Records of divorce in Pickens County, South Carolina, are available through several channels. PickensCourt.us will help you find public information about divorce records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the court that issued the decision directly, the Pickens County Clerk of Court's office, or the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SC DHEC Vital Records). Online court case search tools also allow you to check basic case information remotely.
Pickens Divorce Records Search
In South Carolina, divorce cases are handled by the Family Court — a division of the Court of Common Pleas with general jurisdiction. The Pickens County Clerk of Court's office keeps the original court materials: divorce decrees, property distribution agreements, child custody orders, and related procedural documents.
Separate from the court, the state's Department of Public Health maintains a registry of so-called divorce reports — brief statistical certificates that confirm the fact of divorce. These certificates are available for divorces registered in the state since 1962.
The record collection includes:
- Final Decree of Divorce
- Certified Divorce Reports / Certificates
- Property and alimony agreements
- Child custody and visitation orders
- Procedural documents — complaints, answers, motions
Pickens County Clerk of Court
For online searches of basic court case information, use the South Carolina Judicial System Public Index. This portal allows you to find a case by party name or case number, although the full text of documents is usually not available through it.
Where Divorce Records Are Filed in Pickens
Which office you need depends on what you are looking for: a full court decision or a brief certificate to confirm the fact of divorce.
Family Court — Court Materials
All divorce cases in Pickens County are heard in the Family Court, which is part of the South Carolina Judicial Branch. After a decision is made, the original case is stored in the Clerk of Court's office at the county courthouse. This is where you can obtain a certified copy of a decree or any procedural document from the case.
SC DHEC Vital Records — Divorce Certificate
The state's Department of Health issues divorce reports — a document that confirms the date of divorce and the names of the parties but does not contain details of the agreement or court decision. Only the persons named in the document, their adult children, or a legal representative can order such a certificate. Requests can be submitted by mail, in person, or through VitalChek online (phone: 1-877-284-1008).
If you need the full text of a court decision with property division or custody terms — contact the Clerk of Court. For simple confirmation of the fact of divorce, a certificate from DHEC is sufficient.
Divorce Record Search Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times in Pickens
| Service | Fee | Typical Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce Report (DHEC Vital Records) — standard request | $12.00 | Depends on submission method; by mail — up to 8–12 weeks |
| Divorce Report via VitalChek (online/phone) | $12.00 + VitalChek service fee | Expedited processing — approximately 5–7 business days |
| Certified copy of court document (Clerk of Court) | Depends on the number of pages; check with the office | Usually 1–5 business days for in-person requests |
| Court archive search (Clerk of Court) | Check by phone (864) 898-5866 | Varies depending on case date |