A bill

to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by amending Section 44-63-90, relating to the state registrar's authority to issue a delayed birth certificate for a person born in the state whose birth is unregistered, so as to allow for the use of an inscribed family bible or genealogical records as documentation of date of birth in certain circumstances.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1.   Section 44-63-90 of the S.C. Code is amended to read:

   Section 44-63-90.   (A) When the birth of a person born in the State has not been registered, a certificate may be filed subject to these regulations prescribed by the state registrar of vital statistics. However, when it appears that an applicant for a certificate of birth cannot produce minimum prescribed documentation, satisfactory as to validity, to the state registrar, the applicant may be denied a certificate of birth and advised as to the reason for the denial. No delayed birth certificate may be registered for a deceased person.

   (B) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person born in the State whose birth is unregistered may use an inscribed family Bible or genealogical records as documentation of date of birth if the person executes a sworn statement affirming the date of birth and provides other corroborating documentation, such as medical, financial, or governmental records reflecting the person's date of birth.

SECTION 2.   This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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