Where to Request a Death Certificate in Georgia
You request a Georgia death certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office, not from a funeral home or courthouse. The office is located in Atlanta, but you do not have to visit in person — you can order by mail, phone, or online through their official website.
The Vital Records Office handles all death certificates issued in Georgia. They keep records for deaths that occurred in the state going back to 1919. If the death happened before 1919 or in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead.
You have three ways to order: online through the Georgia Department of Public Health website (fastest, usually 5 to 10 business days), by phone at 404-679-4702, or by mail to the Vital Records Office, 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. Each method costs the same amount and produces the same official certificate.
Key Takeaways
- The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office is the only place that issues official death certificates for deaths in Georgia.
- You can order online, by phone, or by mail; online orders typically arrive in 5 to 10 business days.
- You will need to provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to them, plus a reason for requesting the certificate.
- Certified copies cost between $25 and $30 each depending on the number you order, and you can request multiple copies at once.
- If you need the certificate urgently, some funeral homes can provide temporary documents while you wait for the official one.
What Information You Need to Provide
When you order, have the following details ready: the full name of the deceased person, their date of death, their date of birth, and the county where they died. If you do not know the exact date, providing the month and year is usually enough for the office to locate the record.
You will also need to state your relationship to the deceased — for example, spouse, child, parent, or sibling. The office asks this to verify you have a legitimate reason to receive the certificate. You do not need to be a family member; employers, insurance companies, and attorneys can also request certificates, but they must state their reason.
If you are ordering on behalf of someone else, you may need to provide a signed authorization letter from that person, or proof that you are acting as their legal representative. The Vital Records Office website lists the specific documents required for different situations.
Cost and Processing Time by Method
| Method | Cost per Copy | Processing Time | How to Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online | $25 (1 copy) or $30 (2+ copies) | 5 to 10 business days | Georgia Department of Public Health website |
| Phone | $25 (1 copy) or $30 (2+ copies) | 7 to 10 business days | 404-679-4702, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| $25 (1 copy) or $30 (2+ copies) | 2 to 3 weeks | Send form and payment to 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 | |
| In person (Atlanta office) | $25 (1 copy) or $30 (2+ copies) | Same day (if available) | Walk in during business hours with ID and payment |
Online ordering is the fastest route if you have all the information ready. You pay by credit or debit card, and the office emails you a tracking number. Phone orders also move quickly; have your payment card ready when you call.
If you mail your request, include a check or money order made out to the Georgia Department of Public Health, along with a completed process form. The form is available on their website. Mail takes longer because of postal delays, so use this method only if you do not need the certificate within two weeks.
What Happens If You Cannot Find the Record
If the Vital Records Office cannot locate the death certificate after searching, they will send you a letter stating that no record was found. This can happen if the death was never registered, if it occurred outside Georgia, or if the name or date information was significantly different from what you provided.
If you believe the death should be on file, contact the office by phone to discuss the details. They may ask you to provide additional information or to search under an alternate name spelling. You can also contact the county health department where the death occurred; they sometimes have records that have not yet been sent to the state office.
If the death happened more than 100 years ago or in a different state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office. The National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS) website has links to every state's vital records office.
Certified vs. Uncertified Copies
The Georgia Department of Public Health issues certified copies, which bear an official seal and signature. These are the documents you need for most purposes: settling an estate, claiming life insurance, changing beneficiaries on accounts, or filing with Social Security. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies will not accept uncertified or photocopied versions.
You cannot order an uncertified copy from the state office — they only issue certified ones. If someone offers you an uncertified copy, it is not an official document and will not be accepted by institutions that require proof of death.
Order multiple certified copies at once if you think you will need them. It is cheaper to order 2 or more copies together (usually $30 total) than to order them separately. Many people order 3 to 5 copies to cover life insurance claims, estate settlement, and Social Security notification.
What to Do If You Need the Certificate Urgently
If you need proof of death before the official certificate arrives, ask the funeral home that handled the arrangements. Many funeral homes provide a temporary document called a funeral director's statement or certified statement of death. This is not the same as an official death certificate, but some institutions will accept it temporarily while you wait for the state certificate.
The funeral director can usually provide this document within one business day at no cost. It includes the deceased's name, date of death, and the funeral home's official seal. Call the funeral home directly and ask whether they can issue one and whether the institution you need it for will accept it.
If you did not use a funeral home — for example, if the person died in a hospital and the family arranged cremation directly — contact the hospital or crematory. They may have issued a death certificate or statement that you can use temporarily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I order a death certificate for someone who is not a family member?
Yes. Georgia law allows anyone to order a death certificate if they have a legitimate reason — for example, you are an attorney settling an estate, an insurance company processing a claim, or an employer updating records. You must state your reason when you order. The office may ask for documentation of your authority to request the certificate.
How many copies should I order at once?
Most people order 3 to 5 copies. You will need separate copies for life insurance claims, Social Security, bank accounts, property transfers, and the estate. Ordering multiple copies together costs less per copy than ordering them separately later. If you run out, you can always order more.
What if the death certificate has an error on it?
Contact the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office and explain the error. You may need to provide documentation — for example, a birth certificate if the name is wrong, or a marriage certificate if the spouse's name is incorrect. The office can issue a corrected certificate, though this may take additional time.
Can I get a death certificate if the person was not a Georgia resident but died in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia issues death certificates for anyone who died in the state, regardless of where they lived. You order from the Georgia Department of Public Health using the same process. If the person was a resident of another state, you may also need to contact that state's vital records office for their records.
What if I lost the death certificate I already received?
Order a replacement from the Georgia Department of Public Health using the same process as a first-time order. There is no separate fee or form for replacements. You can order as many certified copies as you need at any time.