Order Online Georgia (GA) Death Certificate

How to Get A Georgia Death Certificate

To request a death certificate in Georgia, follow these simple steps:

1. Complete the online application form with the key details of the deceased.

2. Provide a clear copy of your ID to verify your identity.

3. Prepare payment for the required state and processing fees.

Accepted forms of identification include a driver’s license, passport, or State ID. Your ID must be valid. If you’re using an ID card, you’re required to submit an image of both sides. 

You should include your completed death certificate form, ID, and payment by check or money order in your application pack. You can present your order in person at a vital records office, or send it by mail to:

Georgia Department of Public Health  
State Office of Vital Records  
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100  
Atlanta, GA 30349

Who Can Request a Georgia Death Certificate?

The State of Georgia only allows certain individuals to request a full death certificate. You must have a familiar relationship with the deceased person or be representing the family in a professional capacity to be eligible. 

GA death certificates can be ordered by:

• Spouse or former spouse

• Parent or stepparent

• Child, stepchild, sibling, or half-sibling

• Grandparent, great-grandparent, grandchild, or great-grandchild

• Legal representative, Power of Attorney, or estate executor

• Individuals with a direct financial interest in the deceased’s estate

• Government agency managing the estate

In Georgia, family members are typically required to provide documentation of their relationship, apart from the parents or spouse of the deceased. Legal guardians and other third parties need to submit a court order or executor paperwork to get a death record.

Members of the public can also order the death record of anyone who has died in Georgia. If you don’t share a relationship, you’ll receive a copy with some details redacted.

Types Of Georgia Death Certificate

The GOVR, who issues certificates for deaths that have occurred in Georgia, holds records from January 1919 to the present. They come in two types of formats: 

• Long form: Used for legal processes

• Short form: Sufficient for some administrative tasks

Long form death certificates are the most complete type of death record. They include the medical cause of death and are usually used for official tasks, such as settling an estate or filing a life insurance claim. 

Short form records do not include medical details about the deceased person, but can still serve as an official certification of their passing. If you need to close a bank account or transfer property titles, many banks and legal entities accept this type of certificate. 

Short-form certificates in Georgia are only available for deaths that occurred from 2020 onward. If you’re requesting a certificate for a death prior to that year, you’ll need to order the long form. 

Informational vs. certified GA death records

Both long and short form death certificates can be issued as certified or informational copies. Only certified copies can be used officially. Informational certificates are valid for family history research, but not for legal proceedings. 

It’s important to know which type of certificate you need when applying:

• Certified death certificate: Includes full official details, required for legal purposes, insurance claims, and estate processing.

• Informational death certificate: Contains limited personal data, typically used for genealogy research and family history documentation.

If you need a death certificate for official purposes, you’re recommended to order several copies. You may be able to submit a scanned PDF copy of the record, but many banks and financial institutions require a physical copy.

Georgia Death Certificate Cost

The State of Georgia charges $25 for a death certificate. This applies to both certified and informational records. Additional copies requested at the same time are charged at $5 each. 

Online applications sometimes carry an additional processing fee, but may have faster delivery. Some local offices may also add an extra fee for in person requests.

Mail in applications must be paid by check or money order made payable to the ‘Georgia Department of Public Health’. 

To make amendments to vital records, or for extras like an apostille for international use, ask your nearest county office for fee details.

Georgia Death Certificate Processing Times

Standard processing for a GA death certificate via mail is 8-10 weeks with regular shipping. If you submit an application with missing information, it will be subject to delay.

In person applications made through a vital records office are usually faster than mail applications. Apply for a Death Certificate now