South Carolina: Access to OBCs and Non-ID
SOUTH CAROLINA
DENIES UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO OBC (Court order required, except for adoptions finalized after July 1, 2019.)
Who May Access Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-9-780
Nonidentifying information may be accessed by the following persons:
• The adoptive parents
• The adopted person
• The birth parents
Identifying information may be accessed by the following persons:
• The adopted person who is age 21 or older
• The birth parents and siblings
Access to Original Birth Certificate
Citation: Ann. Code § 44-63-140
The original birth certificate is placed in a special sealed file by the State Registrar. The statute does not specify a procedure for access to the original certificate.
Access to Non-identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-9-780
The adoption agency may furnish non-identifying information to adoptive parents, birth parents, or adopted persons when, in the
sole discretion of the chief executive officer of the agency, the information would serve the best interests of the persons concerned.
Non-identifying information includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• The health and medical histories of the birth parents
• The health and medical history of the adopted person
• The adopted person’s general family background without name references or geographical designations
• The length of time the adopted person has been in the care and custody of the adoptive parent
Mutual Access to Identifying Information
Citation: Ann. Code § 63-9-780
The public adoption agency responsible for the placement shall furnish to an adopted person the identity of the adopted person’s
birth parents and siblings, and to the birth parents and siblings the identity of the adopted person under the following conditions:
• The adopted person is age 21 or older, and the applicants apply in writing to the adoption agency for the information.
• The agency has a current file containing affidavits from the adopted person, the birth parents, and siblings that they are
willing to have their identities revealed to each other.
• The agency has established and maintained a confidential register that contains the names and addresses of the adopted
person, birth parents, and siblings who have filed affidavits.
• The adopted person and his or her birth parents and siblings have undergone counseling by the adoption agency concerning
the effects of the disclosure. The adoption agency may charge a fee for the services, but services must not be denied because
of inability to pay.
No disclosure may be made within 30 days after compliance with these conditions. The director of the adoption agency may waive
the 30-day period in extreme circumstances. The agency may delay disclosure for 20 days from the expiration of the 30-day period to
allow time to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the disclosure for good cause shown.
Where the Information Can Be Located
Adoption Reunion Registry, South Carolina Department of Social Services