SIMPLIFYING YOUR DIVORCE
South Carolina Divorce Papers
Filing for divorce in South Carolina can feel overwhelming when you are staring at a stack of forms with unfamiliar names and code numbers. The good news: the state has a standardized set of family court forms, and for the most common kind of divorce, there is even a free statewide self-help packet. Knowing which papers do what is the first step toward feeling in control of the process.
This guide walks you through the South Carolina divorce forms you may encounter, what each one is used for, where to find them, and how the process generally unfolds. The aim is to demystify the paperwork so you understand the landscape before you begin.
South Carolina is unusual in a few ways worth flagging up front: there is no quick no-fault option, the most common path requires a full year of continuous separation, and the statewide self-help packet only covers the simplest uncontested cases. We will cover all of that below.
This page is informational and describes how forms and the process generally work. It is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
Which South Carolina Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The exact forms involved depend on the details of your case, such as whether you and your spouse agree on everything, whether you have minor children, and whether property or debt is contested. Below, the most common South Carolina family court forms are grouped by the role they play. Form names and numbers come directly from the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Keep in mind that the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children and no contested property or debt; cases involving children, support, or disputed assets typically require additional forms not included in that packet.
Starting the Case
Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467)
A required cover sheet filed with every family court action to identify the case type and the parties.
Summons for Divorce (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV)
The official summons served on the defendant to initiate the divorce action.
Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV)
The pleading filed by the plaintiff to open the divorce case; it states the grounds and the relief sought.
Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02)
Certifies that the case is exempt from mandatory family court ADR/mediation, for example when there is no contested custody or visitation, or when mediation has already been completed.
Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (SCCA405)
Allows a party who cannot afford filing fees to request a fee waiver.
Responding to the Case
Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV)
The response filed by the defendant to the Complaint for Divorce.
Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV)
Signed by the defendant to acknowledge receipt of the divorce papers without formal service by a process server or sheriff.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Financial Declaration (SCCA430)
A mandatory financial disclosure by each party covering income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. It is used for equitable distribution, alimony, and support determinations. This form was revised in November 2024, so it is worth confirming you have the current version.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466)
Required in any contested custody proceeding; each parent submits a proposed plan covering custody, the visitation schedule, holiday time, and major decision-making. Note that the form date printed on the official PDF reads 8/2012, so confirming the current version before use is a good idea.
South Carolina also uses Income Shares child support worksheets (Worksheets A, B, and C). These are published by SC DSS in the Child Support Guidelines booklet rather than issued as a numbered SCCA court form. They are completed and submitted to the court, which uses them to set support amounts. The guidelines were updated in January 2024, raising amounts by roughly 25%. Because custody and child support forms are not part of the statewide Simple Divorce packet, cases with children generally call for separate packets or attorney assistance.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
South Carolina does not publish a standardized, numbered SCCA form for a marital settlement or separation agreement. Instead, parties draft their own agreement, which can then be attached to and incorporated into the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV). Because these agreements address how property, debt, and support are handled, many people choose to have one reviewed by an attorney.
Finalizing Your Case
Affidavit of Default for Divorce (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV)
Filed when the defendant has not answered; it establishes default so the case may proceed to a hearing.
Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV)
A formal request to schedule the final divorce hearing before the family court judge.
Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV)
The final judgment dissolving the marriage; it may incorporate agreed terms on property, debt, and support.
Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F)
The standard judgment entry form the court uses to enter the Final Order of Divorce into the court record.
Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682)
A state vital records form filed with DHEC (the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control) to register the divorce.
Where to Get South Carolina Divorce Forms
There are several ways to access South Carolina divorce forms, depending on how much guidance you want along the way.
Official State Courts Site
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) self-help packet and individual court forms. You can download the official packet directly from the court's self-help page at sccourts.org. This is the authoritative source for current form versions.
