Richland County Birth Records
Richland County birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. Richland County is home to Columbia, the state capital and the location of the SC Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records. The Richland County Health Department in Columbia provides local access to short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available from the state office at 2600 Bull Street or through VitalChek online. This page covers how to request Richland County birth records and what resources are available for research.
Richland County Quick Facts
Richland County Health Department Birth Records
The Richland County Health Department is located at 2000 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29204. This office can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. As a branch of the state Division of Vital Records, the county office serves as a convenient local access point for birth certifications.
Full certified birth certificates come from the state Office of Vital Records at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone is (803) 898-3630. Richland County residents have the advantage of being in the same city as the state office, making in-person visits straightforward. The DPH took over vital records responsibilities from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. Current forms and ordering instructions are on the DPH Vital Records page.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Richland County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office directly.
How to Request Richland County Birth Certificates
There are three ways to request a Richland County birth record. You can order by mail, online, or walk in to the state office in Columbia. The search fee is $12.00, which is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This covers one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies are $3.00 each. Payment 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 photo ID and payment, then mail to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. For online orders, use VitalChek, the authorized vendor. The first copy costs $17.00 online.
The Richland County Probate Court handles marriage licenses and other vital record-related services. Visit richlandcountysc.gov for information on Probate Court services in Columbia.
Who Can Request Richland County Birth Records
Access to certified Richland County birth records is restricted under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. Eligible individuals include the person named on the certificate if they are 18 or older, a parent listed 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 access records for child support and paternity purposes.
All applicants must provide a copy of a valid photo ID. Section 44-63-80(D) provides that birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Richland County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Richland County Courts and Related Services
Richland County is home to numerous courts and legal services that may be relevant when researching birth records or family history. The Richland County Family Court handles matters related to paternity, adoption, and child custody — all of which can intersect with birth record requests.
The Richland County Family Court in Columbia handles adoption proceedings, paternity actions, and other matters that may result in birth certificate amendments or new birth record filings.
The Richland County courthouse serves the Fifth Judicial Circuit of South Carolina and hosts various court services relevant to residents of Columbia and the surrounding county.
Richland County Birth Records History
Richland County was established in 1785 and became the location of South Carolina's capital city in 1786. As the home of state government, Columbia has long been the center of official record-keeping in South Carolina. Statewide birth registration began January 1, 1915. Before that date, births in Richland County were not systematically recorded by the state.
For pre-1915 births in Richland County, researchers should consult church records, census data, family Bibles, and court records. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180, individuals with no official birth record can register a delayed birth certificate through the state registrar and the county health department. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical records relevant to Richland County. Their phone is 803-896-6196 and the archives are open Tuesday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The SCDAH online index provides access to selected documents.
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists databases including 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings. These free resources can help trace Richland County families before the official registration period began.
Cities in Richland County
The county seat of Richland County is Columbia, the state capital. Columbia is also covered on our cities pages. Residents of Columbia and all of Richland County can access birth records at the Richland County Health Department on Hampton Street, at the state Office of Vital Records on Bull Street, or online through VitalChek.
Nearby Counties
Richland County is in the north-central part of South Carolina. It borders Lexington County to the west, Newberry County to the northwest, Fairfield County to the north, Kershaw County to the northeast, and Calhoun County to the south. Use the links below for birth record resources in neighboring counties.