Georgia Death Records < How To Find Georgia Death Records
How To Find Georgia Death Records.

Georgia’s demise documents are essential materials for those tracing ancestry, researchers delving into history, and individuals investigating familial ties. This article furnishes elaborate details on how to access and make use of Georgia’s death certificates from numerous repositories.
Online Databases
State-Level Resources
The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Vital Records Office stores death certificates dating back to January 1919 for fatalities occurring within Georgia. These can be retrieved digitally via several sources:
- Georgia Death Index, 1919-1998 (Ancestry.com, subscription needed)
- Georgia Death Certificates, 1919-1927 (FamilySearch, registration required but free)
- Georgia Death Certificates, 1928-1943 (FamilySearch, free with registration)
The Georgia Archives also offers digital access to death records from 1919-1927. Additionally, they house original records up to 1943, which can be reviewed in person.
County-Level Resources
Numerous Georgia counties preserve their respective death records, especially useful for events prior to 1919. Some local health offices and genealogical groups provide searchable databases or indices:
- Fulton County: Franklin Garrett Atlanta Necrology Database, 1857-1931
- Chatham County: City of Savannah Burial Records Search
City-Specific Databases
Several major urban areas in Georgia started documenting deaths before it became mandated statewide:
- Atlanta (Fulton County) – records from 1887
- Savannah (Chatham County) – records from 1803
- Macon (Bibb County) – records from 1882
- Columbus (Muscogee County) – records from 1890
Making Official Requests
State Office of Vital Records
To request an official death certificate from the Georgia Department of Public Health, you may:
- Submit your request online through the designated portal
- Visit their physical location at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349
- Mail in a Form 3912 along with the stipulated payment
The prevailing cost is $25 per certified copy, accompanied by an $8 administrative charge. For rush delivery, a supplementary fee of $10 applies per order.
County Vital Records Offices
Many counties run their own vital records offices. To find the appropriate county office, refer to the Georgia Department of Public Health’s local vital records office directory.
Alternative Search Methods
Historical Records (Pre-1919)
For deaths predating statewide registration in 1919, researchers can delve into:
- Census mortality schedules (1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880)
- Ecclesiastical registers
- Burial records, such as those searchable on Find A Grave
- Local county records, like wills and estate documents
The Georgia Archives holds county records prior to 1900, encompassing most Georgia counties, acting as important stand-ins for formal death records.
Probate Court Records
Probate records often validate deaths and reveal additional insights about the deceased. The Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 collection on FamilySearch offers viewable images for many counties in Georgia.
Newspaper Archives
Obituaries and death announcements frequently hold detailed information about the deceased. Available resources include:
Free Search Options
Public Libraries
Many public libraries throughout Georgia provide no-cost access to genealogical records and resources. The Georgia Public Library Service offers guidance on library services across the state.
Family History Centers
FamilySearch affiliate libraries offer complimentary access to a wide array of genealogical platforms, including certain databases that usually require subscriptions.
Online Volunteer Projects
When Records Are Not Available Online
On-Site Research
In-person visits to archives and courthouses often uncover valuable data not available digitally. The Georgia Archives in Morrow, Georgia, is a prime location for conducting such research.
Hiring a Professional Researcher
If travel for on-site research is impractical, engaging a professional genealogist is a viable alternative. The Association of Professional Genealogists has a directory of skilled researchers.
Additional Resources
Georgia Genealogical Society
The Georgia Genealogical Society organizes seminars, workshops, and produces materials aimed at aiding genealogical pursuits in Georgia.
Social Security Death Index
The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is an instrumental tool for locating deaths post-1962, although it has certain limitations.
Georgia Death Records: An Overview
Death records in Georgia serve as formal evidence of an individual’s passing, providing indispensable data for legal, familial, and historical inquiries. These critical records are managed by the Georgia Department of Public Health and encapsulate key details regarding the deceased, such as the date, site, and cause of death. Grasping the significance and availability of Georgia death records is crucial for historians, relatives, and legal practitioners seeking verified details about individuals who passed away within the state.
