South Carolina Divorce Costs and Filing Fees

A self-represented divorce in South Carolina costs as little as $150-$250 in court fees if everything goes smoothly. An attorney-represented contested case can run $10,000-$25,000 or more. The difference comes down to complexity, cooperation, and whether you end up in a courtroom fight.

Here's every fee you'll face, with no surprises.

Mandatory Court Fees

Filing fee: $150 Paid to the Clerk of Court when you file your initial divorce packet (Summons, Complaint, Cover Sheet, Financial Declaration). Payment must be cash, cashier's check, or money order — personal checks are not accepted at Family Court clerk windows.

Hearing request fee: $25 Paid when you submit the Request for Hearing form (SCCA 400.08 SRL-DIV). Required for a traditional final hearing.

Motion fee: $25 per motion Under S.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-320, every written motion filed in Family Court costs $25. This includes motions for temporary orders, motions to compel, and motions for court-approved settlements. Support-related show-cause motions are exempt.

Service of Process Costs

How you serve your spouse determines this cost:

Acceptance of Service is free and fastest. Sheriff service is the budget option for uncooperative spouses. Service by publication is expensive and time-consuming — it requires court approval, three weekly newspaper publications, and a 5-day perfection period after the third publication.

Additional Costs

Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $1-$3 per certification You'll need certified copies of the final decree for name changes, insurance updates, and financial institutions. The court charges $0.50 per page plus $1-$3 per certification seal.

Notary fees: $5-$15 per document The Financial Declaration (SCCA 430) must be notarized. Many banks, libraries, and UPS stores offer notary services. Some are free for account holders.

Mandatory parent education: $30-$80 Required in all cases involving minor children. The fee is paid directly to the court-approved provider and is generally not waivable through the court's indigency process.

Total Cost Estimates

The Fee Waiver (In Forma Pauperis)

If you can't afford the filing fees, you can apply for a waiver using Form SCCA 405F (Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis). The process:

1. Complete the IFP form with detailed financial information — household income, assets, debts, and monthly expenses
2. Attach a completed, notarized Financial Declaration (SCCA 430)
3. Submit the IFP package alongside your divorce filing packet
4. The clerk holds your papers and forwards the package to a Family Court judge
5. The judge reviews your finances against federal poverty guidelines

If approved, the $150 filing fee and subsequent court fees are waived. If denied, you'll receive a notice with a deadline to pay the full fee or face dismissal.

There's also a shortcut: if you're represented by South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) or an approved legal aid volunteer attorney, they can file a Certification of Indigent Representation that automatically waives the filing fee without requiring a separate judicial order.

Hidden Costs People Miss

Parking and travel: Some county courthouses charge for parking. If your county isn't nearby, factor in gas and time off work for filing trips and hearings.

Second copies of documents: The court keeps your originals. If you don't make copies before filing, you'll pay per-page copy fees to get duplicates.

Time off work for hearings: Traditional hearings are scheduled during business hours. Even a quick 10-15 minute hearing might mean a half-day of lost wages.

The South Carolina Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a fee summary worksheet and step-by-step instructions for the IFP fee waiver application.

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