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.

Vital Records

South Carolina

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

Administering agency

South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section

Phone803-898-3630

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Sep 2026

State Vital Records in South Carolina: key facts

Administering office: South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section.
Contact: Phone 803-898-3630.
Office location: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Wednesday 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM.
Mail orders: Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.
Certificate fee: $12 for the first certified copy; $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $5.
Processing time: 4 weeks ($12 non-refundable search fee). Expedited: 5 business days ($17 total: $12 search + $5 expedite).
Who may order: Immediate family: parent, grandparent, spouse (not divorced), sibling, child, grandchild; Legal representative of an immediate family member; 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).
Filing deadline: The death certificate must be filed within 5 days.
Public record: Death records become public 50 years after the death.
Records available from: 1915.

Steps to take when someone dies

Confirm the death occurred in South Carolina — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
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
- By phone: Call VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008 (24/7)
- 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)
- In person: Drop-off at the state office in Richland County only (average processing time two days)
Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid government, school, or employer issued photo ID
- Completed application
Allow the office's processing time (4 weeks ($12 non-refundable search fee)); expedited handling is available.

South Carolina Department of Public Health - Vital Records Section

Phone: 803-898-3630

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

by phone: Call VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008 (24/7). 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). in person: Drop-off at the state office in Richland County only (average processing time two days). Mail orders go to Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.

The death certificate must be filed within 5 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.

Valid government, school, or employer issued photo ID; Completed application. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.

The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.