County Clerk or Court
Filing happens at the family court in the appropriate county. Some counties, such as Saluda, Horry, and Newberry, have published their own local divorce packets that combine the same statewide SCCA forms with local instructions. These local packets are supplements, not replacements; the core form numbers are the same statewide.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
The court's self-represented litigant (SRL) materials are designed for people handling a simple uncontested divorce on their own. They include step-by-step instructions alongside the forms. Legal aid organizations in South Carolina may also offer assistance to those who qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you would rather not assemble and interpret forms yourself, an online service can guide you through the questions and help you organize the paperwork. Divorce.com offers a guided flow that walks you through the information needed for your documents, which can save time and reduce the guesswork of figuring out which forms apply.
Hire an Attorney
For cases involving contested custody, alimony, significant or disputed property, or anything outside the narrow scope of the simple packet, working with an attorney is often the most reliable path. An attorney can advise you on your specific circumstances and prepare the additional forms the self-help packet does not cover.
The South Carolina Divorce Process
While every case is different, a no-fault South Carolina divorce generally follows these steps.
1. Confirm Residency
South Carolina requires the plaintiff to have lived in the state for one year before filing. If the defendant is a South Carolina resident, the plaintiff only needs three months of residency. Active-duty military stationed in South Carolina may count their time in the state regardless of intent to remain permanently.
2. Establish Grounds and the Separation Period
The most common ground, and the only one covered by the statewide self-help packet, is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation. In practice, that one-year separation requirement functions as a built-in waiting period for no-fault cases.
3. File the Initial Paperwork
The case opens when the plaintiff files the Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV) along with the Summons (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV) and Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467) at the family court.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant must receive the divorce papers. This can happen through formal service or, when the defendant cooperates, by signing an Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV). The defendant may then file a Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Each party completes a Financial Declaration (SCCA430) disclosing income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. This information supports decisions about property division, alimony, and support.
6. Address the Waiting Period and Hearing
South Carolina has no separate cooling-off period, but a final decree generally cannot be granted until at least three months after the complaint is filed, with a hearing or reference typically not occurring before two months. In separation and desertion cases, the court may proceed once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered. A Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV) is used to schedule the final hearing, and an Affidavit of Default (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV) may be filed if the defendant never responds.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
The judge enters the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV), often alongside the Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F). The divorce is then registered with the state through the Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682). Requesting certified copies of the final order is useful for updating records later.
South Carolina-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. The plaintiff generally needs one year of South Carolina residency before filing, reduced to three months if the defendant is a South Carolina resident. Active-duty military stationed in the state may count that time regardless of intent to remain.
Property regime. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal.
Grounds. The no-fault ground is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation, and it is by far the most common. Fault grounds also exist: adultery; physical cruelty; habitual drunkenness or narcotics use; and desertion for one year.
Waiting period. Under SC Code § 20-3-80, a final decree cannot be issued until at least three months after the complaint is filed, and a hearing cannot be held until at least two months after filing. This statutory minimum applies to fault-based grounds (adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness). One-year separation and desertion cases are exempt from this waiting period and may proceed to hearing once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered — meaning the one-year separation requirement itself functions as the practical waiting period for no-fault cases.
Mandatory mediation. Under South Carolina ADR Rule 3, all contested issues in a family court domestic relations action are subject to court-ordered mediation. The Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) is filed when a case qualifies for an exemption, such as no contested custody or visitation or mediation already completed. Parties may alternatively elect arbitration or early neutral evaluation.
Reconciliation effort. Before granting a divorce, the judge must make an earnest effort to bring about reconciliation, unless the case is a default, and must certify that this attempt was made.
No covenant marriage. South Carolina does not offer a covenant marriage option.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the simple packet covers your situation
The statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children, no contested property, and no contested debt. Cases involving children, support, or disputed assets need additional forms the packet does not include.
Using an outdated form version
Form versions change. The Financial Declaration (SCCA430) was revised in November 2024, and the Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466) PDF shows a date of 8/2012. Confirming the current version at the official court site before you begin helps avoid rejected filings.
