South Carolina Public Records /Find South Carolina Vital Records Online

Find South Carolina Vital Records Online

Are South Carolina Vital Records Available to the Public?

Yes. South Carolina vital records are generally accessible to the public, in line with the South Carolina Code of Laws. However, certain details within these records are deemed confidential. Consequently, access may be restricted to the individuals named in the records, their immediate family members, or other authorized persons.

What Information is Included in South Carolina Vital Records?

South Carolina vital records typically include:

Name of the individual on the record
Date of the vital event (birth, death, marriage, or divorce)
Location where the event took place (city or county)
Additional details specific to the type of record, such as case numbers for divorce records

How to Access South Carolina Vital Records Online?

To access South Carolina vital records online, requesters must provide specific information. Generally, the following details are required:

Name of the individual on the record
Date of the vital event
Location where the event occurred

For certain records, such as divorce records, additional details like the case number and court location may be necessary. Publicly available vital records can also be accessed through third-party websites, which may offer a broader range of records but are not government-sponsored. Requesters should be prepared to provide the location and name of someone involved in the record, ensuring it is not a juvenile.

What Do I Need to Access South Carolina Vital Records?

To obtain South Carolina vital records, requesters must provide valid identification and any additional documents required by the record custodian. Requests can be made to the Vital Records Office at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Requesters should provide:

A valid government, employer, or school-issued photo ID
Any additional documents required for identification

Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through third-party vendors. Third-party sites may offer convenience but might not have the same availability as official channels.

Certified vs. Informational Copies: Key Differences

Certified copies of vital records are legal documents that can be used for official purposes, such as applying for passports or legal proceedings. Informational copies, on the other hand, are not legally valid and are typically used for personal or genealogical research. The primary distinction lies in the legal validity of certified copies compared to the purely informational nature of the latter.

Are South Carolina Birth Records Available to the Public?

Yes. South Carolina birth records are public but access to them is restricted. Certified copies are typically issued only to the registrant (if they are at least 18 years old), the registrant’s parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives. In cases where the registrant is deceased, immediate family members or their legal representatives may obtain a certified copy by providing an original certified death record.

How to Access South Carolina Birth Records?

To access South Carolina birth records, requesters must complete and submit a birth application form. This can be done in person or by mail to the Office of Vital Records at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Requesters must provide:

A completed birth application form
Valid photo identification
Any additional documentation required

In-person requests are typically processed within 30-45 minutes. Birth records can also be accessed online through third-party vendors, although availability and processing times may vary.

Are Birth Certificates Public in South Carolina?

No, birth certificates are not public records in South Carolina. Certified copies can only be issued to authorized individuals, which include the registrant (if of legal age), their parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives. Birth certificates become public records 100 years after the date of recording, making them accessible to anyone who submits the necessary paperwork and fee.

Are South Carolina Death Records Available to the Public?

It depends. Death records in South Carolina become public records 50 years after the date of death. Before this period, only immediate family members, legal representatives, or individuals with a tangible interest in the record can obtain certified copies. Public death records include a statement of the event with the date and county of death.

How to Access Death Records in South Carolina?

To access death records in South Carolina, requesters must complete and submit a death application form. This can be done in person or by mail to the Office of Vital Records at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Requesters must provide:

A completed death application form
Valid photo identification
Any additional documentation required

Death records from 2005 onwards can also be accessed in person at any regional vital records office. Online access is available through third-party vendors, though processing times and availability may vary.

Are South Carolina Marriage Records Available to the Public?

Yes. South Carolina marriage records are public information. However, certified copies of marriage certificates are only issued to the parties named on the record, their adult children, legal representatives, or a spouse (current or former) of either party. Other requesters may receive a statement confirming the marriage, including the date and county.

How to Access Marriage Records in South Carolina?

To access marriage records, requesters may contact the probate court in the county where the marriage license was issued. This typically involves an in-person visit to the courthouse. For marriages from July 1950 to December 2017, records can also be obtained from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Requesters must provide:

A completed marriage/divorce application form
Valid photo identification
Any additional documentation required

Mailed requests to the DHEC take an average of 2-4 weeks to process. In-person requests are generally processed faster.

How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate in South Carolina

To obtain a marriage certificate, requesters must be authorized individuals, such as one of the married parties, their adult children, legal representatives, or a spouse (current or former). Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by drop-off at the DHEC Vital Records Office. Requesters must provide:

A completed marriage/divorce application form
Valid photo identification
Applicable search fees

In-person requests are typically processed within 30-45 minutes. Marriage records between July 1950 and December 2021 are available through the DHEC, while records outside this period must be obtained from the probate court that issued the original license.

Are South Carolina Divorce Records Available to the Public?

Yes. South Carolina divorce records are generally public information. However, some records may be sealed and require a court order for access. Certified copies are typically issued only to the parties named on the record, their adult children, legal representatives, or a spouse (current or former).

How to Get Divorce Records in South Carolina?

Divorce records can be obtained by contacting the clerk of court for the South Carolina family court where the divorce was finalized. Additionally, records can be accessed through third-party vendors online or by submitting a marriage/divorce application form to the DHEC for divorces between July 1962 and December 2016. Requesters must provide:

A completed marriage/divorce application form
Valid photo identification
Any additional documentation required

In-person requests at the DHEC are generally processed faster than mailed requests.

How to Obtain a Certified Divorce Certificate in South Carolina

Certified divorce certificates for divorces between July 1962 and December 2021 can be obtained from the DHEC. Only authorized individuals, such as the divorced parties, their adult children, legal representatives, or a spouse (current or former), can request these records. Requesters must provide:

A completed marriage/divorce application form
Valid photo identification
Applicable search fees

Requests can be made in person, by mail, or by drop-off at the DHEC Vital Records Office. Unqualified individuals will only receive a statement confirming the divorce, including the date and county.

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