How to get a Georgia death certificate

In Georgia, order a certified death certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records.¹ The first copy costs $25² and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5². You can order online, by mail, in person or at a local office. Only the people the state lists below can order a certified copy.

Last checked November 5, 2026 against official sources.

On this page

Ways to order
What a Georgia death certificate costs
How long it takes
Who can order a Georgia death certificate
ID you need
What the application asks for
Forms
Years held and older records
Special situations
Warnings from the office
The state office
Questions people ask
Sources

Ways to order

How	Cost per copy	Processing time	Payment
Online	$33 for one copy ($25⁴ plus $8³ processing fee); $5³ each extra copy + one extra charge	–	Card⁴
Online through VitalChek	$25² first, $5² each extra copy	–	Card⁴
Online through GO Certificates	$25² first, $5² each extra copy	–	Card⁴
By mail	$25⁵ first, $5² each extra copy	8 to 10 weeks⁶	Money order and certified check²
In person	$25² first, $5² each extra copy	–	Card, cash, certified check and money order²
At a local office	$25⁷ first, $5⁷ each extra copy (Fulton County)	–	–

Online

Run by: ROVER, operated by the Georgia Technology Authority and the Georgia Department of Public Health⁴
Fees: First copy $25⁴
Processing fee $8³
Each additional copy in the same order $5³
Expedited service $16⁴
Expedited service: $16. FedEx shipping with tracking only; does not reduce processing time⁴
Payment: Card⁴

Good to know

Digital IDs are not accepted⁴
Photo ID must be uploaded as pdf, jpeg, jpg, png or gif; unclear uploads delay the order with no refund³
No online order status check³
Fees kept if no record is found⁹

Go to the ordering site⁸

Online through VitalChek

Vendor: VitalChek¹⁰
Fees: First copy $25²
Each additional copy in the same order $5²
Payment: Card⁴

Good to know

Birth and death certificates only¹¹
VitalChek assistance line 877-572-6343¹⁰

Go to the ordering site¹⁰

Online through GO Certificates

Vendor: GO Certificates¹⁰
Fees: First copy $25²
Each additional copy in the same order $5²
Expedited service: $16. FedEx shipping; does not reduce processing time¹⁰
Payment: Card⁴

Good to know

Birth and death certificates only¹¹

Go to the ordering site¹⁰

By mail

Run by: State Office of Vital Records⁵
Fees: First copy $25⁵
Each additional copy in the same order $5²
Processing time: 8 to 10 weeks⁶
Expedited service: Not offered²
Payment: Money order and certified check²
Make payable to: State Office of Vital Records⁵
Mail to: State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
¹²

Good to know

Do not send cash by mail; send a photocopy of valid photo ID⁵
Requests open more than one year are closed automatically¹²

Open the application or mail instructions¹²

In person

Run by: State Office of Vital Records¹³
Fees: First copy $25²
Each additional copy in the same order $5²
Payment: Card, cash, certified check and money order²
Office: State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
¹³

Good to know

No same-day cruise rush requests¹³

Open the official page¹³

At a local office

Run by: County vital records offices (county health department or probate court, varies by county)¹⁴
Fees: First copy $25⁷
Each additional copy in the same order $5⁷

Find a local office¹⁵

What a Georgia death certificate costs

First certified copy: $25²
Each additional copy, same order: $5²
Expedite fee: $16⁴
If no record is found: The fee is kept as a search fee⁵
Fees in effect since: March 11, 2026²

Types of copies

Copy	Accepted for	Fee
Certified death certificate³	Settling estates, life insurance, pensions, research, other legal reasons⁶	$25²
Plain paper / uncertified copy⁴	Public copy available to anyone; the certified copy is the one required for legal purposes³	–
Not-on-file letter²	–	$25⁵

How long it takes

These are the office's own published times. Mail and shipping time is extra unless the office says otherwise.

How you order	Processing time
By mail	8 to 10 weeks⁶

Who can order a Georgia death certificate

The state names these people and bodies as able to order a certified copy. Each line gives the official wording.

