State vital records · SC DHEC - Vital Records Office

South Carolina Vital Records Requirements

Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in South Carolina — in one place.

South Carolina · 49 offices

At a glance

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control - Vital Records Office (SC DHEC - Vital Records Office)

Address
2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201
Mailing
SC DHEC – Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone
(803) 898-3630
Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

South Carolina Birth Certificate

Fee
$12
Additional copy
$3
Rush fee
Only available via vitalchek - $18.85
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Rush processing
5-7 business days
Public after
100 years

Who can request

  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Parents
  • Person on Record

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Father's Name at Birth
  • Father's Place of Birth
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Maiden Name
  • Mother's Place of Birth
  • Number of Children Born in State to this Parents
  • Parents´ Place of Marriage
  • Place of Birth
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Sex
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • College ID
  • Driver's License
  • ID Card
  • Learner Permit
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residents Card
  • Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • Temporary Resident Card
  • US Citizenship ID
  • US Military ID
  • Weapon Permit
  • Work ID
Application form (DHEC 2595)

South Carolina Death Certificate

Fee
$12
Additional copy
$3
Rush fee
Only available via vitalchek - $18.85
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Rush processing
5-7 business days
Public after
50 years

Who can request

  • Children
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Legal Representative
  • Other person of interest (personal and property rights)
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Spouse

Required information

  • Age at Death
  • Date of Death
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Place of Death
  • Purpose for the Certificate
  • Sex
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • College ID
  • Driver's License
  • ID Card
  • Learner Permit
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residents Card
  • Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • Temporary Resident Card
  • US Citizenship ID
  • US Military ID
  • Weapon Permit
  • Work ID
Application form (DHEC 2594)

South Carolina Marriage Certificate

Fee
$12
Additional copy
$3
Rush fee
Only available via vitalchek - $18.85
Processing time
2-4 weeks
Rush processing
5-7 business days

Who can request

  • Children
  • Ex-Spouse
  • Legal Representative
  • Person on Record
  • Spouse

Required information

  • Bride Name
  • Bride's Name Before Marriage
  • Date of Marriage
  • Email
  • Groom Name
  • Groom Name Before Marriage
  • Mailing Address
  • Phone Number
  • Place where License Was Issued
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • College ID
  • Driver's License
  • ID Card
  • Learner Permit
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residents Card
  • Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • Temporary Resident Card
  • US Citizenship ID
  • US Military ID
  • Weapon Permit
  • Work ID
Application form (DHEC 0639)

Don't want to visit in person? Order a South Carolina birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.

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Get a birth certificate by South Carolina county

Most South Carolina birth and death records are requested at the county level. Choose your county for local offices, fees, and how to order.

See all South Carolina counties & offices →

Apostille & authentication

Office
Secretary of State
Phone
(803) 734-2512
Mailing
SC Secretary of State's Office Attn: Authentications 1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 525 Columbia, SC 29201
Details
Photocopies of vital records are not acceptable. All vital records must be certified by the issuing government agency. A death or birth certificate can only be provided by DHEC’s Vital Records Division. All documents in a foreign language must be signed, notarized, and accompanied by an English translation signed by the translator with the translator’s signature notarized.

Public records: South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.