Divorce Records in South Carolina
Whether divorce records are public in South Carolina and how to get a copy of a divorce decree or certificate.
Short answer: The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) issues certified copies of the Report of Divorce (not the decree) for divorces granted between July 1962 and December 2025. S.C. Department of Public Health, Divorce Reports
| Divorce records | The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) issues certified copies of the Report of Divorce (not the decree) for divorces granted between July 1962 and December 2025. Mail requests cost a $12 non-refundable search fee, which includes one certified copy, plus $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time, and average about four weeks; in-person requests are currently unavailable. Online orders through VitalChek cost a $17 expedited search fee plus a $12.85 vendor charge and are limited to the people named on the report, their adult children, or a present or former spouse. DPH does not keep divorce decrees; copies of the decree come from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed. |
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Where to get help in South Carolina
More South Carolina divorce & family law
- Getting a Marriage License in South Carolina
- Adopting a Child in South Carolina
- Guardianship of a Child or Adult in South Carolina
- Establishing Paternity in South Carolina
- Changing Your Name in South Carolina
- Child Custody Laws in South Carolina
- How Child Support Is Calculated in South Carolina
- Alimony and Spousal Support in South Carolina
- How to File for Divorce in South Carolina
- Legal Separation and Annulment in South Carolina
- All South Carolina divorce & family law rules
FAQ
Are divorce records public in South Carolina, and how do I get a copy?
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) issues certified copies of the Report of Divorce (not the decree) for divorces granted between July 1962 and December 2025. Mail requests cost a $12 non-refundable search fee, which includes one certified copy, plus $3 for each extra copy ordered at the same time, and average about four weeks; in-person requests are currently unavailable. Online orders through VitalChek cost a $17 expedited search fee plus a $12.85 vendor charge and are limited to the people named on the report, their adult children, or a present or former spouse. DPH does not keep divorce decrees; copies of the decree come from the Clerk of Court in the county where the divorce was filed.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.