Augusta Death Records

Augusta death records are handled by the Richmond County Health Department under the consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government. Augusta and Richmond County merged in 1996, so the city and county operate as one unit. Death certificates for Augusta residents go through the health department on North Leg Road. The office can pull records from anywhere in Georgia, not just Richmond County. Augusta began recording deaths locally in 1904, giving the area over a century of records on file.

Augusta Death Records at Richmond County

The Richmond County Health Department serves as the local registrar for Augusta death records. Because Augusta and Richmond County share a consolidated government, there is no separate city office for vital records. Everything runs through the county health department. The office sits at 1916 North Leg Road in Augusta. You can walk in, show your ID, and request a death certificate on the spot.

Under OCGA 31-10-2, Georgia runs one statewide vital records system. The Richmond County office connects to this system and can issue certified copies of death certificates from any county in the state. So if you live in Augusta but need a record from Chatham County or Bibb County, you can still get it here. That saves a trip across the state. The staff searches the same database used by every other vital records office in Georgia.

The ROVER online ordering system is another option for Augusta residents who prefer not to visit the office in person.

The screenshot above shows the ROVER portal where Augusta residents can order death certificates without visiting the health department.

How to Get Death Certificates in Augusta

There are three main ways to get a death certificate if you live in Augusta. You can go in person, order online, or send a mail request. The base cost is the same for all methods.

Walk-in requests are the fastest. Go to the Richmond County Health Department at 1916 North Leg Road. Bring your photo ID and know the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and where the death happened. Staff will search for the record and print a certified copy if they find it. You can often get copies the same day. The fee is $25 for the first copy. Extra copies from the same order cost $5 each. You can pay with cash, credit cards, or debit cards. The office does not take personal checks.

For mail orders, fill out Form 3912 and send it to the state office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Include a money order or certified check for $25. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. All mail orders ship by first class USPS.

Note: Georgia law requires prepayment before any record search begins. If no record is found, you get a "not on file" letter but no refund on the $25 fee.

Order Augusta Death Records Online

ROVER handles online orders for all Georgia death certificates, including Augusta. The system adds an $8 processing fee on top of the $25 base cost. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Georgia Technology Authority runs ROVER in partnership with the Department of Public Health.

You can also go through VitalChek by calling 877-572-6343. They charge their own service fees and may offer faster shipping. But the state processing time does not change no matter which vendor you use. Under OCGA 31-10-27, the Department of Public Health sets all fees for certified copies.

Who Can Get Augusta Death Certificates

Georgia law limits who can get a certified death certificate. Under OCGA 31-10-25, certified copies are for people with a direct and tangible interest. That means close family like a spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren. Legal reps and insurance beneficiaries also qualify.

Members of the public can request a plain paper copy. This version has the Social Security number blacked out. It works for genealogy and general research but not for legal purposes like estate settlement. Bring a photo ID no matter what type of copy you want. The Richmond County office requires ID for all requests.

Older Death Records in Augusta

Augusta started recording deaths in 1904. That is 15 years before the state system began in 1919. These early records are a good source for family research in the Augusta area. The state database covers 1919 to the present for all Georgia counties.

For deaths before 1919, check with the Georgia Archives in Morrow at (678) 364-3700. They hold microfilm and other records from Augusta's early registration years. Church records, cemetery logs, and newspaper death notices can also help fill gaps for deaths that happened before formal record keeping started in the area.

Under OCGA 31-10-15, all death certificates in Georgia must be filed with the local registrar within ten days. The funeral director files the paperwork within 72 hours, and a physician signs off on the cause of death. This has been the standard since the state system launched in 1919.

Augusta Death Certificate Filing

When a death occurs in Augusta, the funeral home files the death certificate with the Richmond County registrar. The doctor who attended the death signs the medical section. If the cause of death is not clear within 48 hours, the certificate is filed with "pending" listed as the cause. Once the local office has the completed certificate, it gets sent to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta for registration.

After state registration, both the Richmond County Health Department and the state office can issue certified copies. Under OCGA 31-10-26, the state registrar and local custodian share the authority to issue certified copies. Either one produces a legally valid document. If the person who died was an Augusta resident but died in another county, a copy of the certificate also gets sent to Richmond County.

Nearby Cities

Augusta is in the eastern part of Georgia near the South Carolina border. The closest qualifying cities with death records pages are in the Atlanta metro area.