Access Spartanburg County Birth Records
Spartanburg County birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Spartanburg County Health Department in Spartanburg is the local office for short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available only from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or through VitalChek online. Spartanburg also has a unique pre-1915 resource: the City Birth Register from 1895 to 1914 is available on microfilm. This page covers all your options for requesting and researching Spartanburg County birth records.
Spartanburg County Quick Facts
Spartanburg County Health Department Birth Records
The Spartanburg County Health Department is at 301 S. Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. This office can issue short form birth cards for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form confirms the birth is on record with the state and includes basic identifying information. It is accepted for many routine purposes.
Long-form certified birth certificates are only available from 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 duties from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. Visit the DPH Vital Records page for current forms and ordering options.
The county health department can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Spartanburg County within the last five years. For older records or records from other parts of the state, contact the state office in Columbia.
How to Request Spartanburg County Birth Certificates
You can order a Spartanburg County birth record by mail, online, or in person at the state office. The non-refundable search fee is $12.00 under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110. This fee includes one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies ordered 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 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 first copy is $17.00. Additional copies are $3.00 each.
The DPH Vital Records page is your best source for current processing times and any updates to the ordering process for Spartanburg County birth certificates.
Who Can Request Spartanburg County Birth Records
South Carolina restricts access to certified birth records under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-80. Eligible requestors include:
- 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
- A legal representative acting on behalf of the registrant
- An immediate family member of a deceased person, with a certified death record
- The SC Department of Social Services for child support or paternity purposes
All applicants must provide a copy of a valid photo ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Spartanburg County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the public.
Spartanburg County Birth Records History
Spartanburg County was established in 1785 and is one of South Carolina's largest upstate counties by population. Statewide birth registration began January 1, 1915. However, Spartanburg has a valuable pre-1915 resource that most South Carolina counties lack. The Spartanburg City Birth Register from 1895 to 1914 is preserved on microfilm. Researchers tracing Spartanburg city births in that period should inquire about this register at the Spartanburg County library or archives.
For births before 1895 or in rural Spartanburg County before 1915, researchers must rely on church records, family Bibles, census data, and other substitute documents. For individuals with no official record, S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-180 allows registration of 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 materials for Spartanburg County. Their phone is 803-896-6196. The SCDAH online index provides access to selected documents.
The South Carolina Historical Society holds family histories and personal records that may include Spartanburg County materials. Their catalog is searchable online.
Genealogy Resources for Spartanburg County
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists databases covering birth records from as far back as 1681. Key collections include 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1915-1917 South Carolina Births. These free resources can help trace Spartanburg County families in the period before and just after official registration began.
The forensic genealogist toolbox for South Carolina provides a curated set of research resources useful for tracking hard-to-find records in Spartanburg County. For amendment questions, the SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains the process for correcting errors on a Spartanburg County birth record under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Cities in Spartanburg County
The county seat of Spartanburg County is Spartanburg. The city of Spartanburg is also covered on our cities pages. Residents can access birth records through the county health department on S. Dean Street in Spartanburg, through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia, or online through VitalChek.
Nearby Counties
Spartanburg County is in the upstate region of South Carolina. It borders Cherokee County to the north, Union County to the east, Laurens County to the south, and Greenville County to the west. Use the links below for birth record resources in neighboring counties.