Hurricane Helene: Public Health Department Closures

Latest updates: Hurricane Helene

Our public health departments' hours of operation may be affected by power and staffing outages. This means that some closures may not appear on the state government office delays and closings map. The health and safety of our employees and our clients remains our highest priority. We are working to get services restored as safely and quickly as possible.

Learn more about DPH's role with hurricanes, floods, and weather emergencies.

Vital Records Office Closures

Aiken and Beaufort Vital Records locations are closed due to Hurricane Helene. DPH is working to reopen these locations. Individuals can receive services online, by phone or at nearby health departments.

We understand the significance of this issue and will provide an update as soon as possible.

Immediate family members of the decedent's family or the legal representative of an immediate family member may obtain a certified copy of a death certificate. Other applicants may be provided a statement that the death occurred, including the date and county of death, but not an actual certified copy of a death certificate.

Request a South Carolina Death Certificate

1. Online

Go Certificates

Only an immediate family member of the decedent may order a death certificate through an online vendor.

Average processing time is 5-7 business days.

GOCertificates.com graphic

Fees Include:
  • A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee (State)
  • $3 for each additional copy (State)*
  • $8.70 additional processing fee (Vendor)

* Additional vendor fees apply for additional copies

https://www.gocertificates.com

Vital Chek

Vital Chek graphic

Fees Include:
  • A $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee (State)
  • $3 for each additional copy (State)
  • $8.75 additional processing fee (Vendor)
  • Secure Next Day "signature required" delivery available for additional fee

Online Identity Verification - avoid sending ID

https://www.vitalchek.com

If you are applying for a copy of a death certificate through one of our online vendors, you will be asked to submit a copy of a valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.  VitalChek can assist some individuals without identification with a security check.  If you do not pass the security check you will be required to upload a valid identification.

Note: Please use only the above approved vendors to send online requests for certified copies of South Carolina Vital Records. We cannot guarantee that orders from other websites will be processed.


2. By Phone Through VitalChek

Average processing time is 5 - 7 business days.
Call 1-877-284-1008 to speak to a VitalChek representative 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Only an immediate family member may order a death certificate.

Fees Include:

  • $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • $12.85 additional charge to pay for the services of VitalChek
  • Shipping fees added should you choose expedited shipping.

3. In-Person

Average processing time is 30 - 45 minutes.
Same-day service is a goal of Vital Records; most requests can be processed the same day. For services that require additional processing time such as corrections and amendments, please arrive prior to 4 PM to ensure adequate time to process your request. Same-day service is not guaranteed for requests such as corrections and amendments.

Note: Vital Records experiences a high volume of in-person requests on Mondays and Fridays as well as during the lunch hours every day. Customers can help reduce their wait time by bringing exact payment (i.e., cash, check, money order) and completed forms. Non-peak hours are 9 AM - 11 AM Tuesday - Thursday.

You Will Need to Provide:

  • A completed application form
  • $17 non-refundable expedited searching fee
  • $3 for each additional copy
  • A valid government, school or employer issued photo ID.

Where to Go:

  • DPH State Vital Records Office, Columbia - Issues long and short form death certificates and statements from 2005-Present; initiates corrections.
    • Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
      Telephone: (803) 898-3630
      Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201
  • Regional Vital Records Offices - Issues long and short form death certificates and statements from 2005 - Present; initiates corrections.

4. By Mail

* Mail requests are only accepted at the state office.
Average processing time is 4 weeks.

You Will Need to Send:

  • A completed application form
  • A $12 non-refundable standard searching fee ($3 for each additional copy)
  • A photocopy of a valid government, school or employer issued photo ID. Applications without proper identification are rejected automatically without being processed.
Mail to:

Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2046
West Columbia, SC 29171


5. Drop-off

* Drop-offs are only accepted at the state office in Richland County.
Average processing time is two days.

You Will Need to Provide:

  • A completed application form.
  • You may select a $12 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 4 weeks or an expedited $17 non-refundable search fee with a processing time of 5 business days or less (search fee includes one certified copy of the birth certificate).
  • $3 for each additional copy.
  • You must pay with exact cash, a money order, or cashier's check made payable to S.C. DPH.
  • A valid government, school or employer-issued photo ID.

Additional Information

  • We'll give you a receipt when you drop off your request.
  • We can mail your death certificate to you or you can pick it up at the Columbia State Office.

Where to Go:

  • DPH State Vital Records Office, Columbia
    • Office Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
      Telephone: (803) 898-3630
      Address: 2600 Bull St., Columbia, SC 29201

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