DHEC’s Vital Records Division

Contact & location

Address

2600 Bull St., Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Records for

Richland County, South Carolina

Phone

(803) 898-3630

Official site

Government website ↗

Last verified July 14, 2026

Processing times are set at state level — county offices do not publish their own — and are estimates that vary with demand.

• ★★★★★Kate BrownGoogle

  They really should offer an expedited process (in person, a specific priority window) for obtaining a newborn's birth certificate. Having a physical copy is the only way babies can be verified & added to parent's health insurance. You only have 31 days after the birth to do this. A backlog of 5-8 weeks for processing via their online vendors is ridiculous. New parents having to go in person and wait 3+ hrs because they only have 2 windows open is also ridiculous. I'd rather visit the DMV 10 times over.

• ★★★★★Angie LeeGoogle

  I have been to vital records several times about a correcting the spelling of my name. I brought all the necessary forms and even included my request for Numident Printout Record from the Federal Social Security Administration. I waited for ever to get that back. My last & final visit to Vital Records the supervisor told the worker whom was helping me my Mother's name on the form I completed was spelled wrong that I completed in the office. What does that have to do with my name. I just totally gave up. All of this in order to get my passport and Real ID. Even the worker helping me didn't understand what the spelling of my mother's name had to do with my name. I was delivered by a midwife in a rural small town. I'm so over this and this agency. All this for one letter.

• ★★★★★Cameron GGoogle

  Carole Allen is truly one of those rare people who restores your faith in humanity. From the very first conversation, she was understanding, compassionate, and genuinely friendly in a way that immediately put us at ease. We could tell she wasn’t just “doing her job” — she actually cared about what we were dealing with and took the time to listen without rushing or judging. In a world where it feels harder and harder to find people who are patient and kind, Carole stood out in the best way. She communicated clearly, treated us with respect and made a stressful situation feel manageable simply by how calmly and thoughtfully she handled everything. Her empathy wasn’t forced or scripted — it felt real. If you have the opportunity to work with Carole Allen, you’ll be in good hands. We’re sincerely grateful for her help, her professionalism and most of all her heart. Thank you Carole and Vicky!

• ★★★★★D. Rashad GantGoogle

  Went in to the office for a certificate proving I’ve never been married (this is a requirement for me to get married in my fiancé’s home country). Explained to the young woman that I have never been married and simply need a document stating that I’ve never been married (or at least prove that I’m not currently married). She explains that I will need to apply for a record of marriage, which doesn’t exist, then will be given a certificate saying that no marriage record has been found. Fair. She explains that I could instead call VitalChek and, for an extra fee, have this document in a day or two. I call VitalChek. VitalChek states that they do not have the ability to search for anything sooner than the past two years, and therefore cannot provide said certificate. Then instructed me to go in person to Vital Records to make the request…the office I had just left an hour earlier. I attempt call the Vital Records office. Can’t reach a person. Only prerecorded messages instructing me to call other numbers, which also have no live representatives. Each side saying that the other side will take care of it. No one to actually help out. Thanks, state government.

• ★★★★★Latrice WilliamsGoogle

  I am writing to share my experience at Vital Records on April 23, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM at Station 4. Unfortunately, the customer service I received was very disappointing. The staff member assisting me spoke in a whisper throughout the interaction, making it difficult to understand her. When I politely asked her to repeat herself multiple times, she appeared visibly impatient and responded with a rude and unwelcoming attitude. Additionally, during the payment process, my card was initially declined because I mistakenly selected “debit” instead of “credit.” When I asked her to reset the transaction so I could choose the correct option, she complied but displayed noticeable frustration; rolling her eyes and continuing to exhibit poor customer service. Overall, the interaction felt uncomfortable and unprofessional. I believe all customers deserve clear communication, patience, and respect, especially when navigating official services. I hope this feedback is taken seriously and used to improve the customer experience moving forward.