Marion County Death Records
Marion County death records are part of South Carolina's statewide death index, which began January 1, 1915. The county seat is the city of Marion, and the county uses an elected coroner system for death investigations. Whether you are searching for a recent death or a record from the early 20th century, this guide covers the Marion County death index, local vital records contacts, online genealogy resources, and how to order certified copies of Marion County death certificates.
Marion County Quick Facts
Marion County Death Index Background
Marion County has deep historical roots. Early European settlers moved up the Great Pee Dee River in the 1730s and 1740s. The area evolved from Liberty County, formed in 1785 within the Georgetown District. Marion District was established in 1798 and named for Francis Marion, the Revolutionary War general known as the "Swamp Fox." The county later took the form it holds today as part of South Carolina's modern county system.
South Carolina statewide death registration began on January 1, 1915. All Marion County deaths since that date are part of the state death index. The SC DPH Death Indexes 1915-1967 include all Marion County entries filed with the state from the start of registration. This free online database gives names, dates, and basic record information. For deaths after 1967, the Division of Vital Records in Columbia handles all requests.
The county portal at marionsc.org links to county departments and government services, including the elected coroner and local vital records contacts.
The Marion County website provides access to county offices and departments, serving residents of Marion and surrounding communities along the Pee Dee region.
Marion County Vital Records and Death Index
The Marion County Vital Records Office is part of the Marion Public Health Department. The office is located at PO Box 295, Marion, SC 29571. The phone number is 843-423-8240, and office hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time. The fee is $12 per search or copy. Records cover 1915 to the present. They are available to family members only and can be ordered in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
The local vital records office can assist with Marion County death certificate requests and can direct researchers to the correct state office when a record is not available locally. The office handles public health functions across Marion County and serves as a point of contact for vital records questions at the county level.
The SC Counties Marion County directory lists additional county department contacts and helps researchers find the right office for specific records requests.
The SC Counties directory for Marion County lists all elected and appointed officials, including the coroner, and provides direct contact information for records research.
Note: Marion County death records from before 1915 do not exist in the state death index. Researchers should check church records, probate files, and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History for older mortality data.
Online Marion County Death Records
The Ancestor Hunt free death records directory lists every available online source for Marion County death records. This includes state index databases, FamilySearch collections, and other genealogy platforms. The Ancestor Hunt resource is one of the most complete lists of free South Carolina death indexes and is updated when new collections come online.
South Carolina's online death index covering 1915 to 1960 is searchable through the SC Department of Public Health at no charge. This database includes Marion County entries and can be searched by name. FamilySearch also holds South Carolina death record collections that include Marion County data. Researchers often find that searching multiple platforms produces more complete results because index data may appear in one source but not another across different years.
Online death indexes covering Marion County are available for free through the SC Department of Public Health and through genealogy platforms for records from 1915 onward.
Requesting Marion County Death Certificates
Certified copies of Marion County death certificates from 1915 forward are issued by the South Carolina Department of Public Health. The address is 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201, phone (803) 898-3630. You can order online through VitalChek or Go Certificates, by phone at 1-877-284-1008, by mail, or in person. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The SC DPH vital records portal has current fees and application forms.
The standard fee is $12 per search or copy. Additional copies cost $3 each. Expedited processing is $17. A valid government-issued photo ID is required. Under SC Code Title 44, Chapter 63, certified copies of records less than 50 years old are restricted to immediate family members or legal representatives. Records older than 50 years are open to any requester. The coroner's authority in Marion County comes from 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 Vital Records |
Marion Public Health Department PO Box 295 Marion, SC 29571 Phone: 843-423-8240 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Website | marionsc.org |
For older records, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds microfilm copies of death certificates and pre-1915 records at lower cost than certified copies from the Division of Vital Records.
Nearby Counties
Marion County is located in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Death records are filed by the county where the death occurred, so check nearby counties if you are unsure where an event took place.