Florence County Birth Certificates and Vital Records
Florence County birth records are kept and issued through the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Residents of Florence County who need a certified birth certificate can request one from the state vital records office or a local health department. Records go back to January 1, 1915, when the state began keeping birth documents on file. Whether you need a certificate for a passport, school enrollment, or family research, the process starts with knowing where to look and what to bring.
Florence County Quick Facts
How to Get Florence County Birth Records
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) is the main office for birth certificates in the state. You can request Florence County birth records in person at the DPH office in Columbia or at the Florence County Health Department located at 145 E. Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506. The local health department can issue short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 to the present.
To request a birth certificate, you will need to fill out the application form and show proof of identity. The state charges a $12 non-refundable search fee, which includes one certified copy if the record is found. Each extra copy costs $3. Payment must be made by money order or cashier's check made out to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." You can download the application form D-2595 from the DPH website before your visit.
The state vital records office is located at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. You can also call them at (803) 898-3630 with questions. If you cannot go in person, orders can be placed online through VitalChek or by mail.
Florence County Birth Records Online
The DPH vital records portal allows people to start their search online. The SC DPH Vital Records page has information about ordering options, eligibility requirements, and processing times. For online orders placed through VitalChek, the fee is $17 for the first certified copy and $3 for each additional copy.
The image below shows the main SC DPH vital records page, which lists all ordering options for birth and death certificates.
The DPH site is the best starting point for any request. It covers who can order a record, what documents you need to show, and how long the process takes.
Note: Online orders through VitalChek may take longer to process than in-person requests at a local health department.
Who Can Request Florence County Birth Records
South Carolina law limits who can get a certified copy of a birth certificate. Under SC Code § 44-63-80, the person named on the record, a parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian, or an authorized representative may request a copy. Certain government agencies and law offices may also be eligible with proper documentation.
Birth records that are 100 years old or older are open to the public under the 100-year rule found in § 44-63-80(D). This means that anyone researching family history can access Florence County birth records from before 1926 without showing eligibility. This rule makes genealogy research much easier for records from the early 1900s.
If you are not eligible to request a record yourself, you may authorize another person in writing to pick it up on your behalf. The authorized person must bring your signed letter along with their own photo ID.
Note: Requestors who do not meet the eligibility requirements will receive a letter stating that the record could not be released.
Ordering Florence County Birth Records Through VitalChek
VitalChek is the official online ordering partner for South Carolina vital records. The image below shows the VitalChek ordering page for South Carolina birth certificates.
Through VitalChek, you can order a certified copy of any South Carolina birth record, including those from Florence County. The process is straightforward. You create an account, fill out the order form, and pay by credit card. The fee is $17 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
VitalChek ships completed orders by standard mail or express delivery. Processing times vary based on the volume of requests at the state office. Expedited shipping options are available for an extra charge. Most standard orders are completed within a few weeks.
Florence County Birth Records for Genealogy
Researchers looking into Florence County family history have several resources at their disposal. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) holds historical records that may include early birth documents. Their research index is available at archivesindex.sc.gov, and their office is located at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223. You can reach them at 803-896-6196.
FamilySearch also has a useful guide to South Carolina vital records. Their South Carolina Vital Records wiki page covers what types of records exist, where they are held, and how to access them. This is a good starting point for anyone new to researching SC records.
The image below is from the CDC's guide to obtaining South Carolina vital records, which includes Florence County birth records among other documents.
For records that predate statewide registration in 1915, church registers, family bibles, and county probate records can sometimes fill the gaps. The SC Historical Society also maintains a research collection. More information is at schistory.org.
Delayed and Amended Florence County Birth Records
Some people born in Florence County before statewide registration began in 1915 may have a delayed birth certificate on file. Delayed certificates were created after the fact using secondary evidence such as school records, census data, or family affidavits. The process for delayed certificates is covered under SC Code § 44-63-180.
If a birth certificate needs to be corrected or amended, the process is handled through the state DPH office. Common amendments include name changes, corrections to parent information, and updates following adoption. SC Code § 44-63-140 covers both amended and adoption-related birth records. The SC Justice birth certificate amendment page provides helpful guidance on the steps involved.
Amendments require supporting documents and may take extra processing time. The DPH office reviews each request and contacts the applicant if more information is needed.
Note: An amended birth certificate will show the updated information, and the original version will remain on file at the state office.
Florence County Court Records and Related Documents
Birth records are sometimes used together with court records to establish legal identity or family relationships. Florence County maintains its own court record system for such purposes. The image below links to the Florence County court records resource.
Court documents such as adoption decrees, name changes, and guardianship papers can affect what appears on a birth certificate. When researching Florence County birth records, it may help to pull related court filings at the same time. The Florence County Clerk of Court can assist with locating these documents.
SC Birth Records Law and Public Access
The laws that govern birth records in South Carolina are found in SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The full text of the statute is available at scstatehouse.gov. The image below shows the SC Code page covering vital records law.
Key sections include § 44-63-80 for eligibility rules, § 44-63-80(D) for the 100-year public access rule, § 44-63-140 for amendments and adoptions, and § 44-63-180 for delayed certificates. Understanding these sections helps you know what to expect when requesting Florence County birth records.
The law also sets out what fees can be charged, how records are stored, and what penalties apply to unauthorized access or falsification of vital records.
Cities in Florence County
Florence County is home to the city of Florence, which serves as the county seat and the largest population center in the region. Many birth records and vital documents for residents of this area will reference the city of Florence as the place of birth.
Other communities in Florence County include Timmonsville, Pamplico, Lake City, and Johnsonville. Residents from any of these towns can request birth records through the same Florence County Health Department or state DPH office.
Nearby Counties
Florence County shares borders with several other South Carolina counties. If you are researching family records across county lines, the following counties may also have relevant birth documents on file.