Find Death Records in Dillon County

Dillon County sits in the northeastern corner of South Carolina. The county seat is the city of Dillon. The Dillon County death index covers deaths from January 1, 1915, when the state began requiring registration, through the present day. If you need to search for a death in Dillon County, this page explains how to find free online death indexes, order certified copies of death certificates, and understand what the county coroner's office does when a death occurs.

Dillon County Coroner and Death Investigations

The Dillon County Coroner is the chief medical-legal officer for the county. The coroner is an elected official with the authority and responsibility to investigate all deaths that occur within Dillon County. That includes deaths from motor vehicle accidents, natural causes, suicides, homicides, and any other circumstance where the cause of death is unclear. The coroner identifies deceased individuals and releases information to the public, often coordinating with local news outlets such as The Dillon Herald to keep the community informed.

In traffic fatality cases, the Dillon County Coroner investigates the death scene, determines cause and manner of death, and identifies the deceased for next-of-kin notification. The coroner works with the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the Dillon County Sheriff's Office, and other law enforcement agencies on these cases. When necessary, the coroner orders autopsies to confirm the cause of death. The coroner maintains records of all deaths investigated within the county. Families may request those records after an investigation is complete. The office has jurisdiction over deaths occurring throughout the county, including along major corridors like I-95, Highway 301, and local roads.

The Dillon County portal at dilloncountysc.org provides information about county departments and services. Vital records and death records for Dillon County are handled through the SC Department of Public Health at the state level, through the county health department at the local level, and through the Dillon County Probate Court for estate administration after a death.

The county portal provides a starting point for finding contact information for these offices and other county services.

The Dillon County official website connects residents to county departments and local government services.

Dillon County Departments and Vital Records

The Dillon County departments page lists the county offices that handle various public services. For death records, the most relevant offices are the county health department, the probate court, and the coroner. The probate court handles estate matters that arise after a death, and its files often include death certificates and other documents useful for genealogical research.

County departments coordinate with the state vital records system to ensure that all deaths registered in Dillon County are properly reported and recorded. The county health department serves as the local registrar and forwards death certificates to the state office in Columbia.

Note: Dillon County was formed from Marion County in 1910. Researchers looking for records of deaths before 1910 in this area should consult Marion County records, as Dillon County did not exist as a separate jurisdiction at that time.

Dillon County Death Index Collections

The SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 are free online and include all Dillon County deaths filed with the state from 1915 through 1967. These indexes list the name of the deceased, date of death, and death certificate number, which can be used to order the full certificate. Searching these indexes first will confirm whether a record exists before you pay for a certified copy.

The Ancestor Hunt free online death records page lists additional Dillon County death index collections available at no cost. These include Dillon County Deaths and Dillon County Death Indexes, which index records from the county and are searchable by name.

The Ancestor Hunt compiles links to free death record collections for every South Carolina county, including Dillon, in one place. This makes it a good first stop for anyone starting a Dillon County death records search.

For deaths more recent than 1967, the state vital records office in Columbia maintains records that are not available in the free online indexes. You must request those records directly from the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds microfilm copies of death certificates from 1915 through 1975 at a lower cost than certified copies from the state vital records office, which is a useful option for genealogical researchers who do not need a certified copy.

Requesting Dillon County Death Certificates

Certified copies of Dillon County death certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. You can order online through gocertificates.com, by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, by mail, or in person. Mail requests go to SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171. In-person service is at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

The standard search fee is $12 for the first copy. Each additional copy costs $3. A valid government-issued photo ID is required. Deaths within the last 50 years are restricted to immediate family members and legal representatives. Records older than 50 years are open to the public. The law governing vital records in South Carolina is SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The coroner's authority is set out in SC Code Title 17, Chapter 5.

Dillon County Records Services

Dillon County does not include any of the major cities tracked on this site. All death records for county residents go through the county coroner and the state vital records system. For estate matters, the Dillon County Probate Court handles the administration of estates after a death. Researchers can also contact the Dillon County Clerk of Court for access to court records that may include death-related information from civil and probate proceedings. The Dillon County website lists current contact information for these offices.

Nearby Counties

Dillon County borders several South Carolina counties. Death records are filed in the county where the death occurred. Check nearby counties if you are unsure which county applies to your search.

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