Records of divorce in Richland County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. RichlandSCCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information regarding divorce records in this county. Additionally, you can contact the Family Court of Richland County, the Clerk of Court's office, or the Vital Records Division of the South Carolina Department of Health (SC DPH Vital Records) directly. Each of these institutions maintains a certain type of document—from court decrees to certified divorce reports.
Richland Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court—a division of the state's judicial system. In Richland County, the Clerk of Court's office at the Family Court keeps the original court cases: divorce decrees, property settlement agreements, child custody decisions, and related documents.
Simultaneously, the South Carolina Department of Health (SC DPH) maintains a registry of divorce reports—this is a brief statistical form, not a full court decree. Certified copies of such reports can be ordered by mail or in person.
For online court case searches, use the South Carolina Judicial Department's public index. This portal allows you to search by party name and view basic case information—filing date, number, status.
Richland County Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Richland
When a Family Court judge signs a divorce decree, the document remains in the Clerk of Court's office in Richland County. This is where you need to go if you need a full copy of the decree, including attachments—alimony agreement, property division, or custody.
At the same time, the court notifies the state Department of Health about the divorce. The DPH keeps a statistical report (Report of Divorce) that confirms the fact and date of the divorce but does not contain agreement details. According to information from the Secretary of State, a certified copy of the decree can be obtained from the Clerk of Court or the Vital Records Division.
What you need specifically determines where to go:
- Full divorce decree, agreement, custody decision → Richland County Clerk of Court (Family Court)
- Certified report confirming the fact of divorce → SC DPH Vital Records
Richland County Clerk of Court (Family Court Division)
SC Department of Public Health — Vital Records
Mail requests to Vital Records should be sent in an envelope marked "Vital Records." To obtain a certified copy of the report, you must present identification according to DPH requirements.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Richland
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of divorce report (SC DPH Vital Records) | $12.00 | By mail — up to 8–12 weeks |
| Additional copy of the same report (in one request) | $3.00 | Together with the first copy |
| Copy of divorce decree (Clerk of Court) | Depends on the number of pages; check with the office | Usually 1–5 business days for in-person requests |
| Search in the Vital Records database (per surname/period) | Included in the cost of the certified copy | — |