When you need to apostille a South Carolina birth certificate, you will need to make sure to have a certified copy of the vital record beforehand. If you need to order one, your best bet is to go through the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. Here's what their website says about obtaining one:
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
Average processing time is 5-7 business days.
Only the person(s) named on the birth certificate may order through an online vendor
Fees include:
A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
$3 for each additional copy
$9.00 additional processing fee
https://www.gocertificates.com 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
$10.50 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.
You will need to provide:
A completed application form
$12 non-refundable standard searching fee
$3 for each additional copy
A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.
Where to Go:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia - Issues long form birth certificates; initiates and completes corrections.
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 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 in Richland County.
Average processing time is 2-4 weeks.
You will need to send:
A completed application form
A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee (Add $3 for each additional copy.)
A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID (photocopy of one). When we receive applications without proper identification, we reject them automatically; we do not process them.
Mail to:
DHEC Vital Records 2600 Bull St. Columbia, SC 29201
Mail requests are only accepted at the state office.
5. Drop-off
* Drop-offs are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
Average processing time is two days.
You will need to provide:
A completed application form.
A $12 non-refundable search fee (search fee includes one certified copy of the birth certificate). Each additional copy is $3. We accept exact cash, a money order, or cashier's check made payable to S.C. DHEC.
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:
DHEC State Vital Records Office, Columbia
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Telephone: (803) 898-3630 Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
Who can obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate?
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
The legal guardian(s) of a minor or adult (must present a certified court order establishing guardianship/custody)
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 to this requirement. Birth certificates become public records after 100 years. Then any person may obtain an uncertified copy of the birth certificate, upon submission of application form and fees.
What information is needed to apply for a birth certificate?
Full name of the person whose birth certificate is being requested
Full date of birth (month, day, year)
County of birth
Mother/parent's full name before she married
Father/parent's full name (if listed on the certificate)
Signature of the person requesting the birth certificate and their current mailing address
The 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.
How can I check on the status of a birth certificate request?
If you have not received any response to your request within 30 days of submission, you may call (803) 898-3630 or e-mail us at vrrequeststatus@dhec.sc.gov for an update.
What types of birth certifications are issued?
A computer-generated long form is the only version of birth certificate issued. Under South Carolina regulation, it is considered for all purposes the same as the original certificate.
The computer-generated long form contains the following information:
State file number
Name of registrant
Date of birth
County of birth
Place of birth (city)
Father's name (if listed on the original birth certificate)
Father's place of birth
Mother's maiden name
Mother's place of birth
Date record filed, and
The date issued.
Vital Records Offices stopped accepting requests for short form birth certificates in January 2015. A computer-generated long form can be issued by the state office location - DHEC, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 and by Regional Vital Records Offices (see map).
Apostille for South Carolina Birth Certificate
There is no margin for error with the Authentication or Apostille process. If mistakes are made, both your time and money will be wasted and you'll have to start all over again. If you want to look into outsourcing this part of preparing to studying abroad to someone with experience, please email me at jared@apostillellc.com or call 848-467-7740 to request my services or learn more.
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