Berrien County Death Records
Death records in Berrien County are kept at the Probate Court in Nashville, Georgia. The court serves as the local vital records registrar and can issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths in Berrien County or anywhere in the state. You can visit the office in person for same-day service, order through the state's ROVER system online, or send a mail request. Whether you need a death certificate to settle an estate or for family research, the Berrien County Probate Court is the first place to check. Judge Susan W. Griner oversees all probate and vital records functions in the county.
Berrien County Quick Facts
Berrien County Probate Court Office
The Probate Court in Nashville handles all death record requests for Berrien County. The office is on the second floor of the county courthouse at 201 North Davis Street, Room 175. Judge Susan W. Griner runs the court. Staff can search for a death record while you wait and print a certified copy on the spot. You need to bring a valid photo ID and know the name of the person who died, the date of death, and where the death took place. The fee is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.
The Berrien County Probate Court page on the DPH site lists the office as a vital records registrar location.
Under Georgia Code § 31-10-26, the local registrar issues certified copies of death records when a person submits a written request. The Berrien County Probate Court follows this process. You fill out a short form at the counter, pay, and get your copy. If the office does not have the record on file locally, they can pull it from the statewide database since all Georgia vital records offices are now connected.
You can also reach the office by fax at (229) 686-9495. Call first at (229) 686-5213 to confirm what they need before you send a fax request for Berrien County death records.
| Office | Berrien County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 North Davis Street, Room 175, Nashville, GA 31639 |
| Phone | (229) 686-5213 |
| Fax | (229) 686-9495 |
| Judge | Susan W. Griner |
Ways to Order Berrien County Death Records
In-person visits give the fastest results. Walk into the Probate Court in Nashville and you can leave with a death certificate the same day. This is the best option if you live in or near Berrien County. Bring your ID and the details about the person who died.
Online ordering through ROVER works from anywhere. ROVER is the state system run by the Georgia Technology Authority and DPH. You enter the death details, pay $25 plus an $8 processing fee by credit or debit card, and the certificate ships to you by regular mail. The wait is 8 to 10 weeks for Berrien County death records ordered this way. ROVER handles requests for deaths that happened in any Georgia county, including Berrien.
Mail orders go to the state office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Use Form 3912 to request a search. Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order or certified check for $25. Personal checks are not accepted. The DPH death records page has the form and full instructions. Processing takes the same 8 to 10 weeks as online orders.
The Georgia Probate Court directory page for Berrien County also provides contact details for the Probate Court.
That page confirms the court's role in processing vital records for Berrien County residents.
Who Can Get Death Records in Berrien County
Georgia law splits access into two groups. Close family and people with a direct legal interest can get full certified copies on security paper. This group includes the spouse, adult kids, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal reps like estate lawyers. Insurance companies that need to process a claim also qualify under § 31-10-25.
The general public can request Berrien County death records too. You will get a plain paper copy with the Social Security number blacked out. These are fine for family research and genealogy. They just can't be used for legal matters that need a certified copy. Either way, you pay the same $25 fee. The Berrien County Probate Court treats both types of requests the same at the counter.
Note: Georgia law requires prepayment before any record is searched or service is provided.
What Berrien County Death Certificates Show
A death certificate from Berrien County lists key facts about the person and the death itself. You will see the full legal name, date of birth, age at death, sex, race, and marital status. The place of death is on there too, including the city, county, and street address or facility name. The cause of death section is filled out by a doctor or medical examiner and includes the immediate cause, any contributing conditions, and the manner of death.
Under § 31-10-15, the funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar within 72 hours. The doctor or medical examiner completes the medical certification within 72 hours as well. If the cause cannot be set within 48 hours, "pending" goes on the certificate until the final determination is made. This means most Berrien County death records are filed and available within a week or so after the death occurs.
State Office for Berrien County Death Records
The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps copies of all death records from 1919 to the present. Their main office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard in Atlanta accepts walk-in, mail, and online requests. Call (404) 679-4702 for questions. Walk-in hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Under § 31-10-27, the department sets standard fees for all certified copies. Fees are not refundable even if no record is found.
For deaths in Berrien County before 1919, contact the Georgia Archives at (678) 364-3700. The Archives holds historical vital records and can help with research on older death records that the state system does not cover. Some county offices also have records that go back before the state started keeping them in 1919, so it is worth asking the Berrien County Probate Court if they have anything older on file.
Cities in Berrien County
Nashville is the county seat and largest town in Berrien County. Other communities include Ray City, Alapaha, and Enigma. None of these cities have a population over 25,000. All death records for Berrien County residents are handled through the Probate Court in Nashville regardless of which city you live in.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Berrien County. If you need death records from a nearby area, each county has its own Probate Court that can help. You can also request death records from any county through the Berrien County office.