South Carolina Obituary Search
South Carolina obituary records offer a window into family history and community heritage. These records appear in local newspapers, library archives, and online databases across the state. You can search for death notices from Charleston to Greenville, Columbia to Myrtle Beach. Many libraries and historical societies maintain indexes that span decades of local history.
South Carolina Obituary Records Quick Facts
Where to Find South Carolina Obituary Records
South Carolina offers many paths to locate obituary records. The state began keeping official death certificates in 1915. Records older than fifty years are open to the public. You can search the South Carolina Department of Public Health death index online. This index holds more than 800,000 records from 1915 through 1962.
Local libraries across South Carolina maintain obituary indexes for their communities. The Greenville County Library has an index covering 1907 to present. The Richland Library offers an obituary index for Columbia and the Midlands. Many county libraries provide similar services for their areas.
Newspapers remain a key source for obituary records in South Carolina. The Post and Courier serves Charleston. The State covers Columbia and the Midlands. The Greenville News serves the Upstate. Most papers publish obituaries online with searchable archives.
Note: Death certificates less than fifty years old have access limits under state law. Only close family can obtain these records.
How to Search Obituary Records in South Carolina
Finding obituary records in South Carolina requires some basic facts. You need the name of the deceased and an approximate date of death. Knowing the county or city where the person lived helps narrow your search. Many online tools can help you locate records from there.
The South Carolina Death Index 1915-1962 offers a free search tool. This database contains over 800,000 death records. You can search by last name, first name, and year. Results include certificate numbers you can use to order full records.
FamilySearch provides several South Carolina obituary collections. The South Carolina Vital Records page links to multiple databases. Records include deaths from 1915 to 1965. Many include images of original death certificates.
Ancestry.com offers the South Carolina Death Records 1821-1972 collection. This holds over 1.5 million records statewide. The database includes Charleston City death records from 1821. Some smaller cities have records from the late 1800s.
To search obituary records effectively, gather these details:
- Full name of the deceased person
- Approximate year of death
- County or city where they lived
- Names of family members if known
Many South Carolina libraries offer obituary lookup services. Some charge small fees for copies. Others provide help at no cost. Call ahead to learn about services at your local library.
Types of Obituary Records in South Carolina
South Carolina obituary records come in several forms. Newspaper obituaries are the most common type. These appear in local papers and often include biographical details. They may list family members, funeral service times, and burial locations. Many newspapers now publish obituaries on their websites.
Death certificates provide official records of a death. The South Carolina Department of Public Health issues these documents. Death certificates include the cause of death, date, and location. They also list parents' names and other vital facts. Certified copies cost $12 through the state office.
Funeral home records offer another source of obituary information. Many funeral homes keep records of services they have handled. These may include guest books, prayer cards, and service programs. Contact funeral homes directly to ask about their archives.
Death notices differ from full obituaries. A notice is brief and states basic facts. An obituary is longer and includes more detail. Both types appear in newspapers and online.
South Carolina obituary records often contain:
- Full name and age at death
- Date and place of death
- Birth date and birthplace
- Names of spouse and children
- Names of parents
- Funeral and burial details
- Biographical information
Church records may also hold obituary information. Many churches publish death notices in bulletins. Some maintain memorial books. Contact churches directly to ask about their records.
South Carolina Obituary Records Laws
South Carolina law governs access to death records. Section 44-63-84 of the South Carolina Code of Laws controls who can obtain death certificates. Records less than fifty years old are restricted. Only immediate family and legal reps can get copies.
After fifty years, death records become public. Anyone can request uncertified copies. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds older death certificates. Their records date back to 1915. You can visit their research room in Columbia.
Electronic filing of death certificates became required in 2012. Section 44-63-74 mandates this process. Funeral homes must file death certificates online within five days. This ensures faster and more accurate records.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains vital records in a fireproof vault. Their office is at 2600 Bull Street in Columbia. You can order records in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.
Fees for death certificates are set by law. The search fee is $12 for standard requests. Expedited service costs $17. Additional copies of the same record cost $3 each. Online vendors charge extra processing fees.
Historical Obituary Records in South Carolina
South Carolina has rich historical obituary resources. Some areas began recording deaths before statewide registration in 1915. Charleston has death records dating to 1821. These are available through the Charleston County Public Library. Georgetown began recording deaths in 1883.
The South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston holds many historical records. Their collections include family papers, church records, and cemetery records. They maintain an index to the Southern Christian Advocate newspaper. This paper published obituaries from 1837 to the present.
Wofford College Archives maintains a unique obituary index. Their collection covers Methodist Conference newspapers. The index spans nearly two centuries of publications. This resource helps trace Methodist families in South Carolina.
Colonial records exist for some South Carolina families. The Church Act of 1706 required Anglican churches to keep records. Seven Episcopal parish registers survive from this era. These contain christenings, marriages, and burials. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds many of these records.
Newspaper archives offer another path to historical obituaries. The South Carolina State Library provides research guides. Their resources help locate historical newspapers across the state. Many papers have been digitized and are searchable online.
South Carolina Library Obituary Resources
Libraries across South Carolina offer obituary research help. Many maintain local newspaper archives. Some have created indexes to help find obituaries. Services vary by location but most offer some form of assistance.
The Greenville County Library South Carolina Room has an extensive obituary index. Coverage spans from 1907 to the present. The index includes obituaries from the Greenville News. Staff can help with research requests.
Anderson County Library maintains a local obituary index. They cover newspapers from 1950 through 2018. Copies cost $5 per obituary plus postage. Contact them at research@andersonlibrary.org.
Beaufort County Library offers an obituary index covering 1862 to 1992. This covers some of the oldest records in the state. The Beaufort District Collection houses these materials.
York County Library maintains genealogy resources in Rock Hill. Their collection includes obituary indexes and cemetery records. They offer access to Ancestry Library Edition for research.
Most libraries provide access to online genealogy databases. Ancestry Library Edition and HeritageQuest are common resources. These require a library card to use. Visit your local library to learn what they offer.
How to Get Copies of South Carolina Obituary Records
Obtaining obituary copies depends on the source. For recent newspaper obituaries, check the newspaper website. Most major South Carolina papers publish obituaries online. You can often view these at no cost. Archives may require a subscription for older records.
Libraries offer obituary copy services for a fee. Costs typically range from $1 to $5 per obituary. Some libraries limit the number of obituaries per request. Processing times vary from a few days to several weeks. Contact the library directly for their specific procedures.
Death certificates can be ordered through several methods. Online orders go through VitalChek. Phone orders call 1-877-284-1008. Mail requests go to SC DPH, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. In-person requests can be made at the same address.
For death certificates over fifty years old, contact the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Their research room is open to the public. You can view uncertified copies at no charge. Certified copies may be ordered for a fee.
Note: Processing times vary by method. Online orders take 5 to 7 business days. Mail requests take about 4 weeks. In-person requests can be same-day.
Browse South Carolina Obituary Records by County
Each of South Carolina's 46 counties maintains local obituary records. County libraries and historical societies are excellent resources. Select a county below to find specific obituary information for that area.
Obituary Records in Major South Carolina Cities
Major cities across South Carolina maintain obituary archives. Local newspapers and libraries serve as the main sources. Pick a city below to learn about obituary records in that area.