Chesterfield County Death Index
The Chesterfield County death index includes all deaths recorded in the county from January 1, 1915. Chesterfield County is located in the northeastern portion of South Carolina, with its county seat in the town of Chesterfield. Both state and county resources are available for searching the death index and obtaining certified copies of Chesterfield County death certificates. This guide explains where to look, how to request records, and what to expect from the process.
Chesterfield County Quick Facts
Chesterfield County Coroner Office
The Chesterfield County Coroner's Office is headed by Kip Kiser, the elected Coroner. The office is located at 1218 East Blvd, Chesterfield, SC 29709. The main phone number is 843-623-9395 and the fax is 843-623-9397. The coroner serves a four-year term and has jurisdiction over all deaths investigated within Chesterfield County.
The primary duty of the Chesterfield County Coroner is to determine the manner of death for every fatality occurring in the county. This means the coroner investigates each death to determine whether it was natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or undetermined. Deaths that are suspicious, violent, or sudden all fall under the coroner's authority. The coroner also investigates certain natural cause deaths, including those that happen less than 24 hours after a hospital admission.
The coroner signs death certificates, issues burial-removal permits, and issues cremation permits. When a cremation is authorized, it follows Section 17-5-600 of the SC Code of Laws. The coroner coordinates with law enforcement when multiple agencies are involved. Forensic specialists in anthropology, toxicology, odontology, entomology, and trace evidence may be called in as needed. The coroner determines when an autopsy is performed and is responsible for notifying relatives in person whenever possible.
There is no charge for Coroner services in Chesterfield County. Visual identification at the office is not needed in most cases. Autopsies are authorized when needed to establish cause and manner of death, but are usually not required when death is clearly from natural causes. Autopsy reports are available to next of kin upon written request after the investigation is complete. Death certificates are filed with the Chesterfield County Health Department.
Chesterfield County Probate Court Records
The Chesterfield County Probate Court is located at 200 West Main St., Chesterfield, SC 29709. The Probate Judge is Gail B. Ingram. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone is 843-623-2376, fax is 843-623-9886. The court handles probating estates, resolving disputes in estates and trusts, involuntary commitments, marriage licenses, and appointing guardians and conservators.
The Chesterfield County Probate Court probates estates both with and without wills, and handles small estate affidavits for personal property under $25,000. Probate files contain death certificates and estate records that are valuable for death research.
Probate records in Chesterfield County begin around 1865 due to the courthouse fire of that year. Records from before 1865 were destroyed. Earlier records held at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History may fill some gaps. Records from roughly 1900 forward are maintained by the Probate Office. Pre-1900 probate records are at the SC Archives in Columbia.
Clerk of Court and Death Index Resources
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court is located at 200 West Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709. The Family Court Judge is Honorable C. Heath Ruffner, phone 843-623-5034. The Circuit Court Judge is Honorable Roger E. Henderson, P.O. Box 311, Chesterfield, SC 29709, phone 843-623-3080. Copy fees at the Clerk's office are $0.25 per page for self-service or $2.00 per document with staff assistance. Passport applications are available at this office.
The Chesterfield County Clerk of Court maintains divorce records, criminal court files, and other court documents that may contain death-related information.
The Chesterfield County SCGenWeb page at scgenweb.org/chesterfield/vital_records.html has detailed guidance on vital records access for genealogists. This page explains where to find marriage records, birth and death certificates, and other historical documents for Chesterfield County research.
The SCGenWeb guide notes that most early marriage licenses are in storage and may require advance notice to access. Researchers should plan ahead when requesting older records from the Chesterfield County Probate Office.
Note: The Chesterfield County Register of Deeds at chesterfieldcountysc.com/register-of-deeds maintains land records that can help establish death dates through property transfers. Online land records are searchable at sclandrecords.com.
Getting Chesterfield County Death Certificates
Certified copies of Chesterfield County death certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The state office is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630. Mail requests go 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. The SC DPH death certificates page has current forms and fees.
The standard search fee is $12. Each additional copy costs $3. A valid government photo ID is required. Only immediate family or legal representatives can obtain certified copies of records less than 50 years old. Records older than 50 years are public under SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. Death certificates may also be ordered through the presiding funeral home or from the Chesterfield County Health Department at 203 North Page Street, phone 843-623-2117.
For genealogists who do not need certified copies, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov holds microfilm copies of death certificates at lower cost. Chesterfield County experienced significant record loss when the courthouse burned in 1865. This affects pre-1865 records, not death certificates, which began in 1915. However, probate records before 1865 are largely gone.
| State Vital Records |
SC Department of Public Health 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-3630 |
|---|---|
| Probate Court |
200 West Main St. Chesterfield, SC 29709 Phone: 843-623-2376 |
| County Website | chesterfieldcountysc.com |
Communities in Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County's county seat is the town of Chesterfield, which is home to the county offices. All death records for Chesterfield County residents are processed through the county coroner and the state vital records system. The county health department on North Page Street handles local death certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
Chesterfield County is in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. If you need death records for a nearby area, check the county where the death occurred.