To request a birth or death record, you must have an official photo identification. The cost is $25+ $5 for each additional copy. The Probate Court accepts cash, money orders, credit and/or debit cards. Using a credit/debit card will incur an additional vendor’s fee.
You must provide official photo identification. Printed photo copies, pictures of an ID card on a cellular device, temporary paper licenses from the DMV are not accepted. You must have the hard copy. Accepted forms of ID:
- Georgia Driver’s license unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Identification Card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Weapons Carry License - unexpired
- Unexpired driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired official Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired U.S. Passport
- Unexpired Foreign Passport
- U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent Identification, Veteran’s Identification
- Unexpired Consulate Card
- Unexpired Transportation Worker ID
- Debit Card with Picture
- Current School, University, or College Identification Card
- Department of Driver Services (DDS) ID Card
- Department of Corrections Identification Card
If you do not have an acceptable photo I.D., an immediate adult family member (i.e., mother, father, sister, brother, son, or daughter) may request on your behalf with their I.D. A Georgia vital record may be retrieved from any county in Georgia, not just the county of birth or death.
Birth Certificates:
Birth certificates are not public record. There are a limited number of people who may apply to receive a certified copy of birth certificate.
Acceptable Persons:
- The person named on the certificate- If the person named on the certificate (i.e. the registrant) is the requestor, that person must provide valid photo identification at the time of the request.
- The parent(s) named on the birth record- Must provide valid picture identification.
- An authorized legal guardian or agent- Any person who has legal custody or control of a minor child must provide a certified copy of the court order establishing guardianship and legal custody.
- Grandparents of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship such as the birth certificate of the registrant’s parent.
- An adult child or adult sibling of the person named on the certificate- Must provide proof of relationship by providing a copy of his or her birth certificate listing one of the same parents, along with his or her valid government issued picture identification which includes signature.
- The spouse of the person named on the certificate- Must provide a copy of the marriage certificate, a photo copy of the spouse’s picture identification, which includes the spouse’s signature, with a notarized letter from the spouse giving permission.
- Attorney-Must represent an immediate family member and provide a notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney; provide bar number indicating reason for the request and whom they represent; provide supporting documentation with the fee; provide a notarized release from the biological mother, in the event of an adoption.
Death Certificates
Certified death certificates are available to requestors having a direct and tangible interest to the decedent, including primary family members or legal representatives of the family.
To order a birth or death record online, you may submit your request to the Georgia Department of Public Health at:
The Dougherty County Probate Court does not fulfill vital records requests through any other website.