South Carolina Genealogy Records

To begin, add a genealogy record or view a list of locations and resources for South Carolina genealogy records.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is charged with maintaining a bureau of vital statistics for the state. State code Title 44 Chapter 63 explains in detail the expectations for the department, and outlines all the rules and regulations by which the department must abide. South Carolina genealogy records are confidential.

When 100 years have passed since the issuance of a birth certificate, or 50 years have passed since the issuance of a death certificate, said records are required by state statute to be made available for public viewing. This law makes it easier to obtain the information of ancestors for genealogy records. South Carolina law states that for birth records in which the registrant is still alive, only the person listed on the record or a legal representative may obtain a copy of the record. For death records, only members of the deceased person's family may order a copy of the death certificate.