Georgia Vital Records Search

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What are Georgia Vital Records?

Georgia's Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records is the central repository for all vital records for the state. They create and preserve vital records for the following types of events birth, death, marriage, and divorces. Their mission is stated as: "Our office is responsible for managing these records primarily for statistical purposes as well as for personal use by Georgia citizens. We provide certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records to Georgia constituents, law enforcement, as well as various government agencies and social service organizations." Georgia has been collecting and maintaining vital records since 1919.

Georgia Birth Records

The Georgia Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records is the government agency in charge of collecting, creating, protecting, and issuing birth records for the state. They have birth records dating back to 1919. Each of Georgia's 159 county vital records offices can issue birth certificates. Birth records in Georgia are not public records, and copies of your birth certificate can only be obtained by a close personal relative, guardian, or legal representative. Basically, Georgia terms this as "anyone with a direct and tangible interest" may get a copy of your birth record. It is unlawful to attempt to get someone's birth record without proper permission.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Georgia?

Georgia's Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records is the agency in charge of vital records. However, each county's vital records office can also assist you with a search and certified copy.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Georgia?

You can visit the local county vital records office or use the mail-in application on Georgia's Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records website. You can also use Georgia's ROVER system or VitalCheck and GoCertificates to get them online or by phone.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Georgia?

If you use Georgia's state services to get a copy, the fee is $25 for the search and first copy. An additional two copies cost another $10. If you use a third-party service, you may incur other fees.

Who can request birth records?

In Georgia, access to birth records is restricted to only the following list of people:

  1. The person named on the certificate.
  2. The parent(s) named on the birth record.
  3. An authorized legal guardian or agent.
  4. Grandparents of the person named on the certificate.
  5. An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate.
  6. The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
  7. Attorney.
  8. State or Federal Government Officials.

What birth records are available in Georgia?

The state of Georgia began keeping birth records in 1919. The vital records office will have access to them all online.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Georgia birth certificate?

When you request a copy of yours or someone else's birth record, you need to supply the following:

  1. The person's full name.
  2. Full names of both parents.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Place of birth.
  5. Age now.
  6. Gender.
  7. Race.

You will also have to supply your personal details and proof of eligibility to obtain a copy. Usually, this is an ID.

Where can I find historical vital records in Georgia for genealogy research?

Georgia's Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records has access to all records going back to 1919 and all records up to present day.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

Both a local county's vital records office and the Georgia Department of Health, State Office of Vital Records can process amendments and corrections. You must contact them by phone or in-person to discuss the process.

Can I get a refund if my Georgia birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Georgia Death Records

Georgia has death records starting in 1919 up to the present day. According to the Georgia State Vital Records Office, "A death certificate is an official recording of the cause, date, and place of a person's death that is signed by a physician. A death record may be used for a number of reasons, including to settle estates, claim life insurance benefits, and claim pensions. At the State Office, death records are available from January 1919 to the present for deaths that occurred in the State of Georgia. Some Counties may have older death records in their files. Those County Vital Records Offices may be contacted directly." Death records are private, and only someone with a direct or tangible interest may obtain a copy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Death Records

How do I find death records in Georgia?

You can either contact the Georgia's State Vital Records Office, or the local county office. They both have records going back to 1919. However, some counties may even have older records. You will pay a fee for a search and copy. 

Are death records public in Georgia?

No. Only someone with a direct and tangible interest may get a copy of someone else's death certificate.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Georgia?

A death certificate in Georgia costs $25. If you require additional copies, they will cost $5 each. If you need to search for multiple years, that will be $25 for each three-year search. If you order online using a third-party service, it will cost extra.

How long does it take to get a copy of a Georgia death record?

If you visit one of the local county vital records offices, you can get one quickly while you wait. If you order online or by mail, it will take a few days to receive your copy.

Who can request death records?

Only certain people can get a copy of someone's death record. That list includes:

  1. The parent(s) named on the birth record.
  2. An authorized legal guardian or agent.
  3. Grandparents of the person named on the certificate.
  4. An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate.
  5. The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
  6. An attorney.
  7. State or Federal Government Officials.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Georgia death certificate?

