Richland County Family Court Records

Richland County family court records are maintained at the Richland County Judicial Center at 1701 Main Street in Columbia. The Family Court in Richland County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile matters, and all other domestic cases for county residents. Richland County is one of the most populous counties in South Carolina. Search Richland County family court case records online through the SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org or contact the Clerk of Court at (803) 576-1947 to access records in person.

Richland County Family Court Records Access

The Richland County Family Court page at richlandcountysc.gov provides information on court location, contact, and services. Online case searches are available through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. The 5th Judicial Circuit Public Index is also available for searching Richland County Circuit Court records. Both tools show party names, filing dates, and case status at no cost.

Richland County Family Court also offers an automated Voice Response System at (803) 576-3333, available at any time. To use it, you need your 10-digit case or docket number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. For copies of actual documents, contact the Clerk of Court at the Richland County Judicial Center, Room 205, 1701 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 576-1947. Copy fees apply.

The Richland County Family Court at 1701 Main Street in Columbia serves residents throughout the county and provides protection order assistance through the Family Court Office.

Types of Cases Handled in Richland County Family Court

The Richland County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Richland County is part of the 5th Judicial Circuit and as the state capital county receives a high volume of family court filings each year. The court handles a broad range of domestic matters and offers limited assistance with some situations, particularly visitation issues and child support enforcement.

Case types filed in Richland County include divorce, legal separation, child custody, visitation, child support and modification, alimony, paternity, adoption, termination of parental rights, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile delinquency, and name changes. The Family Court does not have generic forms for divorce, separate maintenance, child custody, or adoptions. Parties seeking to file those types must consult an attorney or visit the USC Law Library to find the required documents.

If you need protection from domestic harm, go to the Family Court Office and request to file Domestic Abuse paperwork. A judge may issue a restraining order. Sistercare has an office in the Richland County Family Court building to assist victims of domestic violence. Under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15, courts in Richland County weigh domestic violence history when making custody determinations.

Note: Most Richland County family court records are public, but adoption files and sealed juvenile records are confidential and will not appear in public index searches.

Richland County Family Court Filing Fees

Filing a new family court case in Richland County costs $150 for most case types, including divorce, custody, support, and adoption. This fee is set by state law and is the same across all South Carolina counties. No fee applies to DSS abuse and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency proceedings, and domestic abuse protection order petitions.

If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the Clerk of Court about applying for in forma pauperis status. Submit a sworn affidavit of financial hardship and the court will decide whether to waive the fee. For free legal help in Richland County, contact SC Legal Services at 1-888-346-5592. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can refer you to a family law attorney in Columbia.

Self-Help and Legal Resources in Richland County

Official South Carolina Family Court forms are available for free at sccourts.org. Richland County Family Court forms are also listed on the county Family Court page. The Richland County Clerk of Court staff can help identify which forms to file, but they cannot give legal advice or advise on strategy.

For child support matters in Richland County, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division. DSS administers child support through the State Disbursement Unit for Richland County residents. The SC Judicial Branch at sccourts.org provides procedural guides and resources for self-represented litigants navigating Richland County Family Court proceedings.

Nearby Counties

Richland County is in the central Midlands region of South Carolina. These neighboring counties have their own Family Court divisions for their residents.

View All 46 Counties