Lancaster County Public Records /Lancaster County Divorce Records

Lancaster County Divorce Records

How To Find a Divorce Record In Lancaster County in 2026

LancasterCountyRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to divorce records in Lancaster County, South Carolina. Members of the public may find case filings, final decrees, docket entries, and related family court documents through official county and state resources. Available record categories may include:

Divorce decrees and judgments
Family court case filings
Marriage dissolution orders
Post-judgment modification records
Spousal support and custody orders

Divorce records in Lancaster County may be searched through official resources including the Clerk of Court, public access terminals at the courthouse, and online portals maintained by the county and state. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking these records.

Online Searches

1. Clerk of Court Case Search

The Lancaster County Clerk of Court maintains an online search portal where members of the public may search family court case records by party name or case number. Basic case information is available at no charge; fees apply for obtaining copies of documents.

Access the Lancaster County public records search to locate court records, family court filings, and related case information.
Search by petitioner or respondent name, case number, or filing date.
Free basic case information; document copies require payment.

2. State Court System Portal

The South Carolina Judicial Department maintains a statewide public index that allows searches across jurisdictions.

The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index provides access to family court case information statewide.
Members of the public are advised that information displayed on the portal is not an official record of the county or its elected officials; all official records are maintained by the Clerk of Court.
Useful for confirming case existence and obtaining case numbers prior to requesting certified copies.

3. State Vital Records

The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains divorce reports as part of the state's vital records system.

The South Carolina divorce reports page provides information on obtaining divorce certificates through the state vital records office.
Divorce certificates issued by the state contain limited information compared to full court case files.
Fees apply for certified copies of divorce certificates.

In-Person Searches

Clerk of Court — Family Court Division

Members of the public may inspect divorce case files in person at the Lancaster County Clerk of Court office. Public access terminals are available for searching the case index, and staff are available to assist with locating records.

Lancaster County Clerk of Court
101 N. Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-1581
Clerk of Court | Lancaster County, SC

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Services available in person:
- Search case files by party name or case number
- View and inspect documents
- Request certified copies of final decrees and orders
- Use public access terminals
- Receive staff assistance for locating records

By Mail

Written Request

Members of the public may submit written requests for divorce records by mail to the Clerk of Court. Requests should include the following:

Full names of both parties (including maiden names if applicable)
Approximate date of divorce
Case number (if known)
Requestor's full name and contact information
Purpose of request (may be required for certain records)
Payment for applicable copy fees
Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of documents

Mail requests to:

Lancaster County Clerk of Court
101 N. Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720

Processing time for mail requests is typically one to two weeks, depending on record volume and whether archival retrieval is required.

By Phone

The Clerk of Court may be reached by telephone for limited case information. Staff may confirm whether a case exists, provide a case number, confirm case status, and provide the filing date. Staff are not able to provide detailed document contents, copies of records, or confidential information by telephone.

Clerk of Court: (803) 285-1581

Through Attorneys

An attorney licensed in South Carolina may access divorce case files on behalf of a client, including requesting documents that may require a showing of cause. Members of the public seeking records in complex or contested matters may benefit from retaining legal counsel.

Information Needed for Search

To conduct an effective search, the following information is recommended:

Essential:

Full legal names of both spouses
Maiden names, if applicable
Approximate date of divorce
Case number, if known

Helpful:

Date and location of marriage
Previous addresses in South Carolina
Names of attorneys of record, if known

Search in Correct County

Under South Carolina law, divorce actions are filed in the county where either spouse resides at the time of filing. Members of the public who are uncertain of the filing county may need to search multiple counties. A divorce may not be located by searching the county where the marriage occurred unless one of the parties also resided there at the time of filing. South Carolina requires that at least one spouse have been a resident of the state for a minimum of one year prior to filing, pursuant to § 20-3-30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

Time Considerations

Recent divorces may not appear in online systems immediately following the final hearing; allow several days to weeks for processing.
Older divorce records may be archived and not available through online search tools; additional retrieval time should be anticipated.
Digitization of historical paper records varies; some older files may require in-person inspection.

What If You Cannot Find a Record

Common reasons a divorce record may not be located include:

The divorce was filed in a different county
Name variations between married and maiden names
Spelling differences in party names
The case is still pending and has not been finalized
Very old records stored in off-site archives
The case has been sealed by court order

Members of the public encountering difficulty locating a record may contact the Clerk of Court at (803) 285-1581, attempt alternate name spellings, search under both spouses' names, or consult the South Carolina divorce reports maintained by the Department of Public Health.

What Are Lancaster County Divorce Records?

Lancaster County divorce records are official court documents generated during and after divorce proceedings in the Family Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. These records are maintained by the Lancaster County Clerk of Court as part of the permanent family law case file and constitute public records subject to the provisions of the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, § 30-4-10 et seq.

