Hampton County Family Court Records

Hampton County family court records are maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Hampton County courthouse in the town of Hampton. The Family Court is part of the 14th Judicial Circuit and handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, name changes, protection orders, and juvenile matters for Hampton County residents. You can search Hampton County family court case records through the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org or visit the Clerk of Court in person during regular business hours.

Hampton County Family Court

The Hampton County Family Court serves all residents of Hampton County. The Clerk of Court maintains all case files for family court proceedings. Staff can help you search for case records by name or case number. The courthouse in Hampton is your main point of contact for all family court records in the county.

The SC Judicial Branch courthouse directory provides contact details for the Hampton County Family Court. Visit the SC Judicial Branch Hampton page for current address and phone information. Family court judges in South Carolina are elected by the General Assembly for six-year terms. The 14th Circuit has at least two resident family court judges who hear cases in Hampton County.

The SC Judicial Branch courthouse directory provides contact details for Hampton County Family Court.

Hampton County Family Court Records Access

You can search Hampton County family court records online through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index. This free tool lets you look up case records by party name, case number, date range, or CDR code. Go to sccourts.org/case-records-search, select Hampton County from the county list, accept the disclaimer, and enter your search terms. The Public Index shows basic case details including parties, case type, filing date, and hearing information.

For a full review of the case file or to get certified copies of documents, you need to visit the Clerk of Court in person at the Hampton County Courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID. The Clerk can make copies of documents in the file. Certified copies cost more than plain copies. If you know the case number, you can request documents by mail. Call ahead to confirm the current fee schedule and turnaround time for Hampton County records requests.

Note: Some family court records in Hampton County may be sealed or restricted. Cases involving juvenile matters, adoption, and termination of parental rights are typically not available to the general public.

Types of Family Court Cases in Hampton County

The Hampton County Family Court handles a wide range of family law matters. Each case type produces its own set of records and filings. Understanding the case type helps you know what records exist and where to look for them in Hampton County.

Divorce and legal separation cases are among the most common filings in Hampton County. The complaint, answer, settlement agreement, and final decree are all part of the divorce case file. Custody cases include petitions, parenting plans, guardian ad litem reports, and orders. Support cases cover child support and alimony, with income records and financial affidavits as part of the file. Adoption cases are filed in Hampton County Family Court but records are sealed after finalization to protect the child's privacy.

The main case types handled by Hampton County Family Court include:

• Divorce and annulment
• Legal separation and separate maintenance
• Child custody and visitation
• Child support establishment and modification
• Alimony and spousal support
• Adoption
• Termination of parental rights
• Juvenile delinquency matters
• Domestic abuse protection orders
• Name changes

Each of these cases generates court filings that become part of the permanent record at the Hampton County Clerk of Court. When a case settles, all signed agreements and final orders are filed with the court. When a judge decides the case, the order or judgment is entered into the record. The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act under S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-30 gives the public the right to inspect most of these records.

Hampton County Family Court Filing Fees

The standard filing fee for most family court cases in Hampton County is $150. This applies to cases for divorce, custody, support, adoption, paternity, and name changes. Fees are set by state law and apply uniformly across all South Carolina counties, including Hampton County.

Some case types do not require a filing fee in Hampton County. There is no fee to file a DSS Abuse and Neglect case, a Juvenile Delinquency petition, or a Domestic Abuse Protection Order. These cases serve vulnerable people, so the state waives the fee to allow access to the court. If you cannot afford the $150 fee for other case types, you may apply to proceed in forma pauperis by filing an affidavit showing your financial need with the Hampton County Family Court.

Copy fees and service fees are separate from the filing fee. The Clerk of Court charges per-page fees for copies of documents. Certified copies cost more than uncertified copies. If you need the Sheriff to serve the other party, there is a separate fee for that service in Hampton County. Call the Clerk of Court to confirm current rates before your visit.

How to Get Copies of Hampton Family Court Records

The Clerk of Court at the Hampton County Courthouse is the official source for copies of family court records. You can request copies in person, by mail, or by phone. For in-person requests, visit the courthouse during business hours. Staff will locate the file and make copies while you wait or within a short processing period.

To request copies by mail, write to the Hampton County Clerk of Court. Include the names of the parties, the case number if you have it, and a description of the documents you need. Include a check or money order for the estimated copy fees. The Clerk will mail the copies back to you. Allow extra time for mail requests. Certified copies require a certification stamp and cost more than plain copies, but they are accepted by most courts, agencies, and financial institutions as official proof of the court record.

Note: The SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org provides free online access to case summaries but does not provide copies of the actual documents in Hampton County case files.

Hampton County Family Court Forms and Self-Help

The SC Judicial Branch maintains a collection of official family court forms at sccourts.org/court-forms. These forms are approved for use in Hampton County and all other South Carolina counties. They cover a range of case types including support, visitation, and certain protective proceedings. Using the correct form helps ensure your filing is accepted by the Hampton County Family Court.

Self-represented parties in Hampton County can use these forms without a lawyer. However, not all case types have standard forms. Divorce cases, in particular, often require customized pleadings that must be drafted to fit the specific facts of each case. The SC Judicial Branch website provides instructions for self-represented litigants. Legal aid organizations and public law libraries can also help you find and complete the right forms for your Hampton County family court case.

Legal Help in Hampton County

Legal resources are available to help Hampton County residents with family court matters. South Carolina Legal Services provides free civil legal help to low-income residents. You can reach their statewide LATIS line at 1-888-346-5592 to apply for help with Hampton County family court cases. Their attorneys handle divorce, custody, and protection order matters for qualifying clients.

The South Carolina Bar Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a licensed attorney in the Hampton County area. Call 803-799-7100 to reach the referral line. An initial consultation is available at a reduced rate through this program. A family law attorney can review your Hampton County case, explain your rights, and help you navigate the court process.

For child support questions, contact the South Carolina Department of Social Services Child Support Division at dss.sc.gov/child-support. DSS can help establish, modify, and enforce child support orders for Hampton County families regardless of whether you have an attorney.

Related Records in Hampton County

Other Hampton County offices keep records that relate to family court matters. The Probate Court in Hampton handles marriage licenses, which may be needed as evidence in divorce cases. The Register of Deeds records property deeds that often change hands as part of a divorce or property division order. When you need to show proof of marriage or property ownership in your Hampton County family court case, these offices are your source.

The Hampton County Sheriff's Office processes service of process for family court cases. When you file in Hampton County Family Court and need to serve the other party, the Sheriff can perform that service for a fee. The SC Vital Records office maintains records of births and deaths, which may be relevant in custody and support cases in Hampton County.

Nearby Counties

Hampton County is located in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. If you live near a county border, confirm your county of residence before filing. Family court cases must be filed in the county where you live.

View All 46 Counties