Lexington Birth Records
Lexington birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The town of Lexington is the county seat of Lexington County and is located just west of Columbia in the central part of the state. The Lexington County Health Department handles local vital record services for Lexington residents. Certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. This page explains how to request Lexington birth records and what resources are available for research.
Lexington Quick Facts
Lexington County Health Department Birth Records
The Lexington County Health Department is at 231 Ederidge Road, Lexington, SC 29072. 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 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. Because Lexington is adjacent to Columbia, Lexington residents have easy access to both the county health department and the state office. The DPH assumed vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page has current forms and ordering information.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Lexington County within the last five years. For older records, contact the state office.
How to Request Lexington 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 birth certificates page provides Form D-2595 and step-by-step instructions for requesting Lexington birth records by mail or in person.
Who Can Get Lexington Birth Records
Access to certified Lexington 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. Lexington birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Lexington Birth Records History
The town of Lexington has served as the seat of Lexington County since the county was established in 1804. The area's proximity to Columbia has made Lexington one of the fastest-growing communities in South Carolina in recent decades. Statewide birth registration began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in Lexington before that date, church records, family Bibles, and census data 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 Lexington County Health Department can assist. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical materials for Lexington County. The SCDAH online index provides access to selected records. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases for earlier Lexington County research. For amendment questions, the SC Justice amendment guide covers the process under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Nearby Cities
Lexington is the county seat of Lexington County, located just west of Columbia. Nearby cities include Columbia across the Saluda River and Aiken to the southwest. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.