Find Kershaw County Birth Records
Kershaw County birth records are part of the South Carolina statewide vital records system administered by the Department of Public Health. The county health department in Camden issues short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia. Camden is also home to the Camden Archives and Museum, which serves as a key repository for historical documents and genealogical records for Kershaw County. This page covers all your options for searching and obtaining Kershaw County birth records.
Kershaw County Quick Facts
Kershaw County Health Department Birth Records
The Kershaw County Health Department is located at 108 E. Church Street, Camden, SC 29020. This office can issue a short form birth card for any South Carolina birth from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form is a birth certification that confirms the birth is registered with the state. It contains the person's name, date of birth, and birthplace but does not include all the information found on the original record.
Long-form certified copies of birth certificates are only available through the South Carolina Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone number is (803) 898-3630. The DPH split from the former DHEC agency on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms and ordering instructions.
The Kershaw County Health Department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Kershaw County within the last five years. For older records or records from other parts of the state, contact the Columbia office directly.
Note: Call ahead to confirm current hours and any identification requirements before visiting the Kershaw County Health Department in Camden.
How to Request a Kershaw County Birth Certificate
The standard search fee for a South Carolina birth record is $12.00. This fee is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. It covers a search of the records and includes one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $3.00 each. All payments must be made by money order or cashier's check payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records."
To request a Kershaw County birth record by mail, download the official Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Complete the form, include a copy of your valid photo ID, attach your payment, and mail everything to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
For faster service, use VitalChek, the state's authorized online vendor. VitalChek charges $17.00 for the first copy, which includes the state fee plus an online processing charge. Additional copies are $3.00 each. You submit your ID electronically and receive the certificate by mail. The CDC guide to South Carolina vital records confirms these fee structures and provides supplementary guidance on what to include with your request.
VitalChek is available around the clock, making it a convenient option for Kershaw County residents who cannot visit the state office in Columbia during regular business hours.
Kershaw County Birth Records Eligibility
South Carolina law restricts access to certified birth certificates. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80, only the following individuals may request a certified copy of a Kershaw County birth record:
- The person named on the certificate, if 18 years of age or older
- A parent named on the birth record
- A legal guardian with documentation of guardianship
- A legal representative acting on behalf of the registrant
- An immediate family member of a deceased person, with a certified death certificate
- The SC Department of Social Services for child support or paternity purposes
All applicants must provide a photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID. After 100 years from the date of birth, the record becomes publicly accessible under Section 44-63-80(D). This means Kershaw County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Kershaw County Archives and Historical Birth Records
Camden, the county seat of Kershaw County, is home to the Camden Archives and Museum. This institution serves as the principal repository for historical documents and genealogical records for Camden and Kershaw County. Researchers looking for birth records, family histories, and other vital documents from earlier periods in Kershaw County history can find significant resources here.
Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. Before that date, no systematic statewide record-keeping existed for births in Kershaw County. For pre-1915 births, researchers should look to church records, family Bibles, census data, and court records. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at archivesindex.sc.gov provides an online index to some of these materials. The SCDAH is located at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180, individuals born before 1915 with no official record can register a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar. The county health department in Camden can assist with this process. Acceptable evidence includes hospital records, school records, insurance records, and family Bible entries.
The Library of Congress resource guide on South Carolina vital records covers the history of record-keeping in the state and points researchers to key databases for Kershaw County and all other counties.
Amending Kershaw County Birth Records
If a Kershaw County birth certificate contains an error or needs to be updated, you can file an amendment through the DPH. Amendments are processed at the state level, not the county level. The SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains what types of supporting evidence the state will accept.
Common reasons to amend a birth certificate include correcting a spelling error in a name, adding a father's name, or updating other identifying information. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140, the DPH also processes amended certificates after adoption. Adoptees who meet specific eligibility criteria may access their original birth record through the state. Contact the Office of Vital Records at (803) 898-3630 to begin the amendment process for a Kershaw County birth record.
Genealogy Resources for Kershaw County Research
Kershaw County has a rich history going back to colonial times. Genealogists researching births in this area have access to both local and statewide resources. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1766-1900 South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificates. These collections can help trace Kershaw County families before the official registration period.
The South Carolina Historical Society holds personal records, family histories, and other genealogical materials organized by surname. Their online catalog is searchable. The Camden Archives and Museum is an additional local resource worth contacting for Kershaw County-specific research.
Note: The Camden Archives and Museum and the Camden area have historical records that may not appear in online databases — a direct inquiry to the institution can reveal additional sources.
Cities in Kershaw County
The county seat of Kershaw County is Camden. No cities from our major city list are located in Kershaw County. Residents of Camden and surrounding communities in Kershaw County can access birth records through the county health department at 108 E. Church Street in Camden or through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia.
Nearby Counties
Kershaw County is located in the north-central part of South Carolina. It borders Richland County to the south, Lancaster County to the east, Chesterfield County to the northeast, and Lee County to the southeast. Knowing the correct county for a birth is important because records are tied to the county where the birth took place.