Florence County Family Court Records
Florence County family court records are maintained by Clerk of Court Doris Poulos O'Hara at the Florence County courthouse. The Family Court division handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence protection orders, and all other domestic matters for Florence County residents. Search Florence County family court case records online at sccourts.org through the SC Judicial Branch public case index, or contact the Clerk of Court to access records and request copies in person or by mail.
Florence County Quick Facts
Accessing Florence County Family Court Records
The SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org provides free online access to Florence County family court case records. Select Florence County, accept the terms, and enter a party name or case number. The system returns filing dates, party names, and current case status. No registration is needed to search.
Florence County also maintains court records through the Florence County Clerk of Court office. The Florence County court records portal provides access to Circuit and Family Court judgment rolls, lis pendens filings, and pending case records searchable by name. This county-specific tool can supplement the statewide search for Florence County family court matters.
Florence County Clerk of Court Doris Poulos O'Hara oversees the General Sessions, Common Pleas, Family Court, and Register of Deeds divisions.
| Court | Florence County Family Court Florence, SC |
|---|---|
| Clerk of Court | Doris Poulos O'Hara |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | sccourts.org/case-records-search |
| County Records Portal | florencerecords.us |
The Florence County court records portal provides access to Family Court judgment rolls and pending case information by party name.
Family Court Case Types in Florence County
The Florence County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Florence County is part of the 12th Judicial Circuit, and the Family Court handles the full range of domestic relations cases for residents throughout the county.
Case types include divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support establishment and modification, alimony, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. The Clerk of Court maintains all records from these proceedings.
When parents cannot agree on custody, the Florence County Family Court applies the best-interests standard under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15. The court weighs each parent's relationship with the child, the stability of each home, and any history of abuse or domestic violence. Most Florence County family court records are public. Adoption files and sealed juvenile records are not available through standard requests.
Florence County Family Court Filing Fees
Most Florence County family court cases carry a $150 filing fee. This applies to divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, paternity, and name change filings. The fee is uniform across all South Carolina counties and is set by state law.
DSS abuse and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and domestic abuse protection order petitions carry no filing fee. If you cannot afford the fee, apply for in forma pauperis status by filing a sworn financial affidavit with your petition. The court reviews your circumstances and decides whether to waive the fee. Contact the Florence County Clerk of Court for guidance on the waiver process.
SC Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to qualifying Florence County residents. Visit sclegal.org or call 1-888-346-5592 to apply. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney in the Florence County area.
Self-Help Resources for Florence County
Free official South Carolina Family Court forms are available at sccourts.org. These forms apply in Florence County and cover divorce, child custody, support modification, protection orders, and name changes. Download forms and read all instructions before filing.
Self-represented litigants in Florence County must follow all court rules. The Clerk of Court can tell you which forms to file, but staff cannot give legal advice. For child support questions, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. DSS helps Florence County residents establish and enforce child support orders and can sometimes resolve support issues without a court filing.
Nearby Counties
Florence County is in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. These neighboring counties have their own Family Court divisions that serve their respective residents.