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 county office or funeral home. The Vital Records Office is the only state agency that issues certified copies. You can request one by mail, in person, or online through their official website.

The office is located at 2 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and be prepared to wait — walk-in service is available but can have a wait time depending on the day. Mail requests take longer but work if you cannot travel to Atlanta.

Online requests through the Georgia Department of Public Health website are the fastest option for most people. You fill out the form, pay the fee, and the office mails the certificate to you. This route typically takes 5 to 10 business days from the time they receive your request.

Key Takeaways

  • The Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office in Atlanta is the only place to get an official death certificate — county offices and funeral homes cannot issue them.
  • You can request by mail, in person at the Atlanta office, or online through the state health department website, with online being the fastest method.
  • You will need to show a photo ID in person, provide your relationship to the deceased, and pay a fee that varies depending on how many copies you order.
  • The death must have occurred in Georgia and be registered with the state before you can request a certificate, which usually happens within a few days of death.
  • Bring or provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and county where death occurred to speed up your request.

What Information You Need Before You Request

Gather these details before you contact the Vital Records Office: the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where death occurred. If you have the death certificate number or the funeral home name, include that too — it helps the office locate the record faster.

You will also need to state your relationship to the deceased. The Vital Records Office asks this to confirm you have a legitimate reason for the certificate. when ready family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling) can request without restriction. Others may need to explain why they need the document.

If the death happened very recently — within the last few days — the record may not yet be registered with the state. Ask the funeral home or hospital when the death certificate was filed with the state. If it has not been filed yet, wait a few days before requesting.

Requesting by Mail

To request by mail, read the process for Certified Copy of Death Certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health website or call 404-679-4702 to have one mailed to you. Fill out the form completely, including the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, and your relationship to the deceased.

Include a copy of your photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and a check or money order for the fee. As of 2024, the fee is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Mail everything to: Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records Office, 2 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303.

Mail requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. Use certified mail if you want to track delivery. Include a return address and phone number in case the office needs to contact you about your request.

Requesting Online or In Person

The Georgia Department of Public Health website has an online order form for death certificates. Go to the Vital Records section, select "Death Certificate," and fill in the deceased's information. You will pay the fee by credit card or debit card. Online orders are processed faster than mail requests — usually 5 to 10 business days.

If you go in person to the Atlanta office at 2 Peachtree Street NW, bring your photo ID and be ready to provide the deceased's full name, date of death, and county of death. You can pay by cash, check, or card. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but the office may close for state holidays. Call ahead to confirm hours.

In-person requests can sometimes be completed the same day if the record is readily available, though you may wait 1 to 2 hours. If the office needs to search for the record, they will mail the certificate to you within a few days.

Understanding the Fees and Number of Copies

The current fee for a Georgia death certificate is $25 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5. If you order 5 copies together, the total is $45 ($25 + $5 + $5 + $5 + $5).

Order more copies than you think you need. Banks, insurance companies, and government agencies often require original certified copies, and you cannot always use the same copy twice. If you need the certificate later and have to request again, you will pay the $25 fee a second time. Ordering 3 to 5 copies upfront usually costs less than making two separate requests.

Fees may change, so confirm the current price on the Georgia Department of Public Health website or by calling 404-679-4702 before you send payment.

What Happens If the Death Was Not Registered

If the death occurred in Georgia but was never registered with the state, you cannot get a death certificate from the Vital Records Office. This is rare but can happen if the person died at home and was not taken to a hospital or funeral home.

Contact the county coroner or medical examiner in the county where death occurred. They can help you file a delayed death certificate or direct you to the right agency. You may need to provide medical evidence of death, such as a doctor's statement or hospital records. This process takes longer than a standard request and may require a court order.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Online and in-person requests typically take 5 to 10 business days. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks. If you request in person and the record is when ready available, you may receive it the same day, but expect to wait 1 to 2 hours. The timeline depends on how busy the office is and whether the death record is already in the system.

Can I get a death certificate if I am not family?

Yes, but you may need to explain your reason. The Vital Records Office issues certificates to when ready family without questions. If you are not family — for example, you are a friend, employer, or attorney — state your relationship and why you need the document. The office will determine whether to issue it based on Georgia law.

What if the death certificate has an error on it?

Contact the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office to report the error. You will need to provide proof of the correct information, such as a hospital record or doctor's statement. The office will file an amendment to the original certificate. This process takes additional time and may require a fee.

Do I need an original certified copy or will a photocopy work?

Most organizations require an original certified copy — a copy with the state seal and the registrar's signature. A photocopy of a certified copy is usually not accepted. Order multiple original copies from the start so you have them on hand for banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.

Can a funeral home get the death certificate for me?

Funeral homes can help you understand the process and may file the initial death certificate with the state, but they cannot issue the official certified copy. You must request it directly from the Georgia Department of Public Health Vital Records Office. The funeral home can tell you when the death was registered so you know when to submit your request.