South Carolina Divorce Cost Calculator

Filing a divorce petition in South Carolina costs $150 in every county. Add how the papers will be served, whether you have children and whether you agree, to total the court costs from South Carolina's official fee schedules. Runs in your browser; nothing is stored.

South Carolina fees checked against official court sources on October 24, 2026.

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Do you have children under 18 together?
Do you and your spouse agree on everything?
How will your spouse get the divorce papers?

Leave blank if you are filing on your own. If a lawyer gave you an estimate of hours, enter it here.

Leave blank to use the South Carolina average of $305 an hour, or enter the rate a lawyer quoted you.

Estimated court costs in South Carolina

  • Filing fee for the divorce petition Source$150
  • Serving the papers (spouse signs the acceptance form) Source$0
  • Court costs you pay$150

An estimate from official fee schedules, not a bill. The fee your court clerk charges on the day you file is the one that counts. (October 24, 2026)

South Carolina divorce filing fee

Filing a divorce petition in South Carolina costs $150 in every county. (source)

The other spouse pays no fee to file a response.

The case is filed in the South Carolina Family Court (county clerk of court).

Serving divorce papers in South Carolina

Your spouse can sign the Acceptance of Service (SCCA 400.03 SRL-DIV) instead of being served, which costs nothing. (form)

Sheriff and process-server fees are set locally in South Carolina; ask the sheriff's office in the county where your spouse lives.

Fee waiver in South Carolina

If you cannot afford the fees, file the Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (SCCA 405), with Order In Forma Pauperis (SCCA 405.1) (Rule 3(b)(1), SCRCP). A filer who is unable to pay the filing fee because they do not meet the federal poverty guidelines may file the sworn, notarized motion with a signed Financial Declaration; the judge reviews it. (source)

The court or clerk decides whether to grant it and which fees it covers; filing the form does not guarantee a waiver.

Lawyer fees in South Carolina

Clio reports an average billed family-law rate of $305 an hour in South Carolina for 2025. (source) It is an average across lawyers, not a quote. Enter a lawyer's estimated hours above to price them, or enter the rate you were quoted.

What this page does not do

  • It does not file anything. Divorce cases are filed with the South Carolina Family Court (county clerk of court).
  • It does not quote lawyer fees; it prices only the hours you enter.
  • It does not decide fee-waiver eligibility; the court does.
  • It is not legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a divorce in South Carolina?

Filing a divorce petition in South Carolina costs $150 in every county. If your spouse signs the Acceptance of Service (SCCA 400.03 SRL-DIV), there is no service fee. Lawyer fees are extra; Clio's 2025 average billed family-law rate in South Carolina is $305 an hour.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in South Carolina?

$150, the same in every county.

Can I get my divorce filing fee waived in South Carolina?

You can ask. File the Motion and Affidavit to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (SCCA 405), with Order In Forma Pauperis (SCCA 405.1). A filer who is unable to pay the filing fee because they do not meet the federal poverty guidelines may file the sworn, notarized motion with a signed Financial Declaration; the judge reviews it. The court or clerk decides whether to grant it.

Sources

Last checked October 24, 2026 against official sources.

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