Types of Divorce Records

Court Case Files contain the complete record of a divorce proceeding, including:

Petition for divorce or dissolution of marriage
Response or answer filed by the respondent
Financial affidavits submitted by both parties
Parenting plans and child custody agreements
Marital settlement agreements
Motions, orders, and hearing notices
Final judgment of divorce

Final Decree of Divorce is the official court order that legally dissolves the marriage. It establishes:

The date the marriage was legally dissolved
Division of marital property and debts
Alimony or spousal support terms, if any
Child custody and visitation arrangements, if applicable
Child support orders, if applicable
Restoration of a former name, if requested

Certified copies of the final decree are available through the Clerk of Court and serve as legal proof of divorce for purposes including remarriage, name changes, estate planning, immigration proceedings, and Social Security benefit applications.

Supporting Documents within the case file may include financial disclosure statements, property appraisals, business valuations, parenting plan worksheets, child support calculation worksheets, and post-judgment modification orders.

Who Maintains Divorce Records

The Lancaster County Clerk of Court is the primary custodian of divorce records and maintains complete case files indexed by party name. The Clerk of Court provides certified copies and facilitates public access to these records. The South Carolina Department of Public Health separately maintains divorce reports as part of the state vital records system, though these contain more limited information than the full court case file.

Are Lancaster County Divorce Records Public?

Divorce records in Lancaster County are public court records subject to the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, codified at § 30-4-10. Members of the public may access basic case information and most filed documents without demonstrating a specific need or purpose.

What Is Public

The following information is available to any member of the public:

Case number and filing date
Names of the parties (petitioner and respondent)
Names of attorneys of record
Court hearing dates and docket entries
Court orders and judgments
Final divorce decree
Property division orders
General case status

What May Be Restricted

Certain categories of information within a divorce case file are subject to restriction or redaction under state and federal law:

Financial Information:

Social Security numbers are redacted from public-facing documents
Bank account and credit card numbers are redacted
Detailed tax returns may be subject to limited access

Children's Information:

Names and addresses of minor children may be redacted
Schools attended by children
Medical and psychological evaluations of children
Child custody evaluations may be sealed by court order
Guardian ad litem reports are restricted

Sensitive Personal Information:

Domestic violence allegations and supporting evidence
Mental health and substance abuse treatment records
Personal addresses in cases involving protective orders

Sealed Records

A court may seal all or part of a divorce case file upon a showing of good cause. Cases involving allegations of abuse, high-profile parties, or confidential settlement terms may be subject to sealing orders. Mediation communications are confidential under South Carolina law and are not part of the public record.

Who Can Access Records

Requestor	Access Level
General public	Public documents and docket entries
Parties to the case	Full access to their own case file
Attorneys of record	Full access; may petition for sealed records
Researchers and media	Public portions; court permission required for sealed records
Law enforcement	Statutory access to certain restricted records

Restrictions on Use

Members of the public who obtain divorce records may not use them for stalking, harassment, identity theft, or any purpose that violates a protective order. Permitted uses include legal proceedings, background research, genealogical research, news reporting, and personal verification of marital status.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Divorce Records in Lancaster County?

The Lancaster County Clerk of Court charges standard fees for copies and certified copies of divorce records. Current fees are established pursuant to South Carolina law and are subject to change.

Service	Standard Fee
Plain copy (per page)	$0.25 per page
Certified copy of final decree	$10.00 (first page) + $0.50 per additional page
Certification seal/stamp	Included in certified copy fee
Search fee	No separate search fee for in-person requests

Inspection: Members of the public may inspect public divorce records at the Clerk of Court office at no charge.
Copies: Plain copies are available at $0.25 per page.
Certified Copies: Certified copies of the final decree or other orders carry a base fee; the Clerk of Court should be contacted directly at (803) 285-1581 to confirm the current fee schedule prior to submitting a request.
Electronic Copies: Availability and fees for electronic copies should be confirmed with the Clerk of Court.
Payment Methods: The Clerk of Court accepts cash, money orders, and checks made payable to the Lancaster County Clerk of Court. Credit card acceptance should be confirmed directly with the office.
Fee Waivers: Fee waivers may be available for indigent parties upon application to the court. Members of the public seeking a fee waiver should inquire with the Clerk of Court.
Free Access: Basic case information, including case number, filing date, party names, and case status, is available at no charge through the Lancaster County public records search portal and through public access terminals at the courthouse.

What's Included in Divorce Records in Lancaster County

A complete Lancaster County divorce case file contains all documents filed with the Family Court from the initiation of proceedings through final judgment and any post-judgment actions. The following summarizes the principal categories of documents that may be present in a divorce case file.

Basic Case Information

Case number, court name, and division
Names of petitioner and respondent
Judge assigned to the case
Attorneys of record
Filing date and case type

Initial Pleadings

The Petition for Divorce sets forth the petitioner's identifying information, the date and location of the marriage, the date of separation, the grounds for divorce (which in South Carolina include adultery, desertion, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, and one year's continuous separation under § 20-3-10), information regarding minor children, and the relief requested. The Response contains the respondent's admissions, denials, and any counterclaims.

Financial Affidavits

Both parties are required to submit financial affidavits disclosing income from all sources, monthly expenses, assets (real property, vehicles, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property), and liabilities (mortgages, loans, and credit card debt).

