How much do death certificates cost in Georgia?
Certified copies cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time from the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) or county Probate Courts.
Online orders through ROVER (the state's official portal) include an $8 processing fee. Expedited shipping adds another $10. Third-party services like VitalChek add their own fees on top.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the easiest route and avoids navigating the state vs. county options.
Online
Two options:
- ROVER — Georgia's official online portal. The fee is $25 per copy plus an $8 processing fee. Regular processing takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes up to 5 business days for an additional $10.
- VitalChek — A third-party option with its own service fees ranging from $2 to $16 per order.
By mail
Mail a completed application to the Georgia DPH State Office of Vital Records. Include a check or money order for $25 (first copy) plus $5 for each additional copy, and a photocopy of your valid photo ID.
Mail processing takes 8 to 10 weeks.
In person
Visit the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta or your local county health department or Probate Court. Some locations offer same-day service.
Payment methods vary by location and may include cash, credit/debit cards, check, or money order.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| ROVER (standard) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| ROVER (expedited) | Up to 5 business days |
| By mail | 8 to 10 weeks |
| In person | Same day (some locations) |
Who can order?
Georgia restricts certified copies to:
- Spouse
- Parent, child, grandparent, or grandchild
- Sibling
- The executor or administrator of the estate
- An attorney or legal representative
- Anyone with a court order
You must provide a valid photo ID and state your relationship to the deceased.
What to know about Georgia specifically
County Probate Courts issue certificates too. Georgia's 159 counties each have a Probate Court that can issue death certificates. For recent deaths, the county Probate Court is often faster than the state office, especially for in-person requests.
The Year's Support connection. If you are filing for Year's Support (Georgia's unique provision for surviving spouses), you will need a certified death certificate for the Probate Court petition. Make sure you have copies allocated for this in addition to your bank, insurance, and probate needs.
No state estate or inheritance tax. Georgia families do not need death certificates for state tax purposes.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in Georgia.
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