COLUMBIA – The State Vital Records office in Columbia will be upgraded over the summer and will not be able to provide walk-in customer service, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said today.
"The expansion and updating at our state offices located at 2600 Bull Street in Columbia is necessary to better serve the customers seeking certified copies of vital records," said Luanne Miles, director of DHEC’s Division of Vital Records. "During construction, which is slated to begin mid-June, the state office will not be able to provide onsite services.
"While we understand that some customers might be inconvenienced by the short-term closure of the customer service area, the construction is critical to being able to meet the increasing needs of people seeking services," Miles said. "We are announcing this now to encourage anyone who anticipates needing a birth certificate for any purpose, including travel and school enrollment prior to October of 2008, to apply as soon as possible."
According to Miles, the office will continue to accept applications by mail and the additional fee for expediting mail requests will not be charged while the customer service area is closed. Miles said that people who need to make corrections or amendments to a birth or death certificate may schedule an appointment at the state office or complete the paperwork by mail.
"Each county's vital records office will continue to issue certificates for deaths that occurred in the county within the last five years, as well as the short form for any birth that occurred in the state since Jan. 1, 1915," Miles said. "County staff can also provide information and assistance to people who need to make a correction or change to a birth certificate, although it is important to note that birth certificates needed for travel or passport applications must be the long form, which can only be issued by the state office."
For more information about Vital Records, see DHEC's Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov; write DHEC’s Vital Records Office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201; or call (803) 898-3630.