South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section

South Carolina · Vital Records

dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/about-vital-records/fees-vital-records-birth-death-etc

State Vital Records in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in South Carolina. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in South Carolina; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order through GoCertificates ($8.70 vendor fee) or VitalChek ($8.75 vendor fee) - the only approved vendors; immediate family only
  • •By phone: Call VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008 (24/7); immediate family only
  • •By mail: Mail to state office only ($12 non-refundable search fee; no expedited option by mail)
  • •In person: Visit the State Vital Records Office in Columbia or a Regional Vital Records Office ($17 expedited search fee); most requests processed the same day
  • •In person: Drop-off at the state office in Richland County only ($12 for 4-week processing, or $17 for 5 business days or less)
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Valid government, school, or employer issued photo ID
  • •Completed application
4
Allow the office's processing time (4 weeks ($12 non-refundable search fee)); expedited handling is available.

State Vital Records in South Carolina: key facts

What South Carolina says9

Administering office

South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section.1

Office location and hours

2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.1

Mail orders

Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.1

Certificate fee

$12 for the first certified copy; $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $5.1

Processing time

4 weeks ($12 non-refundable search fee). Expedited: 5 business days ($17 total: $12 search + $5 expedite).1

Who may order

Immediate family: parent, grandparent, spouse (not divorced), sibling, child, grandchild; Legal representative of an immediate family member.1

Others who demonstrate a direct and tangible interest where information is needed to determine a personal or property right (e.g. life-insurance beneficiary, joint property owner).1

Filing deadline

Within five days after the burial-removal-transit permit is issued or the funeral director takes physical custody of the body, whichever is later.2

Public record

Death records become public 50 years after the death.1

Records available from

1915.1

Governing law: S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-40

Sources2

  1. 1.South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section
  2. 2.South Carolina death-certificate filing rule (S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-40; S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-74; S.C. Code Ann. § 40-19-110(10); S.C. Code Ann. § 40-19-290(B); S.C. Code Ann. § 40-8-200; S.C. Code Ann. § 27-43-310; S.C. Code Regs. 60-19)

South Carolina vital records offices

South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section

Phone

803-898-3630

Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Mailing address

Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in South Carolina

Free tools for settling an estate in South Carolina: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In South Carolina, certified death certificates come from the South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records SectionSouth Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records SectionVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $12South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records SectionVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $3South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records SectionVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

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How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in South Carolina: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysS.C. Code §§ 62-3-706, 62-3-707, 62-3-708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 8 monthsSC Code §§ 62-3-801, 62-3-803, 62-3-805, 62-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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