Lexington County Death Index
Lexington County death records are maintained through South Carolina's statewide vital records system, which began on January 1, 1915. Located in the Midlands region, Lexington County is one of the fastest growing areas in the state and includes access to Lake Murray. The county uses an elected coroner system. This page covers how to search the Lexington County death index, how to reach local offices, what online resources exist, and how to order certified copies of death records for genealogy or legal use.
Lexington County Quick Facts
Lexington County Death Records Overview
Lexington County is located in the Midlands of South Carolina, directly west of Columbia. The county seat is the town of Lexington. South Carolina's statewide death registration began on January 1, 1915, and all Lexington County deaths since that date are part of the state death index. The county government portal at lex-co.sc.gov provides links to county departments, including the coroner, probate court, and court records. The county's mission is to provide quality services to residents at a reasonable cost.
The SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 include all Lexington County records from the start of state registration. This free online database is searchable by name and gives enough detail to request a full certified copy. For deaths after 1967, the Division of Vital Records handles all requests. Lexington County is also listed in the SC Counties Lexington County information page, which provides additional county data and contact details.
The Lexington County government site at lex-co.sc.gov is the central hub for accessing county departments and records in the Midlands region.
Lexington County Coroner Death Index Role
The Lexington County Coroner office is an elected position responsible for investigating deaths that occur outside of medical supervision or those of unknown cause. The coroner's office operates under SC Code Title 17, Chapter 5, which sets out the authority to conduct inquests, require autopsies, and report findings to the state. The coroner also issues burial-removal-transit permits before a body can be interred or cremated.
Lexington County's rapid growth over the past two decades has made the coroner's caseload one of the larger ones in the Midlands region. The office works with local law enforcement, including the Lexington County Sheriff's Department and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, when deaths require criminal review. The coroner's findings become part of the official record and are reported to the state's vital records system.
The Lexington County Coroner serves all areas of the county, including communities near Lake Murray, and coordinates closely with state agencies on complex death investigations.
Note: Questions about specific death investigations or inquest records should be directed to the Lexington County Coroner's office directly through the county building directory.
Lexington County Probate Court Records
The Lexington County Probate Court is located at 205 East Main Street, Suite 134, Lexington, SC 29072. The phone number is (803) 785-8324. Probate records are often linked to death records because estates are opened when someone passes away. Wills, estate inventories, and guardianship papers can all provide evidence of a death date and the deceased's family connections. These records are especially useful for genealogical research when a death certificate is unavailable.
Copies of marriage records are obtained from the Probate Court. Divorce records come from the County Clerk of Court. Birth and death certificates come from the Division of Vital Records, not the probate court. However, probate files often contain death certificates as supporting documents. The Clerk of Court is Lisa M. Comer, located at 205 East Main Street, Suite 128, Lexington, SC 29072, phone (803) 785-8212. The Lexington County Probate Court forms page links to applications and guides for estate and court filings.
Probate court filings in Lexington County often contain death certificates and can serve as key research documents for genealogists working on Midlands family history.
Town of Lexington and Local Records
The town of Lexington is the county seat and the largest municipality in Lexington County. The Town of Lexington official website serves residents with local government information and services. Death records for residents of the town are part of the same countywide system and are filed through the county coroner and state vital records office. The town does not maintain a separate death index.
The Town of Lexington is the seat of county government and the primary population center in Lexington County, with all death records flowing into the same statewide system.
The SC Counties Lexington information page at sccounties.org provides a directory of Lexington County offices and resources for public records research.
How to Get Lexington County Death Certificates
Certified death certificates for Lexington County are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630. You can request records online through VitalChek or Go Certificates, by phone at 1-877-284-1008, by mail, or in person. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The SC DPH vital records portal has current application forms and fee information.
The standard fee is $12 per search or copy, with each additional copy of the same record at $3. Expedited processing is $17. A government-issued photo ID is required. Under SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63, only immediate family members or legal representatives may obtain certified copies of records less than 50 years old. Records older than 50 years are open to any requester. The SC Department of Archives and History holds microfilm copies of death certificates at lower cost for genealogists who do not need official certification.
| State Vital Records |
SC Department of Public Health 2600 Bull Street Columbia, SC 29201 Phone: (803) 898-3630 |
|---|---|
| Probate Court |
205 East Main Street, Suite 134 Lexington, SC 29072 Phone: (803) 785-8324 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Website | lex-co.sc.gov |
Cities in Lexington County
Lexington County includes the town of Lexington and surrounding communities. All death records for Lexington County residents are filed through the county coroner and the state vital records system.
The town of Lexington is the county seat and the main municipal center in Lexington County. Death records for all communities in the county flow through the same statewide filing system.
Nearby Counties
Lexington County borders several South Carolina Midlands counties. Death records are kept by the county where the death occurred, so check the correct county if you are unsure of the location.