Where to Request a Georgia Death Certificate

You request a Georgia death certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office. This is the only official source for certified copies. The office is located in Atlanta, but you do not have to visit in person — you can request by mail, phone, or online through their website.

The Vital Records Office keeps death records for anyone who died in Georgia. If the death occurred in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead. Georgia's office handles only Georgia deaths.

You can reach the office by phone at 404-679-4702 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time). They can answer questions about what you need and how long the process takes. Online requests go through the Georgia Department of Public Health website.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office is the only place to get an official death certificate, and you can request by mail, phone, or online.
  • You will need to provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death in Georgia to locate the record.
  • Processing takes 5 to 10 business days by mail and 1 to 2 business days for online requests, though times vary during high-volume periods.
  • A certified copy costs between $25 and $30 depending on the number of copies you order, and payment is by check, money order, or credit card.
  • You do not have to be a family member to request a death certificate, but the office may ask you to explain your reason for requesting it.

What Information You Need to Provide

When you request a death certificate, have the following details ready: the full name of the deceased, the date of death, the place of death (city or county in Georgia), and the deceased's date of birth if you have it. The more information you provide, the faster the office can locate the record.

If you do not know the exact date of death, you can provide an approximate date — the office will search within a range. If you know only the month and year, that is enough to start. The place of death matters because Georgia records are organized by county and date.

How to Request by Mail

To request by mail, send a letter to the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office, 2600 Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319. Include the deceased's full name, date of death, place of death, your full name, your relationship to the deceased (or reason for requesting), your phone number, and your mailing address.

State how many certified copies you need — most people order 3 to 5 copies because banks, insurance companies, and courts often require originals. Include payment by check or money order made out to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Do not send cash.

Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days from the date the office receives your letter. Add 3 to 5 days for mail delivery each way. If the office cannot locate the record, they will contact you by phone or mail to ask for more information.

How to Request Online

The Georgia Department of Public Health website allows you to order death certificates online through their vital records portal. You will create an account, enter the deceased's information, select the number of copies, and pay by credit card. Online requests are processed in 1 to 2 business days.

The certificates are mailed to your address — they do not arrive by email. Online ordering is faster than mail but costs the same. You will receive a confirmation number when you submit your order, which you can use to check the status.

Cost and Payment Methods

A certified copy of a Georgia death certificate costs $25 for the first copy and $20 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. If you order 5 copies together, the total is $105. Ordering copies separately later costs $25 each.

The office accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card. If you are requesting by mail, make the check or money order out to the Georgia Department of Public Health. For online requests, you will enter your credit card information on the find portal.

What to Do If You Cannot Find the Record

If the Vital Records Office cannot locate a death record after searching, they will contact you. This can happen if the death was very recent (records take time to be filed), if the person died outside Georgia, or if the name or date information was incorrect.

Ask the office to search again with different spelling variations of the name or a wider date range. If the death occurred more than 75 years ago, the record may be archived and require a separate request. If you believe the death occurred in a different state, contact that state's vital records office.

Who Can Request a Death Certificate

Georgia law does not restrict who can request a death certificate. You do not have to be a family member. However, the office may ask you to state your relationship to the deceased or your reason for requesting the certificate. Common reasons include settling an estate, claiming life insurance, or updating government records.

If you are requesting on behalf of a business or organization, include a letter explaining why you need the certificate. The office will process the request the same way but may take slightly longer if they need to verify your authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a death certificate in Georgia?

Mail requests take 5 to 10 business days after the office receives your letter, plus 3 to 5 days for mail delivery each way. Online requests are processed in 1 to 2 business days, and the certificate is mailed to you. Times are longer during high-volume periods like January and after major holidays.

Can I get a death certificate if the person died more than 50 years ago?

Yes. Georgia keeps death records indefinitely. Very old records may be archived and take longer to retrieve, but the office can still locate them. Provide as much information as you can about the date and place of death.

What if I need the certificate urgently?

Online requests are the fastest option at 1 to 2 business days. If you need it even faster, call the office at 404-679-4702 to ask about expedited processing or whether you can pick up a copy in person. Some situations may allow same-day or next-day service, but this is not may provide.

Do I need to notarize my request or provide a copy of the death notice?

No. A straightforward letter with the deceased's information and your signature is enough for mail requests. You do not need to include a death notice, obituary, or notarized statement. The office will search their records based on the name and date you provide.

Can someone else pick up my death certificate if I order it?

Death certificates are mailed to the address you provide on your request. The office does not hold certificates for pickup. If you need someone else to receive it, provide their mailing address on your order form.