How to order a Georgia death certificate.

Georgia Department of Public Health (statewide, online or by mail). Standard turnaround is 5–7 business days. Cost: $25 for the first certified copy, $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.

Local county vital records office (the county where the death occurred). Often faster — you can pick up in person the same day or next day. Same per-copy fee. This is the path to use if you need them this week.

Verify the current fee at the Georgia DPH vital records website (dph.georgia.gov/vitalrecords) before sending payment.

• Full legal name of the deceased.
• Date of death (and place of death if known).
• Date of birth.
• City and state of birth.
• Mother's maiden name and father's name.
• Your relationship to the deceased (you must be a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, legal guardian, executor, or have a documented legal interest).
• A copy of your government-issued photo ID.

Each county's vital records office is separate from the probate court (don't confuse the two). Common addresses:

• Fulton County Vital Records — 137 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta.
• DeKalb County Vital Records — 445 Winn Way, Decatur.
• Cobb County Vital Records — 1650 County Services Pkwy, Marietta.
• Gwinnett County Vital Records — 455 Grayson Hwy, Lawrenceville.

Addresses change. Verify with the county before you go.

Plan for:

• 1 for the probate court filing.
• 1 for the mortgage servicer (every loan, separately).
• 1 for each bank or brokerage where there's an account.
• 1 for Social Security Administration.
• 1 for life insurance (one per policy).
• 1 for the IRS / tax preparer.
• 1 for VA benefits (if a veteran).
• 2 extras for things you forgot.

Ordering 8 at once is cheaper than ordering 1 and going back three times. The bulk discount kicks in on the same order.