A death certificate is available for 75 years after the death.

ACCESSING A DEATH CERTIFICATE

Certified Death certificates are available to applicants having a direct and tangible interest, primary family members, or legal representatives of the family.

PROVIDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The person requesting a death certificate must provide:

  • A completed and signed Death Certificate Request Form.
  • A photocopy of a valid photo ID, such as:
    • State of Georgia driver’s license.
    • Photo ID card issued by a government agency.
    • Photo ID card issued by an employer.
    • Photo ID card issued by a college or university.
    • Resident Alien Card (Form I-551 issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service).
    • Temporary Resident Alien Card (Form I-668 issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service).
    • Government passport issued by a country.
    • Military ID card issued by the U.S. Armed Forces.
    • Matricula card.
  • When the person named on the certificate is under age 18, proof of relationship must be shown.

You may be asked to provide additional documentation at the time your request is processed.

REQUESTING A DEATH CERTIFICATE

Before requesting a death certificate, please speak with the funeral home handling the arrangements to ensure the certificate has been filed.

To request a death certificate:

    • Click here to download the form.
    • Obtain, complete and submit a Death Certificate Request Form in person at:
      • Vital Records
        Suite 191
        Richardson Health Center
        445 Winn Way
        Decatur, GA 30030
        Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (closed state holidays)
        Phone: 404-294-3782
    • Print off the Death Certificate Request Form, complete it and fax it to (404) 508-7895.
    • Print off the Death Certificate Request Form, complete it and mail it, along with your payment, to:
      • DeKalb County Vital Records Office
        P.O. Box 639
        Decatur, GA 30031
  • Write the information listed on the Death Certificate Request Form [link] on a sheet of paper and mail it, along with your payment, to:
    • DeKalb County Vital Records Office
      P.O. Box 639
      Decatur, GA 30031

To request a fetal death certificate, contact the Georgia Division of Vital Records at (404) 679-4702.

PURCHASING A DEATH CERTIFICATE

Georgia law requires payment before a service can be provided. Fees are not refundable after a service has been provided.

The fees are:

  • Search fee: $25.00
    • includes one certified copy of birth certificate, if the record is found.
    • the search fee is non-refundable.
  • If exact death date unknown, multi-year search (covering up to 3 years; includes one certified copy of death certificate, if a record is found):  $25.00.
  • Each additional certificate of the same record requested at same the time:  $5.00.
  • First class postage for death certificates that will be mailed.

Fees may be paid by:

  • Order Online
  • Cash (in person only).
  • Credit card (in person only).
  • Certified check.
  • Money order.

Death certificates are sent by first class mail, with no charge for postage.

Make certified checks and money orders payable to:

DeKalb County Vital Records Office.  Do NOT send cash in the mail.

Source: Georgia Department of Public Health.

Note:  This information was prepared as a public service of the DeKalb County Board of Health to provide general information, not to advise on any specific legal problem.  It is not, and cannot be construed to be, legal advice.