Divorce records in Colleton County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels. ColletonCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information. You can also obtain records directly from the Family Court that issued the decree, the Colleton County Clerk of Court's office, or the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) Vital Records Division. The type of document you need — a full court file versus a divorce certificate — determines which office to contact.
Colleton County Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, a division of the state's unified court system. The Colleton County Clerk of Court maintains all official court records, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings from Family Court proceedings. The South Carolina DPH Vital Records Division separately maintains divorce certificates — summary documents that confirm a divorce occurred without including the full case details.
You can search Colleton County Family Court case information through the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index, which provides basic case data online. For certified copies of divorce decrees or complete case files, contact the Clerk of Court directly.
The Clerk of Court's office is generally open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting, especially around holidays or court closures.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Colleton County
Understanding where divorce records are filed in South Carolina helps you contact the right office on the first try.
Family Court — Colleton County
All divorce cases in Colleton County are heard in Family Court. Once the judge signs the divorce decree, it becomes part of the official court record maintained by the Clerk of Court. The court file typically includes:
- The divorce complaint and summons
- The final divorce decree
- Property settlement agreements
- Custody and support orders
- Any motions or amendments filed during the case
If you need the full divorce decree or any documents from the case file, this is the office to contact. According to the South Carolina Secretary of State, certified copies of divorce decrees may be obtained from the County Clerk of Court's office.
South Carolina DPH — Vital Records Division
The South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Division maintains divorce reports — short-form certificates that verify a divorce took place. These records include names, date of divorce, and the county where it was granted, but do not contain the full terms of the decree.
Use this office when you need:
- A divorce verification or certificate for personal, insurance, or administrative purposes
- A record of a divorce that occurred anywhere in South Carolina
Which Office Should You Contact?
| What You Need | Contact |
|---|---|
| Full divorce decree or court file documents | Colleton County Clerk of Court |
| Divorce certificate or verification | SC DPH Vital Records Division |
| Online case search (basic info) | SC Judicial Department Public Index |
| Historical Colleton County records | SC Department of Archives and History |
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Colleton County
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate from SC DPH Vital Records | $12.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional copies of the same divorce certificate (same order) | $3.00 each | Same as above |
| Court record search fee (Clerk of Court) | Contact Clerk for current fee | Varies |
| Certified copy of divorce decree (Clerk of Court) | Contact Clerk for current fee | Varies; often available same day for in-person requests |