Obtaining birth records
Birth certificates were required in SC beginning January 1, 1915. 

Copies of birth certificates from 1915 to the present may be obtained from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). See their website for additional information and order forms. 

The SC Department of Archives and History has made the birth certificates for the years 1915-1918 available online. They also have records for the counties that registered some births prior to 1915.  Visit the SC Department of Archives and History for additional information.

Obtaining death records
Death certificates were required in SC beginning January 1, 1915.

Copies of death certificates from 1915 to the present may be obtained from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). See their website for additional information and order forms.

Death certificates become public records after fifty years.  Copies of death certificates that are over fifty years old are also available at the SC Department of Archives and History.  See their web site for additional information.

An online index to deaths from 1915-1962 is available from SCDHEC.
 

Obtaining marriage records
Marriage licenses were required in SC beginning July 1, 1911.

Copies of licenses from July 1, 1950 to the present may be obtained from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). See their website for additional information and order forms.

Marriage licenses from 1911 to 1950 must be obtained from the Probate Judge’s Office in the county in which the marriage took place. Contact information for Probate Judges may be found at the SC Judicial Department website.

Some early marriage records are available at the SC Department of Archives and History. See their website for additional information.
 

Obtaining divorce records
Divorce was legal in SC from 1868 to 1878 and from 1950 to the present.

Copies of divorce records from July 1, 1962 to the present may be obtained from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). See their website for additional information and order forms.

Divorce records from 1950 to 1962 must be obtained from the Clerk of Court in the county in which the divorce was granted.  Contact information for the Clerks of Court may be found on the SC Judicial Department website.

A few early divorce records are available at the SC Department of Archives and History. See their website for additional information