Divorce records in Aiken County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. AikenCourt.us can help you find publicly available divorce record information for Aiken County. You can also access records directly through the court that issued the decree, the Aiken County Clerk of Court, or the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records office. The approach you take depends on whether you need a full court file or a certified divorce report.
Aiken Divorce Records Search
Two offices maintain divorce-related records for Aiken County. The Aiken County Clerk of Court's office, Judgment Division, keeps all completed divorce case files — including divorce decrees, settlement agreements, custody orders, and related filings. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) maintains a separate Report of Divorce, which is a summary-level vital record rather than the full court file.
The divorce records collection at the Clerk of Court includes:
- Final divorce decrees
- Settlement and property division agreements
- Custody and visitation orders
- Motions, pleadings, and other case filings
For online case index searches, the South Carolina Judicial Department Public Index allows you to look up Family Court cases by party name. Note that the Public Index is informational only — official copies must be obtained from the Clerk of Court.
Aiken County Clerk of Court
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Aiken
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court, which is a division of the Circuit Court. In Aiken County, all divorce actions are filed in and decided by the Aiken County Family Court. Once a judge signs the final divorce decree, it is filed and maintained by the Clerk of Court's Judgment Division.
Separately, the court reports each finalized divorce to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, which issues a Report of Divorce — a certified summary document that confirms the divorce occurred. This is not the same as the full decree.
Which office to contact depends on what you need:
- Full divorce decree, settlement agreement, or custody order — Contact the Aiken County Clerk of Court, Judgment Division.
- Certified Report of Divorce (vital record summary) — Contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health, Vital Records division.
Aiken County Clerk of Court — Judgment Division
South Carolina Department of Public Health — Vital Records
Public access to Family Court records in South Carolina may be restricted in certain cases, particularly those involving minors or sealed proceedings. Under South Carolina Code of Laws Title 30, most court records are generally public, but Family Court records can carry additional privacy protections. Ask the Clerk of Court whether the specific file you need is available for public review or copying.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Aiken
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Report of Divorce (SC DPH — Vital Records) | $12.00 | Approximately 4–6 weeks by mail |
| Additional certified copies of Report of Divorce (same order) | $3.00 each | Same as above |
| Court record copies (Clerk of Court) | Varies — contact Clerk for current per-page rate | Usually available same day for in-person requests |
| Certified court document copies (Clerk of Court) | Varies — contact Clerk for certification fee | Usually available same day to a few business days |