Overlooking the mediation rule
Because contested family court issues are subject to mandatory mediation, filing the Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) when a case qualifies is part of keeping the case on track.
Miscounting the separation period
The one-year continuous separation without cohabitation is a strict requirement for the common no-fault ground. Misjudging when that period began or treating it as interrupted can delay the case.
Drafting a settlement agreement without care
Since South Carolina has no standardized settlement agreement form, the agreement you draft and attach to the Final Order shapes how property, debt, and support are handled. Having it reviewed can prevent costly oversights.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Pulling together the right forms, in the right versions, in the right order is a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is designed to take the guesswork out of the paperwork by guiding you through a simple set of questions and helping you organize the documents your case calls for. Here is what that looks like in practice:
A guided, plain-language flow so you are not deciphering form numbers alone
Help organizing the documents that fit your situation
A clear, step-by-step experience that saves time and reduces stress
An affordable alternative to figuring everything out from scratch
Support that complements, not replaces, professional legal advice when you need it
Which South Carolina Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The exact forms involved depend on the details of your case, such as whether you and your spouse agree on everything, whether you have minor children, and whether property or debt is contested. Below, the most common South Carolina family court forms are grouped by the role they play. Form names and numbers come directly from the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Keep in mind that the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children and no contested property or debt; cases involving children, support, or disputed assets typically require additional forms not included in that packet.
Starting the Case
Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467)
A required cover sheet filed with every family court action to identify the case type and the parties.
Summons for Divorce (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV)
The official summons served on the defendant to initiate the divorce action.
Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV)
The pleading filed by the plaintiff to open the divorce case; it states the grounds and the relief sought.
Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02)
Certifies that the case is exempt from mandatory family court ADR/mediation, for example when there is no contested custody or visitation, or when mediation has already been completed.
Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (SCCA405)
Allows a party who cannot afford filing fees to request a fee waiver.
Responding to the Case
Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV)
The response filed by the defendant to the Complaint for Divorce.
Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV)
Signed by the defendant to acknowledge receipt of the divorce papers without formal service by a process server or sheriff.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Financial Declaration (SCCA430)
A mandatory financial disclosure by each party covering income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. It is used for equitable distribution, alimony, and support determinations. This form was revised in November 2024, so it is worth confirming you have the current version.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466)
Required in any contested custody proceeding; each parent submits a proposed plan covering custody, the visitation schedule, holiday time, and major decision-making. Note that the form date printed on the official PDF reads 8/2012, so confirming the current version before use is a good idea.
South Carolina also uses Income Shares child support worksheets (Worksheets A, B, and C). These are published by SC DSS in the Child Support Guidelines booklet rather than issued as a numbered SCCA court form. They are completed and submitted to the court, which uses them to set support amounts. The guidelines were updated in January 2024, raising amounts by roughly 25%. Because custody and child support forms are not part of the statewide Simple Divorce packet, cases with children generally call for separate packets or attorney assistance.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
South Carolina does not publish a standardized, numbered SCCA form for a marital settlement or separation agreement. Instead, parties draft their own agreement, which can then be attached to and incorporated into the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV). Because these agreements address how property, debt, and support are handled, many people choose to have one reviewed by an attorney.
Finalizing Your Case
Affidavit of Default for Divorce (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV)
Filed when the defendant has not answered; it establishes default so the case may proceed to a hearing.
Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV)
A formal request to schedule the final divorce hearing before the family court judge.
Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV)
The final judgment dissolving the marriage; it may incorporate agreed terms on property, debt, and support.
Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F)
The standard judgment entry form the court uses to enter the Final Order of Divorce into the court record.
Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682)
A state vital records form filed with DHEC (the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control) to register the divorce.
Where to Get South Carolina Divorce Forms
There are several ways to access South Carolina divorce forms, depending on how much guidance you want along the way.
Official State Courts Site
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) self-help packet and individual court forms. You can download the official packet directly from the court's self-help page at sccourts.org. This is the authoritative source for current form versions.
