South Carolina Public Records

South Carolina boasts a long piece of American History, as the eighth state to join the Union in 1788. Originally known as the Province of South Carolina, the area was originally settled by English immigrants from Barbados. The area also played a key role during the Revolutionary War, with more slaves than Anglo-European colonists by the time the war broke out. The state was well known for tobacco farming at that time, and the ports of the state became a popular location for trade of all kinds. Much of South Carolina’s research can be traced through the vital records that document the people who were born, married and died in the state throughout its long history.  

The first step in completing a successful search for historic, academic or personal reasons is finding public records in South Carolina. Many of the vital records for the state are consolidated into a single location at the Department of Health, making it fast and easy to find the records you are looking for. Older documents may also be found on file in the state, often through a separate government office that specializes in archival information. When you launch a public records search in South Carolina, keep these facts in mind:

South Carolina Public Records Eligibility

South Carolina birth records are restricted to the person on the document or the parents of that person. Legal guardians or representatives can also be granted access. This law is in place to protect the identity of South Carolina residents, since official copies of birth certificates can be used for identification purposes. If the person on the record is deceased, immediate family members may also obtain access to the document, as well legal representatives of those individuals.

South Carolina death records are also restricted to immediate family members of the deceased or their legal representatives. Others may receive a copy of the document to prove a personal or property right. Marriage and divorce records in South Carolina are also restricted to the individuals on the document, their children, previous spouses or legal representatives of any of these parties. Those that do not have legal access to these official documents may be provided information that the event occurred and the date of the event. Additional information is restricted under state law.

Locations for South Carolina Public Records

The majority of South Carolina public records are stored at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. This agency holds all the South Carolina birth, death, marriage and divorce records for the state. The agency offers access to all its SC public records in person, by mail or through the Internet. The office will provide searches as well as copies of documents for additional fees. The standard processing time for searches and retrieval of documents is less than one hour in person, or two to four weeks by mail. Expedited mail service is also available.

Additional public records for South Carolina can be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Death indexes, census records and military listings are all included in the archives of this office.

Serious genealogists or those researching South Carolina history for academic reasons will find a wealth of additional resources available at this office. Some of the files are digital, meaning they can be accessed through an online South Carolina public records search. Others require investigation to find specific files, which can be done in person at the office, or by sending a request to the researchers on staff.

Online Public Records in South Carolina are Available

Although the state does not provide an online South Carolina public records search option, the state does partner with a third party to make this option available for interested individuals. VitalChek allows those looking for South Carolina public records online to find the documents they want from the comfort and privacy of home. The service provides fast response time on searches and a two-day turnaround on document copies. There is an additional fee to use the service.