Table of Contents
- What are South Carolina Vital Records?
- South Carolina Birth Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Birth Records
- South Carolina Death Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Death Records
- South Carolina Marriage Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Marriage Records
- South Carolina Divorce Records
- Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Divorce Records
What are South Carolina Vital Records?
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state. Those records consist of birth, death, fetal death, adoption, marriage, and divorce records. This agency is also in charge of environmental conditions and the health and wellbeing of its residents. South Carolina began keeping vital records in 1915. Vital records are not public records, and only certain, approved people can get copies. The Vital Records Office allows eligible parties to obtain certified copies of vital records through the mail, in person, or by phone and online using the VitalChek service.
South Carolina Birth Records
South Carolina has birth records dating back to 1915. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office is the government agency tasked with maintaining them and providing copies upon request. Birth records are not public records, and only certain people can have access to them. Certified copies of birth records are helpful when you apply for a driver's license, passport, government job, sign up for sports, or attend school. There are other instances when you need to validate your identity, and a certified birth record is a perfect way to do that. You can get copies through the Vital Records office by mail or in person and also by phone or online using VitalChek.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Birth Records
How do I find birth records in South Carolina?
You must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office. They are the agency in charge of all birth records dating back to 1915.
How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in South Carolina?
You can order a copy through VitalChek by phone or online. You can also use state resources and order through the mail or in person.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in South Carolina?
The first copy of a certified birth record is $12, and it includes the search fee. Each additional copy is $3.
Who can request birth records?
Birth records in South Carolina are private, and only the following list of people can get a copy of yours:
- The person named on the certificate (if you are at least 18 years old).
- The parent(s) named on the birth certificate.
- The legal guardian, or a legal representative of one of these.
According to the Vital Records Office: "Immediate family members and/or their respective legal representative may obtain a certified copy of a birth record if the registrant is deceased. An original, certified copy (no photocopies) of the registrant's death record must be submitted with the request. There are no exceptions."
What information do I need when getting a copy of my South Carolina birth certificate?
When you request a copy of a birth certificate, you need to supply the following information:
- 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.
- Father's full name.
- Signature of the person requesting the birth certificate and their current mailing address.
- The relationship between the person named on the birth 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 certificate.
Where can I find historical vital records in South Carolina for genealogy research?
Contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office. They have all the birth records for the state going back to 1915.
How can I correct an error on my birth record?
Making a correction depends on the type of fix needed. You must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office directly, and they can help you.
Can I get a refund if my South Carolina birth record is not available?
No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.
South Carolina Death Records
South Carolina has death certificates dating back to 1915. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office is the government agency in South Carolina that handles death certificate requests. Death certificates are not public records, and therefore, only certain people can get copies. The Vital Records Office allows you to get copies by mail, in person, and by phone or online using the VitalChek system, but you must qualify and provide documentation. Death records are necessary when you apply for life insurance proceeds, social security benefits, and other times when you need to prove someone's passing.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Death Records
How do I find death records in South Carolina?
You must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office. They have all death certificates dating back to 1915.
Are death records public in South Carolina?
No, they are not. They are kept private, so only certain people can get access until the death records are 50 years old. After that, they become public records.
How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in South Carolina?
The first copy of a death certificate costs $17, which includes the search fee. Then each additional copy is $10.50. If you order through VitalChek, additional fees may apply.
How long does it take to get a copy of a South Carolina death record?
If you visit in person, you can get one in 30 minutes. If you order through the mail, it will take between 2-4 weeks. Using VitalChek, you can get a copy within 5-7 days.
Who can request death records?
For the first 50 years, death records are private and therefore, only the following list of people can get copies:
- An immediate member of the decedent's family.
- A legal representative of one of these.
- Someone who can demonstrate a direct and tangible interest - i.e., this information is needed to determine a personal or property right.
"Other applicants may be provided a statement that the death occurred, including the date and county of death, but not an actual certified copy of a death certificate.
Death certificates become public records after 50 years. Then any person may obtain an uncertified copy of the death certificate upon submission of application form and fees."
What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's South Carolina death certificate?
When you request a copy of someone's death certificate, you need the following information:
- 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.