County Clerk or Court
Filing happens at the family court in the appropriate county. Some counties, such as Saluda, Horry, and Newberry, have published their own local divorce packets that combine the same statewide SCCA forms with local instructions. These local packets are supplements, not replacements; the core form numbers are the same statewide.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
The court's self-represented litigant (SRL) materials are designed for people handling a simple uncontested divorce on their own. They include step-by-step instructions alongside the forms. Legal aid organizations in South Carolina may also offer assistance to those who qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you would rather not assemble and interpret forms yourself, an online service can guide you through the questions and help you organize the paperwork. Divorce.com offers a guided flow that walks you through the information needed for your documents, which can save time and reduce the guesswork of figuring out which forms apply.
Hire an Attorney
For cases involving contested custody, alimony, significant or disputed property, or anything outside the narrow scope of the simple packet, working with an attorney is often the most reliable path. An attorney can advise you on your specific circumstances and prepare the additional forms the self-help packet does not cover.
The South Carolina Divorce Process
While every case is different, a no-fault South Carolina divorce generally follows these steps.
1. Confirm Residency
South Carolina requires the plaintiff to have lived in the state for one year before filing. If the defendant is a South Carolina resident, the plaintiff only needs three months of residency. Active-duty military stationed in South Carolina may count their time in the state regardless of intent to remain permanently.
2. Establish Grounds and the Separation Period
The most common ground, and the only one covered by the statewide self-help packet, is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation. In practice, that one-year separation requirement functions as a built-in waiting period for no-fault cases.
3. File the Initial Paperwork
The case opens when the plaintiff files the Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV) along with the Summons (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV) and Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467) at the family court.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant must receive the divorce papers. This can happen through formal service or, when the defendant cooperates, by signing an Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV). The defendant may then file a Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Each party completes a Financial Declaration (SCCA430) disclosing income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. This information supports decisions about property division, alimony, and support.
6. Address the Waiting Period and Hearing
South Carolina has no separate cooling-off period, but a final decree generally cannot be granted until at least three months after the complaint is filed, with a hearing or reference typically not occurring before two months. In separation and desertion cases, the court may proceed once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered. A Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV) is used to schedule the final hearing, and an Affidavit of Default (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV) may be filed if the defendant never responds.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
The judge enters the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV), often alongside the Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F). The divorce is then registered with the state through the Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682). Requesting certified copies of the final order is useful for updating records later.
South Carolina-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. The plaintiff generally needs one year of South Carolina residency before filing, reduced to three months if the defendant is a South Carolina resident. Active-duty military stationed in the state may count that time regardless of intent to remain.
Property regime. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal.
Grounds. The no-fault ground is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation, and it is by far the most common. Fault grounds also exist: adultery; physical cruelty; habitual drunkenness or narcotics use; and desertion for one year.
Waiting period. Under SC Code § 20-3-80, a final decree cannot be issued until at least three months after the complaint is filed, and a hearing cannot be held until at least two months after filing. This statutory minimum applies to fault-based grounds (adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness). One-year separation and desertion cases are exempt from this waiting period and may proceed to hearing once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered — meaning the one-year separation requirement itself functions as the practical waiting period for no-fault cases.
Mandatory mediation. Under South Carolina ADR Rule 3, all contested issues in a family court domestic relations action are subject to court-ordered mediation. The Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) is filed when a case qualifies for an exemption, such as no contested custody or visitation or mediation already completed. Parties may alternatively elect arbitration or early neutral evaluation.
Reconciliation effort. Before granting a divorce, the judge must make an earnest effort to bring about reconciliation, unless the case is a default, and must certify that this attempt was made.
No covenant marriage. South Carolina does not offer a covenant marriage option.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the simple packet covers your situation
The statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children, no contested property, and no contested debt. Cases involving children, support, or disputed assets need additional forms the packet does not include.
Using an outdated form version
Form versions change. The Financial Declaration (SCCA430) was revised in November 2024, and the Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466) PDF shows a date of 8/2012. Confirming the current version at the official court site before you begin helps avoid rejected filings.
