Abbeville County Death Index
The Abbeville County Death Index covers death records from 1915 to the present. Abbeville County is located in the western Piedmont region of South Carolina and has maintained detailed vital records since statewide registration began. Researchers and family members can search death records through state and county resources. This guide explains how to find death certificates, access the historical death index, and contact the right offices for Abbeville County records.
Abbeville County Quick Facts
How to Access Abbeville County Death Index Records
Abbeville County death records are held at two levels. The state level handles certified death certificates through the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The local level includes the county coroner, probate court, and clerk of court. Knowing which office to contact saves time when you search for records.
The SC DPH Vital Records office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 is the central source for certified death certificates. Their phone number is (803) 898-3630. You can also order online through gocertificates.com. The standard fee for a death certificate copy is $12. Records from the past 50 years are restricted to immediate family members under state law.
For historical research, the SC Death Indexes 1915-1967 are available as a free online database. This searchable index covers deaths recorded statewide, including Abbeville County. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov holds microfilm copies of death certificates from 1915 to 1963 for public research at no charge.
The Abbeville County Directory at abbevillecountysc.com/directory lists all county offices with contact details. The Probate Court is at 903 W. Greenwood Street, Suite 2300, phone (864) 366-5312 ext. 62. The Clerk of Court is at PO Box 99, Abbeville, SC 29620, phone (864) 366-5312 ext. 55.
The county website at abbevillecountysc.com provides links to all county departments. It is a good starting point for any records request in Abbeville County.
Abbeville County Coroner and Death Records
The Abbeville County Coroner operates from 903 W. Greenwood Street, Abbeville, SC 29620. The office phone is (864) 366-4210 and fax is (864) 446-8006. The county email is info@abbevillecountysc.com. The coroner is an elected official responsible for all death investigations throughout the county.
The coroner investigates violent deaths, sudden deaths, deaths without a physician present, and deaths within 24 hours of hospital admission. Under S.C. Code Title 17, Chapter 5, the coroner has legal authority to conduct investigations, order autopsies, and hold inquests. The office coordinates with the Abbeville County Sheriff, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and local hospitals. All deaths investigated by the coroner result in documentation that becomes part of the official death record for Abbeville County.
Note: The coroner's office does not issue certified copies of death certificates. Those must be obtained through the SC DPH Vital Records office.
| Coroner | 903 W. Greenwood Street Abbeville, SC 29620 Phone: (864) 366-4210 |
|---|---|
| Probate Court | 903 W. Greenwood Street, Suite 2300 Phone: (864) 366-5312 ext. 62 |
| Clerk of Court | PO Box 99, Abbeville, SC 29620 Phone: (864) 366-5312 ext. 55 |
| County Website | abbevillecountysc.com |
Historical Death Records in Abbeville County
Abbeville County was founded in 1785 and has one of the more complete historical record sets in South Carolina. No known courthouse disasters have occurred in the county, which means records have survived from early dates. Court records go back to 1785, land records to 1778, and probate records to 1777. Death records in the county date from 1915, when South Carolina began statewide registration under the vital statistics law now codified at S.C. Code Title 44, Chapter 63.
The 1850 Mortality Census for Abbeville County is available through the Piedmont Historical Society. These pre-statewide mortality records list individuals who died in the year before the census was taken. They are valuable for genealogical research covering deaths before official death registration began in South Carolina. FamilySearch documents the following record start dates: birth records from 1915, marriage records from 1911, death records from 1915, court records from 1785, land records from 1778, and probate records from 1777.
The Abbeville County directory is the best place to start when contacting local offices about historical death records. It lists current staff and contact details for all county departments.
The Abbeville County Historical Society at PO Box 12, Abbeville, SC 29620, phone (864) 366-8193, email abvcohs@gmail.com, maintains historical records including family papers, business records, and photographs. The society also holds genealogical resources for researchers working on Abbeville County family history.
Searching Abbeville Death Records Online
Several free online resources cover Abbeville County death records. The SC DPH death index database at dph.sc.gov is the main starting point for online research. This index covers 1915 through 1967 and is fully searchable by name.
