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1. How do I make child or spousal support payments in Georgetown County?

Effective Monday, June 3, 2019, citizens currently making support payments to the Georgetown County Clerk of Court began making payments to the South Carolina State Disbursement Unit and mailed to:
South Carolina State Disbursement Unit
P.O. Box 100302
Columbia, SC 29202

Note: The State Disbursement Unit will accept personal checks.

If you have questions about when or how to make payments to the State Disbursement Unit, please contact the SDU customer service center at 800-768-5858. Agents are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, excluding holidays.

Get more information for Customers Paying Support and view the options available to make payments.

Note: Payments made to the SDU will be applied according to federal guidelines.

2. How can I check to see if my child support payment has been made?

You may come to our office with a picture ID to check on payments, or get a printout. If you are unable to come to the Family Court, please call the State Disbursement Unit at 800-768-5858.

3. I was in court recently and I was ordered to make a lump sum payment, or to pay a court cost that is different from my regular payment. Should I pay the SDU?

No. Purge payments are specifically court ordered payments that must be made at the Georgetown County Clerk of Court office, at:
401 Cleland Street
Columbia, SC 29202

Make sure you tell the clerk that this is a purge payment, or court costs payment.

4. If child support or alimony payments are not being made by the responsible party as ordered, why has he/she not been brought before the Court?

There could be various reasons:

• Is he/she out of state?
• Have you contacted the Family Court to see if the responsible party not making the payments has an updated address? Numerous attempts of service are made, but the party may be unable to be located at the address given.
• If the party was placed on wage withholding, it’s possible he/she is no longer working at the same job.

5. Where and how do I file for child support?

One files for child support in one of the following ways:

• Hiring an attorney
• Applying with the South Carolina Department of Social Services - Family Court has the necessary applications
• Filing as a Self-Represented Litigant - Forms are on the South Carolina Court Administration Website at www.judicial.state.sc.us - go under General Public and click on SRL Child Support Packets
• You may contact Family Court for explanations on any of this

6. Where do I change my address?

By calling the State Disbursement Unit at 800-768-5858, and you will be given direction as to what is needed.

7. What services does the South Carolina Department of Social Services provide?

The South Carolina Department of Social Services provides the following assistance:

• Parent Locate
• Income Tax Intercept
• License Revocation
• Registering "Child Support Orders" in another state in which the non-custodial parent resides

8. Where do I file for a Restraining Order?

If you are seeking a Restraining Order because of an incident of domestic abuse, first contact the Family Justice Center of Georgetown County, 843-546-3926 to initiate the process, which will be filed in Family Court. If you are in immediate distress or danger, please call 911. Domestic Abuse Petitions cover family members and two unmarried parties that have a child together. Restraining Orders are only temporary through the filing of a Domestic Abuse Petition. If you wish to file for a "permanent" Restraining Order, you will need an attorney unless you know and understand the proper procedure.

9. Does the Family Court give out legal advice?

No, the Family Court office staff are prohibited from giving legal advice, as we are not attorneys.

10. Can the Family Court staff recommend an attorney or law firm?

No, the Family Court office staff is prohibited from referring you to an attorney.

11. Can I act as my own attorney when filing a case?

Yes, but Family Court cannot give you any advice as to the law or procedures.