Overlooking the mediation rule
Because contested family court issues are subject to mandatory mediation, filing the Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) when a case qualifies is part of keeping the case on track.
Miscounting the separation period
The one-year continuous separation without cohabitation is a strict requirement for the common no-fault ground. Misjudging when that period began or treating it as interrupted can delay the case.
Drafting a settlement agreement without care
Since South Carolina has no standardized settlement agreement form, the agreement you draft and attach to the Final Order shapes how property, debt, and support are handled. Having it reviewed can prevent costly oversights.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Pulling together the right forms, in the right versions, in the right order is a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is designed to take the guesswork out of the paperwork by guiding you through a simple set of questions and helping you organize the documents your case calls for. Here is what that looks like in practice:
A guided, plain-language flow so you are not deciphering form numbers alone
Help organizing the documents that fit your situation
A clear, step-by-step experience that saves time and reduces stress
An affordable alternative to figuring everything out from scratch
Support that complements, not replaces, professional legal advice when you need it
Which South Carolina Divorce Forms Will You Need?
The exact forms involved depend on the details of your case, such as whether you and your spouse agree on everything, whether you have minor children, and whether property or debt is contested. Below, the most common South Carolina family court forms are grouped by the role they play. Form names and numbers come directly from the South Carolina Judicial Branch. Keep in mind that the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children and no contested property or debt; cases involving children, support, or disputed assets typically require additional forms not included in that packet.
Starting the Case
Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467)
A required cover sheet filed with every family court action to identify the case type and the parties.
Summons for Divorce (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV)
The official summons served on the defendant to initiate the divorce action.
Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV)
The pleading filed by the plaintiff to open the divorce case; it states the grounds and the relief sought.
Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02)
Certifies that the case is exempt from mandatory family court ADR/mediation, for example when there is no contested custody or visitation, or when mediation has already been completed.
Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (SCCA405)
Allows a party who cannot afford filing fees to request a fee waiver.
Responding to the Case
Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV)
The response filed by the defendant to the Complaint for Divorce.
Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV)
Signed by the defendant to acknowledge receipt of the divorce papers without formal service by a process server or sheriff.
Financial and Disclosure Forms
Financial Declaration (SCCA430)
A mandatory financial disclosure by each party covering income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. It is used for equitable distribution, alimony, and support determinations. This form was revised in November 2024, so it is worth confirming you have the current version.
Forms for Divorces With Children
Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466)
Required in any contested custody proceeding; each parent submits a proposed plan covering custody, the visitation schedule, holiday time, and major decision-making. Note that the form date printed on the official PDF reads 8/2012, so confirming the current version before use is a good idea.
South Carolina also uses Income Shares child support worksheets (Worksheets A, B, and C). These are published by SC DSS in the Child Support Guidelines booklet rather than issued as a numbered SCCA court form. They are completed and submitted to the court, which uses them to set support amounts. The guidelines were updated in January 2024, raising amounts by roughly 25%. Because custody and child support forms are not part of the statewide Simple Divorce packet, cases with children generally call for separate packets or attorney assistance.
Settlement or Separation Agreement
South Carolina does not publish a standardized, numbered SCCA form for a marital settlement or separation agreement. Instead, parties draft their own agreement, which can then be attached to and incorporated into the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV). Because these agreements address how property, debt, and support are handled, many people choose to have one reviewed by an attorney.
Finalizing Your Case
Affidavit of Default for Divorce (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV)
Filed when the defendant has not answered; it establishes default so the case may proceed to a hearing.
Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV)
A formal request to schedule the final divorce hearing before the family court judge.
Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV)
The final judgment dissolving the marriage; it may incorporate agreed terms on property, debt, and support.
Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F)
The standard judgment entry form the court uses to enter the Final Order of Divorce into the court record.
Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682)
A state vital records form filed with DHEC (the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control) to register the divorce.
