the clerk's window
• Provide both parties' names or the case number
• Give an approximate year of filing if you do not have a case number
• Request specific documents or the full case file
• Pay the copy fee before receiving documents

Note: If you call ahead, staff may be able to pull the file in advance so it is ready when you arrive.

Fees for Divorce Record Copies

The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court charges per-page copy fees for divorce records. Certified copies carry an additional fee on top of the standard copy rate. If you only need the final decree, the cost is lower than requesting a full case file. Call the clerk at (843) 355-9321 to get current fee information before your visit.

Fee waivers may be available for those who qualify based on financial need. Ask the clerk about the waiver process. The initial filing fee for a new divorce case is approximately $150, but that does not apply when you are requesting copies of an existing case.

Note: Confirm accepted payment methods with the clerk before you go, as some offices may not accept all card types.

Filing for Divorce in Williamsburg County

To file for divorce in Williamsburg County, at least one spouse must meet the residency requirement under South Carolina Code § 20-3-30. If both spouses live in South Carolina, one must have been a state resident for at least three months. If only one spouse lives here, that person must have been a resident for at least one year.

South Carolina § 20-3-10 allows divorce on both fault-based and no-fault grounds. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and willful desertion lasting one year. The no-fault ground requires a continuous separation of one year without cohabitation. Most divorces in Williamsburg County are no-fault filings. You begin the process by filing a Summons and Complaint at the Family Court clerk's window. The SCCA299 form packet and other required forms are available through the SC Courts forms page.

Under § 20-3-620, marital property is divided through equitable distribution. Alimony may be awarded under § 20-3-130 based on factors including the length of the marriage and the financial condition of each spouse.

Note: After filing, the court requires a waiting period of 60 to 90 days before a final hearing can be scheduled.

What Divorce Records Contain

A Williamsburg County divorce case file typically includes the documents filed throughout the case. Contested cases have larger files. Uncontested cases are often shorter but still contain the key documents needed to prove the divorce is final.

• Summons and Complaint for divorce
• Return of service or acceptance of service
• Financial declarations from both parties
• Marital settlement agreement if applicable
• Alimony order or agreement
• Child custody and support orders if applicable
• Final decree of divorce

The final decree is the most requested document. It states the date the marriage ended and is accepted as proof of divorce by government agencies and financial institutions. Certified copies are needed for most official purposes.

Note: Court records for cases before 1976 may be stored under an older court structure. The clerk can help you locate pre-1976 records.

Divorce Certificates from SC DPH

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains statewide divorce records for cases finalized from July 1962 through December 2023. A divorce report from DPH costs $12 and can be requested through the DPH vital records page or through VitalChek.

The image below shows the DPH vital records page where Williamsburg County residents can request a statewide divorce report.

DPH reports are a summary record. They confirm a divorce took place but do not include the full court file details. They work well for name changes, insurance purposes, and genealogy research. For legal matters that require an official court document, request a certified copy from the Williamsburg County clerk.

As of January 1, 2026, addresses of the parties are no longer included in DPH divorce reports. This change affects all reports issued on or after that date.

Note: DPH records only go through December 2023. For divorces finalized after that date, contact the Williamsburg County Clerk of Court directly.

Legal Help in Williamsburg County

Williamsburg County is a rural county with limited local legal services. South Carolina Legal Services offers free or reduced-cost legal help to residents who qualify based on income. Their services include help with divorce filings, custody, and related matters. Apply online at sclegal.org or call their main number.

Private family law attorneys in the Pee Dee region also serve Williamsburg County clients. The SC Family Court overview on the state judiciary website explains the court process and what to expect if you represent yourself. Reading through it before your first hearing can help you prepare.

Note: If you cannot find a local attorney, the SC Bar's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with attorneys who handle family law cases across the state.

Public Access to Divorce Records

Divorce records in South Carolina are public records under the SC Freedom of Information Act. This means most divorce case files are open to any member of the public, not just the parties in the case. A judge must specifically order a file sealed for it to be restricted, which is uncommon in routine divorce cases.

Some information within case files may be redacted. Social security numbers and bank account numbers are typically withheld. Since January 1, 2026, home addresses are no longer included in DPH-issued divorce reports. Older court files may still show address information. The clerk follows state rules on redaction.

Genealogy researchers will find Williamsburg County records useful for tracing Pee Dee region family histories. The Library of Congress South Carolina genealogy guide points to vital records resources across the state. Keep in mind that South Carolina did not allow divorce until April 1949, so no records exist from before that date anywhere in the state.

Note: The clerk's office can direct you to microfilm or older paper records that predate digital filing systems.

Cities in Williamsburg County

All Williamsburg County divorce cases are filed at the Williamsburg County Family Court in Kingstree. There are no separate filing locations elsewhere in the county.

Nearby Counties

Williamsburg County sits in the Pee Dee region and borders several counties in northeastern South Carolina. Each county has its own Family Court and Clerk of Court office.

View All 46 Counties