Dillon County Family Court Records
Dillon County family court records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse on West Main Street in Dillon. The Family Court in Dillon County handles all domestic and family matters including divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile cases, and domestic violence protection orders. Search Dillon County family court case records online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org, or visit the Dillon courthouse in person to request copies and review case files.
Dillon County Quick Facts
Dillon County Family Court Records Access
Dillon County family court records are searchable online through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. Select Dillon County from the county list, accept the terms, and search by party name or case number. Results display filing dates, party names, and current case status. The search tool is free and does not require an account.
To get copies of case documents from Dillon County family court files, contact the Clerk of Court at the Dillon courthouse. Staff can retrieve records by name or case number and provide plain or certified copies. Certified copies cost more and are typically required when enforcing court orders in other states or for official government transactions. Call the office before visiting to confirm current copy fees and hours.
The Dillon County Clerk of Court maintains family court records and provides public access to case files at the Dillon courthouse.
| Court |
Dillon County Family Court 401 W. Main Street Dillon, SC 29536 |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Vickie A. Covington |
| Phone | (843) 774-1425 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | sccourts.org/case-records-search |
Types of Cases Filed in Dillon County Family Court
The Dillon County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. South Carolina's unified Family Court system has operated since 1976 and ensures that all family law matters in Dillon County are handled by judges with specialized expertise in domestic relations and juvenile law.
Case types filed in Dillon County include divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support establishment and modification, alimony, paternity actions, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic abuse protection orders, juvenile delinquency matters, and name changes. These cases generate records that are stored and maintained by the Dillon County Clerk of Court.
Most Dillon County family court records are public and searchable through the statewide index. Adoption files and juvenile delinquency records are confidential under South Carolina law and are not accessible through standard public records requests.
Note: Under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15, Dillon County Family Court judges weigh the best interests of the child in all custody and visitation matters.
Dillon County Family Court Filing Fees
The standard filing fee for most new family court cases in Dillon County is $150. This fee is set by state law and applies uniformly to all South Carolina counties. It covers divorce, child custody, child support, name change, and similar case types.
No fee applies to DSS abuse and neglect actions, juvenile delinquency cases, domestic abuse protection order petitions, and several other matter types. Residents who cannot afford the filing fee may petition the court for in forma pauperis status. Submit an affidavit of financial hardship along with your filing, and the court will determine whether to waive the fee. Contact the Dillon County Clerk of Court at (843) 774-1425 for guidance on the waiver process.
Family Court Forms and Legal Help in Dillon County
Free official South Carolina Family Court forms are available at sccourts.org. These forms work in all 46 counties including Dillon County and cover the most common case types such as divorce, custody, support modification, and name change. Download forms and read instructions carefully before filing at the Dillon courthouse.
SC Legal Services provides free civil legal help to qualifying low-income Dillon County residents. Visit sclegal.org or call 1-888-346-5592 to check eligibility. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney who handles Dillon County cases.
For child support services, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. DSS helps Dillon County residents establish, modify, and enforce child support orders through administrative processes that may not always require a court filing.
Nearby Counties
Dillon County is in the northeastern Pee Dee region of South Carolina. These neighboring counties have their own Family Court divisions that serve their respective residents.