Greenwood County Family Court Records
Greenwood County family court records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Greenwood County courthouse. The Family Court in Greenwood County is a formal court of record operating under the South Carolina Constitution and the Code of Laws of South Carolina. It handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, name changes, protection orders, and all other domestic and juvenile matters filed by county residents. Search Greenwood County family court records online at sccourts.org or through the Greenwood County Family Court page.
Greenwood County Quick Facts
Greenwood County Family Court Records Access
Greenwood County family court records are searchable online through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. Select Greenwood County, accept the disclaimer, and search by party name or case number. The public index shows filing dates, party names, and current case status at no cost.
Greenwood County also provides public access portals for the Family Court directly through the county website at greenwoodcounty-sc.gov. These portals allow users to search by case number, party name, or other criteria to view case summaries, hearing schedules, and case status information. For copies of court orders or case documents, visit the Family Court Records Office in Room 114 at the Greenwood County courthouse. The charge is $0.50 per page and $1.00 for certification.
The Greenwood County Family Court official page provides information on filing procedures, public access portals, and name change and protection order resources.
| Court | Greenwood County Family Court Room 114, Greenwood County Courthouse Greenwood, SC |
|---|---|
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | sccourts.org | greenwoodcounty-sc.gov |
| Copy Fees | $0.50 per page; $1.00 per document for certification |
| Motion Filing Fee | $25.00 (cash only) for individual motions |
The Greenwood County official website provides access to the Clerk of Court office, public portals, and family court filing resources.
Case Types Filed in Greenwood County Family Court
The Greenwood County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over all domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Laws regarding fairness and impartiality prevent judges and Clerk staff from giving legal advice, including to those representing themselves. A majority of cases in Greenwood County Family Court are handled by attorneys, though self-represented litigants are permitted.
Case types in Greenwood County include divorce and legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support orders and modifications, alimony, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. Greenwood County Family Court also handles contempt of visitation matters, which require filing a motion and presenting a certified copy of the existing court order along with an affidavit explaining the violation.
South Carolina is a closed adoption state. When an adoption is finalized in Greenwood County, the record is sealed. Accessing sealed adoption records requires speaking with an attorney about the available legal options. Most other Greenwood County family court records are public and accessible through the online index or the Family Court Records Office.
Note: For contempt of visitation matters, the motion filing fee of $25.00 must be paid in cash at the Filing/Records office at the Greenwood County courthouse.
Greenwood County Family Court Filing Fees
The standard filing fee to open a new case in Greenwood County Family Court is $150 for a Summons and Complaint. Filing a Summons, Complaint, and Motion together costs $175. Filing a Motion individually costs $25. These fees apply to divorce, custody, support, adoption, and similar case types.
No filing fee is required for DSS abuse and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and domestic abuse protection order petitions. If you cannot afford the filing fee, ask the Clerk of Court about the in forma pauperis process. You submit a sworn affidavit of financial hardship, and the court decides whether to grant a fee waiver. Contact the Greenwood County Clerk of Court for guidance on this process.
For free legal help, contact SC Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can connect you with a family law attorney who practices in Greenwood County.
Self-Help Resources in Greenwood County
Free official South Carolina Family Court forms are available at sccourts.org. Greenwood County Family Court also provides a Name Change Packet for residents who want to petition for a name change. Read all instructions carefully and follow the directions provided. The Clerk's office remains neutral in all matters before the courts and cannot provide legal advice beyond what is included in the published instructions.
If you have a question about a protection order in Greenwood County, contact the Victims Advocates Office at 864-942-8577 or 864-942-8534. Advocates can help you file for an Order of Protection if you have been threatened or harmed. For child support questions, reach the SC DSS Child Support Division directly.
Note: Greenwood County residents who need forms for Child Support Modification or other case types can find all available documents on the SC Judicial Branch forms page at sccourts.org.
Nearby Counties
Greenwood County is in the Piedmont region of South Carolina. These neighboring counties share the 8th Judicial Circuit or border Greenwood County.