North Augusta Death Index Records
North Augusta death index records are maintained through the South Carolina Department of Public Health and Aiken County vital records systems. North Augusta is a city in Aiken County, located on the Savannah River directly across from Augusta, Georgia. Despite the name, North Augusta is entirely in South Carolina and all death records for its residents go through South Carolina state and county channels. This page explains how to search the death index for North Augusta residents and where to get certified copies of death certificates.
North Augusta Quick Facts
Accessing North Augusta Death Records
North Augusta residents access death certificates through the Aiken County Vital Records office or the SC DPH state office. The local SC DPH office in Aiken at 222 Beaufort Street NE provides in-person service for residents of North Augusta and other Aiken County communities. The state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630.
The free SC DPH online death index for 1915 to 1967 is the starting point for any genealogy research involving North Augusta deaths. This database is searchable by name at no cost and confirms whether a record exists before you place a certified copy request. For deaths after 1967, a formal request is required.
Aiken County operates under a Council/Administrator form of government. The county serves several municipalities including North Augusta, Burnettown, Jackson, Monetta, New Ellenton, Perry, Salley, Wagener, and Windsor. Aiken County Council meets on first Tuesdays from January through June and on third Tuesdays throughout the year at 7:00 PM. The Aiken County Government website provides contact information for all county departments.
| Local DPH Office | 222 Beaufort Street NE, Aiken, SC |
|---|---|
| State Office | 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
| State Phone | (803) 898-3630 |
| Aiken County | aikencountysc.gov |
| SC Counties Info | sccounties.org/aiken-county |
Aiken County Death Records for North Augusta
Because North Augusta is in Aiken County, all death investigations and vital records services go through Aiken County agencies. The Aiken County Coroner handles all deaths requiring investigation within the county, including those within North Augusta city limits. The coroner investigates violent deaths, sudden deaths of apparently healthy persons, deaths occurring within 24 hours of hospital admission, and any case where the attending physician cannot certify the cause of death.
The Aiken County Coroner's Office operates under Title 17, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code. FOIA requests for coroner records should go to the Aiken County Coroner's Office at the county government complex. Only limited information is available to the general public from coroner records. Full autopsy reports and investigation details go to next of kin and legal representatives. The office must acknowledge FOIA requests within ten business days and produce records within thirty calendar days.
North Augusta's location on the Georgia border means some residents have connections to Augusta, Georgia. However, if a death occurs in North Augusta, it is a South Carolina death and must be registered through South Carolina's vital records system under Title 44, Chapter 63. If a North Augusta resident dies in Georgia, that death is registered in Georgia and you would need to contact Georgia vital records for that certificate.
Note: North Augusta residents researching family members who spent time in both Augusta, GA and North Augusta, SC should check both states' death indexes, since the two cities are directly across the state line from each other.
North Augusta City Government and Records
North Augusta maintains its own municipal government that provides police, fire, public works, and administrative services to city residents. The North Augusta City Clerk maintains records of City Council proceedings, ordinances, resolutions, and other official city documents. The City Clerk also handles elections records and authenticates official city documents.
City of North Augusta public records requests are processed under South Carolina's FOIA law. Written requests must be acknowledged within ten business days. The city produces current records within thirty calendar days and records over 24 months old within thirty-five calendar days. Fees may not exceed the actual cost of searching, retrieving, and copying records.
The North Augusta Police Department provides law enforcement services and maintains incident reports and accident records. Police records can be requested in writing. These records may be relevant when a death in North Augusta involved law enforcement response. The department processes requests in accordance with state FOIA law, with certain exemptions for ongoing investigations.
North Augusta Death Certificates and Fees
Certified death certificates for North Augusta deaths are issued by SC DPH. Eligible requesters are the spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, or legal representative of the deceased. South Carolina law restricts full certified copies to these individuals. Others may only receive a statement that the death occurred, including the date and county.
Request options include in person at the Aiken local DPH office or the state office in Columbia. By mail to SC DPH, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171 with the $12 standard fee. Online through GoCertificates.com with the $17 expedited fee plus vendor charges. Phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, available 24 hours a day. Each additional copy is $3. Bring valid photo ID and proof of relationship for all requests.
Historical Death Records in North Augusta
For pre-1915 deaths in the North Augusta area, statewide registration did not yet exist. Aiken County was formed in 1871 from portions of Orangeburg, Lexington, Edgefield, and Barnwell counties. Researchers seeking early death records should check records from those parent counties if the death predates Aiken County's formation.
Useful sources include the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Church records, cemetery inscriptions, probate court files from Aiken County, and newspaper archives from the area all document deaths before 1915. Census mortality schedules covering 1850 to 1880 list deaths in each household. The Ancestor Hunt website compiles free South Carolina death record resources including county-level materials.
Aiken County Death Index Records
North Augusta is in Aiken County. All death records for North Augusta residents are part of the Aiken County vital records system. For a full overview of county offices, the death index, and resources for Aiken County, visit the county page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other cities in the area access death index records through their county systems. Select a city to learn more.