Reviewed by Carrie Warner, Attorney at Law, SC Bar No. 72836 · Last reviewed November 2, 2026
Divorces for Georgetown County residents are filed with the Georgetown County Clerk of Court in the city of Georgetown, the county seat, and heard in the Family Court for Georgetown County. Georgetown is part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Horry County. This page explains when your case belongs here and what to expect.
Georgetown County at a Glance
Georgetown County had 63,404 residents in the 2020 Census. It runs from inland towns such as Andrews (mostly in Georgetown County) and the city of Georgetown to Waccamaw Neck communities on the coast, including Pawleys Island, Litchfield and Murrells Inlet. Murrells Inlet sits close to the Horry County line, and some addresses that feel like part of the Myrtle Beach area are actually in Georgetown County.
Because venue depends on the county you live in, check your property tax bill or the county’s mapping site if you are not sure which side of the line you are on.
When Your Case Belongs in Georgetown County
Under S.C. Code § 20-3-60:
- Your spouse lives in Georgetown County. You can file here, even if you moved to Horry or Williamsburg County.
- You last lived together in Georgetown County. If you still live in South Carolina, you can file here even though your spouse moved to Horry or Charleston County.
- Your spouse moved out of state or can’t be found. You file in the county where you live. That is common in coastal areas where one spouse relocates after a separation.
If you live outside South Carolina, for instance if you moved back to another state, you must file in the county where your spouse lives.
Residency, Grounds and Waiting Periods
Residency (§ 20-3-30): one year in South Carolina before filing, or three months if both spouses live here when you file. If you live outside South Carolina, you can still file here if your spouse has lived in South Carolina for at least one year. Couples who recently moved to the coast should check this first. See residency requirements.
Grounds (§ 20-3-10): adultery, one-year desertion, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, or one year living separate and apart. See grounds for divorce in SC.
Waiting periods (§ 20-3-80): three months from filing before a final decree in adultery, cruelty and drunkenness cases. One-year separation and desertion cases can be heard once your spouse answers or defaults. See the waiting period guide.
Filing With the Georgetown County Clerk of Court
The county’s directory lists the Clerk of Court at 401 Cleland Street, 1st Floor, Room 115, in Georgetown, with a mailing address of P.O. Box 479, Georgetown, SC 29442. Listed hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, closed legal holidays. If you live in Murrells Inlet or Pawleys Island, papers still go to the Clerk in Georgetown.
- Summons and complaint. These start the case and state what you want decided.
- Filing fee. Currently $150 statewide. Confirm with the Clerk. A fee waiver can be requested if you can’t afford it.
- Service. Under SCRCP Rule 4, by the sheriff, a non-party adult, certified mail with restricted delivery, or a signed acceptance. Your spouse has 30 days to answer.
- Financial declaration. Each spouse files one on the state form (Family Court Rule 20). Coastal property, rental income or a family business can make this form more detailed.
Read how to file for divorce in South Carolina for more on each step.
Temporary Hearings and Mediation
If you need short-term decisions on custody, support or who stays in the home, either side can ask for a temporary hearing. Under Family Court Rule 21, these hearings usually rely on affidavits and financial declarations. Learn more in temporary hearings in SC family court.
Most contested cases then go to mediation, which ADR Rule 3 requires statewide in contested family cases, with exceptions such as temporary relief and some domestic-violence situations. If you settle, a judge reviews the agreement at a final hearing. If not, the judge decides after a trial.
See the South Carolina Divorce Guide for related topics.
Frequently Asked Questions
I live in Murrells Inlet. Is my case in Georgetown or Horry County?
It depends on which county your home is in. Parts of the Murrells Inlet area are in Georgetown County and nearby areas are in Horry County. Check your tax bill or county map.
My spouse moved to Myrtle Beach. Where do I file?
You can file in Horry County, where your spouse lives. If you last lived together in Georgetown County and you still live in South Carolina, Georgetown County is also an option.
Where is the Georgetown County Clerk of Court?
The county’s directory lists 401 Cleland Street, 1st Floor, Room 115, in Georgetown, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Confirm before you go.
How much does it cost to file?
The statewide family court filing fee is currently $150. Confirm with the Clerk of Court and ask about a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
We moved here from another state eight months ago. Can we divorce in Georgetown County?
If both spouses live in South Carolina when you file, the filing spouse needs only three months of residency. Venue rules then decide which county.
Sources
- S.C. Code Title 20, Chapter 3 (Divorce)
- Georgetown County: Clerk of Court directory listing
- SC Judicial Branch: Clerk of Court roster
Talk to Warner Law about your situation. Warner Law’s office is in Columbia. If your case is in Georgetown County, contact us to ask whether we can help. The office is at 1405 Calhoun Street in Columbia. Call (803) 692-1072 or request a consultation.
This article is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your case. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
