Williamsburg County Birth Records
Williamsburg County birth records are held within South Carolina's statewide vital records system. The Williamsburg County Health Department in Kingstree 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 need a birth record for a legal matter or family history research, this page explains how to obtain Williamsburg County birth records and where to find historical resources.
Williamsburg County Quick Facts
Williamsburg County Health Department Birth Records
The Williamsburg County Health Department is located at 601 S. Longstreet Drive, Kingstree, SC 29556. This office acts as a branch of the state vital records system and can issue a short form birth card for any South Carolina birth registered from January 1, 1915 to present. The short form is a birth certification card that confirms the birth is on record with the state. It includes the person's name, date of birth, and birthplace.
Long-form certified birth certificates are only available from the South Carolina Department of Public Health Office of Vital Records. The state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. The state office phone number is (803) 898-3630. The DPH split from the former DHEC on July 1, 2024. The DPH Vital Records page provides current forms and ordering instructions for birth certificates statewide.
The county office in Kingstree can also issue death certificates for deaths that occurred in Williamsburg County within the last five years. For older records or records from other counties, contact the state Office of Vital Records.
How to Request Williamsburg County Birth Records
You can request a Williamsburg 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 covers one certified copy if the record is found. Additional copies at the same time cost $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 your payment, then mail to the Office of Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
For online orders, VitalChek is the authorized vendor. The first copy is $17.00. Additional copies are $3.00 each. You submit your identification electronically and receive the certificate by mail.
VitalChek is available around the clock for Williamsburg County residents who cannot visit the state office in Columbia during business hours.
Who Can Request Williamsburg County Birth Records
South Carolina law restricts access to certified birth records 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 listed on the record, a legal guardian, a legal representative with documented authority, 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 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. Williamsburg County birth records from 1924 and earlier are now open to the general public.
Williamsburg County Birth Records History
Williamsburg County is one of South Carolina's original counties, established in 1785. Kingstree, the county seat, is named for a historic king's tree that once marked the area in colonial times. Statewide birth registration in South Carolina did not begin until January 1, 1915. Before that date, births in Williamsburg County were not recorded in any centralized state system.
Researchers looking at pre-1915 births in Williamsburg County should consult church records, family Bibles, census data, and court records. 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 Williamsburg County Health Department in Kingstree can assist with this process.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 holds historical documents that may be relevant to Williamsburg County research. 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 digital access to selected records.
The Library of Congress resource guide on South Carolina vital records covers the history of record-keeping in the state and points researchers to key databases for Williamsburg County.
Amending and Correcting Williamsburg County Birth Records
Errors on a Williamsburg County birth certificate can be corrected through the DPH at the state level. The SC Justice birth certificate amendment guide explains what supporting documents are needed. Common evidence includes hospital records, school records, insurance documents, and military records such as a DD214.
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-140, the DPH also handles amended birth certificates following adoption and has procedures for eligible adoptees to access original records. Contact the Office of Vital Records at (803) 898-3630 with questions about amending a Williamsburg County birth record.
Genealogy Resources for Williamsburg County
The FamilySearch South Carolina vital records wiki lists key databases for genealogical research. These include 1681-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings and 1766-1900 South Carolina Delayed Birth Certificates. All FamilySearch databases are free to use and can help trace Williamsburg County families before the official registration period began.
The South Carolina Historical Society holds personal records and family histories organized by surname that may include Williamsburg County materials. The forensic genealogist toolbox for South Carolina provides a curated set of research resources for hard-to-find records in counties like Williamsburg.
Cities in Williamsburg County
The county seat of Williamsburg County is Kingstree. No cities from our major city list are located within Williamsburg County. Residents can access birth records through the county health department on S. Longstreet Drive in Kingstree or through the state Office of Vital Records in Columbia.
Nearby Counties
Williamsburg County is located in the eastern part of South Carolina. It borders Florence County to the north, Georgetown County to the east, Horry County to the northeast, and Clarendon County to the west. Use the links below for birth record resources in neighboring counties.