Aiken Birth Records
Aiken birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Aiken is the county seat of Aiken County in the western part of the state. The Aiken County Health Department in Aiken is the local office for short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. Aiken also has a unique historical resource: a Register of Births from 1909 to 1910 on microfilm predates the statewide registration system. This page explains how to request Aiken birth records.
Aiken Quick Facts
Aiken County Health Department Birth Records
The Aiken County Health Department is at 142 Doris Road, Aiken, SC 29803. This office is a branch of the state vital records system and can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form confirms that a birth is on record with the state and is accepted for many routine purposes.
Long-form certified birth certificates are only available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone is (803) 898-3630. The DPH assumed vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms and ordering information for Aiken birth records.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Aiken County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office.
How to Request Aiken Birth Certificates
The search fee is $12.00, non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This covers a search and one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies at the same time are $3.00 each. Payments must be by money order or cashier's check payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records."
To order by mail, complete Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Include a copy of your photo ID and payment, then mail to 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Online orders go through VitalChek. The first copy is $17.00. Walk-in service is also available at the state office in Columbia.
The DPH Vital Records page is the best source for current processing times and any updates to the ordering process for Aiken birth certificates.
Who Can Get Aiken Birth Records
Access to certified Aiken birth records is restricted under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. Eligible individuals include the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, a parent listed on the record, a legal guardian, a legal representative, and immediate family members of a deceased person who provide a certified death certificate. The SC Department of Social Services may also access records for child support and paternity purposes.
All applicants must provide a copy of a valid photo ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Aiken birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Aiken City Birth Records History
Aiken has a distinctive historical record that is notable among South Carolina cities. The Aiken city Register of Births from 1909 to 1910 is available on microfilm. This record predates the statewide birth registration system that began January 1, 1915 and can be a useful resource for researchers tracing Aiken births in that period. Researchers can inquire about accessing this microfilm through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History or local library resources.
For births before 1909 and for rural Aiken County births before 1915, researchers should consult church records, census data, family Bibles, and other substitute documents. For individuals with no official birth record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows registration of a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials for Aiken County. Their phone is 803-896-6196. The SCDAH online index provides access to selected records.
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings. For amendment questions, the SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains the process under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Nearby Cities
Aiken is the county seat of Aiken County in the western part of South Carolina. Nearby cities include North Augusta also in Aiken County. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.