Search Charleston County Death Index

Charleston County holds the oldest death records in South Carolina, with the death index reaching back to 1821. The county seat is the city of Charleston, and the county is the most populous in the state with over 400,000 residents. Searching the Charleston County death index gives access to more than two centuries of mortality records. Whether you are tracing family history or confirming a death for legal purposes, this guide covers how to find and request Charleston County death records through state and local resources.

Charleston County Death Index History

Charleston County is unique in South Carolina. Statewide death registration began on January 1, 1915, but Charleston began keeping death records nearly a century earlier in 1821. Only two South Carolina cities began registration before 1915: Charleston in 1821 and Georgetown in 1883. This makes Charleston County an exceptional resource for researchers tracing families in South Carolina during the 1800s.

Several distinct collections cover Charleston County death records. Charleston Death Records 1821-1886 are available at FamilySearch with index and images, and the originals are held at Charleston Public Library. Charleston County Death Records 1852-1926 are also on FamilySearch and cover the antebellum period through the early 20th century. South Carolina Charleston City Death Records 1821-1926 is a comprehensive collection on FamilySearch covering more than a century of records. For the statewide system, the SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 include all Charleston County entries filed with the state from 1915 onward.

The Charleston County Coroner reported 2,674 deaths to the office in 2022. About 22 percent of those deaths, roughly 606 cases, required full forensic autopsies. The current coroner is Bobbi Jo O'Neal, with Brittney Martin serving as Chief Deputy Coroner.

The county portal at charlestoncounty.org provides access to county departments and services, including probate court resources.

The Charleston County official website connects residents to probate court, coroner, and vital records services across the county.

Charleston County Probate Court and Death Records

The Charleston County Probate Court handles estate administration, marriage licenses, and related civil matters. Probate records are closely tied to death records because estates are opened when someone dies. These records can serve as substitutes for death certificates in cases where the original certificate is unavailable. The probate court maintains records going back many years and is a strong resource for genealogical research in Charleston County.

The Charleston County Probate Court resources page links to forms, guides, and information on estate procedures and historical records access.

Note: Probate estate files may contain death certificates, wills, inventories, and other documents that provide valuable genealogical data about the deceased.

Charleston Public Library Genealogy Resources

Charleston Public Library holds original death certificates for Charleston from 1821 to 1867 and from 1872 to 1886, along with a name index. These are among the oldest original death records held at any public library in South Carolina. The records were transferred from the health department to the library for preservation and public research access. The library is located at 404 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403.

The Charleston Public Library genealogy collection includes city directories, cemetery records, newspaper archives, and the original death records. The library's South Carolina Room is the best place for in-depth Charleston County death research.

The library's main website at ccpl.org lists hours, services, and research tools. Call ahead before visiting to confirm the South Carolina Room schedule.

SC Historical Society and Early Death Records

The South Carolina Historical Society Library is located at 100 Meeting Street in Charleston, SC 29401. The phone number is (843) 723-3225. The Society holds thousands of family papers, business records, church records, and photographs going back to the earliest days of the state. For colonial-era deaths and the antebellum period, the Society's manuscript collections often contain the only surviving evidence of who lived and died in Charleston County.

The SC Historical Society maintains vital records substitutes for the colonial period along with church burial registers, newspaper clippings, and family genealogies. Researchers working on pre-1821 Charleston deaths should start here.

Requesting Charleston County Death Certificates

Certified copies of death certificates for deaths from 1915 forward are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. You can order online through Go Certificates or VitalChek. Phone orders use VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. Mail requests go to SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171. In-person requests are handled at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The standard search fee is $12. Each additional copy costs $3. Expedited processing costs $17. A valid government-issued photo ID is required with every request. Only immediate family members or legal representatives can obtain certified copies of records less than 50 years old. Anyone may request records older than 50 years. The SC DPH death certificates page has current fees and application forms.

South Carolina Death Record Laws

South Carolina's vital records system runs under SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The law requires death certificates to be filed within five days. Electronic filing is now required statewide. County health departments act as county registrars. Coroners must issue burial-removal-transit permits for deaths that occur outside of hospitals or nursing homes. After 50 years, death records become open public records.

The coroner's statutory authority comes from SC Code Title 17, Chapter 5. This law governs death investigations, the power to conduct inquests, and how findings must be reported. Charleston County's coroner operates under these rules for all deaths investigated in the county. The coroner coordinates with the Charleston Police Department, North Charleston Police Department, and Charleston County Sheriff's Office when deaths require law enforcement involvement.

Note: The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov holds microfilm copies of death certificates at lower cost than certified copies from the Division of Vital Records. This is a useful option for genealogists who do not need certified copies.

Cities in Charleston County

Charleston County includes several large cities. All death records for residents of Charleston County are filed through the county coroner and the state vital records system in Columbia.

Charleston is the county seat and largest city. North Charleston and Mount Pleasant are also major communities in Charleston County with their own death records filed in the same county system.

Nearby Counties

Charleston County borders several South Carolina counties. Death records are kept by the county where the death occurred, so check the right county if you are unsure.

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