Death Index for Fairfield County
Fairfield County is located in the north-central part of South Carolina. The county seat is Winnsboro. Death records for Fairfield County begin on January 1, 1915, when the state started its registration system. Whether you need a record for legal purposes or are searching family history, this page covers how to find and request Fairfield County death records through the coroner's office, the probate court, and the state vital records system.
Fairfield County Quick Facts
Fairfield County Coroner Office
The Fairfield County Coroner is an elected county official serving a four-year term. The coroner's main duty is to determine the manner of death of every fatality in Fairfield County. The office investigates deaths that are suspicious, violent, or sudden, as well as natural cause deaths that occur less than 24 hours after hospital or emergency room admission. The coroner has jurisdiction over all deaths occurring within the county boundaries.
The responsibilities of the Fairfield County Coroner are broad. The coroner signs death certificates, issues burial removal permits, issues cremation permits, and conducts inquests when warranted. The office preserves the death scene and all physical evidence, determines cause of death in one of five categories: natural, accidental, homicidal, suicidal, or undetermined. The coroner coordinates investigations with local law enforcement and uses forensic experts in fields such as anthropology, toxicology, odontology, and entomology when needed. The coroner also determines when an autopsy is performed and witnesses the autopsy. The personal belongings of the deceased are protected and returned to the family. When possible, the coroner notifies relatives of deaths in person.
The Fairfield County Coroner's office is located at 315 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180. The phone number is 803-635-9513. The fax number is 803-815-4638. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM.
The Fairfield County Coroner's office page at fairfieldsc.com provides contact details and information about the office's role in death investigation and record keeping.
Fairfield County Probate Court and Death Records
The Fairfield County Probate Court handles estate matters that arise after a death. Probate files often include death certificates, wills, estate inventories, and other documents that provide valuable information for both legal and genealogical purposes. The probate court also handles involuntary commitments, marriage licenses, and the appointment and supervision of conservators and guardians.
The Probate Judge is Brad Caulder. The probate court is located at 101 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180. The mailing address is P.O. Box 385, Winnsboro, SC 29180. The phone is 803-712-6519 and the fax is 803-712-6939. Email contact is probate@fairfield.sc.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. The court also handles wrongful death settlements and minor settlements, which require probate court approval under South Carolina law.
Note: Probate estate files in Fairfield County may contain death certificates, wills, and family information that is useful when a death certificate is unavailable or incomplete.
Fairfield County Clerk of Court
The Fairfield County Clerk of Court maintains records for the Court of Common Pleas, Court of General Sessions, and Family Court. The Register of Deeds function, which covers land records and liens, is also part of this office. Court records may contain death-related information, especially in civil cases involving wrongful death claims and in estate proceedings.
The Fairfield County Clerk of Court can be reached at 803-712-6526, fax 803-712-1506. The mailing address is P.O. Drawer 299, Winnsboro, SC 29180. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Court records are generally open to the public under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act, though certain categories such as juvenile records and mental health records are restricted.
Fairfield County Death Index and Certified Copies
The free SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 include all Fairfield County deaths registered with the state during that period. Searching this index first will tell you whether a record exists and give you the certificate number needed to order a full copy. For deaths after 1967, you must request records directly from the SC Department of Public Health.
Certified copies of Fairfield County death certificates are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. You can order online at gocertificates.com, by phone through VitalChek at 1-877-284-1008, by mail to SC Department of Public Health, Vital Records Section, P.O. Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171, or in person at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The standard search fee is $12. Additional copies cost $3 each. A photo ID is required. Records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family and legal representatives.
South Carolina's vital records law is at SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. The coroner's legal authority comes from SC Code Title 17, Chapter 5. Fairfield County was established in 1785 and has maintained records throughout its history. Researchers looking for pre-1915 death records should check church records, cemetery surveys, probate files, and local newspapers. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov holds microfilm copies of many Fairfield County records, including estate files that predate statewide death registration.
| State Vital Records |
SC Department of Public Health 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-3630 |
|---|---|
| Coroner Office | 315 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180 Phone: 803-635-9513 |
| Probate Court | 101 South Congress Street, Winnsboro, SC 29180 Phone: 803-712-6519 |
Fairfield County Records Services
Fairfield County does not include any of the major cities tracked on this site. All death records for county residents are processed through the county coroner and the state vital records system in Columbia. For estate and probate matters following a death, the Fairfield County Probate Court at 101 South Congress Street in Winnsboro is the right contact. The Fairfield County Genealogical Society may also be a useful local resource for researchers tracing family histories in the county.
Nearby Counties
Fairfield County borders several South Carolina counties. Death records are filed where the death occurred. Check nearby counties if you are not certain which one applies to your search.