Certified copies of the Report of Divorce are available from DHEC for divorces that were decreed between July 1962 and December 2022
Apply for a Report of Divorce
1. Online or by phone through VitalChek
Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Visit VitalChek on the web or call 1-877-284-1008, 7 days a week, 24-hours-a-day. Only the persons named on the divorce report, their adult children or a present or former spouse may order through VitalChek.
You will need to provide:
- A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
- $3 for each additional copy
- $12.85 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek
- Shipping fees should you choose to have your record sent to you by UPS rather than regular U.S. mail
- Only the person named on the divorce report, their adult children or a present or former spouse may order through VitalChek.
2. In-Person
Average processing time is 30-45 minutes.
Same day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as paternity affidavits, corrections and amendments; please arrive early to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same day service is not guaranteed for requests such as paternity affidavits, adoption processing, corrections and amendments.
You will need to provide:
- A completed application form
- $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
- $3 for each additional copy
- A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.
Where to Go:
- DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
- Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Telephone: (803) 898-3630
- Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
3. By Mail
* Mail requests are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
Average processing time is 4 weeks.
You will need to send:
- A completed application form
- A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee ($3 for each additional copy)
- A photocopy of a valid government, school or employer issued photo ID. When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.
Mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201
4. Drop-off
* Drop-off requests are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
You will need to provide:
- A completed application form.
- You may select a standard $12 non-refundable search fee with a turn around time of 4 weeks or an expedited $17 non-refundable search fee with a turn around time of 5 business days or less (search fee includes one certified copy of the divorce report).
- $3 for each additional copy.
- You must pay with exact cash, money order, or cashier's check made payable to S.C. DHEC.
- A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.
Additional information:
- We'll give you a receipt when you drop off your request.
- We can mail your divorce report to you or you can pick it up at the Columbia State Office.
Where to Go:
- DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
- Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Telephone: (803) 898-3630
- Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
Who can obtain a certified copy of a divorce report?
You are entitled to obtain a certified copy of a divorce report if you are:
- One of the divorced parties (husband or wife)
- Adult child(ren) of the divorced parties
- A present or former spouse of either divorced party, or their respective legal representative.
Other applicants may be provided a statement that the divorce occurred, including the date and county of divorce.
How do I amend or change the information on a divorce report?
Contact the Clerk of Court in the county where divorce was granted.
What information is needed to apply for a divorce report?
Full name of the husband
- Full name of the wife
- Date of divorce
- County where the divorce hearing was held
- Signature of the person requesting the divorce record and their current mailing address
- The relationship between the divorced parties and the person requesting the certified copy
- Full name and complete mailing address where the certified copies are to be mailed
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the divorce record.
How do I obtain a copy of my actual divorce decree?
You should contact the Clerk of Court's office in the county where the divorce was filed for a copy of the decree. We do not have the divorce decree filed in Vital Records.
How can I check on the status of a divorce report request?
If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call (803) 898-3630 or e-mail us (vrrequeststatus@dhec.sc.gov) for an update.
For more information, contact Constituent Services.