South Carolina has paternity-acknowledgment and legitimation-after-marriage paths; DPH reviews eligibility before providing the document that must be signed in a notary's presence.
Published and reviewed by iRemoteNotary
Last reviewed September 21, 2026
South Carolina DPH first reviews eligibility and identifies the correct path: a paternity acknowledgment or legitimation after the parents' marriage. The applicable acknowledgment or affidavit is signed in the presence of a notary.
The amendment fee is $15. Form 0631-ENG-DPH (10/2025) is information only—it is not the notarized acknowledgment. Confirm with DPH which official document is needed and whether remote online notarization will be accepted before booking.
| Item | Verified detail |
|---|---|
| First step | DPH reviews eligibility and identifies the path |
| Two paths | Paternity acknowledgment or legitimation after marriage |
| Signature rule | Sign the applicable acknowledgment/affidavit in a notary's presence |
| Amendment fee | $15 |
| 0631-ENG-DPH | 10/2025 information sheet only — not the notarized acknowledgment |
| RON status | Recipient confirmation required — DPH must confirm the document and RON acceptance before booking |
South Carolina's live Birth Certificates page, updated September 14, 2026, directs families through DPH eligibility review before a father is added. The right document depends on whether the case follows paternity acknowledgment or legitimation after marriage.
iRemoteNotary is a national and international online-notary organization. Remote online notarization is performed under the law of the online notary's commissioning state. Start at the Vital Records Notary Center or compare Georgia Form 3977.
The paternity-acknowledgment path applies when DPH determines that the parties may establish paternity using the official acknowledgment process. DPH should confirm eligibility and provide or identify the operative document.
The legitimation path applies after the parents marry and uses the affidavit or materials DPH specifies. Marriage alone does not authorize a notary to alter the birth record.
| Path | Starting fact | Document control |
|---|---|---|
| Paternity acknowledgment | DPH confirms eligibility | Use the official acknowledgment DPH identifies |
| Legitimation after marriage | Parents married after birth | Use the affidavit/materials DPH specifies |
Contact DPH first so it can review the record, sealed or non-issuable acknowledgment conditions, and other eligibility facts. Do not assume a generic affidavit can replace the agency's required document.
Once DPH confirms the document, the parties sign the acknowledgment or affidavit in the presence of a notary. The listed amendment fee is $15.
If DPH has identified the current unsigned acknowledgment or affidavit, understand that notarization does not approve the amendment, and DPH has confirmed remote online notarization acceptance, start with a commissioned U.S. online notary.
0631-ENG-DPH (10/2025) explains paternity information. It is not the acknowledgment that the parents sign before a notary.
Some DEERS-related requests may be helped by a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment letter, but availability and usefulness depend on DPH's records and the receiving program's requirements. Ask DPH and the receiving office rather than treating the letter as universally sufficient.
Notary ≠ amendment approval. iRemoteNotary does not establish paternity, determine eligibility, unseal records, amend South Carolina birth certificates, or guarantee DPH acceptance.
For authentication after receiving an eligible certified record, see online notarized document and apostille.
Potentially, but DPH must first confirm eligibility, identify the exact acknowledgment or affidavit, and confirm it will accept remote online notarization. Recipient confirmation is required before booking.
No. 0631-ENG-DPH (10/2025) is an information sheet, not the notarized paternity acknowledgment.
DPH may direct eligible families to a paternity acknowledgment or, after the parents' marriage, a legitimation affidavit process.
Contact DPH for record-specific review. A notary cannot access, unseal, or determine the legal effect of that record.
No. DPH reviews the materials and decides whether the record may be amended. Notarization is not amendment approval.
Only after DPH confirms the operative document and accepts remote online notarization for it. Recipient confirmation is required.
The following primary sources support the legal and procedural information in this guide. Requirements can change, so confirm current rules with the receiving organization before relying on a notarized document.
Birth Certificates (Updated September 14, 2026)(opens in a new tab)
South Carolina Department of Public Health
Accessed September 21, 2026
Paternity Information (0631-ENG-DPH, 10/2025)(opens in a new tab)
South Carolina Department of Public Health
Accessed September 21, 2026
After DPH verifies eligibility and identifies the unsigned acknowledgment or affidavit, confirm remote online notarization acceptance before booking a commissioned U.S. online notary.