Lancaster County Birth Records
Lancaster County birth records are maintained by the South Carolina Department of Public Health as part of the statewide vital records system. The Lancaster County Health Department provides local access to short form birth cards. Full certified birth certificates for anyone born in South Carolina are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through the VitalChek online system. This page explains how to request Lancaster County birth records and what resources are available for research.
Lancaster County Quick Facts
Lancaster County Health Department Birth Records
The Lancaster County Health Department is located at 1008 N. Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720. It operates as a local branch of the state vital records system. You can go there to get a short form birth card for any South Carolina birth registered from 1915 to present. The county office serves as a convenient local option for residents who need quick proof of birth without making the trip to Columbia.
Long-form certified birth certificates are issued only by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Their phone number is (803) 898-3630. The DPH took over vital records responsibilities from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024, when the agency split into two departments. The DPH Vital Records office handles birth certificate issuance, record amendments, paternity services, and adoption-related birth record requests for all of South Carolina including Lancaster County.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Lancaster County within the last five years. For deaths outside that window, contact the state Office of Vital Records.
Requesting Lancaster County Birth Records
The state search fee for a South Carolina birth record is $12.00, which is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This fee covers a search and includes one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $3.00 each. Payment by money order or cashier's check made payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records" is required.
To request a Lancaster County birth record by mail, download Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Complete the form, attach a copy of your photo ID and your payment, then mail to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
Online orders go through VitalChek, the official authorized vendor. The first copy costs $17.00. Additional copies are $3.00 each. You can also walk in to the state office in Columbia during business hours. The DPH Vital Records main page has current hours and any updates to the ordering process.
The DPH birth certificates page provides step-by-step instructions and downloadable forms for requesting Lancaster County birth records from the state.
Who Can Request Lancaster County Birth Records
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80, only specific individuals may obtain a certified copy of a Lancaster County birth certificate. Eligible requestors include the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, a parent named on the record, a legal guardian, a legal representative with documented authority, or an immediate family member of a deceased person with a certified death record. The Department of Social Services may also access birth records for child support and paternity purposes.
All requestors must provide a copy of a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Section 44-63-80(D) states that birth records become publicly available once 100 years have passed from the date of birth. Lancaster County birth records from 1924 and earlier are therefore now publicly accessible.
Note: If you are requesting on behalf of another person, you must include documentation of your relationship or legal authority.
Historical Lancaster County Birth Records
Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. Before that date, the state did not systematically record births. For Lancaster County families with roots before 1915, researchers must look to alternative sources such as church records, family Bibles, census data, and county court records.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH) at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia SC 29223 holds historical materials relevant to Lancaster County. Their phone is 803-896-6196 and they are open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The SCDAH online records index provides digital access to selected historical documents from across South Carolina.
For individuals born before 1915 who have no official birth record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows for the registration of a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar and the county health department. The guide on documenting a South Carolina birth outlines the types of evidence that can support such a request.
This resource is particularly helpful for Lancaster County families with members born in rural areas before official record-keeping began in South Carolina.
Genealogy Research for Lancaster County
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists several databases for genealogical research. Key collections include 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1766-1900 South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificates. These records span the period before official registration and can help trace Lancaster County families in the early years of the state.
The South Carolina Historical Society holds personal papers, family histories, and research materials organized by surname. Lancaster County researchers can search the society's online catalog for relevant collections. Reproductions of materials can be requested for a fee.
For amendment-related questions — such as correcting a name error or adding a parent — the SC Justice amendment guide explains the process and what documents the DPH will accept under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Cities in Lancaster County
The county seat of Lancaster County is Lancaster. No cities from the major city list covered on this site fall within Lancaster County. Residents of Lancaster and the surrounding areas can access birth records through the county health department on N. Main Street or through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia.
Nearby Counties
Lancaster County is in the north-central part of South Carolina near the North Carolina border. It borders York County to the west, Chester County to the southwest, Chesterfield County to the east, and Kershaw County to the south. If you need records from a neighboring county, follow the links below.