Updated: Sept. 16, 2026

Death Certificate Filing

Certificates for deaths that occur in South Carolina must be filed electronically with the S.C. Department of Public Health.

In 2022, the South Carolina General Assembly passed S.C. H3325 which requires funeral homes and medical certifiers to complete, certify and file death certificates electronically.

Exemptions

The law provides only for an exemption when a family member is handling the disposition of the body for a friend or relative without compensation (called a "Natural Burial").  In such cases, the medical certification must still be submitted electronically.'

Guidance for Certifying Coronavirus Disease 2019

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 or COVID-19 should be reported on the death certificate for all decedents where the disease caused or is assumed to have caused or contributed to death. The preferred term to use in the cause of death is COVID-19.

For more details, please contact a Field Consultant at (803) 898-3409

VRSIIS

To request access to the South Carolina VRSIIS system, please send an email to VRSIIShelpdesk@dph.sc.gov

To report an issue with the South Carolina VRSIIS system or to request training, please contact field staff at:
WebDeath@dph.sc.gov

For assistance or additional information, please contact:
VRSIIS Helpdesk
(803) 898-3409

Funeral Home Billable Orders click here.

Commonly Used Forms

• SC Certificate of Death Funeral Home Worksheet (pdf)

SC VRSIIS Training Resources

Death Training Materials

• State Quick Reference Guide for General Data Entry Identified Record Types (Funeral Homes) (pdf)
• Medical Certifiers QRG for Identified Record Types (pdf)
• Medical Certifier Quick Reference Guide for Medical Facility Processes (Supplementals) (pdf)
• QRG for BRTP Log (Subregistrars) (pdf)
• Coroners Quick Reference Guide for 'Unidentified' Record Types (pdf)
• Videos
  • VRSIIS General User Training
  • VRSIIS BRTP Training
  • VRSIIS Demographic Entry Training
  • VRSIIS Medical Training
  • VRSIIS Designation Acceptance Training

Birth Training Materials

• Birth Facility Quick Reference Guide - ‘Born at This Facility’ Record Type (pdf)
• Birth Facility Quick Reference Guide - 'Home Birth' Record Type (pdf)
• Birth Facility Quick Reference Guide - 'Plural Records' (pdf)
• Video - VRSIIS Birth User Training

Fetal Death Training Materials

• Fetal Death Facility Quick Reference Guide - ‘Facility Fetal Death’ Record Types (pdf)