Charleston Death Index Records
Charleston holds a unique place in South Carolina death record history. Death records for Charleston date back to 1821, making this city one of the oldest sources of vital records in the state. For modern records, the South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains the official death index for Charleston residents. This guide covers how to search Charleston death records, where to request copies, and where to find historical data from this city's deep archives.
Charleston Quick Facts
How to Access Charleston Death Index Records
The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SC DPH) is the official custodian of death certificates for all Charleston residents. The Vital Records office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 handles certified copies of death certificates. You can reach them at (803) 898-3630. Death certificates issued in Charleston flow through this state office, not through the City of Charleston itself.
Charleston death records from 1915 forward are indexed in the statewide system. For deaths between 1915 and 1967, the SC DPH provides a free online index at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/indexes-data/death-indexes-1915-1967. This index shows names, dates, and counties but does not include the full certificate image. To get the actual certificate, you must submit a request to the DPH office or order online.
Charleston is one of only two cities in South Carolina that maintained death records before statewide registration began in 1915. The city's records go back to 1821. These pre-1915 Charleston death records are not held by the city government but by other local institutions. They carry enormous value for anyone researching South Carolina family history.
| Office | SC DPH Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 |
| Phone | (803) 898-3630 |
| Online Orders | gocertificates.com |
| Website | dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/death-certificates |
Note: Death certificates for Charleston residents become public records after 50 years under South Carolina law, governed by Title 44, Chapter 63 of the SC Code.
Charleston City Resources for Death Records
The City of Charleston does not issue death certificates. Those come from the state. But the City of Charleston maintains several types of historical records that can support death record research. The City Records Center holds Alms House Records from 1801 to 1917, Orphan House files from 1800 to 1967, and City of Charleston Yearbooks from 1880 to 1951. These records often contain references to deaths and burials that predate state registration.
The city portal is a starting point for locating local offices and departments that may assist with historical research into Charleston death records.
The Charleston Police Department handles public records requests for incident-related documents under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act. Death investigations in Charleston are managed by the Charleston County Coroner, not the police department. Still, police reports may form part of a death investigation file. Requests to the Charleston Police must be signed and submitted in writing.
Police records connected to a death investigation are separate from the death certificate itself. Both types of records may be relevant depending on your research purpose.
Historical Charleston Death Records Before 1915
Charleston death records from 1821 to 1886 are available through multiple institutions. The Charleston County Public Library at 404 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 holds original Charleston death certificates from 1821 to 1867 and 1872 to 1886. The library also maintains an index to these records. The original death returns were moved from the health department to the library for preservation and public access. You can visit in person or search their genealogy resources online.
The CCPL genealogy collection is one of the best resources in the state for early death records research tied to Charleston.
FamilySearch also holds Charleston County death records from 1852 to 1926 with index and images. Charleston death records from 1821 to 1886 are indexed on FamilySearch with images drawn from the Charleston Public Library collection. These free online resources let you search from home before making a trip to request a copy. The South Carolina Historical Society Library at 100 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401 holds manuscript collections, church records, and vital records substitutes for the colonial period. Their collections cover deaths and burials that predate any government registration system.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 also holds relevant materials. State archives preserve microfilmed copies of early vital records and related county documents. For genealogical research into Charleston death records before 1915, the archives and library are both key stops.
Note: Charleston and Georgetown are the only two South Carolina cities that kept death records before statewide registration started in 1915, making Charleston an exceptional resource for early family history research.
What Charleston Death Records Contain
A standard South Carolina death certificate issued for a Charleston resident includes the full legal name of the deceased, date of death, place of death, cause of death, and manner of death. The record also lists the deceased's age, sex, race, birthplace, occupation, and last known address. The name of the certifying physician or medical examiner appears on the certificate. The Charleston County Coroner certifies cause of death in cases involving accidents, homicides, suicides, and unexplained deaths.
Older Charleston death records from the 1800s contain less detail than modern certificates. Early records may list only the name, date, and cause of death. Some include the age or place of burial. The level of detail increases as you move into the 20th century. Records from the early statewide registration period (1915 to 1930) can vary in quality by county and year.
Under Title 44, Chapter 63 of South Carolina law, death records are confidential for 50 years from the date of death. After that period they become public. Certified copies are available to immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented need at any time.
Searching Charleston Death Records Online
Several free and paid tools exist to search Charleston death records. The SC DPH death index for 1915 to 1967 is free at the state website. The SC Archives Digital Collections include microfilmed county vital records. For more recent deaths (1968 to present), the online index is not publicly available, and you need to submit a records request directly to the SC DPH.
VitalChek processes online orders for South Carolina death certificates at 1-877-284-1008. The state also accepts orders through gocertificates.com. Both services charge a fee per copy plus a service fee. The base fee for a certified copy from the SC DPH is $12, with additional copies at $3 each. Mail requests go to the 2600 Bull Street address in Columbia.
For genealogy research into Charleston deaths, the Ancestor Hunt blog lists free online South Carolina death record indexes and databases. This includes links to FamilySearch, Ancestry, and other repositories that index Charleston death data.
Charleston County Coroner and Death Investigations
The Charleston County Coroner investigates deaths in Charleston that are sudden, unexplained, violent, or suspicious. The coroner certifies cause and manner of death in those cases. Coroner records in Charleston may include autopsy reports, toxicology results, and scene investigation reports. These records are separate from the death certificate but are often needed in legal matters or insurance claims.
Requests for coroner records in Charleston are handled through the Charleston County Coroner's Office. Title 17, Chapter 5 of South Carolina law governs coroner duties and death investigations. Under this statute, the coroner holds authority over bodies in qualifying cases and must conduct inquests when required. Coroner reports are not always public, and access may depend on your relationship to the deceased.
Charleston County Death Index Records
Charleston sits within Charleston County. All death certificates for Charleston residents are filed through the county and state systems. For a full look at county-level resources, coroner contacts, and additional research tools, visit the Charleston County death records page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Death records for nearby cities follow the same state system. Select a city below to find death index information for that area.