Divorce records in Sumter County, South Carolina, are available through several channels: online tools, the court that issued the decision, the clerk of court's office, and the state vital records office. SumterCourt.us allows you to quickly begin searching publicly available information about divorce records. Additionally, you can contact the Sumter County Clerk of Court's office, Family Court, or the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Office directly for official copies of documents.
Sumter Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, which is a division of the circuit court. In Sumter County, this court belongs to the Third Judicial Circuit. The Sumter County Family Court handles over 35,000 cases, including divorces, and provides public access to case materials.
The clerk of court maintains court records: divorce decrees, property division agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents. To search records online, use the Third Judicial Circuit public records search.
Separate from court records, there is a "divorce report" — an extract about the divorce maintained by the state Department of Health. This is not a complete court decision but a document confirming the fact of divorce.
Main office for county-level inquiries:
Sumter County Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Sumter
When a Family Court judge issues a divorce decree, the original decree is filed with the Sumter County Clerk of Court's office. The clerk is the official custodian of all case materials — from the complaint to the final decision.
At the state level, the South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains a registry of divorce reports for divorces filed within the state. These documents can be ordered by mail or picked up in person at the office in Columbia via the Divorce Reports page.
What you need determines where to go:
- Complete court decision, property division agreement, custody orders — contact the Sumter County Family Court clerk.
- Extract confirming the fact of divorce (divorce report) — order from the SC Department of Public Health.
- Online case status check or search by last name — use the South Carolina Judicial Department public index.
Sumter County Family Court
SC Department of Public Health — Vital Records Office
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Sumter
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce report — SC DPH | $12.00 | From a few days (in person) to several weeks (by mail) |
| Certified copy of court decision — Clerk of Court | Depends on the number of pages; check with the clerk's office | Usually 1–5 business days |
| Court records search (online via Third Judicial Circuit Public Index) | Free | Instant |