Williamsburg County Family Court Records
Williamsburg County family court records are filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court at the county courthouse on West Main Street in Kingstree. The Family Court in Williamsburg County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, domestic violence protection orders, juvenile matters, and all other domestic cases filed by county residents. Search Williamsburg County family court case records online through the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org or contact the Clerk of Court in Kingstree to access records in person or request copies by mail.
Williamsburg County Quick Facts
Williamsburg County Family Court Records Access
Williamsburg County family court records are searchable online for free through the SC Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org. Select Williamsburg County, accept the disclaimer, and search by party name or case number. The index shows filing dates, party names, and current case status for Williamsburg County family court cases.
For copies of documents from Williamsburg County family court case files, contact the Clerk of Court at the Kingstree courthouse. Bring valid photo ID and the names of the parties or the case number. Staff can locate records and provide plain or certified copies. Certified copies carry a higher fee and are required for certain official transactions such as name changes on government documents or enforcement proceedings in other states. Call ahead to confirm current copy fees and office hours before visiting the Kingstree courthouse.
The Williamsburg County Clerk of Court at 125 West Main Street in Kingstree maintains family court records and provides public access during regular business hours.
| Court | Williamsburg County Family Court 125 W Main St, Kingstree, SC 29556 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (843) 355-9321 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Online Search | sccourts.org/case-records-search |
| Court Forms | SC Family Court Forms |
Types of Family Court Cases in Williamsburg County
The Williamsburg County Family Court holds exclusive jurisdiction over domestic and juvenile matters under S.C. Code Ann. § 63-3-530. Williamsburg County is part of the 3rd Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Clarendon, Lee, and Sumter counties. Family court judges rotate through the circuit and preside over Williamsburg County cases on a scheduled basis.
Case types filed in Williamsburg 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 matters, and name changes. Each case creates a record maintained by the Clerk of Court at the Kingstree courthouse. Under S.C. Code Ann. Title 63 Chapter 15, the Williamsburg County Family Court applies the best-interests standard when deciding all custody and visitation matters.
Most Williamsburg County family court records are public and accessible through the statewide online index. Adoption files and sealed juvenile delinquency records are confidential under South Carolina law and will not appear in public records searches.
Williamsburg County Filing Fees and Legal Help
Most new family court cases in Williamsburg County carry a $150 filing fee. This applies to divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, and name change filings. The fee is set by state law and is uniform throughout South Carolina. 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. You submit a sworn financial affidavit and the court determines whether to waive the fee. SC Legal Services at sclegal.org provides free civil legal help to qualifying Williamsburg County residents. The SC Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (803) 799-7100 can refer you to a family law attorney who handles Williamsburg County cases.
Free official court forms are available at sccourts.org. For child support matters, contact the SC DSS Child Support Division.
Nearby Counties
Williamsburg County is in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. These neighboring counties have their own Family Court divisions that serve their respective residents.