Florence County Death Index and Records
Florence County is in the northeastern part of South Carolina. The county seat is the city of Florence. The Florence County death index covers all deaths registered in the county from January 1, 1915 forward. Florence also has notable pre-1915 records, with the city of Florence maintaining ledger entries of births and deaths from 1895 to 1914. This page explains how to search Florence County death records through free online indexes, the state vital records office, and historical collections.
Florence County Quick Facts
Florence County Government and Death Records
Florence County Government serves as a hub for public services and promotes a safe, healthy, and thriving community. The Florence County portal at florenceco.org provides access to county departments, including the coroner's office, probate court, and health department. All death records for Florence County residents are processed through this county system and forwarded to the state vital records office in Columbia.
The Florence County portal connects residents to the offices responsible for death investigations, estate proceedings, and vital records registration throughout the county.
The Florence County Coroner is Keith von Lutcken. His office is at 823 S Saint Claire Dr, Florence, SC 29501-5943. The phone number is (843) 665-3046. The coroner is an elected official serving a four-year term as required by South Carolina state law. The Florence County Coroner's Office investigates all violent deaths, suspicious deaths, sudden deaths in persons who appeared to be in good health, deaths occurring within 24 hours of hospital admission, deaths during medical procedures, and any death where the attending physician cannot certify the cause. The office works closely with the Florence County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol on death investigations.
City of Florence Death Records
The City of Florence website at cityofflorence.com provides information about city services and how to access vital records for city residents. Birth and death certificates for Florence residents are available through the Department of Public Health at 1705 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501, phone (843) 413-6440. This is the local regional office that serves Florence County and the surrounding area.
Florence City maintained ledger entries of births and deaths from 1895 to 1914, kept on file at the Florence County Health Department. These pre-1915 records make Florence one of the few cities in South Carolina with vital records from the late 19th and early 20th centuries before statewide registration began. Researchers tracing families in Florence during that era should check these ledgers as a primary source.
Note: The Florence County Vital Records office at 1705 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501 serves county residents who prefer an in-person option closer to home rather than traveling to Columbia.
Florence County Vital Records Office
The SC DPH vital records office locations page lists all regional offices that serve Florence County. The Florence regional office at 1705 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501 handles vital records requests for residents of Florence County and nearby counties in the Pee Dee region.
The Florence regional office can process requests for death certificates and other vital records. For certified copies, you may also order online, by mail, or by phone through the methods described below. The regional office provides a convenient local option for Florence County residents who need records quickly.
Florence County Historical Death Records
Florence County holds valuable historical coroner records. The Coroner's Inquisition Books covering 1889 to 1915 are held at the Florence County Museum or may be accessed through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. These books contain detailed investigations into unusual and sudden deaths during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before statewide registration began.
FamilySearch.org provides access to Extracts from Florence County Coroner's Inquisitions, 1889-1915, which are indexed and searchable online. The Florence County Library System maintains obituary indexes and death notices from local newspapers. John M. Gregg compiled the Florence, South Carolina Area Obituaries collection, which is available through FamilySearch. Robert M. DeFee compiled two additional collections: Deaths and Marriages from 19th Century Florence, SC Newspapers and Births, Deaths and Marriages from Timmonsville, South Carolina Newspapers from the late 19th and 20th century. These serve as valuable pre-1915 death record substitutes when no official certificate exists.
The SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 are free online and include all Florence County deaths registered with the state from 1915 through 1967. These indexes are a fast way to confirm whether a record exists and find the certificate number before ordering a full copy.
The Florence records page at florencerecords.us covers public records available for Florence County, including criminal records maintained by the Florence County Sheriff's Office. The Citizens Access to Criminal Histories system provides name-based background check access.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History at scdah.sc.gov, located at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223, holds microfilm copies of Florence County death certificates from 1915 through 1975. These are available at a lower cost than certified copies and are a good option for genealogical research.
Requesting Florence County Death Certificates
Certified copies of Florence 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. The Florence regional office at 1705 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501, phone (843) 413-6440, can also assist with local requests.
The standard fee is $12 for the first copy. Additional copies cost $3 each. A valid photo ID is required. Records from the past 50 years are restricted to immediate family members and legal representatives. Records older than 50 years are open to the public. The vital records law governing all these records is SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63. Coroner authority is set out in SC Code Title 17, Chapter 5.
| State Vital Records |
SC Department of Public Health 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-3630 |
|---|---|
| Local Florence Office | 1705 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501 Phone: (843) 413-6440 |
| County Website | florenceco.org |
Cities in Florence County
Florence County includes the city of Florence, the county seat and largest city in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. All death records for Florence city residents are filed through the Florence County coroner and the state vital records system. The city's pre-1915 ledger records, held at the county health department, are a unique local resource not available in most other South Carolina counties.
The city of Florence is the county seat and home to the regional vital records office. City residents follow the same process as all Florence County residents for requesting certified death certificates.
Nearby Counties
Florence County borders several South Carolina counties. Death records are kept by the county where the death occurred. Check nearby counties if you need to confirm which county applies to your search.