Where to Get South Carolina Divorce Forms
There are several ways to access South Carolina divorce forms, depending on how much guidance you want along the way.
Official State Courts Site
The South Carolina Judicial Branch publishes the statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) self-help packet and individual court forms. You can download the official packet directly from the court's self-help page at sccourts.org. This is the authoritative source for current form versions.
County Clerk or Court
Filing happens at the family court in the appropriate county. Some counties, such as Saluda, Horry, and Newberry, have published their own local divorce packets that combine the same statewide SCCA forms with local instructions. These local packets are supplements, not replacements; the core form numbers are the same statewide.
Legal Aid and Self-Help Resources
The court's self-represented litigant (SRL) materials are designed for people handling a simple uncontested divorce on their own. They include step-by-step instructions alongside the forms. Legal aid organizations in South Carolina may also offer assistance to those who qualify.
Online Divorce Services
If you would rather not assemble and interpret forms yourself, an online service can guide you through the questions and help you organize the paperwork. Divorce.com offers a guided flow that walks you through the information needed for your documents, which can save time and reduce the guesswork of figuring out which forms apply.
Hire an Attorney
For cases involving contested custody, alimony, significant or disputed property, or anything outside the narrow scope of the simple packet, working with an attorney is often the most reliable path. An attorney can advise you on your specific circumstances and prepare the additional forms the self-help packet does not cover.
The South Carolina Divorce Process
While every case is different, a no-fault South Carolina divorce generally follows these steps.
1. Confirm Residency
South Carolina requires the plaintiff to have lived in the state for one year before filing. If the defendant is a South Carolina resident, the plaintiff only needs three months of residency. Active-duty military stationed in South Carolina may count their time in the state regardless of intent to remain permanently.
2. Establish Grounds and the Separation Period
The most common ground, and the only one covered by the statewide self-help packet, is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation. In practice, that one-year separation requirement functions as a built-in waiting period for no-fault cases.
3. File the Initial Paperwork
The case opens when the plaintiff files the Complaint for Divorce (SCCA400.02SRL-DIV) along with the Summons (SCCA400.01SRL-DIV) and Family Court Coversheet (SCCA467) at the family court.
4. Serve the Other Spouse
The defendant must receive the divorce papers. This can happen through formal service or, when the defendant cooperates, by signing an Acceptance of Service (SCCA400.03SRL-DIV). The defendant may then file a Defendant's Answer (SCCA400.05SRL-DIV).
5. Exchange Financial Disclosures
Each party completes a Financial Declaration (SCCA430) disclosing income, assets, liabilities, and expenses. This information supports decisions about property division, alimony, and support.
6. Address the Waiting Period and Hearing
South Carolina has no separate cooling-off period, but a final decree generally cannot be granted until at least three months after the complaint is filed, with a hearing or reference typically not occurring before two months. In separation and desertion cases, the court may proceed once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered. A Request for Hearing (SCCA400.08SRL-DIV) is used to schedule the final hearing, and an Affidavit of Default (SCCA400.07SRL-DIV) may be filed if the defendant never responds.
7. Receive the Decree and Certified Copies
The judge enters the Final Order of Divorce (SCCA400.10SRL-DIV), often alongside the Judgment in a Family Court Case (SCRCP Form 4F). The divorce is then registered with the state through the Report of Divorce or Annulment of Marriage (DHEC0682). Requesting certified copies of the final order is useful for updating records later.
South Carolina-Specific Requirements You Should Know
Residency. The plaintiff generally needs one year of South Carolina residency before filing, reduced to three months if the defendant is a South Carolina resident. Active-duty military stationed in the state may count that time regardless of intent to remain.
Property regime. South Carolina is an equitable distribution state, which means marital property is divided in a way the court considers fair, though not necessarily equal.
Grounds. The no-fault ground is one year of continuous separation without cohabitation, and it is by far the most common. Fault grounds also exist: adultery; physical cruelty; habitual drunkenness or narcotics use; and desertion for one year.
