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South Carolina Birth Certificates

Learn how to request a South Carolina birth certificate replacement from the South Carolina Department of Public Health Vital Records Office (SC DPH). The standard processing time is 2 to 4 weeks, and expedited processing takes 5 to 7 business days for an extra $5.00 fee. The state fee for mail-in orders is $12.00, while in-person or online orders cost $17.00. Additional copies can be requested during the same order for $3.00 each. Only authorized individuals, such as those on record, their parents, or legal representatives, can request copies.

How to Order State of South Carolina Birth Certificates

You can now order South Carolina birth certificates through VRO’s online filing service. VRO offers a secure and simple way to order birth certificates. We handle the entire application process, ensuring accuracy and ease. Your application is securely delivered to the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) for processing, allowing them to issue and mail your birth certificate to you. You can place the order yourself in person or by mail through the SCDPH by following the specific steps and meeting certain requirements. Confirming the costs, eligibility, processing times, and requirements before placing your order is crucial to ensure the successful processing of your application.


Person ordering a birth certificate with a phone using VRO

Ordering with VRO

Requesting a South Carolina birth certificate through our online filing service is quick and easy.

  1. Complete the online application and upload your documents.
  2. Process your order.

Starting from

$29+ state fees

Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO

  • 5 minutes process
  • No waiting in lines
  • No handling paperwork or mail
  • Simplified application process
  • 24 hour service
  • Online assistance by specialists
  • Verification and error-checking
  • Order tracking
  • Online notary
  • Pay online by credit card
  • Remote processing time

Get Started Online


required documents

What Documents Are Required to Order State of South Carolina Birth Certificates?

All applicants must provide proof of identity when submitting their birth certificate application. Eligibility criteria and the necessary documents may vary depending on the submission method and the applicant. The South Carolina DPH defines the required information and documents. Refer to the table below.


Primary ID Requirements Options

Driver's License
ID Card
Learner Permit
Work ID
Passport
US Military ID
Re-Entry Permit
Refugee Travel Document
US Citizenship ID
Temporary Resident Card
Permanent Residents Card
Weapon Permit
College ID

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).

Cost & fees

What Are the Costs and Fees Associated with Replacing a Birth Certificate in South Carolina?

The total costs of replacing a birth certificate in South Carolina depend on the method of application submission, whether in person, by mail, or online. The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) charges a fee of $12.00 for a certified copy for mail-in orders and $17.00 ($12.00 + required $5.00 expedited processing fee) for in-person or online orders. Additional copies are available for a $3.00 fee per copy when requested simultaneously. When using VRO's online filing service, the fee starts at $29.00, plus the state fee. VRO provides a secure online solution for ordering birth certificates.


State Fee

$12.00


Rush Processing

Not available for mail-in orders


Additional Copy

1 x $20.00

Processing time

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.

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Rush Processing Time

Not available for mail-in orders.




Authorization

Who is Authorized to Order a South Carolina Birth Certificate?

In South Carolina, only the individual listed on the birth record and authorized third parties can request a certified copy, and they must provide proof of their identity. Certified copies of SC birth records are subject to confidentiality, and access to these records is restricted for 100 years after birth. If you are applying on behalf of the record holder, confirm your eligibility to submit the request on their behalf. All applicants must include supporting documentation to verify their identity and relationship to the person listed on the birth record.



Authorized People


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

If the individual on record is deceased, immediate family members and/or their legal representative may obtain a certified copy of a birth record. Still, they must submit a certified copy of the death certificate with their request.

Do I Need to Notarize My Application?

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

Tracking

How to Track the Status of Your Birth Certificate Replacement

When you place an order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online while we are handling it. VRO verifies your documents before forwarding them to the South Carolina Department of Public Health—Division of Vital Records (SCDPH—DVR) for further processing. Additionally, you can request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's journey to the health department for extra verification.

If you manually mail your birth certificate request, purchasing first-class mail with tracking is recommended to know when your application is delivered to the South Carolina DPH.

For mail-in applications, the SC DPH-DVR does not provide application tracking. Please check with SC DPH for tracking options for online and in-person application submissions.

The SC DPH-DVR does not provide tracking for the delivery of your vital records certificates to your address. Once the records leave the state office, the state is not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.

frequently asked questions

Other FAQs


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

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    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?

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    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?

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    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.


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

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    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

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    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

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    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