Greenville Birth Records
Greenville birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Greenville County Health Department in Greenville is the local office for short form birth cards. Full certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. As the largest city in the upstate region, Greenville has a range of county resources including the Register of Deeds and court records offices that may assist with birth records research. This page explains how to request Greenville birth records and what resources are available.
Greenville Quick Facts
Greenville County Health Department Birth Records
The Greenville County Health Department is located at 1745 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29605. 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 card 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. For most legal needs including passport applications, the long-form certificate from the state is required. The DPH assumed vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. Visit the DPH Vital Records page for current forms and ordering details.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Greenville County within the last five years. For older records, contact the state office in Columbia.
How to Request Greenville Birth Certificates
The search fee for a South Carolina birth record is $12.00, which is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This fee covers 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 online.
The Greenville County courts public records page provides access to various court and official records relevant to Greenville residents researching birth and family history.
Who Can Get Greenville Birth Records
Access to certified Greenville 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 with documentation, 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. Greenville birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Greenville County Register of Deeds and Public Records
The Greenville County Register of Deeds maintains property and official records for the county. While not directly related to birth certificates, the Register of Deeds office is a useful resource for researchers tracing family history and land ownership records connected to Greenville births and families.
Visit the Greenville County Register of Deeds for property records, deed indexes, and other official documents that may support genealogical research for Greenville birth records.
Greenville Birth Records History
Greenville grew into one of South Carolina's major cities through the textile industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in Greenville before that date, church records, census data, family Bibles, and city directories are the primary sources. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials relevant to Greenville County. Their phone is 803-896-6196. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected records.
For individuals with no official birth record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows registration of a delayed birth certificate. The Greenville County Health Department can assist. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings.
Nearby Cities
Greenville is the largest city in upstate South Carolina and the center of Greenville County. Nearby cities in Greenville County include Simpsonville, Greer, and Mauldin. Use the links below to find birth record resources in nearby cities.