Access Chatham County Death Records

Chatham County death records are handled by the Health Department Vital Records office in Savannah, Georgia. Chatham County is the most populous county on Georgia's coast and home to Savannah, one of the state's largest cities. The health department operates by appointment only and is part of the Coastal Health District. You can request a death certificate in person at the Eisenhower Drive office, by mail through the state, or online through the ROVER system. Savannah has one of the longest histories of recording deaths in Georgia, with records going back to 1803.

Chatham County Health Department Vital Records

The Chatham County Health Department Vital Records office on Eisenhower Drive in Savannah is the local registrar for death records. Unlike many Georgia counties that use the probate court, Chatham County handles vital records through the health department. The office operates by appointment only. You must schedule a time before you visit. This is a busy office that serves a large population, so planning ahead saves you time.

The Chatham County vital records office is part of the Coastal Health District, which serves several counties along the Georgia coast. The office can issue certified copies of death certificates for any death that took place in Georgia, not just Chatham County. Bring a valid photo ID to your appointment. Staff will search the state database and print your copy. The fee is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra copy in the same order.

You can reach the office at (912) 356-2138 during regular hours. The toll-free line is 1-866-667-3236. After hours, call (912) 689-4121. The fax number is (912) 356-2544. The DPH Vital Records page has more info on Chatham County and every other registrar location in the state.

How to Get Chatham County Death Certificates

There are several ways to get a death certificate from Chatham County. In person at the health department in Savannah requires an appointment but is the fastest local option. You can also order online through ROVER or by mail through the state office in Atlanta.

The ROVER system is the state's online portal for vital records. Enter the details of the person who died, upload your photo ID, and pay by card. ROVER charges $25 for the certificate plus a $8 processing fee. Orders ship from the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for delivery. This is a good option for Chatham County residents who cannot get an appointment quickly or for people who live outside the area.

Mail requests go to the Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Include the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, your relationship to the person, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order or certified check for $25. Personal checks are not accepted. Under OCGA § 31-10-27, all fees must be paid before service and are non-refundable once the search is completed. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for processing.

Note: The Chatham County vital records office operates by appointment only, so call (912) 356-2138 before visiting.

Who Can Request Chatham County Death Records

Georgia law determines who can get a full certified death certificate from Chatham County. Under OCGA § 31-10-25, the state protects vital records and limits access. Close family members of the deceased can get certified copies. This includes the spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Legal representatives and people with a tangible interest, like insurance companies and beneficiaries, also qualify for certified copies.

The public can still request Chatham County death records. They receive a plain paper version with the Social Security number blacked out. Under OCGA § 31-10-26, the state registrar or any local custodian can issue copies upon a written request. The plain copy works for research or general proof of death. A valid photo ID is required for every Chatham County death record request.

Historical Chatham County Death Records

Chatham County has one of the richest histories of death records in Georgia. Savannah began recording deaths in 1803, well over a century before the state system started in 1919. These early records are an important resource for genealogy and historical research. The Georgia Archives holds many historical death records from Chatham County and other early Georgia communities.

Under OCGA § 31-10-15, a death certificate must be filed within ten days of the death. The funeral director submits it to the local registrar within 72 hours. A physician signs off on the cause of death. The Chatham County Health Department then sends the completed record to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta for permanent storage. The state office holds all Chatham County death records from 1919 to the present. For anything older, check the Georgia Archives or local historical societies in Savannah.

The Georgia Archives digital vault has some historical holdings available online. Some Savannah death registers from the 1800s may be accessible there for free. This is a good starting point if you are looking for a very old Chatham County death record.

Cities in Chatham County

Chatham County contains Savannah, one of the largest cities in Georgia, along with several other communities. All death records for cities in Chatham County go through the Health Department Vital Records office on Eisenhower Drive in Savannah.

Other communities in Chatham County include Bloomingdale, Garden City, Port Wentworth, Thunderbolt, and Tybee Island. All use the Chatham County Health Department for death certificates.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Chatham County in southeast Georgia. If you need a death record and are not sure which county to check, find out where the death took place. Any county vital records office in Georgia can issue death certificates from any county in the state.