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South Carolina
Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records
How to Order South Carolina Birth, Death, Divorce and Marriage Certificates
South Carolina DHEC, Division of Vital Records is located at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201; telephone # (803) 898-3630, fax #: (803) 799-0301. They have the following records:
- The fee to search for a birth, Marriage or Death certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." There were no South Carolina birth or Death "certificates" before January 01, 1915. You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
- For each additional copy of the certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $3.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "S.C. DHEC, Division of Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees of $5.00 are required for expedited service. The expedite fee guarantees a response leaving the Division of Vital Records within three (3) working days. A response can be in the form of a letter, a telephone call, or a certification being mailed.
- Mail all Applications to: S.C. DHEC, Division of Vital Records is located at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates or Death Certificates. Ordering Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.
HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A BIRTH LICENSE
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.
REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR A BIRTH RECORD
- Full name of the person whose birth certificate is being requested
- Full date of birth (month, day, year)
- County of Birth
- Mother’s full name before she married
- Full name of father
- Signature of the person requesting the birth certificate and their current mailing address
- Relationship between the person named on the birth certificate and the person requesting the certified copy
- The full name and complete mailing address where the certificate is to be mailed.
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the Certificate
- Other information you consider helpful in the search for the birth certificate (Example: full names and dates of birth of brothers and sisters, nicknames, etc.)
HOW
TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A MARRIAGE LICENSE
You
can download this form to obtain a Certified Copy of a Marriage License
You are entitled to a certified copy of a marriage record if you are one of the married parties (bride or groom), their adult child(ren), a present or former spouse of either married party, or their respective legal representative. Other applicants may be provided with a statement that the marriage occurred, including the date and county the marriage license was issued.
Certified copies of marriage records from July 1950 to the present may be obtained from the Vital Records Office in Columbia, South Carolina, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Copies of marriage records that occurred PRIOR to July 1950 may be obtained from the Office of the Probate in the county where the original marriage license was issued.
REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR A MARRIAGE SEARCH
- Full name and date of birth of the groom
- Full name and date of birth of the bride
- Full date of marriage (month, day, year)
- County where the license was issued
- Signature of the person requesting the marriage record and their current mailing address
- Relationship between the married parties and the person requesting the certified copy
- Full name and complete mailing address of the person to whom the certificate is to be mailed
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the marriage record
- Any additional information you consider helpful in the search for the marriage record (Example: previous married names, nicknames, etc.)
HOW TO OBTAIN A CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE
Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained from the state vital records office located at DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or You can download this form to obtain a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate. 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. There were no South Carolina Death certificates before January 01, 1915
REQUIRED INFORMATION FOR A DEATH SEARCH
- Full name of the person whose death certificate is being requested
- Full date of death (month, day, year)
- County where the person was pronounced dead
- The names of the decedent's parents
- Signature of the person requesting the death certificate and their current mailing address
- Relationship between the person name on the death certificate and the person requesting the certified copy
- The full name and complete mailing address of the person to whom the certificate is to be mailed
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the death certificate
- Other information you consider helpful in the search for the death certificate (Example: nicknames, alias, place of burial, etc.)
Death records become public records after fifty (50) years and then any person may obtain certified copies. Deaths for 1915-1949 are available for public reviewing at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29223 or search online HERE. 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.
