Pickens County Birth Records
Pickens County birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Pickens County Health Department in Pickens is the local office for short form birth cards. Full certified birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. The Pickens County Library also maintains genealogy resources that can help researchers locate historical birth records for the area. This page covers all your options for finding Pickens County birth records.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Pickens County Health Department Birth Records
The Pickens County Health Department is at 200 McDaniel Avenue, Pickens, SC 29671. This office is a branch of the state vital records system and can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form confirms that the birth is on record with the state and includes basic identifying information.
Long-form certified 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. For most legal uses — including passport applications and driver's license applications — the long-form certificate from the state office is required. The DPH Vital Records page provides current ordering options and forms.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Pickens County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office in Columbia.
How to Request Pickens County Birth Certificates
The 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 at the same time are $3.00 each. All payments must be by money order or cashier's check payable to "SCDHEC - Vital Records."
To order by mail, complete Form D-2595 from the DPH birth certificates page. Include a copy of your valid 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 state's authorized vendor. The first copy is $17.00. You submit your identification electronically and receive the certificate by mail. Walk-in service is also available at the state office during business hours.
Who Can Obtain Pickens County Birth Records
Access to certified Pickens County birth records is restricted 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 with documentation, a legal representative, and immediate family members of a deceased person who provide a certified death certificate. The SC Department of Social Services may also access records for child support and paternity purposes.
All applicants must include a copy of a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Pickens County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Pickens County Library Genealogy Resources
The Pickens County Library System is a valuable local resource for genealogical research. The library maintains a history and genealogy collection with materials specific to Pickens County and the surrounding upstate region. Researchers looking for historical birth records, family histories, and other vital documents from Pickens County can find significant resources here.
The library's genealogy services include access to local indexes and historical records that may not appear in state or national online databases. A direct inquiry to the Pickens County Library can help identify available collections for specific family lines.
Visit the Pickens County Library System history and genealogy page for information on collections available for Pickens County research.
Pickens County Birth Records History
Pickens County was established in 1826 in the upstate region of South Carolina. Statewide birth registration did not begin until January 1, 1915. Before that date, births in Pickens County were not systematically recorded by the state. For families with pre-1915 roots in Pickens County, researchers should consult church records, family Bibles, census data, and court documents.
For individuals with no official birth record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows registration of a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar and the county health department. Supporting documents such as family Bible entries, school records, baptismal records, and census entries can help establish a pre-1915 Pickens County birth. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at archivesindex.sc.gov provides an online index to selected historical records.
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 Pickens County families in the period before official registration began.
The guide on documenting a South Carolina birth explains the delayed birth certificate process and what evidence is needed for Pickens County residents without an official record.
Amending Pickens County Birth Records
Errors on a Pickens County birth certificate are corrected through the DPH at the state level. The SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains what supporting documents the state will accept, including hospital records, school records, insurance documents, and military records. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140, the DPH also handles amended certificates following adoption. Contact the Office of Vital Records at (803) 898-3630 for amendment questions.
Cities in Pickens County
The county seat of Pickens County is Pickens. The city of Easley is also located within Pickens County. Residents can access birth records through the county health department on McDaniel Avenue in Pickens, through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia, or through the resources at the Pickens County Library.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County is in the far northwest corner of South Carolina. It borders Greenville County to the south, Anderson County to the southwest, and Oconee County to the west. Use the links below for birth record resources in neighboring counties.