How to Get a Death Certificate in Georgia
How to Get a Death Certificate in Georgia
In Georgia, you can get a certified death certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Office of Vital Records, online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at your county probate court. The first certified copy costs $25, and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5. Order at least 10 to 15 copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own original.
Where to Get a Georgia Death Certificate
Two main sources issue certified copies of a death certificate in Georgia.
Option 1: Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records
The state Office of Vital Records maintains death records for all deaths registered in Georgia. This is the statewide source.
Contact information:
- Address: 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
- Phone: 404-679-4702
- Website: dph.georgia.gov/ways-request-vital-record/death
Option 2: County Probate Courts
County probate courts also issue death certificates in many Georgia counties, as probate judges serve as local registrars for vital records. This is often the fastest option for recent local deaths.
Georgia has 159 counties, each with its own probate court. Major county probate courts include:
- Fulton County (Atlanta): 136 Pryor Street SW, 2nd Floor, Atlanta, GA 30303 -- (404) 613-4070
- Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville): 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 -- (770) 822-8250
- Cobb County (Marietta): 32 Waddell Street, Marietta, GA 30090 -- (770) 528-1900
- DeKalb County (Decatur): 556 North McDonough Street, 1100 Judicial Tower, Decatur, GA 30030 -- (404) 371-2601
- Chatham County (Savannah): 133 Montgomery Street, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401 -- (912) 652-7264
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $25.00 |
| Each additional copy (same order) | $5.00 |
| Processing fee (online orders) | $8.00 per order |
| Amendments (after current year) | $10.00 plus certificate cost |
| Current year corrections | Free |
| Expedited shipping (FedEx, online only) | ~$16.00 per order |
Cost-saving tip: Order all copies at once. 10 copies ordered together cost $70 ($25 + 9 x $5). The same 10 copies ordered separately would cost $250. This makes a significant difference when you need copies for banks, insurance companies, probate court, and government agencies.
Payment methods: Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), cash (in-person only), certified checks, money orders. Personal checks are NOT accepted. Georgia law requires pre-payment before a record or service can be provided. Fees are non-refundable after a service has been provided.
Four Ways to Order
Online Ordering
Order through the Georgia DPH website or through VitalChek, Georgia's authorized third-party vendor.
- Georgia DPH online portal: dph.georgia.gov/VitalRecords/how-do-i-order-georgia-birth-and-death-records-online
- VitalChek: vitalchek.com
Online orders require proof of identity and documentation of qualifying relationship to the decedent. An additional $8.00 processing fee applies per order.
By Mail
Download the application from the DPH website and mail it to:
Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30349
Include the completed application, required documentation (copy of your ID and proof of relationship), and payment.
In Person at the State Office
Visit the Office of Vital Records in Atlanta at 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Bring valid government-issued photo ID and documentation proving your qualifying relationship.
In Person at a County Probate Court
Many county probate courts can issue death certificates for deaths that occurred within their county. This is often the fastest option: same-day or within a few days for recent local deaths. Call ahead to confirm availability.
Processing Time
| Method | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Standard mail (state office) | Up to 10 weeks |
| Expedited (FedEx shipping via online order) | Faster delivery after processing |
| In-person at county probate court | Same day or within a few days for local deaths |
| Online through VitalChek | Processing time varies; shipping may be expedited |
| Funeral home (initial copies) | Typically the fastest for the first few copies |
The 10-week processing time is for the state office. County probate courts often have significantly faster turnaround for deaths that occurred within their county. If time is critical, start with the county probate court or the funeral home.
Who Can Order Certified Copies
Certified Copies (Full Legal Copies)
Only individuals with a qualifying relationship to the person named on the death certificate may receive certified copies:
- Spouse of the decedent
- Child of the decedent
- Parent of the decedent
- Grandparent of the decedent
- Adult sibling of the decedent
- Legal guardian or agent of the decedent
Proof required: Valid government-issued photo ID and documentation proving the qualifying relationship.
Public Access Copies
Any member of the public may order a death record for anyone who died in Georgia. These are plain paper copies (not certified) with the Social Security number redacted. They are useful for genealogical research but are not sufficient for legal or financial transactions.
What Information You Need to Order
- Full legal name of the decedent (middle name requested but not required)
- Date of death
- County of death
- Relationship of requester to decedent
- Accepted form of payment
How Many Copies to Order
Families typically need 10 to 15 certified copies for:
- Each financial institution (banks, investment accounts)
- Life insurance claims
- Social Security Administration
- Retirement and pension accounts
- Real property transfers
- Vehicle title transfers (Form T-20 and Form MV-1)
- Probate court filing
- Georgia Department of Revenue (final state tax return)
Order all copies at once. Additional copies are only $5 each when ordered at the same time, compared to $25 each if ordered separately later.
Amendments and Corrections
Current Year Corrections
Corrections made within the current calendar year of the death event are free. Use the "Affidavit for Current Year Correction" form.
Amendments After the Current Year
Fee: $10.00 plus the cost of a new certificate. Use "Affidavit for Amendment" Form 3977. All requests must be mailed to the Office of Vital Records.
Who Can Request Amendments
- The informant listed on the death certificate
- The funeral director who completed the certificate
- The person who originally certified the cause of death
- A family member of the decedent
Cause of Death Amendments
Amendments to the cause of death may only be requested by the physician who originally certified the cause, the attending physician, or the coroner or medical examiner.
All amendment requests must be mailed to: Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.
Timing After Death
Death certificates are typically available within a few days to a few weeks after death, depending on whether the cause of death is pending (such as an autopsy). If the cause of death is pending investigation, a preliminary certificate may be issued with "pending" noted, and an amended certificate issued later.
Where to get copies fastest:
- The funeral home handling arrangements can typically obtain initial copies quickly.
- County probate court in the county where the death occurred: often same-day for recent deaths.
- For ongoing needs, order from the state Office of Vital Records in bulk to save money.
What to Do Next
Once you have certified death certificates, use them to begin the probate process, close bank accounts, and apply for survivor benefits. For the full sequence of tasks, see the complete guide to what to do when someone dies in Georgia.
Kaira organizes every step for your state — deadlines, forms, and next actions — so nothing gets missed. See how it works.
This guide was researched using Georgia law and DPH policies current as of April 2026. Fees and processing times may change. Contact the Georgia DPH Office of Vital Records or your county probate court for the most current information.
Sources: Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records (dph.georgia.gov); Georgia DPH Fees Page; georgia.gov; individual county probate court websites