Simpsonville Death Index Records
Simpsonville death index records are part of the South Carolina statewide vital records system and are managed through Greenville County offices. Simpsonville is a growing city in the heart of the Upstate region, known locally as "Simply Home." Death records for Simpsonville residents from 1915 onward are accessible through SC DPH and Greenville County systems. This page explains how to search the death index, who can request certified copies, and where to find historical Simpsonville death records.
Simpsonville Quick Facts
How to Search the Simpsonville Death Index
Death certificates for Simpsonville residents are obtained through the SC DPH Vital Records system. The state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630. Greenville County Vital Records provides local in-person access closer to Simpsonville. The county is part of the Greenville metropolitan area, so services are readily available.
The free SC DPH online death index for 1915 to 1967 allows name searches at no cost. This covers the early registration era and is a good starting point for any Simpsonville death research. For deaths after 1967, you need to contact the vital records office for a certified copy.
Birth and death certificates for Simpsonville residents are obtained from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Marriage licenses are obtained separately from Greenville County Probate Court. These three types of vital records come from different sources in South Carolina, so knowing which office handles which record type saves time when making requests.
| State Vital Records | 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (803) 898-3630 |
| Greenville County | greenvillecounty.org |
| City of Simpsonville | simpsonville.com |
| Death Index 1915-1967 | Search Online |
Simpsonville City Records and FOIA
The City of Simpsonville operates under a City Council form of government. The City Clerk's Office maintains official records including council minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and contracts. The city is known for its vibrant downtown with unique shops and restaurants, scenic parks, family-friendly events, and the Simpsonville Amphitheatre.
Public records requests in Simpsonville are processed under South Carolina's FOIA law. The City Clerk processes requests in writing. Requesters should specify the records sought and their preferred format. The city must acknowledge requests within ten business days and produce current records within thirty calendar days. FOIA requests may be submitted by mail, email, or in person at city hall.
The Simpsonville Police Department has served the community since its establishment in 1907. Police records including incident reports and accident reports are available through FOIA request. The police department focuses on community-oriented policing, building relationships with residents while maintaining public safety. Records requests must comply with FOIA procedures and may be subject to copying fees.
Greenville County Death Records for Simpsonville
All death investigations in Simpsonville are handled by the Greenville County Coroner, since Simpsonville is within Greenville County. The coroner is an elected official and investigates violent deaths, suspicious deaths, sudden deaths, and deaths occurring within 24 hours of hospital admission. The coroner's office works with Simpsonville Police on all death-related matters.
Under Title 17, Chapter 5 of the South Carolina Code, the coroner has specific duties and authority over qualifying deaths within the county. The Greenville County Government website provides contact information for the coroner's office and vital records services for Simpsonville residents.
The Greenville County Probate Court handles estate filings, wills, and guardianship matters for county residents including those in Simpsonville. Probate records often document deaths and can be an important resource for genealogy research. Estate filings list assets, heirs, and death dates, making them valuable supplements to death index entries.
Note: The Simpsonville Fire Department was created in 1922 and has served the community for over a century. Fire and rescue records may contain incident information relevant to certain death investigations but are separate from vital records.
Getting Simpsonville Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for Simpsonville are issued under Title 44, Chapter 63 of the South Carolina Code. Only eligible family members and legal representatives can receive a full certified copy. This includes the spouse, parent, child, sibling, and grandparent of the deceased. All others may only receive a statement that the death occurred, with the date and county of death but no additional details.
Request options are in person at a vital records office, by mail to SC DPH at P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171 with the $12 standard fee, online through GoCertificates.com with the $17 expedited fee and additional vendor charges, or by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. Additional copies are $3 each when ordered at the same time. Mail requests average four weeks for processing, while in-person requests are typically same-day.
Historical Death Records in Simpsonville
Deaths in Simpsonville before 1915 fall outside the statewide death index. For pre-registration death research, Greenville County Probate Court records, church records, cemetery inscriptions, and newspaper archives are the most useful sources.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223, holds historical Greenville County materials. The Ancestor Hunt website lists free South Carolina death databases by county. FamilySearch provides genealogy resources for Greenville County that include some Simpsonville-area materials. Census mortality schedules from 1850 to 1880 are another strong free resource for early death research in the area.
Greenville County Death Index
Simpsonville is located in Greenville County. All death records for Simpsonville residents are part of the Greenville County vital records system. For the full overview of county offices, resources, and the Greenville County death index, visit the county page.
Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other nearby cities in Greenville County and the Upstate have death records through county systems. Select a city to learn more.