Birth Records in Greenville County, South Carolina
Greenville County birth records span a longer timeline than most South Carolina counties. The county was created in 1786 from the Washington District, and delayed birth certificates on file at the Clerk of Court cover births as far back as 1766. Standard statewide registration began in 1915, and records from that point forward are held by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Residents needing a certified birth certificate can visit the Greenville County Health Department at 352 Halton Road, Greenville, SC 29607, or contact the state office in Columbia.
Greenville County Quick Facts
How to Get Greenville County Birth Records
The Greenville County Health Department issues short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 through the present. You do not need to have been born specifically in Greenville County to request a copy there. Eligible residents can walk in and request any SC birth record within that date range.
You will need a valid government-issued photo ID and a completed request form. The non-refundable search fee is $12, which includes one certified copy if the record is on file. Additional copies ordered at the same time cost $3 each. Payment is by money order or cashier's check made out to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." The application form D-2595 can be downloaded from the DPH website before your visit.
The state DPH office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. You can call them at (803) 898-3630. Mail and online orders are also accepted for those who cannot visit in person.
Greenville County Birth Records Before 1915
Greenville County is one of the few South Carolina counties with delayed birth certificates that reach back to the 1700s. The Clerk of Court holds seven volumes of delayed certificates filed between 1940 and 1955, covering births from 1766 through 1900. These records were created after the fact by individuals who needed proof of birth but had no formal document on file.
Delayed certificates from this period required sworn statements and secondary evidence. The evidence often included family bible entries, school enrollment records, and signed affidavits from relatives or community members. These filings are a rich source for genealogists tracing Greenville County families from the late 18th and 19th centuries.
To access these delayed certificate volumes, contact the Greenville County Clerk of Court directly. The SCDAH at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 (phone 803-896-6196) also maintains records related to this period and can be reached through archivesindex.sc.gov.
Note: Delayed certificates filed with the Clerk of Court are separate from the DPH system and require a different request process.
Online Access to Greenville County Birth Records
The SC DPH birth certificates page provides a full overview of how to request birth records online or by mail. The image below shows that page and links to the ordering options available to Greenville County residents.
For online ordering, VitalChek handles requests on behalf of the state. Their fee is $17 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. You can place an order at the VitalChek South Carolina page at any time. Credit card payment is accepted, and orders can be shipped by standard or express mail.
The Greenville County public records search portal at greenville.sc.publicsearch.us may also have supplemental records and index information useful for researchers.
Greenville County Public Records and Register of Deeds
Birth records sometimes connect to other public documents such as property filings, court records, and deeds. The Greenville County Register of Deeds maintains land and property records that can help establish family history timelines. Their records are searchable at greenvillecounty.org/rod.
The image below shows the Greenville County public records portal, which provides access to a range of official documents.
Cross-referencing birth records with deeds, probate filings, and court records can be especially helpful when the exact birth date or location is unclear. Greenville County has well-maintained public records going back many generations, making it one of the more accessible counties for this type of research.
Eligibility for Greenville County Birth Records
South Carolina law limits who can request certified birth certificates. SC Code § 44-63-80 identifies eligible parties as the person named on the record, a parent listed on the certificate, a legal guardian, or an authorized representative. Requests from others will not be fulfilled without a court order or special legal authorization.
The 100-year public access rule under § 44-63-80(D) opens birth records to the general public once they reach 100 years of age. Greenville County birth records from 1915 through 1925 are now available to any requestor under this provision. This makes them especially useful for genealogy research.
If you are requesting a record on behalf of someone else, you must bring a signed authorization letter from the eligible party and your own government-issued photo ID. The office will review the documentation before releasing the certificate.
Greenville County Birth Records for Genealogy
Greenville County is one of South Carolina's most historically rich counties for genealogy research. FamilySearch maintains a dedicated guide at familysearch.org covering Greenville County vital records. The guide outlines what records exist, where they are held, and which time periods are covered.
The image below shows the Greenville County Register of Deeds site, which houses land and property records that complement birth record research.
Church records, cemetery records, and newspaper archives from the Greenville area can fill in gaps where official birth records are missing. The SC Historical Society at schistory.org also holds regional collections that include Greenville County materials.
Amended and Delayed Greenville County Birth Records
Greenville County birth records can be amended to correct errors or update information. Common changes include name corrections, updates to parent details, and changes related to adoption proceedings. SC Code § 44-63-140 governs the amendment process. The SC Justice amendment guide provides a step-by-step overview of what is required.
The delayed certificate collection at the Greenville County Clerk of Court (seven volumes, 1940-1955) represents one of the largest such collections in the state. These volumes cover births from 1766 through roughly 1900. Researchers who find a relative in these records have valuable proof of birth that can support both genealogical and legal purposes.
SC Code § 44-63-180 covers the rules for creating delayed birth certificates when no original record exists. The process requires submitting multiple forms of secondary evidence to the DPH, which then reviews and approves or denies the application.
Note: Amended birth certificates will reflect the updated information, but the original data is preserved in the state's confidential records system.
SC Vital Records Law Covering Greenville County
All South Carolina birth records, including those from Greenville County, are governed by SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The full statute is available at scstatehouse.gov. Key sections include § 44-63-80 for eligibility, § 44-63-80(D) for the 100-year rule, § 44-63-110 for fees, § 44-63-140 for amendments, and § 44-63-180 for delayed certificates.
The image below shows the Greenville County public records search tool, which is a useful supplement to the state vital records system.
Knowing the law helps you understand what to expect from the request process. It also helps you prepare the correct documents and avoid delays when requesting Greenville County birth records.
Cities in Greenville County
Greenville County is the most populous county in South Carolina and includes several major cities. Birth records for residents of any of these communities can be requested through the county health department or the state DPH office.
Other communities in Greenville County include Travelers Rest, Fountain Inn, and Berea. All of these areas fall under the same county health department jurisdiction for birth record requests.
Nearby Counties
Greenville County shares borders with four other South Carolina counties. Family records spanning county lines may require searches in more than one location.