Reviewed by Carrie Warner, Attorney at Law, SC Bar No. 72836 · Last reviewed November 2, 2026
Divorces for Greenville County residents are filed with the Greenville County Clerk of Court and heard in the Family Court for Greenville County, in the city of Greenville, the county seat. Greenville is part of the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, which it shares with Pickens County. This page explains when your case belongs here and how filing works.
Greenville County at a Glance
Greenville County had 525,534 residents in the 2020 Census, more than any other county in South Carolina. Besides the city of Greenville, it includes Mauldin, Simpsonville, Travelers Rest and part of Greer. Its neighbors include Pickens, Anderson, Laurens and Spartanburg counties, and North Carolina lies to the north.
Some cities in the area cross county lines. Greer, for example, is partly in Spartanburg County, and Fountain Inn reaches into Laurens County. Venue depends on the county, not the city name in your address.
When Your Case Belongs in Greenville County
S.C. Code § 20-3-60 sets venue. Some Upstate examples:
- Your spouse lives in Greenville County. You can file here, even if you moved to Spartanburg or Anderson County.
- You last lived together in Greenville County. If you still live in South Carolina, you can file here even if your spouse now lives in Pickens County.
- Your spouse moved out of state, such as to North Carolina, or can’t be found. You file in the county where you live. If that is Greenville County, file here.
If you live outside South Carolina, you must file in the county where your spouse lives. Our guide on divorce when your spouse lives in another state covers service and custody questions across state lines.
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. A spouse who has moved out of state can still file in South Carolina if the other spouse has lived here for at least one year. See residency requirements.
- Grounds (§ 20-3-10): adultery, desertion for one year, physical cruelty, habitual drunkenness or drug use, or one year of 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 go forward once your spouse answers or defaults. See the waiting period guide.
Filing in Greenville County Family Court
In Greenville County, Family Court is in a separate building from the main county courthouse. The Clerk of Court’s website lists Family Court at 350 Halton Road, Greenville, SC 29607, next to the City of Greenville Public Safety Complex. Check the Clerk’s site or call before you go for current filing procedures.
A typical filing package includes:
- Summons and complaint stating the grounds and your requests on custody, support, alimony and property.
- Filing fee, currently $150 statewide. Confirm with the Clerk of Court. If you can’t afford it, you can ask the court to waive it.
- Service under SCRCP Rule 4: by the sheriff, a non-party adult, certified mail with restricted delivery, or signed acceptance of service. Your spouse has 30 days to answer.
- Financial declaration from each spouse on the state form, by the first hearing or within 45 days of service (Family Court Rule 20).
Read how to file for divorce in South Carolina for a step-by-step walk-through.
Temporary Hearings, Mediation and Final Hearing
Either spouse can ask for a temporary hearing to set custody, child support, temporary alimony or use of the home while the case is pending. Under Family Court Rule 21, these hearings usually rely on affidavits and financial declarations, with page limits, rather than live testimony.
Contested issues generally go to mediation. ADR Rule 3 requires it in most contested family cases statewide, with exceptions such as temporary relief, contempt and some domestic-violence situations. Read Is mediation required in a South Carolina divorce? If you settle, a judge reviews the agreement at a final hearing. If not, the judge decides after a trial.
More guides are collected in the South Carolina Divorce Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Greenville County Family Court?
The Clerk of Court’s website lists Family Court at 350 Halton Road, Greenville, SC 29607, next to the City of Greenville Public Safety Complex. Confirm before you go.
I live in Greer. Is my case in Greenville or Spartanburg County?
Greer is split between Greenville and Spartanburg counties. Check which county your home is in, since venue follows the county, not the city name.
My spouse moved to Spartanburg County. Where do I file?
You can file in Spartanburg County, where your spouse lives. If you last lived together in Greenville County and you still live in South Carolina, you can also file in Greenville County.
What does it cost to file?
The statewide family court filing fee is currently $150. Confirm with the Clerk of Court. You can ask for a fee waiver if you cannot afford it.
Do we have to go to mediation?
In most contested cases, yes. ADR Rule 3 requires mediation statewide, with some exceptions such as temporary relief and certain domestic-violence situations.
Sources
- S.C. Code Title 20, Chapter 3 (Divorce)
- Greenville County: Clerk of Court
- 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 Greenville 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.
