Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters involving domestic or family relationships.
Family Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all matters involving domestic or family relationships.
Family Court is the sole forum for the hearing of all cases concerning annulment of marriage, divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation rights, termination of parental rights, adoption, child support, alimony, division of marital property, and change of name. The court also generally has exclusive jurisdiction over minors under the age of seventeen alleged to have violated any state law or municipal ordinance.
Click here to search ACPASS Public Records Index
South Carolina law prohibits using information obtained from state agencies via public access for commercial solicitation.
If you are unsure how to file or proceed with your case using the resources provided herein, your own research and/or knowledge of the law, Family Court staff strongly encourage you to consult with an attorney licensed to practice in South Carolina. If you proceed pro se (without an attorney), YOU are responsible for complying with all applicable laws, rules and procedures. This includes obtaining, completing and timely filing all appropriate documents. Family Court staff are NOT ALLOWED to provide legal advice.
If you have been served with pleadings in a juvenile criminal case or a DSS abuse/neglect case, you may apply for a court-appointed attorney. The $40.00 application fee must be paid at the time of filing (cash only) and is non-refundable.
Family Court staff are not allowed to refer you directly to any attorney. You may call the South Carolina Bar’s Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-868-2284 or visit their website.
South Carolina Legal Services is also available to assist qualified applicants. Contact the Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service (LATIS) at 1-888-346-5592 or visit their website for more information.
The SCDSS Child Support Customer Service Portal provides secure access for both support payers and recipients to view and update their account history and contact information. Click here to access the Child Support Portal
South Carolina’s centralized State Disbursement Unit (SDU) collects and distributes child and spousal support payments for cases managed by DSS and all private support cases enforced by the Clerk of Court. Regular support payments must be directed to SDU (not the Family Court office) and may be made online, by phone, at participating MoneyGram locations, or by mail to the address below.
Mail Personal Check or Money Order to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
PO Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202-3302
*All payments must include the payer’s Full Name and Member ID number.
For more information, please click here or call 1-800-768-5858.
Please note: Any payment ordered as a “purge payment” at a contempt hearing MUST be paid in person (cash only) at the Family Court office. Failure to make a purge payment as ordered may result in additional fines and/or imprisonment. All other forms of payment are considered regular support and will be applied across any existing obligations pursuant to federal support guidelines.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch provides access to forms for self-represented (pro se) litigants in certain types of actions. For all other cases, Family Court strongly encourages you to consult a licensed South Carolina attorney.
SC Judicial Branch – Divorce Packet
You should ONLY file this packet if the following are true:
SC Judicial Branch – Visitation Packet
Please note: These forms are NOT intended for grandparent or third-party visitation. It is recommended that you speak with an attorney regarding this type of action.
SC Judicial Branch – Child Support Modification Packet
If your child support case is already administered by South Carolina DSS Child Support Enforcement Division, you may contact the SCDSS-CSED Greenville Regional Office at (864) 282-4650 to request a review of your existing support obligation.
Pro Se Adult Name Change Packet (.pdf download)
Please note: (1) These forms are NOT intended for use in changing the name of a minor child; (2) If you have ever been convicted of a crime (other than a minor traffic violation), required to register as a sex offender, or filed (or intend to file) bankruptcy, it is strongly recommended that you consult an attorney before filing for a name change. These circumstances may require additional steps.
100 South Main Street, Anderson, SC 29624
Attn: Family Court, Post Office Box 8002, Anderson, SC 29622
Hours of Service: Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.