York County Divorce Records

York County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of Court at the Family Court in York, South Carolina. York County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state, sitting on the southern edge of the Charlotte metropolitan area. It is part of the 16th Judicial Circuit. All divorce cases for residents of Rock Hill, Fort Mill, York, and the rest of the county are filed here. The clerk's office holds case files, final decrees, and certified copies. This guide explains how to search and request these records.

York County Family Court

York County Family Court is part of the 16th Judicial Circuit and handles all divorce and domestic cases for county residents. The court is in the city of York, the county seat. With close to 290,000 residents and a rapidly growing population, York County processes a high volume of family court cases each year. The Clerk of Court at 1675-2A York Highway maintains all records and processes public record requests.

The image below shows the York County government portal, which lists court offices, contact details, and public records access.

York County also provides a dedicated public records page for the Clerk of Court, making it easier to navigate record request options online.

Note: The York County Clerk of Court also has a dedicated public records page with additional guidance on requesting specific record types.

How to Search York County Divorce Records

York County offers several ways to search for divorce records. The state's online tool is the best starting point. The SC Judicial Branch case records search lets you look up family court cases by name, case number, or date. You can confirm a case exists and get the case number before contacting the clerk. This is especially helpful in a high-volume county like York, where knowing the case number speeds up the request process considerably.

The image below shows the SC Courts search portal, which covers York County family court cases.

For the full case file, you must contact the York County clerk in person or by phone. Online searches show basic case data only — not the actual documents.

Steps for requesting records at York County:

• Visit 1675-2A York Highway, York, SC 29745
• Go to the Clerk of Court window
• Provide the full names of both parties
• Share the case number if you have it
• State which documents you need
• Pay copy fees at the time of pickup

Note: Due to high case volume, York County may have longer wait times than smaller counties. Call ahead to ask about current processing time.

Fees for Divorce Record Copies

York County charges standard per-page copy fees for divorce records. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee. The total cost depends on the number of pages in the file and how many copies you need. For a single certified decree, the cost is usually modest. A full case file with many exhibits will cost more. Call (803) 628-3036 for current fee information.

Fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals who cannot afford copy costs. Ask the clerk about the waiver application process and what documentation is required. The initial filing fee for a new divorce case is approximately $150, but that does not apply to requests for copies of an existing case file.

Note: York County's public records page at yorkcountygov.com may list current fee schedules online.

Filing for Divorce in York County

Divorces in York County are filed under South Carolina law. The residency requirement under § 20-3-30 requires that at least one spouse be a state resident. If both live in South Carolina, one must have been a resident for at least three months. If only one spouse lives in South Carolina, that person must have lived here for at least one year before filing.

Under § 20-3-10, South Carolina allows divorce on fault and no-fault grounds. Fault grounds include adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and willful desertion for one year. The no-fault ground requires a one-year continuous separation with no cohabitation during that period. No-fault divorces make up the majority of York County filings. You start by submitting a Summons and Complaint for divorce along with required court forms to the clerk's office. The SCCA299 packet and other standardized forms are on the SC Courts court forms page.

York County residents with complicated property matters benefit from knowing that § 20-3-620 governs equitable distribution of marital assets. Given the strong real estate market in the Charlotte metro area, property division can be a significant issue. Alimony questions are handled under § 20-3-130.

Note: After filing, expect a waiting period of 60 to 90 days before the court schedules a final hearing.

What Is in a York County Divorce Case File

A divorce case file in York County can range from a few pages to a large binder depending on the complexity of the case. Contested cases involving significant property or custody disputes tend to have extensive files. Uncontested cases are shorter but still contain the core legal documents.

• Summons and Complaint for divorce
• Proof of service or acceptance of service
• Financial declaration forms
• Property settlement agreement or hearing transcript
• Alimony agreement or order
• Child custody and support orders if children are involved
• Final decree of divorce

The final decree is what most people need. It proves the divorce is legal and shows the exact date it was finalized. Many institutions require a certified copy of the decree when processing name changes, mortgage applications, or benefit updates.

Note: Cases filed in recent years are more likely to have scanned digital files. Older paper files may take longer to retrieve.

Divorce Certificates from SC DPH

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

A DPH divorce report is a summary document. It confirms that a divorce took place and is useful for name changes, updating benefits, and genealogy research. It is not a full certified court record and is not accepted in place of a court decree for most legal purposes. For a certified copy of the final decree, contact the York County Clerk of Court directly.

The image below shows the SC vital records certification page, where you can also request apostilles for international use.

As of January 1, 2026, DPH divorce reports no longer include the home addresses of the parties. This applies to all reports issued on or after that date.

Note: DPH records end at December 2023. For divorces finalized after that date, only the court file is available through the York County clerk.

Legal Help in York County

York County has a wide range of legal resources due to its size and proximity to Charlotte. South Carolina Legal Services provides free or low-cost family law help to income-qualifying residents. Apply or learn more at sclegal.org. They assist with divorce filings, custody, and related domestic matters throughout the county.

Private family law attorneys are widely available in Rock Hill and Fort Mill, the county's two largest population centers. Many attorneys in the York County area also handle cases for clients across the 16th Judicial Circuit. The SC Family Court information page explains court procedures and what to expect from the process if you choose to represent yourself.

Note: Fort Mill and Rock Hill have strong attorney markets due to growth, but the courthouse for all York County cases remains in the city of York.

Public Access to Divorce Records

South Carolina divorce records are public records under the SC Freedom of Information Act. Anyone can view or request copies of most York County divorce case files. You do not need to be a party in the case to access a public record. The file is open unless a judge has sealed it, which requires a separate court order.

Some details within court files are redacted. Social security numbers and bank account numbers are typically removed from public copies. Home addresses have been removed from DPH-issued records since January 1, 2026. Older court files may still contain address information depending on when they were filed. The clerk follows state guidelines on what to share and what to withhold.

York County's rapid growth has made it one of the busier courts in South Carolina. Rock Hill is the largest city, and Fort Mill is one of the fastest-growing towns in the state. As a result, the clerk processes more requests than most county offices. Allow extra time for responses during peak periods.

Genealogy researchers can use older York County divorce records to trace family history in the northern part of South Carolina. The Library of Congress South Carolina genealogy guide is a useful resource for finding historical vital records statewide. Remember that South Carolina did not permit divorce until April 1949, so no records exist from before that date.

Note: The SC Courts Clerks of Court directory at sccourts.org lists contact details for all 46 county clerk offices, including York County.

Cities in York County

York County includes several cities and towns. All divorce cases, regardless of where in the county you live, are filed at the York County Family Court in the city of York.

Nearby Counties

York County sits in the north-central part of South Carolina and borders several counties in the region. Each has its own Family Court and clerk's office for divorce records.

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