South Carolina requires a signed immunization certificate per SC Code §44-29-180 before your child can attend school. The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) administers immunization requirements and maintains the SIMON registry. Here's what South Carolina requires, how to get those records, and how to make the handoff work from the first week.
Last verified: September 8, 2026
SC Code §44-29-180 requires documented proof of immunization for school entry. The official documentation is a signed immunization certificate from a healthcare provider or SC DHEC.
When you enroll at a new South Carolina school, the receiving school requests records from your former district. Interstate transfers can take several weeks. Keep complete copies of everything — immunization records, physical exam results, specialist documentation. South Carolina allows a 30-day provisional enrollment period while records are being completed, but having your own documentation prevents unnecessary delays.
Source: SC Code §44-29-180; SC DHEC — School Immunization Requirements, accessed Aug 31, 2026
SIMON (South Carolina Immunization Record) is the state's immunization registry. If your child received any vaccines in South Carolina previously, those doses may be in SIMON. Your new South Carolina pediatrician can access SIMON and print your child's record. You can also visit a county health department for a printout.
For doses given in your previous state, bring a signed immunization record from your former pediatrician. Out-of-state records do not automatically transfer to SIMON. Your new South Carolina provider will enter prior documented doses into SIMON at your child's first visit.
South Carolina does not require Hepatitis A for school entry — one fewer requirement to worry about when moving from states that do require it. However, always verify the current year's requirements with SC DHEC.
Source: SC DHEC — SIMON; SC DHEC — School Requirements, accessed Aug 31, 2026
When you establish care with a new South Carolina pediatrician, bring:
Your new South Carolina provider will enter out-of-state vaccine doses into SIMON and complete the SC DHEC immunization certificate for school submission. Schedule this appointment as soon as possible after your move.
Request complete medical records from every provider — pediatrician, specialists, dentist. Ask for a signed immunization history listing every vaccine and date. Check your current state's immunization registry for a printout. Bring your most recent well-child exam results.
Enroll in the new school — they'll request records from your former district. Bring whatever immunization documentation and health records you have. Ask about the 30-day provisional enrollment period if documentation isn't complete yet.
Your new South Carolina pediatrician will enter doses into SIMON, complete the SC DHEC immunization certificate, and handle any catch-up vaccinations needed. Schedule for week one — the 30-day provisional window goes fast.
Every person gets one health story, and one private Family Stork email address every clinic already knows how to use. When you're moving to South Carolina, that means your old pediatrician sends the visit summary, your specialist sends the referral notes, and your new South Carolina pediatrician starts sending records from the first appointment — all to the same address, filing automatically on the same timeline.
Tired of managing health records for yourself and everyone you love? Family Stork organizes them for you automatically — no portal logins, no uploads, nothing for any clinic to learn.
Your South Carolina move is the perfect moment to start a complete family health timeline. $99/year, or about $10/month.
Start your family's record — freeMore resources:
Juggling logins across multiple hospital portals? See how Family Stork compares to MyChart — one email address vs. a different portal for every clinic.
Keep your family's entire health story in one place: family health timeline software — from first heartbeat and beyond.