Vital Records: Births-Deaths-Marriages

 

 

 Effective: 12/25/23 12:27

  by: PMK

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GENERAL INFORMATION

 

HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A BIRTH CERTIFICATE

You are entitled to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate if you are the person named on the certificate (if eighteen (18) years of age), the parent(s) named on the birth certificate, the guardian, or a legal representative of one of these.

Immediate family members and/or their respective legal representatives may obtain a certified copy with the submission of a certified copy of the corresponding death record.

The State Office of Vital Records located at DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina issues two types of birth certifications: (1) a short form certification (birth card) and (2) a long form photocopy. The birth card is a wallet-size certification that contains the birth certificate number, the name of the person whose certificate is being issued, the date of birth, sex, the county of birth, and the date the birth was filed.  The long form (photocopy) is a copy of the birth certificate contained in the active files of the Division of Vital Records. Certified photocopies can ONLY be issued at the State Office location – DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201.

Each of South Carolina’s forty-six (46) counties has a vital records office in the county health department. The Division of Vital Records has put into place a project to allow all forty-six (46) county vital records’ offices to issue short form certifications (birth cards) for any South Carolina birth, regardless of the county. This project is referred to as the Statewide Birth Certification Project. The completion date for this project was April 03, 2000. Statewide Birth Certification allows a customer to obtain a short form birth card from any county health department regardless of where in South Carolina the birth occurred.

The usual turnaround time for birth certificates is more than six (6) weeks. For expedited service, please visit VitalChek . For more information, please click on ‘Additional Information’ bar.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR A BIRTH RECORD

 

HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE

You are entitled to a certified copy of a death certificate if you are a member of the decedent's family or if you are their legal representative. Others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest may be issued copies when information is needed to determine a personal or a property right. Other applicants may be provided a statement that the death occurred, including the date and county of death. For additional information contact the state office of the Division of Vital Records in Columbia, South Carolina at (803) 898 3630.

Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained from the state vital records office located at DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Certified copies of death certificates may also be issued from the health department in the county of death. The county vital records office can only certify deaths that occurred during the last five years in their county.

The usual turnaround time for death certificates is more than six (6) weeks. For expedited service, please visit VitalChek . For more information, please click on ‘Additional Information’ bar.

REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR A DEATH SEARCH

Death records become public records after fifty (50) years and then any person may obtain certified copies. Deaths for 1915-1952 are available for public reviewing at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29223. Access to a microfiche index and microfilm of these deaths is available at the Archives' Reference Room. No appointment is needed and there is no charge for viewing the records. If copies are needed, a work order provided at the Reference Room must be completed. The Reference Room staff will provide information about charges for copies and schedule for receiving copies. Self-service copying is available. Inquiries must be made in person or by telephone. The Reference Room is open Monday - Friday, 8:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. daily.  For additional information, telephone (803) 896-6104.  Application Forms

 

NOTES

 

Cyndi's List - Births

Cyndi's List - Deaths

Cyndi's List - Marriages

SC GenWeb Archives - Marriage Records

SC Health Department

SC Health Department - 1915-1953 Death Index

 

ABBEVILLE COUNTY

 

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ANDERSON COUNTY

 

Anderson County Court System, Box 8002,  Anderson, SC 29622, 864-260-4049