Cherokee County Death Index
The Cherokee County death index covers all deaths recorded in Cherokee County, South Carolina from January 1, 1915. The county seat is Gaffney, located in the northern part of the state. Researchers can search the death index to locate records, confirm dates of death, and order certified copies of death certificates from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. Local resources in Gaffney also assist with death record inquiries for Cherokee County residents and family historians.
Cherokee County Quick Facts
Cherokee County Coroner Office
The Cherokee County Coroner's Office is responsible for investigating all deaths within the county's jurisdiction. The coroner determines the identity of the deceased, the cause of death, the manner of death, and the circumstances surrounding how and when the person died. The office is led by Dennis Fowler, the elected Coroner, with Josh Parker serving as Deputy Coroner. The office is located at 110 Railroad Avenue, Gaffney, SC 29340.
You can reach the Cherokee County Coroner's Office by phone at 864-487-6225. The fax number is 864-487-2793. Coroner Dennis Fowler can be reached by email at dennis.fowler@cherokeecountysc.gov. Deputy Coroner Josh Parker is available at josh.parker@cherokeecountysc.gov. Visit cherokeecountysc.gov/coroners-office for the most current information about the office.
The Cherokee County Coroner's Office handles death investigations countywide and files death certificates with the county health department after each case is closed.
The coroner operates as an elected county official, meaning the position carries full administrative and investigative authority. The office works with law enforcement, medical professionals, and forensic experts when conducting death investigations. The coroner signs death certificates, issues burial-removal permits, and issues cremation permits for all deaths investigated by the office in Cherokee County.
Cherokee County Death Index Resources
The Cherokee County government portal at cherokeecountysc.gov links to all county departments, including the coroner's office and probate court. This is the main starting point for Cherokee County death record inquiries at the local level. The portal provides department contact information, office hours, and links to online services.
The Cherokee County government website connects residents and researchers to local offices that handle death-related records and services.
The Cherokee County Probate Court handles estate administration for residents who die in the county. When someone dies with or without a will, the probate court opens an estate. Probate files contain death certificates and other documents about the deceased. The court is an important resource for death research in Cherokee County. Contact the Probate Court at cherokeecountysc.gov/probate-court, P.O. Box 22, Gaffney, SC 29342, phone 864-487-2583.
Cherokee County Probate Court records may include death certificates, estate inventories, and wills that supplement the official death index for Cherokee County.
Note: Certified marriage license copies from 1988 to present are available online at southcarolinaprobate.net. Pre-1988 copies require a written request with a $5 certified check mailed to the Probate Court.
Land Records and Estate Research
Property transfers often happen after a death in Cherokee County. Land records can help researchers confirm dates of death and identify heirs. The South Carolina Land Records system at sclandrecords.com provides deed and property searches for Cherokee County. When someone dies, their real property is often transferred by deed shortly after the estate is settled. These transfers appear in land records and can provide supporting evidence for death dates and family relationships.
SC Land Records provides a searchable property database that is useful for tracing estate settlements tied to Cherokee County deaths.
Getting Cherokee County Death Certificates
Certified copies of death certificates for deaths from 1915 forward are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The Cherokee County Vital Records office is coordinated through the county public health department and can assist with local questions. Call 864-487-2583 for local assistance. For certified copies of state-issued death certificates, requests go to the state office at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, or by mail to SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171.
Online orders go through Go Certificates or VitalChek. Phone orders use VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008. The SC DPH death certificates page has current fees and application forms. The standard search fee is $12, with additional copies at $3 each. A valid photo ID is required. Only immediate family or legal representatives can order certified copies of records less than 50 years old. Records older than 50 years are open to the public under SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63.
Cherokee County was formed in 1897 from parts of Spartanburg, Union, and York counties. Researchers seeking death records before 1897 may need to check those parent counties. Before 1915, deaths were not recorded at the state level for Cherokee County. Check church records, cemetery records, and probate files for earlier deaths.
| State Vital Records |
SC Department of Public Health 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-3630 |
|---|---|
| County Coroner |
110 Railroad Avenue Gaffney, SC 29340 Phone: 864-487-6225 |
| County Website | cherokeecountysc.gov |
Free Cherokee County Death Index Resources
Several free online resources include Cherokee County in their death index collections. The Ancestor Hunt death records directory lists every free Cherokee County death index available online. These indexes typically include the name of the deceased, date of death, and certificate number. Use the index to identify the right record, then order the full certificate from the state office.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia SC 29223 holds microfilm copies of death certificates. The cost through the Archives is lower than through the Division of Vital Records, which is helpful for genealogists who do not need certified copies. FamilySearch also has South Carolina death collections from 1915 to 1965 that include Cherokee County entries. Check FamilySearch's South Carolina Vital Records guide for a full list of available collections.
Note: Death certificates become public records after 50 years. Anyone may obtain an uncertified copy of Cherokee County death certificates from 1915 to 1975 by submitting an application and the required fee to the state office.
Communities in Cherokee County
Cherokee County's county seat is Gaffney, which is the main hub for county services including death records. All deaths occurring in Cherokee County are filed through the county coroner and processed by the state vital records system. Gaffney is home to the coroner's office, probate court, and county health department.
Nearby Counties
Cherokee County borders several South Carolina and North Carolina counties. Death records are kept by the county where the death occurred, so verify the correct location before requesting a record.