South Carolina Death Records

To begin, add a death record or view a list of locations and resources for South Carolina death records.

South Carolina has a rich history, and one way to explore it is through death records. Death records in South Carolina are truly a unique way to explore the past, especially in terms of genealogy and family history.

In South Carolina, death records are maintained by the Office of Vital Records, which currently keeps records on file reaching back to 1915. Additionally, other local Health Departments have death records that reach back as far as 1821.

In South Carolina, death records are considered public documents 50 years after the fact, and many can be viewed at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Retrieving a copy of a death record can be accomplished in several ways, of which the most traditional is to submit a written request. However, those not wanting to wait for written requests to be fulfilled may find that they prefer to use internet public records searches, which provide useful information while potentially reducing the search time drastically.

To receive a death record fill out the South Carolina Death Certificate Mail-in Form. Mail your application to:

Records for South Carolina death certificates and other information have been kept since 1915. Some records may available as far back as 1821. There is a fee of $12.00 , which you may pay by money order or cashier's check made out to SCDHEC. If you request a death certificate you must provide a copy of a current photo ID. You may also need to prove your relationship to the person named, or other eligibility. For more information visit: South Carolina Department of Health