Get certified South Carolina Death Certificates

South Carolina does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) includes unique security features to verify its authenticity. The design of an official death certificate may vary based on the year it was issued. Still, it will always contain essential details that confirm the individual's identity at the time of death. An official death certificate from South Carolina typically features the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. These certificates print on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The SCDPH issues these certificates by state guidelines, and all counties adhere to these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

South Carolina death certificates are among the most important and valuable legal documents, as they are the only legal proof that someone has passed away. They are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

The process for amending a South Carolina death certificate varies depending on the type of changes required. By law, individuals cannot alter original records; they create an addendum to document the corrections. This addendum, also known as an affidavit, is issued alongside the original certificate and lists the corrected information while ensuring that the original details remain unchanged.

If you have purchased a certificate within the last 12 months, you may return it to the SD DPH, where they will guide you through the necessary steps for correcting it. This process may involve gathering evidence to support the correction. The next of kin will need to sign the affidavit. You can initiate this process by mail or in person at a regional DPH Vital Records office or the state office in Columbia.

To correct or amend a death certificate, you will typically need to provide the following:

1. Complete and notarize the affidavit signed by the next of kin.
2. Supporting documentation.
3. The appropriate fee(s): A special $15.00 filing fee for amendments exists. A money order or cashier's check is made payable to SC DPH.

Apostilles may be ordered from the South Carolina Secretary of State by mail or with Vital Records Online (VRO) only.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

Once the apostille is issued, it will be sent to you by FedEx or DHL for global delivery. This ensures that your documents arrive at your doorstep regardless of location, whether in the US or internationally.

If you request by mail, submit the following information to the Secretary of State’s Office for an apostille:

1. South Carolina Authentication Cover Letter (PDF)
2. Self-addressed stamped return envelope;
3. Personal or company check or a money order made payable to the Secretary of State’s Office, or cash in the amount of $5.00 for each document; and
4. Documents to be authenticated.
5. It is highly recommended to conduct a preliminary review before submitting the documents. Documents that are improperly notarized or certified will be rejected, leading to delays.

Documents should be mailed to or sent by UPS/FedEx or hand-delivered (between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm) to:

In-person:

By Mail:

Ensure that you indicate the country to which the document will be submitted.