Lee County Birth Records
Lee County birth records are maintained through South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Lee County Health Department in Bishopville is the local office where residents can obtain short form birth cards. Full certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. This page explains how to request Lee County birth records and where to find historical documents for genealogical research.
Lee County Quick Facts
Lee County Health Department Birth Records
The Lee County Health Department is located at 33 W. Church Street, Bishopville, SC 29010. This office is a branch of the state Division of Vital Records and can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form is a certification that confirms your birth is on file with the state. It includes your name, date of birth, and county of birth.
Long-form certified birth certificates are only issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone is (803) 898-3630. The DPH took over vital records functions from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current ordering instructions and forms.
The county office in Bishopville can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Lee County within the last five years. For deaths outside that window or from another county, contact the state Office of Vital Records directly.
How to Get Lee County Birth Records
You can request a birth certificate for a Lee County birth by mail, online, or in person at the state office in Columbia. All three methods require the same documentation and use the same fee schedule.
To order by mail, download the official Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order or cashier's check for $12.00 payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records." The search fee is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110 and includes one certified copy if the record is found. Mail your completed package to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
For online orders, VitalChek is the state's authorized vendor. The first copy costs $17.00. Additional copies are $3.00 each. You submit your ID electronically and receive the certificate by mail.
The DPH birth certificates page lists all current ordering options and includes the downloadable Form D-2595 needed for mail-in requests from Lee County.
Who Can Request Lee County Birth Records
South Carolina restricts access to certified birth certificates under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. 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 documentation, and immediate family members of a deceased person who provide a certified death certificate. The SC Department of Social Services may also obtain records for child support and paternity matters.
All applicants must include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available once 100 years have passed from the date of birth. Lee County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Lee County Birth Records History
Lee County was formed in 1902 from parts of Darlington, Kershaw, and Sumter counties. It is one of South Carolina's smaller rural counties, with Bishopville as the county seat. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. Before that date, births in the Lee County area were not systematically recorded by any government body.
For individuals with roots in Lee County before 1915, a delayed birth certificate may be an option. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180, persons with no official record can register a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar with the assistance of the county health department. Supporting documents such as family Bibles, school records, church baptismal records, and census entries can help establish early Lee County births.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical records that may be relevant to Lee County research. Their phone is 803-896-6196. The archives are open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The SCDAH online index provides digital access to selected documents.
The South Carolina Historical Society at schistory.org holds family histories and personal records that may include Lee County materials useful for pre-1915 research.
Amending Lee County Birth Records
Errors on a Lee County birth certificate can be corrected through the DPH. Amendments are processed at the state level. The SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide outlines what supporting documents the state will accept, such as hospital records, school records, insurance documents, and military records.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140, the DPH also processes amended birth certificates following adoption and has procedures for eligible adoptees to access original birth records. Contact the Office of Vital Records at (803) 898-3630 for amendment questions related to Lee County birth records.
Genealogy Resources for Lee County
Researchers tracing Lee County birth records have access to several free and paid databases. The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists key collections including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1766-1900 South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificates. These span the period before the official registration system began and can help trace Lee County families in earlier times.
The forensic genealogist toolbox for South Carolina is a curated resource guide for researchers tracking hard-to-find birth records in counties like Lee. It points to alternative archives and substitute documents when official records are unavailable.
Cities in Lee County
The county seat of Lee County is Bishopville. No cities from our major city list are located in Lee County. Residents can access birth records through the county health department at 33 W. Church Street in Bishopville or through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia.
Nearby Counties
Lee County is located in the central part of South Carolina. It borders Sumter County to the west, Kershaw County to the north, Darlington County to the northeast, and Clarendon County to the south. Use the links below to find birth record resources in neighboring counties.