Divorce records in Berkeley County, South Carolina, can be accessed through several channels, including online search tools, the court that issued the decree, the county clerk of court, and the state vital records office. BerkeleyCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Berkeley County. You can also search court case indexes, request copies directly from the Berkeley County Clerk of Court, or obtain divorce certificates from the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Berkeley Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, a division of the state's unified court system. The Berkeley County Clerk of Court maintains the official court files for divorce cases filed in the county, including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings. The South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index provides an online tool for searching Family Court case records by party name, though the index notes that its contents are not the official record — official records are maintained by the Clerk of Court's office.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDHEC) Vital Records office maintains divorce certificates for divorces that occurred anywhere in the state since July 1962. These certificates contain summary information — the names of the parties, date, and county — but not the full details found in the court file.
Berkeley County Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Berkeley
South Carolina's Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce cases. When a divorce is granted in Berkeley County, the decree and all associated filings — including property settlement agreements, custody orders, and support orders — are filed with the Berkeley County Clerk of Court. Which office you contact depends on what you need:
- Full court file (decree, agreements, orders, motions): Contact the Berkeley County Clerk of Court.
- Divorce certificate (summary vital record): Contact SC DHEC Vital Records.
Berkeley County Family Court / Clerk of Court
SC DHEC Vital Records
You can search the Public Index online to locate a case number before requesting copies. For divorce certificates, SCDHEC accepts requests online or by mail.
Under South Carolina Code Title 30, court records are generally public. However, Family Court records may have restricted access for cases involving minors or sealed proceedings. Ask the clerk whether any restrictions apply to the specific file you need.
For historical divorce records or genealogical research, the SC Department of Archives and History may have indexed older records from Berkeley County.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Berkeley
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce certificate (SCDHEC, by mail) | $12.00 | 4–6 weeks |
| Divorce certificate (SCDHEC, online order) | $12.00 + processing fee | 2–4 weeks |
| Court record copies (Clerk of Court) | $0.25 per page | Same day to several business days |
| Certified court document copy (Clerk of Court) | $1.00 per page (plus certification fee) | Several business days |
| Online Public Index search | Free | Immediate |