Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

Vital Records Office Closures

Aiken and Beaufort Vital Records locations are closed due to Hurricane Helene. DPH is working to reopen these locations. Individuals can receive services online, by phone or at nearby health departments.

We understand the significance of this issue and will provide an update as soon as possible.

The South Carolina Vital Records offices issue birth certificates for births that occurred in South Carolina since 1915.

You may request 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 legal guardian, or a legal representative of one of the above.

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.

Newborn birth certificates are not automatically mailed to parents. Information gathered in the hospital is solely for the purposes of registering the birth. The hospital will not order your child’s birth certificate for you. You must request the certificate by one of the methods below.

Request a South Carolina Birth Certificate

1. Online

Go Certificates

Only the person(s) named on the birth certificate may order through an online vendor.

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.

GOCertificates.com graphic

Fees Include:
  • A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • $8.70 additional processing fee

https://www.gocertificates.com

Vital Chek

VitalChek graphic

Fees Include:
  • A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • $8.75 additional processing fee
  • Secure Next Day "signature required" delivery available for additional fee

Online Identity Verification - avoid sending ID

https://www.vitalchek.com

All fees must be paid using a major credit/debit card.  Additional fees may apply if you choose expedited shipping.

If you are applying for a copy of a birth certificate through one of our online vendors, you will be asked to submit a copy of a valid government, school or employer issued photo ID. VitalChek performs online identity verification of the individual ordering the record on all orders. This additional security step can assist individuals without identification.  If you do not pass the online identity verification you will be required to upload a valid ID.

Note: Please use only the above approved vendors to send online requests for certified copies of South Carolina Vital Records. We cannot guarantee that orders from other websites will be processed.


2. By Phone Through VitalChek

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Call 1-877-284-1008 to speak to a VitalChek representative 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Only persons named on the birth certificate may order through VitalChek.

Fees Include:

  • $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • $12.85 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek
  • Shipping fees should you choose to expedite the shipping of your certificate.

3. In-Person

Average processing time is 30-45 minutes.
Same-day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as paternity affidavits, corrections and amendments, please arrive prior to 4 PM to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same-day service is not guaranteed for requests such as paternity affidavits, adoption processing, corrections and amendments.

Note: Vital Records experiences a high volume of in-person requests on Mondays and Fridays as well as during the lunch hours every day. Customers can help reduce their wait time by bringing exact payment (i.e., cash, check, money order) and completed forms. Non-peak hours are 9 AM - 11 AM Tuesday - Thursday.

You Will Need to Provide:

  • A completed application form
  • $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee*
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.

Where to Go:

  • DPH State Vital Records Office, Columbia - Issues long form birth certificates; initiates and completes corrections.
    • Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
      Telephone: (803) 898-3630
      Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
  • Regional Vital Records Offices - Issues long form birth certificates; initiates corrections.

All Vital Records offices can issue births from any county in South Carolina.


4. By Mail

* Mail requests are only accepted at the state office.
Average processing time is 4 weeks.

You Will Need to Send:

  • A completed application form
  • A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee ($3 for each additional copy.)
  • A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID. When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.
Mail to:

Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171


5. Drop-off

* Drop-offs are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.

You Will Need to Provide:

  • A completed application form.
  • You may select a standard $12 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 4 weeks or an expedited $17 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 5 business days or less (search fee includes one certified copy of the birth certificate).
  • $3 for each additional copy.
  • You must pay with exact cash, a money order, or cashier's check made payable to S.C. DPH.
  • A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.

Additional Information

  • We'll give you a receipt when you drop off your request.
  • We can mail your birth certificate to you or you can pick it up at the Columbia State Office.

Where to Go:

  • DPH State Vital Records Office, Columbia
    • Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
      Telephone: (803) 898-3630
      Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201

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