Goose Creek Birth Records
Goose Creek birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Goose Creek is located in Berkeley County, northwest of Charleston. The Berkeley County Health Department in Moncks Corner is the local office for short form birth cards for Goose Creek residents. Certified long-form birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or online through VitalChek. This page covers how to request Goose Creek birth records and where to find research resources for Berkeley County.
Goose Creek Quick Facts
Berkeley County Health Department Birth Records
The Berkeley County Health Department is at 106 West Main Street, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Moncks Corner is the county seat of Berkeley County and is where Goose Creek residents go for local birth record services. This office can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present.
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 options for Goose Creek birth records.
The county health department in Moncks Corner can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Berkeley County within the last five years. For older records, contact the state Office of Vital Records.
How to Request Goose Creek 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. Additional copies are $3.00 each.
The CDC guide to South Carolina vital records confirms the fee structure and provides guidance on what documentation to include with a Goose Creek birth record request.
Who Can Get Goose Creek Birth Records
Access to certified Goose Creek 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. Goose Creek birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Goose Creek Birth Records History
Goose Creek has colonial-era roots and is one of the older settled areas in the South Carolina lowcountry. The city grew significantly in the 20th century as part of the greater Charleston metropolitan area. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For Goose Creek families with roots before that date, researchers should look to church records, family Bibles, census data, and court records from Berkeley County.
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 and the county health department. The Berkeley County Health Department in Moncks Corner can assist with this process. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials relevant to Berkeley County. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected records.
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings. These resources can help trace Goose Creek and Berkeley County families before the official registration period began.
Nearby Cities
Goose Creek is in Berkeley County, part of the greater Charleston metropolitan area. Nearby cities include North Charleston, Summerville, and Charleston. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.