The Ancestor Hunt death records directory lists all free online sources for Abbeville County death indexes. This includes links to FamilySearch collections, transcribed death records, cemetery listings, and other death-related documents compiled by volunteers and historical societies. These resources cover a wide range of years and can help fill gaps when the official index does not have the record you need.
The SC Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov holds microfilm of death certificates from 1915 to 1963. Their reference room at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223 is open Monday through Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. No appointment is needed and there is no charge for viewing the microfilm records. Phone (803) 896-6104 for questions.
Note: Death records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members. Records older than 50 years are available to the general public for genealogical research.
What Abbeville County Death Records Contain
A standard Abbeville County death certificate includes the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, cause of death, and manner of death. It also lists the attending physician or coroner, the funeral home, and the place of burial or cremation. The certificate shows the deceased's age, birthplace, occupation, and parents' names. These details make death certificates useful for both legal and genealogical purposes.
Older death records from Abbeville County may contain less detail than modern certificates. Early records from 1915 to the 1940s sometimes have incomplete fields or handwritten entries that are hard to read. The microfilm copies held at the SC Archives are the best source for these older records. Researchers working with early Abbeville County death records should also check the 1850 Mortality Census and the Ancestor Hunt index for additional information that may not appear in the official certificate.
Records from the coroner's inquests in Abbeville County may include witness testimony, descriptions of the death scene, and the coroner's findings. These records go beyond the basic death certificate and can provide important context for deaths that were investigated. Coroner records are separate from the vital records held by the SC DPH and are stored at the county level.
Vital Records Request Process in Abbeville
To get a certified copy of an Abbeville County death certificate, you must request it from the SC DPH Vital Records office. You can submit your request by mail, in person, or online. The fee is $12 per certified copy. You must provide the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Immediate family members must provide proof of relationship when requesting records less than 50 years old.
Mail requests go to: SC DPH Vital Records, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Include a completed request form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for the fee. Processing time by mail is typically several weeks. For faster service, order online through gocertificates.com or visit a regional vital records office in person. The Anderson County Vital Records office at 220 McGee Rd., Anderson, SC 29625 is the nearest regional office, phone (864) 260-5667.
Abbeville County Death Index Genealogy Resources
Genealogists researching Abbeville County deaths have several strong resources available. The FamilySearch Wiki for Abbeville County documents record availability dates and links to online collections. FamilySearch provides free access to many transcribed death records, census mortality schedules, and other historical records for Abbeville County.
The Abbeville County Historical Society maintains collections of family papers and historical documents that can supplement official death records. Their holdings include records from the county's earliest period and can help researchers trace family lines back before 1915. Contact the society at (864) 366-8193 or abvcohs@gmail.com for research assistance.
Probate records in Abbeville County date from 1777. Wills and estate records often name family members and can confirm death dates. The Probate Court at 903 W. Greenwood Street, Suite 2300 holds these records and can assist with research requests. For deaths after 1967, the SC DPH online death certificate database at dph.sc.gov/public/vital-records/death-certificates is the most direct resource.
Note: The 1850 Mortality Census for Abbeville County is available through the Piedmont Historical Society and covers deaths in the year before the census was taken, providing pre-registration death data for the county.
Related Records in Abbeville County
Other Abbeville County record types connect to death records. Marriage records begin in 1911 and are held at the Probate Court. Court records date from 1785 and are maintained by the Clerk of Court at PO Box 99, Abbeville, SC 29620. Land records dating from 1778 are available at the Register of Deeds. These records can all help researchers place death records in context.
Wills and estate inventories from Abbeville County's probate records often list surviving family members and can confirm the death of an individual. Probate records go back to 1777, making them among the oldest surviving documents in the county. The Abbeville County court records also include criminal proceedings, some of which relate to deaths that were investigated for possible criminal activity.
Nearby Counties
Abbeville County borders several other South Carolina counties. If a death occurred near a county line, records may be held in an adjacent county's offices.