South Carolina Divorce Forms: Complete List and Filing Order

South Carolina's Family Court uses a specific set of SCCA-numbered forms for self-represented litigants. The forms themselves are free — the South Carolina Judicial Department publishes them as downloadable PDFs. But the court doesn't tell you which forms to file first, which ones need notarization, or which forms you'll need later in the process.

Here's every form in the order you'll actually use them.

Phase 1: Initiating Forms (Filed Together)

These five documents make up your initial filing packet:

SCCA 467 — Family Court Cover Sheet Basic case information: your name, your spouse's name, county, and the type of action. This is the routing document that tells the clerk where your case goes.

SCRFCFORM02 — Certificate of Exemption from ADR/Mediation Even uncontested cases must file this form. It certifies whether your case qualifies for an exemption from mandatory mediation.

SCCA 400.01 SRL-DIV — Summons The formal legal notice to your spouse that a divorce action has been filed. This document starts the clock — your spouse has 30 days to respond after being served.

SCCA 400.02 SRL-DIV — Complaint for Divorce The substance of your case: which divorce ground you're using, your residency facts, whether children are involved, and what relief you're requesting (property division, custody, alimony, name change).

SCCA 430 — Financial Declaration A detailed accounting of your income, expenses, assets, and debts. This form must be signed before a Notary Public. Filing without notarization is one of the most common reasons packets get rejected at the clerk's window.

Phase 2: Service of Process Forms

After filing, you need to formally serve your spouse:

SCCA 400.03 SRL-DIV — Acceptance of Service Used when your spouse voluntarily agrees to accept the divorce papers. They sign and date this form, and you file it with the court as proof of service. This is the simplest and cheapest option.

SCCA 400.04 SRL-DIV — Affidavit of Service by Mailing Used when you serve papers via certified mail. You'll file this form along with the signed green return receipt card showing your spouse personally accepted delivery.

If you use a sheriff or private process server, they provide their own affidavit of service.

Phase 3: Response and Default Forms

SCCA 400.07 SRL-DIV — Affidavit of Default If your spouse doesn't file an Answer within 30 days of being served, you file this form to put them in default. The case then proceeds without their participation.

Phase 4: Hearing and Final Order Forms

SCCA 400.08 SRL-DIV — Request for Hearing Asks the court to schedule your final hearing. There's a $25 hearing request fee.

SCCA 400.09 SRL-DIV — Notice of Hearing / Affidavit of Service After you receive your hearing date, you mail this notice to your spouse and file proof that you sent it.

SCCA 400.10 SRL-DIV — Final Order of Divorce The proposed final decree. You draft this, bring it to the hearing, and the judge signs it if everything checks out. This is the document that legally ends your marriage.

Special Situation Forms

SCCA 405F — Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Fee waiver application for litigants who can't afford the $150 filing fee. Requires detailed financial documentation.

SCCA 466 — Parenting Plan Required in any case involving minor children. Covers custody schedules, decision-making authority, holiday arrangements, and communication protocols.

DHEC 0682 — Report of Divorce or Annulment The state vital statistics form. Required at the final hearing so the Department of Health and Environmental Control can update marriage records.

Where to Download

All SCCA forms are available from the South Carolina Judicial Department's Self-Help Resources page at sccourts.org. Look for the "Self-Represented Litigant — Divorce" section.

County-specific instructions or local filing requirements may vary — check with your county's Family Court Clerk before filing.

Common Form Mistakes

• Submitting the Financial Declaration (SCCA 430) without notarization
• Using outdated form versions (the court updates forms periodically)
• Leaving the "relief requested" section of the Complaint incomplete
• Filing the Affidavit of Default before the full 30-day response window has expired
• Forgetting the DHEC 0682 vital statistics form at the final hearing

The South Carolina Divorce Filing Process Guide includes a form-by-form walkthrough with completion tips, common error flags, and the exact filing sequence for both uncontested and default cases.

See more South Carolina guides →