Sumter County Birth Records
Sumter County birth records are part of South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Sumter County Health Department in Sumter is the local office for short form birth cards. Certified long-form birth certificates are available from the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia or online through VitalChek. Whether you are looking for a birth record for legal purposes or family history research, this page explains how to request Sumter County birth records and what resources are available.
Sumter County Quick Facts
Sumter County Health Department Birth Records
The Sumter County Health Department is at 322 W. Hampton Avenue, Sumter, SC 29150. This office is a local 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 is accepted for many routine purposes but does not contain the full details of the original birth record.
Long-form certified birth certificates are issued only 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 assumed responsibility for vital records from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms, hours, and ordering instructions.
The county office in Sumter can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Sumter County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state office.
How to Request Sumter County Birth Certificates
The search fee for a South Carolina birth record is $12.00. This fee is non-refundable under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-110 and covers 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 photo ID and your payment, then mail to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Walk-in service is available at the state office during regular business hours.
For online orders, use VitalChek, the state's authorized vendor. The first copy is $17.00. You submit your identification electronically and receive the certificate by mail.
VitalChek is available around the clock and serves Sumter County residents who cannot visit the state office in Columbia during business hours.
Who Can Request Sumter County Birth Records
Access to certified Sumter 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 submit 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 photo ID. Under Section 44-63-80(D), birth records become publicly available 100 years after the date of birth. Sumter County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Note: If you are requesting a birth record on behalf of someone else, include documentation of your relationship or legal authority to act for that person.
Sumter County Birth Records History
Sumter County was established in 1798 and named for Revolutionary War general Thomas Sumter. The county seat is the city of Sumter. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina began January 1, 1915. For families with roots in Sumter County before that date, researchers must look to 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. The Sumter County Health Department can assist with this process. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical records relevant to Sumter 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 access to selected documents.
The guide on documenting a South Carolina birth explains what evidence to gather for a delayed birth certificate application in Sumter County.
Genealogy Resources for Sumter County
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists free databases covering birth records from as far back as 1681. Key collections include 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1766-1900 South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificates. These resources can help trace Sumter County families before the official registration period began.
The South Carolina Historical Society holds family histories and personal records that may include Sumter County materials. For amendment questions, the SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains the process for correcting errors on a Sumter County birth record under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140.
Cities in Sumter County
The county seat of Sumter County is the city of Sumter. The city of Sumter is also covered on our cities pages. Residents can access birth records through the county health department on W. Hampton Avenue in Sumter or through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia.
Nearby Counties
Sumter County is in the central part of South Carolina. It borders Lee County to the northeast, Clarendon County to the southeast, Orangeburg County to the south, Calhoun County to the southwest, and Kershaw County to the north. Use the links below for birth record resources in neighboring counties.