Bryan County Death Records Search
Death records in Bryan County are managed by the Probate Court, which has two office locations. The main office is in Pembroke, the county seat, and a second office operates in Richmond Hill. Judge Billy D. Reynolds Sr. serves as the Vital Records Registrar for Bryan County and oversees both locations. You can request a certified death certificate at either office, order through the state's ROVER system online, or mail a request to the state Vital Records office. Bryan County death records are part of the statewide system, so both offices can also issue certificates for deaths that happened in other Georgia counties.
Bryan County Quick Facts
Bryan County Probate Court Offices
Bryan County stands out from many Georgia counties because the Probate Court has two locations. The Pembroke office is the primary location and sits at 151 South College Street. The Richmond Hill office is at 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Suite 248. Both offices handle death certificate requests. Judge Billy D. Reynolds Sr. is the Probate Judge and serves as the county's Vital Records Registrar, which means he has official authority over all death record functions in Bryan County.
The Bryan County Probate Court listing on the DPH website confirms this office as the local vital records registrar.
That listing shows the Pembroke office as the main location for Bryan County death records. Under Georgia Code § 31-10-26, the registrar issues certified copies of vital records when someone submits a written request. Bring your photo ID and the details about the person who died. The fee is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Both offices process requests the same way.
| Pembroke Office |
151 South College Street Pembroke, GA 31321 Phone: (912) 653-3856 Mailing: P.O. Box 418, Pembroke, GA 31321 |
|---|---|
| Richmond Hill Office |
66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Suite 248 Richmond Hill, GA 31324 Phone: (912) 756-8559 |
| Judge | Billy D. Reynolds, Sr. (Vital Records Registrar) |
How to Request Bryan County Death Certificates
Visit either the Pembroke or Richmond Hill office in person for same-day service. This is the fastest way to get a Bryan County death certificate. Go to whichever location is closer to you. Bring your photo ID and the information about the person whose death record you need. Staff will search the database and print a certified copy while you wait. The whole process usually takes less than half an hour in Bryan County.
Online orders go through ROVER, the official state system. You pay $25 for the certificate plus $8 for the processing fee. The certificate ships by regular mail and arrives in 8 to 10 weeks. ROVER works for Bryan County deaths and all other Georgia counties. It is the same database the Probate Court staff use when you visit in person.
For mail orders, send Form 3912 with your ID copy and a money order or certified check for $25 to the Georgia DPH, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The DPH death records page has the form. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail. Under § 31-10-27, all fees must be paid before any search starts, and they are not refundable once the service is provided.
Note: Personal checks are not accepted for mail orders to the state office.
Death Record Access Rules for Bryan County
Close family members have the right to get full certified copies of Bryan County death records. The law covers the spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Legal reps of the family and anyone with a tangible interest, such as insurance companies or estate attorneys, also qualify. Under § 31-10-25, the state protects the integrity of vital records while still allowing proper access.
Members of the public can also request death records from Bryan County. You get a plain paper copy with the Social Security number blacked out. These copies work for genealogy, family research, and general information. They cost the same $25 as a certified copy. Both Bryan County Probate Court offices handle public requests at the counter.
Death Certificate Filing in Bryan County
When a death occurs in Bryan County, the funeral director files the death certificate with the Probate Court. Georgia Code § 31-10-15 requires filing within 72 hours. The attending doctor or medical examiner completes the cause of death within the same timeframe. If the cause cannot be determined in 48 hours, "pending" goes on the record until the final finding is ready.
After local filing, Bryan County transmits the death certificate to the state office for registration under § 31-10-2. The record then sits in the statewide database. Any authorized vital records office in Georgia can access it after that. This is how the system works for all 159 Georgia counties, and it means you can get a Bryan County death certificate from an office in any part of the state.
State Sources for Bryan County Death Records
The Georgia DPH Vital Records main office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard in Atlanta has death records from 1919 to the present. Call (404) 679-4702 for help. Walk-in hours are Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM. For older records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow can assist with historical research. Call (678) 364-3700 to ask about pre-1919 Bryan County death records.
Cities in Bryan County
Pembroke is the county seat. Richmond Hill is the other main city and has seen fast growth in recent years. Neither city has a population over 25,000. Both communities are served by the Bryan County Probate Court for death records. Richmond Hill residents can use the local satellite office on Captain Matthew Freeman Drive instead of driving to Pembroke.
Nearby Counties
Bryan County sits between Savannah and Statesboro in coastal Georgia. These neighboring counties each have their own vital records offices. The Bryan County Probate Court can also pull death records from any of them through the statewide system.