Get your certified South Carolina Birth Certificate

How to Get a South Carolina Birth Certificate Without ID

You may submit two secondary documents that have your name and current address (utility bill, bank statement, car registration, copy of income tax return) to the DPH. Alternatively, you can have an authorized third party submit a request on your behalf if they can provide proof of identity and their relationship to you (the record holder).

How Long Does It Take to Process and Receive a Birth Certificate in South Carolina?

Standard processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks, while expedited orders take 5 to 7 business days. The total time to receive a South Carolina birth certificate replacement varies depending on the application submission method and the current processing times set by the South Carolina DPH. To avoid delays, we recommend using VRO’s easy online service, which helps prevent incomplete submissions and errors.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

SC DPH does not require a notary to obtain authorized copies of South Carolina birth certificates.

Other FAQs

• How to Obtain a South Carolina Birth Certificate if Born on an Overseas Military Base

  

  If you were born overseas on a U.S. military base, your birth would have been recorded with the U.S. Department of State rather than the state of South Carolina. You can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) or form FS-240 by contacting the U.S. Department of State. This document is evidence of U.S. citizenship (the equivalent of a U.S. birth certificate). The CRBA is accepted for various legal purposes, such as proving birth and citizenship, applying for a passport, and accessing social services.

  If you need the original birth records, you must contact the hospital in the country where the birth took place.

• Why Do I Need Certified Copies of My South Carolina Birth Certificate?

  

  Certified copies of your South Carolina birth certificate are important for numerous events in life. These copies are valid proof of your legal name, place, date of birth, and parents' names. They confirm your identity and citizenship. Both government and commercial entities recognize certified birth certificate copies and are often required for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
  
  Birth certificates are often useful or required for:

  Applying for a driver's license

  Applying for a new passport

  Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card

  Applying for Social Security benefits

  Claiming pension or insurance benefits

  Genealogy research

  Claiming family inheritance

  Applying for a new job

  Enrolling in school

  Enlisting in military

  Obtaining a marriage license

  
  

• What Does a South Carolina Birth Certificate Look Like?

  

  Official birth certificates issued by the state of South Carolina will contain distinct features that validate their authenticity. The appearance of the birth certificate may vary based on the year of issue, but it will always contain details stipulated by state guidelines. Standard features will include the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature, which will be issued on secure paper to prevent forgery.

  Confirming you have an official (long-form) birth certificate is essential. These are intended for legal purposes and differ from informational (short-form) certificates, which are generally used for family or commemorative purposes.

  • Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

  • Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

  • Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

  • Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

  • State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

  • Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

  • Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

  • Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

  In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

  • Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

  • Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

  
  

  

• How to Replace a Lost or Stolen South Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  If you lose your birth certificates

  1. Apply for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You must complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the South Carolina DHEC - Vital Records Office.
     a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a state or regional Vital Records Office during operational hours.
     b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents, and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) at:
     South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH), Vital Records Section
     P.O. Box 2046 West Columbia, SC 29171
     c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
  2. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH)will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

• How to Correct or Amend a South Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  If you need to correct or change a South Carolina birth certificate, a separate document, an addendum (supplement), is issued to correct or change the birth certificate while preserving the original birth record from being altered.

  Typically, amendments to South Carolina birth certificates will require:

  1. A request for an amendment with document evidence. SC DHP will review your request and the birth certificate on file and advise you of the next necessary steps.
  2. Notarized Affidavit form: Prepared by SC DHP when the request to amend a record is accepted.
  3. Appropriate fee(s): Once the amendment is applied to the record, a fee of $15.00 will be due. Records issued within the past year can be replaced for $3.00 each.

  If the amendment is not accepted, you must have a court order to make the request again. Name changes and adoptions require a court order. Contact the SC DHP for further information regarding amendment requirements.

• How to Obtain an Apostille for a South Carolina Birth Certificate

  

  You can order directly through the South Carolina Secretary of State or use VRO's Express Apostille Service for online orders to obtain an apostille for a South Carolina birth certificate. Apostilles are exclusively issued by the South Carolina Secretary of State and are often necessary when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government as per the 1961 Hague Convention.

  To manually obtain an apostille for a South Carolina birth certificate, complete the following steps:

  1. Obtain a Certified Copy of the Birth Certificate: Request a certified copy from the South DPH.
  2. Complete the Apostille Request Form: Download and complete the Apostille Request Form (Authentication Cover Letter).
  3. Prepare Required Documents: A certified copy of the birth certificate, a Completed Apostille Request Form, and a self-addressed return envelope with pre-paid postage (not required if picking up in person).
  4. Include Payment for Fees: Include payment for the fee of $5.00 for the apostille service. Payment options include checks or money orders payable to the South Carolina Secretary of State. Cash is also accepted only when hand-delivering the application.
  5. Mail the Application: Documents should be mailed to or sent by UPS/FedEx. Send the completed Apostille Request Form, certified birth certificate, pre-paid, self-addressed stamped return envelope (explicitly required), and payment to the South Carolina Secretary of State’s office at the following address:

  Mailing Address