Georgetown County Family Court Records

Georgetown County family court records are filed and maintained by Clerk of Court Rebecca A. Britton at the county courthouse on Cleland Street in Georgetown. The Family Court in Georgetown County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile cases, and all other domestic matters for county residents. Search Georgetown County family court records online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org, or contact the Clerk of Court to access records in person or request copies by mail.

Georgetown County Family Court Records Access

Georgetown County family court records are searchable online at no cost through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. Select Georgetown County, accept the disclaimer, and search by party name or case number. The public index shows filing dates, party names, and current case status. No account is needed to search.

For copies of Georgetown County family court documents, contact the Clerk of Court at 401 Cleland Street in Georgetown. Bring valid photo ID and case identifying information. Staff can locate files and produce plain or certified copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee and are often required for official transactions or enforcement in other states. Call (843) 545-3217 before visiting to confirm current fees and hours.

Georgetown County Clerk of Court Rebecca A. Britton maintains family court case records at the Georgetown courthouse.

Types of Family Court Cases in Georgetown County

The Georgetown County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Georgetown County is part of the 15th Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Horry County. All family law matters, from simple name changes to contested custody disputes, go through the Family Court in Georgetown.

Case types filed in Georgetown County include divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support and modification, alimony, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. These cases generate records stored by the Clerk of Court at the Georgetown courthouse.

Custody decisions in Georgetown County are governed by the best-interests standard under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15. Courts consider each parent's history with the child, the stability of each home, and other relevant factors. Most Georgetown County family court records are public. Adoption files and juvenile delinquency records are confidential and are not available through public records requests.

Georgetown County Family Court Filing Fees

Filing a new family court case in Georgetown County costs $150 for most case types. This fee applies to divorce, custody, support, adoption, and name change filings and is set by state law. The fee is the same in Georgetown County as in every other South Carolina county.

No filing fee is required for DSS abuse and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, domestic abuse protection order petitions, and several other matter types. If you cannot afford the fee, ask the Clerk of Court about the in forma pauperis process. Submit a sworn affidavit of financial hardship, and the court will decide whether to grant a waiver.

SC Legal Services offers free civil legal help to qualifying Georgetown County residents at sclegal.org. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney who handles Georgetown County cases.

Self-Help and Legal Resources in Georgetown County

Official South Carolina Family Court forms are free to download at sccourts.org. These forms work in all 46 South Carolina counties and cover the most common case types. Pro se filers in Georgetown County must follow all court rules and are fully responsible for completing and filing forms correctly.

The Clerk of Court at (843) 545-3217 can tell you which forms apply to your case type and how to submit them. Staff cannot give legal advice. For child support questions, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. DSS helps Georgetown County residents establish, modify, and enforce child support orders through administrative processes.

Note: Georgetown County residents along the coast may have cases involving property that spans multiple jurisdictions. Confirm which county courthouse handles your case before filing.

Nearby Counties

Georgetown County is on the South Carolina coast. These neighboring counties have their own Family Court divisions for their residents.

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