In Georgia, systematic death registration commenced in 1919, as decreed by the Vital Records Act. Before this mandate, death records were sporadically kept at the local level, with some municipalities launching their own registries earlier. For instance, the city of Savannah started documenting deaths as early as 1803, whereas Atlanta followed in 1887. The Georgia Department of Public Health remains the principal repository for death certificates dating from 1919 onwards, while older documentation may reside in county depositories or local history societies.
What Are Death Records?
Death records in Georgia are certified papers that present a lawful account of an individual’s death. These records generally contain a death certificate, a standardized form that outlines critical information about the deceased and the conditions surrounding their passing. Death certificates are chiefly used for legal and bureaucratic purposes, such as handling estates, claiming life insurance, and conducting genealogical research.
The content within Georgia death records has transformed over time, mirroring shifts in medical understanding, societal values, and statutory needs. Modern death certificates in Georgia comprise the following primary components:
- Legal name of the deceased
- Time and place of death
- Cause of death along with contributing conditions
- Personal data (age, gender, race, marital status)
- Profession and industry
- Residence of the individual
- Names and birthplaces of parents
- Name and relation of the informant
- Method of body disposition (burial, cremation, etc.)
It’s crucial to realize that the completeness and accuracy of death records may vary, particularly for older entries or those from remote regions. Researchers and relatives must acknowledge the possibility of discrepancies or missing data when examining historical death records.
Information Contained in Georgia Death Records
Georgia death records offer a trove of details that can be useful for a range of purposes. The breadth of data in these records has widened over time, influenced by improvements in medical science and evolving cultural norms. Present-day death certificates in Georgia, as outlined by the Georgia Department of Public Health, include these key components:
Personal Data:
- Full official name of the deceased
- Social Security Number
- Birthdate and age at death
- Place of birth
- Racial and ethnic background
- Marital status at death
- Typical profession and industry
Death-Related Information:
- Date and hour of death
- Location of death (hospital or residence)
- Cause of death (primary and secondary causes)
- Manner of death (natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, or unresolved)
- Was an autopsy conducted?
Family Data:
- Parent names (including mother’s maiden name)
- Name of spouse (if living)
- Informant’s identity and relationship to the deceased
Disposition Details:
- Manner of disposition (burial, cremation, donation, etc.)
- Name and address of funeral service provider
- Burial or cremation location
This thorough information serves numerous purposes, ranging from administrative to genealogical research and even public health investigations. Researchers should recognize that the depth of detail in death records may be inconsistent, especially for older certificates, notably those created before the initiation of statewide registration in 1919.
Historical Context of Georgia Death Records
The development of death record-keeping in Georgia mirrors larger patterns in public health governance and the management of vital statistics across the U.S. Before the 20th century, death registration was often a local matter, with varied practices between counties and cities. The campaign for standardized, statewide death registration gained traction in the early 1900s as part of a nationwide push to bolster public health tracking and demographic data collection.
Key moments in the evolution of Georgia death records include:
- 1803: Savannah starts recording deaths, becoming one of Georgia’s earliest cities to do so.
- 1875: Georgia enacts a law requiring county-level recording of births and deaths, though compliance is patchy, and the law is repealed in 1876.
- 1887: Atlanta establishes its death registration system.
- 1914: Georgia forms a State Board of Health, setting the stage for statewide vital records oversight.
- 1919: Georgia introduces statewide death registration, heralding the start of standardized record-keeping across the state.
- 1922: Georgia reaches sufficient completeness in death registration to join the U.S. Death Registration Area.
The Georgia Death Act of 1919 created the structure for contemporary death registration in the state. This law uniformed the data to be entered on death certificates and mandated the reporting of deaths to state officials. Over time, further revisions and regulations have fine-tuned the death registration procedure, enhancing the range of information documented and improving the accuracy of records.
Understanding this historical backdrop is vital for genealogists and researchers studying Georgia death records. It clarifies why pre-1919 records might be incomplete or inconsistent, and why certain information may be absent from older death certificates. It also underscores the necessity of cross-referencing various sources when investigating deaths from the period before statewide standardization.