Sumter Birth Records
Sumter birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The city of Sumter is the county seat of Sumter County and is located in the central part of the state. The Sumter County Health Department in Sumter is the local office for short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available only from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. This page explains how to request Sumter birth records and what resources are available for research.
Sumter Quick Facts
Sumter County Health Department Birth Records
The Sumter County Health Department is at 322 W. Hampton Avenue, Sumter, SC 29150. 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 birth card 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 took over vital records duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms and ordering options for Sumter birth records.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Sumter County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office in Columbia.
How to Request Sumter 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. All 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.
VitalChek is available around the clock for Sumter residents who cannot visit the state office in Columbia during regular business hours.
Who Can Get Sumter Birth Records
Access to certified Sumter 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. Sumter birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Sumter Birth Records History
The city of Sumter was incorporated in 1845 and named for Revolutionary War general Thomas Sumter. It has served as the county seat of Sumter County since the county was established in 1798. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in Sumter before that date, church records, census data, family Bibles, 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 Sumter County Health Department on W. Hampton Avenue 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 Sumter County. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected records. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases for earlier Sumter County research.
Nearby Cities
Sumter is the largest city in Sumter County and the hub of the central South Carolina region. Nearby cities include Florence to the northeast and Columbia to the west. Use the links below for birth record resources in nearby cities.