How to Get a Death Certificate in Georgia

Getting a death certificate is one of the first practical steps after a death in Georgia, and the details of who issues it and what it costs are specific to Georgia.

Who issues death certificates in Georgia?

Certified copies come from the Georgia Department of Public Health’s State Office of Vital Records and the county vital records offices. In practice, the funeral home usually files the certificate and orders an initial batch of certified copies for you.

How much does a certified copy cost in Georgia?

A certified copy costs $25, which includes the search, and each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5. Online orders through VitalChek add a service charge; one county lists $12.50, for example.

Who can order a copy in Georgia?

Certified copies go to people with a direct and tangible interest, such as immediate family or legal representatives, and Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26) requires the requester’s signature and a valid photo ID. A copy can also be issued to others, but without the Social Security number and cause of death.

How do I order more copies in Georgia?

• In person: at the State Office of Vital Records or at any county vital records office, some of which work by appointment.
• Online or by phone: through VitalChek or the state’s approved GOcertificates site.
• By mail: with the application, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order or certified check, since some offices don’t accept personal checks or cash by mail.

What else should I know before I order?

The version a non-family requester receives leaves out the Social Security number and cause of death, which is why an executor or family member should request it.

What should I do next?

Confirm with the funeral home how many copies it is ordering for you, then decide how many more you need; see how many death certificates you need in Georgia and our general guide to death certificates.

Add this to your Final Day Plan: your Social Security number, birthplace, and parents’ full names - the death certificate application asks for these, and they’re often surprisingly hard for a family to track down under pressure.

Fees and rules change - confirm current details with the Georgia Department of Public Health or a county vital records office before you send payment.