Spartanburg County Divorce Records

What Are Spartanburg County Divorce Records?

Spartanburg County divorce records are official documents that provide legal evidence of the dissolution of a marriage within Spartanburg County, South Carolina. These records are maintained by the Spartanburg County Family Court and include all documentation related to divorce proceedings, from the initial filing to the final decree. Divorce records contain personal information about the parties involved, grounds for divorce, property settlements, child custody arrangements, and other relevant details about the termination of the marriage.

Are Spartanburg County Divorce Records Public?

Yes, divorce records in Spartanburg County are considered public records under South Carolina law. This means that most divorce documents can be accessed by any member of the public. However, certain sensitive information may be redacted or sealed by court order to protect privacy, particularly in cases involving minors, domestic violence, or other sensitive matters. While the records are public, accessing them typically requires following specific procedures and may involve fees.

How To Find a Divorce Record In Spartanburg County in 2025

To find a divorce record in Spartanburg County in 2025, you can:

1. Visit the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's office in person at the Family Court division. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

2. Provide the names of the parties involved in the divorce and approximate date of the divorce filing or finalization.

3. Complete a records request form and pay the applicable search and copy fees.

4. For divorces finalized after 1950, you can also contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Vital Records. 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201

5. For more recent records, the South Carolina Judicial Department may have information available through their online case search system.

How To Look Up Divorce Records in Spartanburg County Online?

Looking up divorce records online in Spartanburg County can be done through:

1. The South Carolina Judicial Department's Case Records Search: https://www.sccourts.org/caseSearch/ This system allows searches for family court cases, including divorces, though access to detailed documents may be limited.

2. Third-party websites that aggregate public records, though these may charge fees and might not have complete or up-to-date information.

3. The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's website may offer limited online search capabilities for case information.

Note that while basic case information may be available online, obtaining complete divorce records often requires an in-person visit or mail request to the Family Court.

How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Spartanburg County?

Finding divorce records for free in Spartanburg County is possible through:

1. Visiting the Spartanburg County Family Court in person to view records. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306 While viewing may be free, copying documents typically incurs fees.

2. Using public access terminals at the courthouse to search for case information.

3. Checking the South Carolina Judicial Department's free online case search for basic case information.

4. Visiting local public libraries that may have access to public records databases. Spartanburg County Public Libraries Headquarters, 151 S. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

5. Contacting legal aid organizations that might assist with records searches for qualifying individuals. South Carolina Legal Services, 148 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

What's Included in a Divorce Records In Spartanburg County

Spartanburg County divorce records typically include:

1. The initial divorce petition or complaint
2. Summons and proof of service
3. Financial declarations from both parties
4. Property settlement agreements
5. Child custody and support arrangements
6. Visitation schedules
7. Responses and counterclaims
8. Court orders and temporary relief orders
9. Final divorce decree or judgment
10. Name change information (if applicable)
11. Mediation agreements
12. Affidavits and witness testimonies
13. Court hearing transcripts (if requested)

The comprehensiveness of records varies by case, with some divorces having minimal documentation and others containing extensive filings.

How To Get Proof of Divorce In Spartanburg County?

To obtain proof of divorce in Spartanburg County:

1. Request a certified copy of the divorce decree from the Spartanburg County Clerk of Court's Family Court division. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

2. For divorces after 1950, you can also obtain a divorce verification from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201

3. Provide the names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and pay the required fee (typically $5-15 per copy for court documents).

4. For expedited service, visit in person. Mail requests typically take longer to process.

5. If you need proof for international purposes, you may need to get an apostille from the Secretary of State's office. 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525, Columbia, SC 29201

Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Spartanburg County?

While most divorce proceedings in Spartanburg County are public, there are ways to maintain some confidentiality:

1. Request that the court seal certain sensitive records or the entire case file. This requires demonstrating compelling reasons to the judge.

2. Use alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation or collaborative divorce to keep details out of court proceedings.

3. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and children's identifying information is automatically protected under court rules.

4. Cases involving domestic violence, abuse, or certain other sensitive matters may qualify for additional privacy protections.

5. Settlement agreements reached privately can limit the amount of personal information that becomes part of the public record.

Complete confidentiality is rare, but these measures can help protect privacy during divorce proceedings.

How Long Does a Divorce Take In Spartanburg County?

The duration of a divorce in Spartanburg County varies based on several factors:

1. Uncontested divorces with complete agreement on all issues: Typically 3-6 months from filing to finalization.

2. Contested divorces involving disputes over assets, custody, or support: Can take 1-2 years or longer.

3. South Carolina requires a minimum 1-year separation period for no-fault divorces.

4. Fault-based divorces (adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, etc.) can proceed without the one-year waiting period but often take longer due to the need to prove fault.

5. Court congestion and scheduling can add time to the process.

6. Mandatory mediation in family court cases may extend timelines but often leads to faster resolutions overall.

7. The complexity of assets, presence of children, and willingness of parties to cooperate significantly impact timing.

How Long Does Spartanburg County Keep Divorce Records?

Spartanburg County maintains divorce records indefinitely as they are considered permanent court records. These records are preserved through various means:

1. Recent records (typically those from the past 10-20 years) are usually maintained in the Clerk of Court's active files and may be digitized.

2. Older records may be transferred to microfilm, digital archives, or the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223

3. Records from the early to mid-20th century and earlier may be stored in the county archives or state archives.

4. Even if physical records are eventually transferred to state archives, information about the divorce remains in county indexes.

5. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control maintains divorce certificates for divorces granted after 1950.

How To Get a Divorce In Spartanburg County

To get a divorce in Spartanburg County, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you meet residency requirements: Either you or your spouse must have been a South Carolina resident for at least one year (or three months if both parties are SC residents).

2. Determine your grounds for divorce: South Carolina allows no-fault divorce after one year of separation, or fault-based grounds including adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness, or drug abuse.

3. Prepare and file a Complaint for Divorce with the Spartanburg County Family Court. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

4. Pay the filing fee (approximately $150-$200) or request a fee waiver if you qualify.

5. Serve the divorce papers to your spouse following proper legal procedures.

6. Attend all required hearings, including temporary hearings if needed.

7. Complete mandatory mediation if there are contested issues.

8. Prepare a Final Decree of Divorce for the judge's signature if your divorce is granted.

9. Attend the final hearing where the judge will review all agreements and issue the divorce decree.

How To Get Divorce Papers In Spartanburg County

Obtaining divorce papers in Spartanburg County can be done through several methods:

1. Visit the Spartanburg County Family Court Clerk's office to obtain the necessary forms. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

2. Download forms from the South Carolina Judicial Department website, which offers a self-represented litigant divorce packet.

3. Contact South Carolina Legal Services for assistance if you qualify for their services. 148 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

4. Visit the Spartanburg County Law Library for access to divorce form books and resources. 180 Magnolia Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306

5. Hire an attorney who will prepare all necessary paperwork as part of their services.

6. Use online legal document preparation services, though these should be approached with caution to ensure compliance with South Carolina law.

Basic divorce packets typically include the complaint, summons, financial declaration forms, and instructions for filing.

Lookup Divorce Records in Spartanburg County

For more information about divorce records and procedures in Spartanburg County, these resources can help:

• Family Court | Spartanburg County, SC - The official Family Court page with details on jurisdiction and services for divorce cases.

• Self-Represented Divorce Packet - Access the South Carolina Judicial Department's self-represented divorce packet for guidance on handling your own divorce proceedings.