Introduction to South Carolina Death Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a South Carolina Death certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal Death certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want a Death certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your Death certificate.  

South Carolina Death certificates have been maintained by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control for individuals born in the state of South Carolina since 1915.  City of Charleston births from 1877 and deaths from 1821 are on file at Charleston County Health Department. Ledger entries of Florence City births and deaths from 1895 to 1914 are on file at Florence County Health Department. Ledger entries of Newberry City births and deaths from the late 1800's are on file at Newberry County Health Department. These are the only early records obtainable.

South Carolina Death Certificate Authorized Persons

By South Carolina state law, South Carolina Death certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the South Carolina Death Certificate
• An immediate Family member of Person Named on the South Carolina Death Certificate
• Others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest may be issued copies when information is needed to determine a personal or a property right
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the South Carolina Death Certificate

South Carolina Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

To obtain a South Carolina Death certificate for genealogy reasons you need to meet one of the above criteria.

South Carolina Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order South Carolina Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your South Carolina Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your South Carolina Death Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order South Carolina Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your South Carolina Death certificate online.  It usually takes 2-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the South Carolina Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the South Carolina Death certificate
• Date of Death on the South Carolina Death certificate
• Sex on the South Carolina Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the South Carolina Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose South Carolina Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the South Carolina Death certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

SC DHEC – Vital Records

2600 Bull Street

Columbia, SC 29201

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in South Carolina : You may go to any county health department in the State of South Carolina to obtain a certified copy of a South Carolina Death certificate. Most South Carolina Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

South Carolina Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a South Carolina Death certificate is $12.00, which includes one certified copy of the South Carolina Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the South Carolina Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $3.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "SC DHEC." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.