Georgia Death Records

An average of 97,740 deaths are recorded in Georgia each year. This translates to a death rate of 874.1 per 100,000 residents, which is higher compared to the United States' average mortality rate of 793.7 per 100,000 total population. Georgia death records typically document the deaths of individuals in the state and may provide information such as the cause of death, the name of the deceased persons, the place and date of death, and other essential information. While Georgia did not commence statewide recording of earth events until 1919, some counties in the state may have older death records in their files.

A death certificate is the most widely known death record in Georgia. Per Rule 511-1-3-.19 of the state's Rules and Regulations, when someone dies, the healthcare facility in which the death occurred or the funeral director is responsible for preparing the original death certificate. Afterward, it must be filed with the county probate courts in the county where the death took place and then transmitted to the State Office of Vital Records within two business days.

Once on the file of the Vital Records Office, interested and eligible persons may obtain certified copies of a Georgia death certificate. A certified copy of a death certificate has been verified and may be used for several legal purposes. It is considered an accurate and true reproduction of the original death certificate.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate in Georgia?

The Division of Vital Records under the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) provides multiple options for eligible persons to get certified copies of death certificates in the state for deaths that occurred after January 1919. These options include the following:

• Mail-In Application - To request a certified copy of a Georgia death certificate by mail, complete the Request For Search of Death Form (Form 2912) and mail it to the State Office of Vital Records at:

  Georgia Department of Public Health

  State Office of Vital Records

  1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100

  Atlanta, GA 30349

  The requester must attach a photocopy of their valid photo ID to the application and include a money order or certified check for the applicable fee made payable to the State Office of Vital Records. It costs a non-refundable $25 fee to obtain a certified copy of a Georgia death certificate and $5 for each additional copy requested in the same order. It takes between 8 to 10 weeks after submission for the State Office of Vital Records to process mail-in death certificate requests.

• Online Application - The Request Official Vital Event Records platform (ROVER) is the official online resource adopted by the State Office of Vital Records for eligible persons to request certified copies of Georgia death records. To make an order, select the "Order Death Certificate" option, follow the system prompts, and provide the required information and documents to complete the application. These include proof of identity and qualifying relationship documents, the date of the decedent's death, and the county or city where the death occurred.

  While it generally takes between 8 to 10 weeks to fulfill a standard online request for a Georgia death certificate, expedited applications are processed approximately 5 working days from the time they are received by the State Office of Vital Records. Requesters must pay a non-refundable $25 fee per certified copy of the requested death certificate and an $8 processing fee. Anyone submitting an expedited order pays an additional $10 expedited shipping fee per order

Are Georgia Death Records Public?

Death records are public records in Georgia. Per Section 31-10-25(f) of the Code of Georgia, official copies of death records in the counties where such deaths occurred shall remain accessible to the public. However, only individuals with certain qualifying relationships with a decent may access or obtain the death certificate containing the cause of death from the State Office of Vital Records.

Who Can Request an Original Death Certificate in Georgia?

Original death certificates in Georgia are typically kept by the State Office of Vital Records. These copies remain permanently on the file of the Vital Records Office and may not be issued to any member of the public. Eligible persons may only request certified copies of a death certificate, which are certified true copies of the original document in the custody of the State Office of Vital Records.

The following individuals are eligible to request certified copies of a death certificate in Georgia:

• The decedent's adult children
• The decedent's grandchildren
• The decedent's legal spouse
• The decedent's adult siblings
• The decedent's parents and grandparents
• Legal representative of the decedent's estate
• Anyone or entity with a tangible interest, such as an insurance company or a beneficiary
• Members of the public. However, they will only be issued plain paper copies of the death certificate, and the decedent's Social Security number will be redacted

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Georgia?

Getting a death certificate for a death that happened under a regular circumstance in Georgia typically takes between 8 to 10 weeks for requests submitted by mail. If the request is expedited, it could be processed within 5 working days and delivered to the requester afterward. However, obtaining the death certificate of a death event that warrants an autopsy due to the unusual circumstances leading to the event or the suspicious nature of the death usually takes longer.

In Georgia, when someone passes away under unusual circumstances that warrant an autopsy, it could take between 3 to 6 months, and sometimes up to 1 year before the death certificate is completed. The duration of the delay is usually determined by the complexity of the case and how long it takes to investigate the cause and manner of death. Additional testing like toxicology, histology, and reviewing of the deceased's medical records can contribute to the delay.

When an investigation into the cause of death takes so long in Georgia, a pending death certificate may be obtained from the funeral home to allow the decedent's loved ones to address some necessary obligations of the deceased, excluding life insurance. The pending death certificate can then be changed whenever a cause of death has been confirmed and the original death certificate prepared.

Can I View Georgia Death Records Online for Free?

Georgia death records for deaths that occurred between 1919 and 1943 are indexed and may be accessed through FamilySearch.org, while the originals are available at the State Archives. Similarly, the state's death records for 1919 to 1927 are indexed and available online at the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault. Some historical death records in the state may also be available online through Ancestry.com.

Furthermore, third-party sites like Georgiapublicrecords.us are a viable option for looking up Georgia death records online. However, users may be required to pay a small fee to be able to access such information. Where official death records are unavailable, looking up substitute records may help find useful information about deceased persons in the state free of charge. Such records documenting deaths generally include cemetery records, family bible records, federal census records, newspapers, obituaries, county records, tax records, church records, and probate records.

When Would You Require A Death Certificate in Georgia?

Certified copies of a death certificate are required for many purposes in Georgia, including the following:

• Accessing a deceased person's bank accounts and other financial accounts
• Settling the decedent's estate
• Closing the decedent's bank accounts and canceling credit cards to prevent identity theft
• Helping surviving spouse to access the decedent's social security benefits, pension, veterans' benefits, and Medicare benefits
• Transferring the titles of the decedent's property, including personal property, motor vehicles, and real estate
• Filing insurance claims and canceling insurance policies
• Notifying relevant government agencies like the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in Georgia?

The number of certified copies of a death certificate needed by anyone in Georgia largely depends on the decedent's estate and the intended use of the certificate. The number of the decedent's accounts, insurance policies, retirement income sources, and several other assets will generally help determine how many certified copies of a death certificate are required. As a rule of thumb, it is advised to get between 8 and 12 copies, as many agencies or institutions do not accept photocopies.