Spartanburg County, South Carolina Divorce Records
In Spartanburg County, South Carolina, divorce records reveal information about divorce case proceedings and related court orders. Such records may include the case parties’ personal data, divorce agreements, and reasons for the divorce.
Spartanburg County divorce records are crucial in various legal processes. For example, they are necessary for changing legal names and for re-applying for marriage licenses. Interested parties may also use divorce records to renegotiate mortgages after divorce events. Courts may also use divorce court orders as a reference in subsequent cases regarding child support and alimony payments.
Spartanburg County Divorce Rate: An estimated 10.5% of Spartanburg residents were divorced as of December 31, 2024. Male and female residents had a divorce rate of 8.4% and 12.4%, respectively.
Are Divorce Records Public in Spartanburg County?
Divorce records in Spartanburg County are generally accessible to the public. The South Carolina Public Record Act allows the public to inspect and obtain copies of government records from public agencies. In turn, public agencies are legally required to provide options and tools via which the public can access divorce records.
Note that South Carolina laws may prevent public access to specific divorce information. The law may restrict public access to records that may violate the safety of concerned parties. For example, personal information of child abuse or domestic violence victims is usually exempt from public view. In some cases, court judges may order the sealing of divorce records upon receiving a request from concerned parties.
How to Find Divorce Records in Spartanburg County
Record seekers may find Spartanburg County divorce records by following these general steps:
- Identify the names of the parties involved: Record seekers need the case parties’ names and other relevant search information to find divorce records in Spartanburg County. For instance, you must provide case parties’ full names, numbers, and case types to view records on the South Carolina Judicial Circuit Public Index.
- Identify the agencies in charge of maintaining the records: Record seekers will find Spartanburg County divorce records under the purview of state and local agencies. At the local level, the Spartanburg County Clerk of Courts maintains records of divorce case proceedings and decrees issued within the family court. In contrast, the South Carolina Department of Public Health, via the Vital Records Office, maintains copies of divorce decrees issued between July 1962 and December 2023.
- Select a preferred method of obtaining a divorce record: Record seekers may obtain Spartanburg County divorce records via online search and in-person or mail-in inquiries. The preferred request option determines the type of divorce copy you can access.
For example, record seekers may only obtain non-confidential and informational copies via the South Carolina Judicial Public Index. To view records on the platform, record seekers may enter the following information:
- Case party name
- Case number
- Case type
- Court agency
- Party type.
On the other hand, record seekers may obtain confidential and complete divorce case files by submitting an in-person or mail request to record custodians. The South Carolina Department of Health only accepts mail-in requests for divorce records. Record seekers may obtain Spartanburg divorce records from the agency by following these steps:
- Complete a divorce record request form.
- Attach the required fees as a money order or check made payable to SC DHEC. The agency charges $12 as a searching fee and $3 for each additional copy.
- Include a proof of valid ID.
-
Mail the form and fees to this address:
S.C. Department of Public Health
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171
In contrast, the Spartanburg Clerk of Courts allows in-person inquiries for divorce records. Record seekers may obtain copies of such records by visiting the agency at this address:
180 Magnolia Street
2nd Floor
Suite 2100
Spartanburg, SC 29306.
Phone: (864) 596-2591
| Method | Where to Go | Info Needed | Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Spartanburg County Seventh Judicial Circuit Public Index | Full name, case number, date range | Free or small fee | Instant. |
| In Person | Spartanburg County Family Court | Full name, case number, divorce year, Valid ID | Varies | Same day |
| By Mail | Clerk of Court’s Office, South Carolina Department of Public Health. | Request form, payment | $12 | 10 business days or less. |
Overview of the Spartanburg County Court System
Spartanburg County Family Court has jurisdiction over family law and domestic-type cases, including divorce case proceedings. The court, which is situated in the Spartanburg County Judicial Center, also handles divorce-related cases like child support and domestic abuse. The public may locate the court at this address:
Spartanburg County Family Court
Spartanburg County Courthouse
180 Magnolia Street
Suite 500
P.O. Box 5666
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Phone: (864) 596-2591
Fax: (864) 596-2128
The Spartanburg County Clerk of Court handles filings for divorce cases. In addition, the clerk keeps records of divorce case proceedings, including decrees and case files. Record seekers may submit record requests to the clerk’s office at this address:
180 Magnolia Street
2nd Floor
Suite 2100
Spartanburg, SC 29306.
Phone: (864) 596-2591
Online Access to Spartanburg County Divorce Records
Record seekers may search and find Spartanburg divorce records online via the county’s judicial circuit public index platform. The platform reveals divorce case judgments and other related information. Record seekers must enter relevant search details to view records on the platform.
Third-party websites also allow free search for divorce records in Spartanburg County. Record seekers only need to provide the case number and party’s name to locate relevant information on these sites. Some websites offer additional perks, such as free downloads of court documents. Despite these perks, third-party search websites are not government regulated and may not offer accurate and up-to-date information on divorce cases.
What’s Typically Included in a Spartanburg Divorce Record
Spartanburg County divorce records may include the following information:
- The case parties’ names and their personal information, including home address and occupation.
- Names and contact details of legal representatives.
- Initiating court documents, such as the divorce petition, police report, and marriage license.
- Court summons.
- Court identifiers, such as case and docket number.
- Divorce case judgment, including child custody and alimony agreements.
Publicly accessible divorce records may not include information that may endanger the safety of concerned parties. For example, personal identities of abused minors are exempt from public divorce records. Case parties may also petition the court to remove specific information from their public records.
| Information | Available to the Public? |
|---|---|
| Names of spouses | Yes |
| Divorce date | Yes |
| Case number | Yes |
| Custody arrangements | Sometimes restricted |
| Financial disclosures | No |
How to Get Certified Copies of Spartanburg Divorce Records
Record seekers may obtain certified divorce decrees in Spartanburg by submitting a request to the clerk of court’s office. The clerk may release certified copies upon receiving a mail or in-person request at this address:
180 Magnolia Street
2nd Floor
Suite 2100
Spartanburg, SC 29306.
Phone: (864) 596-2591
Note that the clerk’s office may request valid IDs and specific fees for processing certified divorce records.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health may provide certified copies of divorce decrees issued between July 1962 and December 2023. Record seekers must submit a mail request that includes a completed request form along with the required fees. The agency charges $12 for the first certified copy and $3 per additional copy.
Note: In Spartanburg, certified divorce records are not the same as informational copies. The former bears the official seal of the issuing agency and is important in various legal processes. For instance, parties may need certified divorce records when applying for a new marriage license or registering for a travel passport.
| Type of Copy | Use Case | Who Can Request | Legally Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Copy | Remarriage, legal proceedings. | Spouse, attorney, court | Yes |
| Informational Copy | Genealogy, general info | Anyone (if public) | No |
Spartanburg Divorce Records Summary
| Custodian | Available Record Type | Access Method | Fees & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clerk of Court’s Office | Full case files, judgments | Public Portal / Mail / In person | Record seekers must contact the agency for the updated fee schedule. |
| SCDPH (Vital Records) | Certificate of Record (1962–2023 only) | Mail-in via form | $12 for the first copy and $3 per additional copy. |
| Third-Party Websites | Aggregated records | Online search (paid) | Convenience at cost; accuracy may vary |