- Signature of the person requesting the death certificate and their current mailing address.
- The relationship between the person named 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.
Where can I find historical death records in South Carolina?
You must contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office. They have all the death records available in the state from 1915 to the present.
How can I correct an error on someone's death record?
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office handles all changes and corrections. Each situation is unique, and therefore, you must contact them directly for help.
Can I get a refund if my South Carolina death record is not available?
No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.
South Carolina Marriage Records
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office maintains marriage records from July 1950 until December of 2017. For any marriage records outside of these two dates, you need to contact the Probate Court where your original marriage license was filed. If your marriage falls between these dates, you can easily order a copy of your marriage certificate through the Vital Records Office by visiting them in person, ordering through the mail, or using the VitalChek service. Marriage records are private, and only close relatives or legal representatives can get copies.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Marriage Records
Are South Carolina marriage records public?
No, and only certain people like your close relatives and a legal representative can get copies.
What South Carolina marriage records are available?
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office has marriage records from July 1950 until December of 2017. Any marriage records that fall outside of those dates are held at the Probate Court, where the initial marriage license was filed.
How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in South Carolina?
If you order through VitalChek, the processing time is 5-7 business days. If you visit in person, you will only wait about 30 minutes, and if you mail in your application, the wait time is 2-4 weeks.
How much does a South Carolina marriage certificate cost?
The first copy is $17, which includes a search fee. All additional copies of marriage certificates are $10.50.
When requesting records, what information do I need?
When you request a copy of someone's marriage certificate, you will need the following information:
- Full name of the groom.
- Full name of the bride.
- Full date of marriage (month, day, year).
- County where the marriage license was issued.
- Signature of the person requesting the marriage certificate and their current mailing address.
- The 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 certificate.
How do I get a copy of a South Carolina marriage record?
Depending on the date of the marriage, you can contact either the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office or the Probate Court where the original marriage license was filed. You can get one in person, by mail, by phone, or online through VitalChek.
What if I didn't get married in South Carolina?
If you were not married in South Carolina, you would have to contact the vital records office or the court in the state where your marriage license was originally filed.
Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?
Since marriage records are not public records, only the following people can get a copy:
- One of the married party (bride or groom).
- The married party's adult child(ren).
- A present or former spouse of either married party.
- The married party's legal representative.
Other applicants may be provided with a statement that the marriage occurred, including the date and county in which the marriage license was issued.
How do I correct a marriage certificate in South Carolina?
Correcting vital records is handled on a case-by-case basis and depends on the information being corrected. You must contact either the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office or the Probate Court where your marriage license was filed.
South Carolina Divorce Records
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office has divorce records between July 1962 and December 2016. If you require records outside of that time frame or want an actual copy of your original divorce decree, you must visit the Clerk of the Court where your divorce was finalized. Divorce records are needed when you get remarried or have to validate your marital status. The Vital Records Office allows eligible parties to get copies through the mail, by phone and online using VitalChek or visiting their offices in person. Divorce records are not public records, and only certain people may have access.
Frequently Asked Questions About South Carolina Divorce Records
Can I find divorce records online in South Carolina?
No. Divorce records are not public records, although if you have enough information, you can have a divorce verified for you. You will need to supply the date and county of the divorce.
How do I find old divorce records?
You must visit the Clerk of the Court where your divorce was granted. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office only has divorce records between July 1962 and December 2016
How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?
If your divorce was between July 1962 and December 2016, you could contact the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Vital Records Office. Otherwise, you will have to contact the Clerk of the Court where your divorce was granted.
What information is needed to search for a South Carolina divorce record?
To find and request copies of South Carolina divorce records, you will need the following information:
- Full name of the wife.
- Date of divorce.
- County where the divorce hearing was held.
- Signature of the person requesting the divorce record and their current mailing address.
- The relationship between the divorced parties and the person requesting the certified copy.
- Full name and complete mailing address where the certified copies are to be mailed.
- Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the divorce record.
If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?
No, all search fees are non-refundable.
What if my divorce took place outside of South Carolina?
If you were not divorced in South Carolina, contact the vital records office or the Clerk of the Court in the state and county where you were divorced.