When you request a copy of a death certificate in Georgia, you must supply the following information:

  1. Full name of the deceased.
  2. Gender.
  3. Date of death.
  4. Place of death.
  5. Name of the funeral home.
  6. Age at death.
  7. Race.

You will also have to provide your personal details and proof of relationship or identification.

Where can I find historical death records in Georgia?

Any local county vital records office can supply you with a death record going back as far back as the records go. Most have records that date from 1919 to the present day, and some have older records.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

Those same local county vital records offices can make amendments and corrections to records with errors on them. You may need to provide proof of the correction.

Can I get a refund if my Georgia death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Georgia Marriage Records

Georgia's marriage records are proof that a couple was legally married. They come in handy when you need to file for divorce, change your name, prove your identity, and for genealogical research. The Georgia State Vital Records Office has marriage records from State Office from June 1952 to August 1996. If you need records that pre-date 1952, or after 1996, you must visit the Probate Court where the marriage license was issued. The state of Georgia also offers couples a commemorative copy of their marriage license. Marriage records are open to the general public, and anyone can obtain a copy of anyone else's.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Marriage Records

Are Georgia marriage records public?

Yes. Marriage records are public records. However, only a certified copy of the marriage license application may be supplied to either spouse. Anyone else can get a certified copy of the marriage license.

What Georgia marriage records are available?

The Georgia Vital Records Office has marriage records from June 1952 to August 1996. Older and newer records are kept at the Probate Court where the marriage license was initiated.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Georgia?

You may visit either the local county vital records office or the court and obtain a copy instantly. However, if you mail in your request, it may take a few days for you to receive your copy back.

How much does a Georgia marriage certificate cost?

The search fee for a marriage certificate is $10, and it includes one certified copy. If you need additional copies, they cost $5 each. A multi-year search will cost $10/per every three years searched.  

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When you request a copy of a marriage certificate, you will need to provide some information such as:

  1. Full legal names of both parties, and any maiden names.
  2. The date of the marriage.
  3. The place of the marriage.
  4. Your name and personal details.
  5. Your relationship to either of the parties.
  6. Your signature.

How do I get a copy of a Georgia marriage record?

You can use the walk-in service at any local county vital records office or fill out the form on the Georgia State Vital Records Office website and mail it in with your payment.

What if I didn't get married in Georgia?

If you did not get married in Georgia, you must contact the state where you were married for details on how to obtain a copy.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone. Marriage records in Georgia are open records without restriction.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Georgia?

The Georgia State Vital Records Office is the agency in charge of correcting errors on vital records also. Contact them in person or by phone to ask about the process.

Georgia Divorce Records

Divorce records show the name of each person on the certificate and the date that the dissolution of marriage was granted. A divorce verification certificate may be used to get a marriage license, apply for a social security card, driver's license, or verify your legal identity. The Georgia State Office of Vital Records is also the agency in charge of divorce records. They have records one file from June of 1952 to August of 1996. Any divorces older than 1952 and newer than 1996 would be kept by the Probate Court where the divorce was granted.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Georgia?

Yes, however, you need to know approximately the year range, so you know who to contact—either the Georgia State Vital Records Office or the Probate Courts.

How do I find old divorce records?

It depends on the date. According to the Georgia Vital Records Office, "The State Office of Vital Records can search and confirm only divorces that have taken place in the state of Georgia from June 1952 to August 1996. Verifications prior to 1952 and after 1996 are only available from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted."

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You may visit one of the locations above and get a copy after paying a fee. They also offer mail-in service where you fill out a form and return it with your payment.

How much does it cost for a certified copy of my divorce certificate?

A certified copy of a divorce certificate costs $10, which includes the search. Any additional copies are $5 each, and a multi-year search costs $10/every three years. 

What information is needed to search for a Georgia divorce record?

When requesting a divorce certificate, you need to provide the following information:

  1. Legal full names for both parties.
  2. The date of divorce.
  3. Place of divorce.
  4. Your name and information.
  5. Your signature.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Georgia?

You must contact the state vital records office where you were divorced to find out how to get a copy.

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