Waiting period. Under SC Code § 20-3-80, a final decree cannot be issued until at least three months after the complaint is filed, and a hearing cannot be held until at least two months after filing. This statutory minimum applies to fault-based grounds (adultery, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness). One-year separation and desertion cases are exempt from this waiting period and may proceed to hearing once responsive pleadings are filed or default is entered — meaning the one-year separation requirement itself functions as the practical waiting period for no-fault cases.
Mandatory mediation. Under South Carolina ADR Rule 3, all contested issues in a family court domestic relations action are subject to court-ordered mediation. The Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) is filed when a case qualifies for an exemption, such as no contested custody or visitation or mediation already completed. Parties may alternatively elect arbitration or early neutral evaluation.
Reconciliation effort. Before granting a divorce, the judge must make an earnest effort to bring about reconciliation, unless the case is a default, and must certify that this attempt was made.
No covenant marriage. South Carolina does not offer a covenant marriage option.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming the simple packet covers your situation
The statewide Simple Divorce (SRL) packet is built only for uncontested one-year-separation divorces with no minor children, no contested property, and no contested debt. Cases involving children, support, or disputed assets need additional forms the packet does not include.
Using an outdated form version
Form versions change. The Financial Declaration (SCCA430) was revised in November 2024, and the Proposed Parenting Plan (SCCA466) PDF shows a date of 8/2012. Confirming the current version at the official court site before you begin helps avoid rejected filings.
Overlooking the mediation rule
Because contested family court issues are subject to mandatory mediation, filing the Certificate of Exemption (SCRFCMFORM02) when a case qualifies is part of keeping the case on track.
Miscounting the separation period
The one-year continuous separation without cohabitation is a strict requirement for the common no-fault ground. Misjudging when that period began or treating it as interrupted can delay the case.
Drafting a settlement agreement without care
Since South Carolina has no standardized settlement agreement form, the agreement you draft and attach to the Final Order shapes how property, debt, and support are handled. Having it reviewed can prevent costly oversights.
How Divorce.com Can Help
Pulling together the right forms, in the right versions, in the right order is a lot to manage on your own. Divorce.com is designed to take the guesswork out of the paperwork by guiding you through a simple set of questions and helping you organize the documents your case calls for. Here is what that looks like in practice:
A guided, plain-language flow so you are not deciphering form numbers alone
Help organizing the documents that fit your situation
A clear, step-by-step experience that saves time and reduces stress
An affordable alternative to figuring everything out from scratch
Support that complements, not replaces, professional legal advice when you need it
Filing for divorce in South Carolina can feel overwhelming when you are staring at a stack of forms with unfamiliar names and code numbers. The good news: the state has a standardized set of family court forms, and for the most common kind of divorce, there is even a free statewide self-help packet. Knowing which papers do what is the first step toward feeling in control of the process.
This guide walks you through the South Carolina divorce forms you may encounter, what each one is used for, where to find them, and how the process generally unfolds. The aim is to demystify the paperwork so you understand the landscape before you begin.
South Carolina is unusual in a few ways worth flagging up front: there is no quick no-fault option, the most common path requires a full year of continuous separation, and the statewide self-help packet only covers the simplest uncontested cases. We will cover all of that below.
This page is informational and describes how forms and the process generally work. It is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult an attorney.
The Bottom Line
Getting divorced in South Carolina, whether you are in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, or anywhere else in the state, comes down to understanding which forms apply to your situation and following the family court process. For most people, that means a one-year-separation no-fault case using the standardized statewide forms, but cases with children, contested property, or alimony involve more paperwork than the simple self-help packet covers.
You can download the official statewide Simple Divorce packet and individual court forms directly from the South Carolina Judicial Branch at sccourts.org. If you would rather have a guided experience that helps you organize the right documents, Divorce.com can walk you through it step by step.
This page is informational and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific circumstances, including custody, support, or property questions, consult an attorney.
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