Spouse⁴
Proof: The spouse of the person named on the certificate- Must provide a certified copy of the marriage certificate.⁵
Child⁴
Brother or sister⁴
Proof for each of the 2 lines above: An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate listing one of the same parents, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes signature.⁵
A parent named on the record⁴
Proof: The parent(s) named on the birth record- Must provide valid picture identification.⁵
Grandparent⁴
Proof: Grandparents of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship such as the birth certificate of the registrant’s parent.⁵
Grandchild⁴
Executor or estate administrator¹⁶
Attorney or legal representative³
Proof: Attorney-Must represent an immediate family member and provide a notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney; provide bar number indicating reason for the request and whom they represent; provide supporting documentation with the fee.⁵
Government agency: The State Registrar may provide copies of or disclose information from Vital Records to authorized representatives of Federal, State or County agencies who request such data in the conduct of their official duties.¹⁶
Those with a "tangible interest," such as a beneficiary or insurance company⁴
Proof: Insurance beneficiaries must provide documentation from the insurance company³

Other kinds of copies

Informational copy Anyone: A plain paper copy of a death certificate may be issued to any person; provided, however, that the decedent's Social Security number shall be redacted.¹⁶

Social Security number on the copy: SSN redacted on plain paper copies¹⁶

ID you need

Photo ID: Required⁵
Accepted ID: Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year
State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
State of Georgia Weapons Carry License with photo
Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
Unexpired U.S. Passport
Unexpired Foreign Passport
U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent Identification, Veteran’s Identification
Unexpired Consulate Card
Unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Current School, University, or College Identification Card (unexpired with ID number and signature)
Department of Driver Services (DDS) Identification Card
Department of Corrections Identification Card⁵
Notarization: Not required for a standard request. Required for spouse permission letters (birth) and attorney letters.⁵
ID copy with a mail order: Include a copy of your ID⁵

What the application asks for

Have these details ready before you fill in the form or start an online order.⁴

Full name on the certificate (middle name requested, not required)
Date of birth or death
City or county of the event
Father's full name if listed
Mother's full maiden name if listed
Your current state-issued driver's license or ID card
Your Social Security number
Your date of birth
Your address

Forms

Request for Search of Death Record (3912) Revised 02/2024⁵

Years held and older records

Years the issuing office holds: January 1919 to today⁶
Older records: Some county offices⁶

Special situations

Stillbirth: Only the State Office issues a CBRS, to parents named or by court order, $10.00 per certified copy¹⁷ Details
Fetal death: Fetal death certificate: child, parent, living spouse, next of kin or their legal representative¹⁷
If no record is found: A not-on-file letter is issued and the fee is kept²
Military and veterans: Form 3912 asks if the certificate is for a VA benefit or veterans organization⁵

Warnings from the office

You must give the county of death on the form⁶
False statements: up to $10,000 or five years³

The state office

Office: State Office of Vital Records¹
Phone: 404-679-4702¹⁵
Email: [email protected]⁸
Mailing address: State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
¹²
Walk-in address: State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
¹³
Website: Official website¹⁸

Questions people ask

How much is a certified Georgia death certificate?

The first copy costs $25 and each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5.²

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

By mail: 8 to 10 weeks.⁶

Can I order a Georgia death certificate online?

Yes. Online: ROVER, operated by the Georgia Technology Authority and the Georgia Department of Public Health. Online through VitalChek. Online through GO Certificates.⁴¹⁰

Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

Write it exactly as the office prints it: State Office of Vital Records.⁵

What ID do I need?

The state accepts: Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year; State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year; State of Georgia Weapons Carry License with photo; Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory; Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory; Unexpired U.S. Passport; and the other documents listed above.⁵

Where are older Georgia death certificates kept?

Some county offices.⁶

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

About Vital RecordsGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
Birth CertificatesGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 11, 2026
FAQs About CertificatesState of Georgia (georgia.gov)
Order certificates from the Georgia Office of Vital Records for births and deaths that occurred in…dph.georgia.gov/…how-do-i-order-georgia-birth-and-death-records-onlineGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
Clicking here 0Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated February 1, 2024
Georgia Department of Public Health pageGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated September 26, 2025
Vital Records - Fulton County Board of HealthFulton County Board of Health
ROVER - Order Birth or Death CertificatesGeorgia Technology Authority and Georgia Department of Public Health (ROVER)dated October 6, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
Order a Birth or Death CertificateState of Georgia (georgia.gov)dated April 1, 2026
Order Certificate OnlineGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
Request Vital Recordsgeorgia.gov/request-vital-recordsState of Georgia (georgia.gov)dated June 1, 2026
Order certificates from the Georgia Office of Vital Records for births and deaths that occurred in…dph.georgia.gov/…s/how-do-i-order-georgia-birth-and-death-records-mailGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
Request Vital Recordsdph.georgia.gov/ways-request-vital-recordGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated August 15, 2025
Vital records officeGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records
Office LocationsGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated March 20, 2024
GA R&R - GAC - Subject 511-1-3 VITAL RECORDSGeorgia Secretary of State, Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgiadated September 27, 2026read from the Internet Archive copy of this official page
State Office of Vital Records | 1680 Phoenix Blvd. Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 | P: (404) 679-4702Georgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2026
Vital RecordsGeorgia Department of Public Health, State Office of Vital Records