Anderson Birth Records
Anderson birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Anderson is the county seat of Anderson County in the upstate region. The Anderson County Health Department in Anderson provides local access to short form birth cards. Full certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. Anderson County has local public records resources that can assist with birth records research. This page explains how to request Anderson birth records and what resources are available.
Anderson Quick Facts
Anderson County Health Department Birth Records
The Anderson County Health Department is at 907 N. Fant Street, Anderson, SC 29621. 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 is accepted for many routine identification 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 responsibilities from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms and ordering details for Anderson birth records.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Anderson County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office in Columbia.
How to Request Anderson 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.
The Anderson County court public records page provides access to official county records that may assist researchers tracing Anderson births and family history.
Who Can Get Anderson Birth Records
Access to certified Anderson 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 include 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. Anderson birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Anderson Birth Records History
Anderson has been the county seat of Anderson County since the county was established in 1826. The city grew significantly in the late 1800s through the textile industry. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in Anderson before that date, church records, family Bibles, census data, and city directories are the primary sources.
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 Anderson County Health Department on N. Fant Street can assist. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials for Anderson County. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected records. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases for earlier Anderson County research. For amendment questions, the SC Justice amendment guide covers the process under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Nearby Cities
Anderson is the county seat of Anderson County in the upstate region. Nearby cities include Easley in Pickens County and Greenville to the north. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.