Georgia Vital Records: Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Certificates

Vital records are the official documents that mark the key events of a life: birth, death, marriage and divorce. In Georgia, these records are created and maintained by government agencies, and access to them is governed by state law. This guide from GeorgiaPublicRecords.org explains what each type of Georgia vital record is, which office holds it, who is allowed to obtain a copy, and how to request one — so you can plan your search before you submit an application or pay a fee.

What Counts as a Georgia Vital Record

Georgia recognizes four core categories of vital records. Each is held by a different office or system, and each has its own rules about who may request a copy.

• Birth certificates — record a person's birth, including date, place, and parent information.
• Death certificates — record a death, including date, place, cause, and decedent details.
• Marriage records — the marriage license and certificate, typically filed in the county where the license was issued.
• Divorce records — the final decree and related filings, held by the court that granted the divorce.

Because these records contain sensitive personal information, Georgia restricts access to many of them. Understanding those restrictions is the first step in any search.

Birth and Death Certificates: State and County Sources

In Georgia, birth and death certificates are primarily held by the state's vital records office, with some records also available through the county probate court where the event occurred. The state office is the central repository for certificates filed across Georgia, while county probate courts maintain local registers and can often help with older or locally filed records.

When you request a birth or death certificate, expect to provide:

• The full name of the person named on the certificate.
• The date and place (county) of the event.
• Your relationship to the person named, or documentation showing a legal interest.
• A completed application form and payment of the applicable fee.
• Photo identification, where required.

Georgia limits who may obtain a certified copy of a birth or death certificate. Immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest generally qualify. If you are researching someone outside your family, you may be limited to a non-certified record or to records that are old enough to be treated as public.

Marriage Records in Georgia

Marriage records in Georgia are generally held by the probate court in the county where the marriage license was issued. That means there is no single statewide index you can search for every marriage; you need to know — or narrow down — the county where the couple applied for their license.

To request a marriage record, contact the probate court in the relevant county and ask about its application process, fees, and identification requirements. Older marriage records may be available through the Georgia Archives or through county historical collections, which can be useful for genealogy research.

Divorce Records in Georgia

Divorce records are court records, not vital records in the same sense as birth and death certificates. The final divorce decree is held by the superior court in the county where the divorce was granted. To obtain a copy, you generally contact the clerk of that court and request the case file by name and, if possible, case number.

Divorce records may be subject to court rules about access and copying fees. Some courts provide online case indexes that let you confirm a case exists before you request copies.

Who Can Request a Georgia Vital Record

Access rules vary by record type, but in general:

• Birth and death certificates: Usually restricted to the person named, immediate family, legal guardians, attorneys, and others with a documented legal interest.
• Marriage records: Often available to the spouses and to others who can show a legitimate purpose; county practices vary.
• Divorce records: Governed by court access rules, which may allow public inspection of the case file while limiting copies of certain documents.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the office that holds the record before submitting an application. This can save you time and a non-refundable fee.

How to Request a Vital Record: Step by Step

1. Identify the record type and the office that holds it. Birth and death certificates generally go through the state vital records office or the county probate court; marriage records through the county probate court; divorce records through the superior court clerk.
2. Gather the details. Full name, date and place of the event, and any known certificate or case numbers.
3. Check eligibility and identification requirements. Confirm you are allowed to receive the record and what ID you will need.
4. Complete the application. Use the form provided by the office, whether online, by mail, or in person.
5. Pay the fee. Fees vary by record type and by whether you request a certified or non-certified copy.
6. Allow processing time. Turnaround depends on the office and the request method; plan ahead if you have a deadline.

Tips for Genealogy and Historical Research

If you are tracing family history rather than requesting a current certificate, you may have more options. Older vital records are sometimes available through the Georgia Archives, county historical societies, and public library collections. Death certificates in particular can be valuable for genealogy because they often name parents and spouses. Start with the county where the event occurred, and work outward to state-level indexes and archival collections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Georgia birth and death certificates kept?

They are primarily held by the state vital records office, with some records also available through the county probate court where the event occurred.

Can anyone get a copy of a Georgia birth certificate?

No. Georgia restricts certified copies to the person named, immediate family, legal representatives, and others with a documented legal interest.

Where do I find a Georgia marriage record?

Contact the probate court in the county where the marriage license was issued. There is no single statewide marriage index.

How do I get a copy of a Georgia divorce decree?

Request it from the clerk of the superior court in the county where the divorce was granted, using the names of the parties and, if possible, the case number.

Are Georgia vital records public records?

Some are, but many are restricted by law because they contain sensitive personal information. Access depends on the record type and your relationship to the person named.

For more guidance on locating Georgia public records, explore the rest of GeorgiaPublicRecords.org.