Vital Records provide accurate data concerning life events, such as birth certificates and death certificates. All vital records offices can now obtain birth and death certificates from any county within the state of Georgia (which maintains records filed from 1919 to the present). You do not have to visit the county in which you were born (or the person died) in order to obtain a certified copy of a record.
Each county in Georgia has a vital records registrar and vital records custodian appointed by the state registrar. Depending on the county, a Vital Records Office may be located at the county health department, or it may be located in the probate judge’s office.
How To Request Vital Records
Online Requests
District 4 Public Health partners with an independent company, VitalDirector, for online requests. There is an additional fee between $2-16 for using this service. VitalDirector accepts all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa. Click on one of the links below to order online through VitalDirector:
When you order online you can choose either to 1) pick up your birth or death certificate at the health department, or 2) have it delivered by mail. Orders are normally processed within 5 business days, excluding weekends and holidays, once all information is available. Please click on any of the county links above to read more about who may request a birth or death certificate along with associated costs.
IN-PERSON REQUESTS
In District 4 Public Health, the health departments in Carroll, Meriwether, Spalding, Troup and Upson counties serve as registrars and can provide you with vital records (certified birth/death certificates) in their office. You may request a birth certificate in person Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Each office closes for lunch.) Please bring the appropriate fee and a photo ID. We accept all major credit cards (including American Express, Discover, MasterCard and Visa), money order or cash. We DO NOT ACCEPT American Express checks or personal checks.
REQUEST BY MAIL:
Pay by money order or cashier’s check to _____________ County Public Health. DO NOT SEND CASH in the mail. Include a clear, readable copy of your photo ID.
Fees
FEES
Search fee* (includes one certified copy, if the record is found on file): $25
Additional copies of certified record (ordered at the same time): $5
Standard shipping for mailed delivery: $2.50
Other fees may apply. Please click on one of the county links above for more information.
*Georgia law requires that a search fee is received before a certified copy of a birth certificate can be issued. Payment of the fee is necessary at the time of service, and search fees are non-refundable.
Forms of Payment
We accept cash and major credit/debit cards. We do not accept personal checks or mobile payment apps (Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, etc.).