Aiken County Vital Records
Aiken County birth records are part of the statewide vital records system managed by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Records are available for all registered births in South Carolina from January 1, 1915 onward. Residents of Aiken County can request certified birth certificates through the local health department, the state office in Columbia, or the official online vendor. These documents are required for many legal and personal purposes, including applying for a passport, enrolling in school, or establishing identity for government benefits. This page explains the available options and what to expect from each one.
Aiken County Quick Facts
Aiken County Health Department Birth Records
The Aiken County Health Department is located at 820 East Gate Drive, Aiken, SC 29803. This office provides short form birth certifications for any South Carolina birth that took place from 1915 to the present. You do not need to have been born in Aiken County to use this office. Any registered SC birth since 1915 can be requested here in person.
Beyond birth records, the Aiken County Health Department handles death certificates for deaths that occurred within Aiken County during the last five years. Staff are also available to assist with applications, including helping applicants fill out forms correctly. This application assistance can save time and reduce errors that might otherwise delay the processing of your request.
The local office issues short form birth certifications, not full long form birth certificates. A short form card is accepted for most purposes, including passports and driver's licenses. If you specifically need a long form document, you will need to request it directly from the SC Department of Public Health in Columbia.
Note: Bringing your identification to the Aiken County Health Department before your visit will help speed up the process when you arrive.
How to Get Aiken County Birth Records
Requests for Aiken County birth records can be submitted three ways: in person at the local health department, by mail to the state vital records office, or online through VitalChek. Each method works and leads to the same official certified document. The right choice depends on how quickly you need the record and what is most convenient for you.
For mail requests, download Form D-2595 from the SC Department of Public Health. Complete the form fully and include a non-refundable $12.00 money order or cashier's check payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." This fee covers the record search and one certified copy if the record is located, as set out in SC Law § 44-63-110. Additional copies requested at the same time are $3.00 each. Mail everything to the SC DPH Vital Records Office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Include a legible copy of your government-issued photo ID.
Online orders go through VitalChek, the state's official ordering vendor. The first copy is $17.00 through VitalChek, with additional copies at $3.00 each. Credit and debit cards are accepted, and VitalChek typically processes orders faster than the mail option.
Aiken County Birth Records History
Aiken County was established in 1871 from parts of Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties. This multi-county origin means that older records for people born in what is now Aiken County may actually be found in the archives of those predecessor counties. The county seat is the city of Aiken, which has long been the commercial and civic center of the region.
According to FamilySearch's Aiken County Vital Records wiki, the City of Aiken Board of Health maintained a Register of Births from 1909 to 1910. This register is available on microfilm and represents one of the few pre-1915 birth records that exist for this area. Researchers looking for births in Aiken before statewide registration began should check this microfilm collection through FamilySearch or the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
The Aiken County Public Records portal provides an overview of the types of records accessible in the county.
Knowing which offices hold which types of documents can save considerable time when searching for Aiken County birth records from different eras.
For births that happened before statewide registration in 1915, delayed birth certificates can be filed under SC Code § 44-63-180. Secondary evidence such as census records, baptismal records, or sworn affidavits from family members can support this type of application. The SC Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223, holds a range of historical documents that may be useful when putting together a delayed certificate application. You can also search their holdings at archivesindex.sc.gov.
Who Can Access Birth Records in Aiken County
Access to certified Aiken County birth records is controlled by South Carolina law. Under SC Code § 44-63-80, certified copies may be issued to the person named on the record if they are at least 18 years old, to a parent named on the certificate, to a legal guardian, or to a duly authorized legal representative. Anyone requesting a record must provide acceptable identification.
After a birth record turns 100 years old, it becomes part of the public record under § 44-63-80(D). This means records from 1925 and earlier are now publicly accessible without the same restrictions. This is particularly relevant for genealogical research into Aiken County families from the early twentieth century.
Note: Third-party requestors who are not listed as authorized individuals under § 44-63-80 will not receive certified copies, but may be able to access information through the SCDAH for records that have entered the public domain.
Ordering a Certified Aiken Birth Certificate
The South Carolina Department of Public Health is the official source for certified birth certificates. Formed from the former DHEC after the agency split on July 1, 2024, the DPH Vital Records Office maintains all birth documents from 1915 to the present. Their main office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, and they can be reached by phone at (803) 898-3630.
You can review everything the state requires before submitting your application at the DPH birth certificates page. Having complete and accurate information about the birth event makes the search faster and reduces the chance of delays. You will need the full legal name at birth, the date and place of birth, and the full names of both parents as they appear on the original registration.
The SC DPH Vital Records page explains the full process for obtaining certified birth documents in South Carolina.
The DPH serves all 46 counties and handles both standard requests and more complex cases involving amendments or delayed certificates for Aiken County residents.
Genealogy Resources for Aiken County Birth Records
Genealogical research into Aiken County birth records benefits from several strong resources beyond the official vital records system. FamilySearch provides free access to indexed records and digitized documents at their Aiken County page. The 1909-1910 City of Aiken birth register on microfilm is a standout resource for researchers looking at pre-statewide-registration births.
The South Carolina Historical Society maintains an archives that can be searched through their website at schistory.org. This resource is particularly valuable for historical research into Aiken County families going back into the 1800s. Combining the SC Historical Society records with FamilySearch collections and the SCDAH holdings at archivesindex.sc.gov gives researchers the broadest possible view of available birth and vital records for Aiken County.
The guide on documenting a South Carolina birth at iaamuseum.org also walks through the types of records that can help establish birth facts when official documents are missing or unavailable. This is especially useful for researchers working on branches of Aiken County families from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Amending Aiken County Birth Certificates
When a birth certificate contains errors, the amendment process under SC Code § 44-63-140 provides a path to correction. Common errors include misspelled names, wrong dates, or missing information about parents. Amendments resulting from legal name changes, gender marker updates, or adoption are also handled under this section of state law.
The SC Justice organization offers a free brochure explaining the amendment process in plain language. You can read the birth certificate amendment guide online before starting your application. All amendment requests are processed through the SC DPH Vital Records Office in Columbia, not through the local Aiken County Health Department.
Note: Some types of amendments require a court order, so reviewing the SC Justice guide before gathering your documents can help you understand what will be needed in your specific situation.
Cities in Aiken County
Aiken County includes two cities in our database. Birth records for residents born in any of these cities are part of the same statewide vital records system and can be requested through the same methods described on this page.
Whether you were born in the city of Aiken, North Augusta, or another community in the county, the process for obtaining a certified birth certificate is the same.
Nearby Counties
Aiken County shares borders with several other South Carolina counties. If you need birth records for a neighboring county, use the links below to find the right county page.