How to Get South Carolina Vital Records (Start Here)
Don't guess which office to contact. Follow this order:
- Birth & death certificates: Order from the state health department or the county where the event occurred.
- Marriage certificates: Go to the county Clerk (or Recorder) where the marriage license was issued.
- Divorce records: Go to the court where the divorce was filed — usually the county circuit or district court.
⚠ Key Fact: Each office maintains its own records separately. There is no single database for all South Carolina vital records.
Every source on this page is verified by SearchSystems.net — est. 1997.
Use the databases below to search South Carolina vital records.
Anderson County Divorces
Visit → Official Free
Click on Courts to search the Anderson County Public Access System and Services database for family, probate, civil, criminal, general sessions, and.
Anderson County | Marriages
Visit → Official Free
Enter the site, click on "Courts," then "Probate Court" to search Anderson County marriages.
Beaufort County Obituaries
Visit → Official Free
Beaufort County Public Library database of obituaries published in local newspapers.
Charleston County Divorces
Visit → Official Free
Search the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas Civil, Lis Pendens, Criminal and Traffic cases filed after January 1, 1999 and view images.
Charleston County Marriages
Visit → Official Free
Search the Charleston County Probate Court records for marriage license information by groom name, bride name, or license number.
Deaths | 1915-1961
Visit → Official Free
South Carolina Department of Health and Environment database of death records between 1915 and 1961.
Greenville County | Marriages
Visit → Official Free
Probate Court of Greenville County marriage license lookup.
Horry County Marriages | 1861-1916
Visit → Official Free
Browse this Horry County Historical Society database by name for marriages recorded in Horry County, South Carolina between 1861 and 1916.
Horry County Obituaries 1861-1914
Visit → Official Free
Browse this Horry County Historical Society database by name for obituaries published in local newspapers between 1861 and 1914.
Lexington County Death Certificates
Visit → Official Free
Lexington County Register of Deeds death certificate. Enter the site and select Death Certificates in the Document Type field.
Visit →
Spartanburg County Deaths | 1849-1893
Visit → Official Free
Search or browse this Spartanburg County Public Libraries database of obituaries from the Carolina Spartan and the Spartanburg Herald covering the.
Spartanburg County Deaths | 1902-1909
Visit → Official Free
Search or browse this Spartanburg County Public Libraries database of the Spartanburg Herald / Spartanburg Journal Death Index covering the period.
Spartanburg County Deaths | 1902-1919
Visit → Official Free
Search or browse this Spartanburg County Public Libraries database of the Spartanburg Herald / Spartanburg Journal Death Index covering the period.
Spartanburg County Obituaries
Visit → Official Free
Search or browse this Spartanburg County Public Libraries database of obituaries from the Spartanburg Herald and Herald-Journal.
Sumter County Divorces | Family Court
Visit → Official Free
Search the Sumter County Family Court records by case number for court information.
Search South Carolina by Record Type
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get South Carolina vital records? ▼
Start with the strategy box at the top of this page. It tells you exactly where to order birth certificates, death records, marriage certificates, and divorce records in South Carolina.
Is there a single office for all South Carolina vital records? ▼
It depends on the record type. Birth and death certificates usually go through the state health department. Marriage licenses go through the county. Divorce records go through the court. Use the databases listed on this page.
How long does it take to get South Carolina vital records? ▼
Processing times vary by office and method. Online orders are typically fastest. Mail orders can take 2-6 weeks. In-person requests at the issuing office are usually same-day if records are available.
Last reviewed:
BBB A+ Rated