Hampton County Birth Records and Certificates
Hampton County birth records are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The county health department, located at 531 Bascom Lane, Hampton, SC 29924, can issue short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 to the present. Residents of Hampton County who need a certified birth document for legal, personal, or genealogical purposes can request one through the local health department or through the state DPH office in Columbia. South Carolina began statewide birth registration on January 1, 1915.
Hampton County Quick Facts
Requesting Hampton County Birth Records
To get a Hampton County birth record, you can visit the county health department at 531 Bascom Lane in Hampton. The office issues short form birth certificates for any South Carolina birth from 1915 onward. Short form certificates are accepted for most legal purposes, including passports, Social Security applications, and school registration.
You will need to show a valid photo ID and pay the $12 non-refundable search fee. This fee covers one certified copy if the record is located in the state system. Additional copies cost $3 each and must be requested at the same time as the original. Payment must be by money order or cashier's check made out to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." The D-2595 application form can be downloaded ahead of time from the DPH website.
The state vital records office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, and can be reached at (803) 898-3630. They can answer questions about record availability and eligibility before you make the trip.
Hampton County Birth Records Online
The South Carolina DPH website provides information about online ordering options for birth records. The image below shows the main SC DPH vital records page, which is the starting point for all birth certificate requests in the state.
VitalChek handles online orders for South Carolina vital records. The fee through VitalChek is $17 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy. You can place your order at the VitalChek SC ordering page. Credit card payment is accepted, and standard or express shipping is available. Processing times vary based on the volume of orders at the state office.
If you prefer to order by mail, send the completed D-2595 form along with a money order or cashier's check and a copy of your ID to the Columbia DPH office. Mail requests take longer than in-person or online orders.
Eligibility for Hampton County Birth Records
South Carolina limits who can obtain certified birth certificates. Under SC Code § 44-63-80, the following people are eligible: the person named on the record, parents listed on the certificate, legal guardians, and authorized legal or government representatives. Those outside these categories need a court order to access a restricted record.
The 100-year public access rule under § 44-63-80(D) is a key exception for genealogy research. Birth records that are at least 100 years old are open to anyone, regardless of relationship to the person named on the record. Hampton County birth records from 1915 through 1925 now fall under this rule and are available to all requestors.
If you are picking up a record for someone else, bring a signed authorization letter from the eligible party as well as your own photo ID. The office will confirm eligibility before releasing any document.
Note: A record that cannot be found in the system still results in a non-refundable $12 search fee being charged.
Hampton County Birth Records Before 1915
Birth records from Hampton County before 1915 are not part of the state DPH system. Hampton County was created in 1878 from part of Beaufort County. Researchers looking for birth information from that period must turn to alternative sources.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) holds historical records that may include county-level documents from before statewide registration. Their research index is at archivesindex.sc.gov, and their office is at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223. You can reach them at 803-896-6196.
Church records, family bibles, and probate documents from the Hampton County area are also useful for tracing births from the 19th century. The SC Historical Society maintains archives that may include materials relevant to Hampton County research. Their research guide is at schistory.org.
Hampton County Birth Records for Genealogy
Hampton County sits in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, an area with deep historical roots tied to agriculture and the Savannah River basin. Genealogists researching this region often find that records are spread across multiple counties and institutions, reflecting the area's history of boundary changes and migrations.
FamilySearch offers a free guide to South Carolina vital records at their South Carolina Vital Records wiki. This resource explains what records are available, where they are held, and how to access them. It covers both the state system and supplemental resources useful for Hampton County research.
The image below shows the SC Historical Society research page, which provides access to family and regional history collections.
Combining official birth records with church registers, census data, and probate records usually produces the most complete picture of a family's history in Hampton County.
Delayed and Amended Hampton County Birth Records
Delayed birth certificates exist for some Hampton County residents whose births were not recorded at the time. These certificates were created after the fact using secondary evidence. SC Code § 44-63-180 governs the process for filing a delayed certificate. Required evidence may include school records, census entries, sworn affidavits, or medical documentation.
Amendments to existing Hampton County birth records are handled by the state DPH. Common amendments include name corrections, parent information updates, and changes related to adoption. SC Code § 44-63-140 covers these changes. The SC Justice amendment resource walks through the required steps and documents.
All amendment requests go through the DPH in Columbia. Processing time varies based on the type of change and the completeness of the supporting documentation submitted.
SC Vital Records Law and Hampton County
The law that governs Hampton County birth records is SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The full statute is available at scstatehouse.gov. The image below shows the CDC guide to obtaining South Carolina vital records, which includes helpful summary information for Hampton County residents.
Key provisions include § 44-63-110 for the $12 search fee, § 44-63-80 for eligibility, § 44-63-80(D) for the 100-year public rule, § 44-63-140 for amendments, and § 44-63-180 for delayed certificates. Understanding these rules before you submit a request can save time and prevent confusion.
Documenting Births in Hampton County
For residents who need help understanding how to document a South Carolina birth, especially in cases where no certificate was filed, the guide at the International African American Museum is a useful resource. The image below links to their article on documenting a South Carolina birth.
This guide explains what types of secondary evidence the state accepts and how to navigate the delayed certificate process. It is especially helpful for families researching Hampton County births from the early 20th century when registration was less consistent.
Cities in Hampton County
Hampton County is a rural county in the southern part of South Carolina. The town of Hampton serves as the county seat. Most birth records for this county will list Hampton or one of the smaller communities as the place of birth.
Other communities in Hampton County include Estill, Varnville, Brunson, and Gifford. Residents of all these areas can request birth records through the Hampton County Health Department at 531 Bascom Lane.
Nearby Counties
Hampton County borders four other South Carolina counties. Genealogical research in this region often spans county lines, so the following counties may also hold relevant birth records.