Divorce records in Dorchester County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. DorchesterCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for the county. You can also obtain records directly from the Family Court that issued the decree, the Dorchester County Clerk of Court, or the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Vital Records office. The type of document you need — a full court file or a certified divorce report — determines which office to contact.
Dorchester Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, which is a division of the state's unified court system overseen by the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Dorchester County's Family Court Clerk of Court maintains the official case files, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, property division orders, and related filings. The South Carolina Department of Public Health separately maintains a statewide index of divorce reports for divorces granted anywhere in the state.
The records collection at the county level typically includes:
- Final divorce decrees
- Complaints and answers
- Settlement and separation agreements
- Custody and visitation orders
- Equitable distribution orders
- Motions and court orders filed during the case
You can search Dorchester County family court case information through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, which provides basic case data online. For certified copies or full case documents, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
Dorchester County Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Dorchester
Understanding which office holds the record you need saves time. South Carolina's court structure routes all divorce matters through the Family Court division of the Circuit Court. Here is how records are distributed:
Family Court — Dorchester County Clerk of Court
All divorce cases filed in Dorchester County are processed through the Family Court. After the judge signs the final decree, the complete case file — including the decree, any agreements, and all orders — remains with the Clerk of Court. If you need a copy of the actual divorce decree or any document from the court file, this is the office to contact.
South Carolina Department of Public Health — Vital Records
DPH maintains a Report of Divorce for divorces granted in South Carolina. This is not the full decree — it is a summary document that confirms a divorce occurred, listing the names of the parties, date, and county. Certified copies of divorce reports can be requested by mail or online through DPH. This record is useful for proof of divorce status when the full decree is not required.
Which Office Should You Contact?
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or court file documents | Dorchester County Clerk of Court |
| Certified Report of Divorce (summary) | SC DPH Vital Records |
| Custody or property division orders | Dorchester County Clerk of Court |
| Online case index search | SC Judicial Department Public Index |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Dorchester
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of Report of Divorce (DPH — online or mail) | $12.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional certified copies of same divorce report (same order, DPH) | $3.00 each | Same as above |
| Court record copies (Clerk of Court — per page) | $0.25–$0.50 per page | Varies; typically same day to several business days |
| Certified court document copy (Clerk of Court) | Varies; contact clerk for current fee | Typically 1–5 business days |
| Online case index search (SC Judicial Public Index) | Free | Immediate |