scdhec.gov South Carolina Birth Certificate Application

Organisation : South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC)
Facility Name : Birth Certificate Application
State : South Carolina
Country : USA
Website : https://scdhec.gov/vital-records/birth-certificates#2

What is South Carolina Birth Certificate?

The South Carolina Vital Records offices issue birth certificates for births that occurred in South Carolina since 1915.

Related / Similar Facilities : South Carolina Death Certificate Application 

You may request a certified copy of a birth certificate if you are:
**The person named on the certificate (if you are at least 18 years old),
**The parent(s) named on the birth certificate, or
**The legal guardian, or a legal representative of one of the above.

**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.
**Newborn birth certificates are not automatically mailed to parents. Information gathered in the hospital is solely for the purposes of registering the birth.
**The hospital will not order your child’s birth certificate for you. You must request the certificate by one of the methods below.

How To Request a South Carolina Birth Certificate?

To Request a South Carolina Birth Certificate, the procedure are given below

1. Online

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Only the person(s) named on the birth certificate may order through an online vendor

A. Go Certificates
Go Certificates Online Link : https://www.gocertificates.com/new/southcarolina.aspx

Fees include:
**A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
**$3 for each additional copy
**$8.70 additional processing fee

B. Vital Chek
Vital Chek online link : https://www.vitalchek.com

Fees include:
**A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
**$3 for each additional copy
**$8.75 additional processing fee
**Secure Next Day “signature required” delivery available for additional fee

Online Identity Verification – avoid sending ID

2. By Phone through VitalChek

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Call 1-877-284-1008 to speak to a VitalChek representative 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Only persons named on the birth certificate may order through VitalChek.

Fees Include:

** $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
** $3 for each additional copy
** $10.50 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek
** Shipping fees should you choose to expedite the shipping of your certificate.

3. In-Person

Average processing time is 30-45 minutes.
Same-day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as paternity affidavits, corrections and amendments; please arrive prior to 4 PM to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same-day service is not guaranteed for requests such as paternity affidavits, adoption processing, corrections and amendments.

You will need to provide:

** A completed application form
** $12 non-refundable standard searching fee
** $3 for each additional copy
** A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.

Where to Go:

** DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia – Issues long form birth certificates; initiates and completes corrections.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: (803) 898-3630
Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
Regional Vital Records Offices – Issues long form birth certificates; initiates corrections.

All Vital Records offices can issue births from any county in South Carolina.

Application Form : https://scdhec.gov/sites/default/files/Library/D-2595.pdf

4. By Mail

Mail requests are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
Average processing time is 2-4 weeks.

You will need to send:
**A completed application form
**A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee (Add $3 for each additional copy.)
**A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID (photocopy of one). When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.

Mail to:
DHEC Vital Records
2600 Bull St.
Columbia, SC 29201

5. Drop-off

* Drop-offs are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.

Average processing time is two days.

You will need to provide:
**A completed application form.
**A $12 non-refundable search fee (search fee includes one certified copy of the birth certificate). Each additional copy is $3. We accept exact cash, a money order, or cashier’s check made payable to S.C. DHEC.
**A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.

Additional information:
**We’ll give you a receipt when you drop off your request.
**We can mail your birth certificate to you or you can pick it up at the Columbia State Office.

Where to Go:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Telephone: (803) 898-3630
Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201

Who can 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 you are at least 18 years old)
** The parent(s) named on the birth certificate
** The legal guardian(s) of a minor or adult (must present a certified court order establishing guardianship/custody)
** A legal representative of one of these.