You are entitled to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate if you are:

• the person named on the certificate (if you are at least 18 years old),
• the parent(s) named on the birth certificate, or
• the guardian, or a legal representative of one of these.

Immediate family members and/or their respective legal representative may obtain a certified copy of a birth record if the registrant is deceased. An original, certified copy (no photocopies) of the registrant's death record must be submitted with the request. There are no exceptions.

1. A computer-generated long form (needed for travel)
The computer-generated long form contains the:
• state file number,
• name of registrant,
• date of birth,
• county of birth,
• father's name (if listed on the original birth certificate),
• mother's maiden name,
• date record filed, and
• the date issued.
The computer-generated long form can be issued only by the state office location – DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The 46 county branch offices cannot issue the computer-generated long form.
2. A short form certification or birth card (cannot be used for travel)

The birth card is a wallet-size certification that contains the:

• state file number,
• name of the person whose certificate is being issued,
• date of birth,
• sex,
• county of birth, and
• the date the birth was filed.
The short form certification or birth card can be issued for any South Carolina birth, regardless of the county of birth, by the state office and the 46 county branch offices.

DHEC no longer issues the "raised seal" certificates. It has not been used by the South Carolina Division of Vital Records since March 1999. DHEC uses a transcript validator to impress fluorescent ink that can be checked for authenticity under a black light.

Certified copies of the actual birth certificate that was filed by the attendant at birth will only be issued when a computer-generated form is not available.

The only type of birth certificate acceptable for travel is a birth certificate long form.

The procedures and requirements depend upon the specific information to be changed and whether any previous changes have been made.  Specific instructions can only be provided after a review of the birth/death record.

If you have requested a birth/death certificate in the past 12 months, you may return that and notify us as to the specific change you would like to make.  If you have not requested a birth/death certificate in the past 12 months, this would be the first step you need to take.  Again, you should indicate the correction you wish to make.  Staff will review the certificate on file and advise you.

This process may be initiated by mail or onsite at a county vital records office of the state office.

• Full name of the person whose birth certificate is being requested
• Full date of birth (month, day, year)
• County of birth
• Mother’s full name before she married
• Father’s full name
• Signature of the person requesting the birth certificate and their current mailing address
• Relationship between the person named on the birth certificate and the person requesting the certified copy
• The full name and complete mailing address of the person to whom the certificate is to be mailed
• Area code and daytime telephone number of the person requesting the certificate
• Optional information that may be helpful in the search for the birth certificate (Example: full names and dates of birth of brothers and sisters, nicknames, etc.)

If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call 803-898-3630 or e-mail (mileslb@dhec.sc.gov) for an update.

You will need to contact the Social Security office. Please visit their Web site at www.ssa.gov or you may contact them by phone at (803) 929-7635.

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South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control    2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201    (803) 898-DHEC (3432)