Property-Related Documents

Marital asset inventory with descriptions and values
Debt inventory
Real property appraisals and business valuations
Expert reports on asset values

Children-Related Documents (if applicable)

Parenting plan specifying legal and physical custody, timesharing schedule, holiday arrangements, and decision-making responsibilities
Child support calculation worksheet
Income information for both parties
Health insurance and childcare cost documentation
Child support order specifying amount, payment schedule, and modification provisions
Custody evaluations and guardian ad litem reports (which may be sealed)

Support Documents

Alimony or spousal support order specifying type, amount, duration, and termination conditions
Income and standard-of-living analysis

Settlement Documents

Marital Settlement Agreement resolving all issues including property division, debt allocation, spousal support, and child-related provisions
Mediation agreement, if the matter was mediated (note: mediation communications are confidential and not part of the public record)

Court Orders and Judgments

Temporary orders for custody, support, and use of property
Final Judgment of Divorce containing the court's findings of fact, conclusions of law, property division, support orders, custody and timesharing provisions, and name restoration if requested
Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) for division of retirement accounts

Post-Judgment Documents

Petitions to modify custody or support
Court orders on modification requests
Contempt motions and enforcement actions
Income deduction orders

What Is Typically Confidential or Sealed

Social Security numbers and financial account numbers (redacted)
Children's addresses and school information
Domestic violence details (may be sealed)
Mental health and substance abuse evaluations
Mediation communications
Settlement negotiations not incorporated into filed agreements

How to Get Proof of Divorce in Lancaster County?

Proof of divorce in Lancaster County is obtained through a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce issued by the Lancaster County Clerk of Court. A certified copy bears the court's official seal and the clerk's certification and is accepted as legal proof of divorce for remarriage, name change, immigration, Social Security, and other official purposes.

Steps to Obtain a Certified Copy:

Identify the case. Locate the case number and filing date using the Lancaster County public records search or by contacting the Clerk of Court at (803) 285-1581.
Submit a request. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or as directed by the Clerk of Court. Provide the full names of both parties, the approximate date of divorce, and the case number if known.
Pay applicable fees. Certified copy fees apply; confirm the current fee schedule with the Clerk of Court prior to submitting payment.
Receive the certified copy. In-person requests are typically fulfilled on the same day. Mail requests are processed within one to two weeks.

Lancaster County Clerk of Court
101 N. Main Street
Lancaster, SC 29720
Phone: (803) 285-1581
Clerk of Court | Lancaster County, SC

Members of the public who require a divorce certificate rather than a certified court copy may obtain one through the South Carolina Department of Public Health divorce reports program. The state vital records office maintains divorce reports for dissolutions occurring in South Carolina and issues certificates upon request.

South Carolina Department of Public Health — Vital Records
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 898-3630
South Carolina Department of Public Health

Can a Divorce Be Confidential in Lancaster County?

Divorce proceedings in Lancaster County are presumptively public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, § 30-4-10. However, a court may order that all or part of a divorce case file be sealed or treated as confidential upon a showing of good cause. The following circumstances may result in confidential or restricted records:

Domestic violence cases: Cases involving allegations of domestic violence or active protective orders may have certain identifying information, including the protected party's address, withheld from public access.
Child protection matters: Information identifying minor children, including their addresses, schools, and medical or psychological evaluations, may be restricted or redacted.
Sealed case files: A party may petition the Family Court to seal the entire case file or specific documents. The court applies a balancing test weighing the public interest in transparency against the privacy interests of the parties and any minor children.
Mediation records: Communications made during court-ordered mediation are confidential under South Carolina law and are not filed with the court or accessible to the public.
Mental health and substance abuse records: Records pertaining to mental health treatment or substance abuse are subject to additional privacy protections under both state and federal law, including HIPAA.
Confidential settlements: Settlement terms that the parties agree to keep confidential may, in limited circumstances, be incorporated by reference rather than set forth in full in the public record.

Members of the public seeking access to records that have been sealed must file a motion with the Family Court demonstrating a legitimate legal basis for access.

How Long Does Lancaster County Keep Divorce Records?

Lancaster County divorce records are retained for extended periods consistent with South Carolina court records retention schedules. The following retention periods apply under current state administrative policy:

Final judgments and decrees: Retained permanently. Final divorce decrees are part of the permanent court record and are not subject to destruction.
Complete case files (contested matters): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case, with many records retained permanently due to their legal significance.
Complete case files (uncontested matters): Retained for a minimum of ten years following the close of the case.
Post-judgment modification records: Retained as part of the original case file for the same period applicable to the underlying case.
Archived records: Older case files that have been closed for more than ten years may be transferred to off-site storage or converted to microfilm or digital format. Retrieval of archived records may require additional processing time.
Electronic records: Cases filed electronically are maintained in the court's case management system and are subject to the same retention schedules as paper records.

Members of the public seeking records from cases closed more than ten years ago should contact the Lancaster County Clerk of Court directly at (803) 285-1581 to confirm availability and retrieval procedures. The South Carolina Department of Public Health retains divorce reports in the state vital records system on a permanent basis.