Effingham County Death Records
Effingham County death records are managed through the Probate Court in Springfield. This growing county sits northwest of Savannah and falls within the Coastal Health District for public health services. The probate court is the local vital records registrar and can search the statewide database for death certificates from any Georgia county. You can visit the Springfield office, order through the ROVER system online, or mail a request to the state. Effingham County has seen steady population growth in recent years, which means more people are using the local probate court for vital records.
Effingham County Quick Facts
Effingham County Probate Court Vital Records
The Effingham County Probate Court is located at 700 North Pine Street, Suite 146, in Springfield. This is the office for death certificate requests at the local level. You can reach them at (912) 754-2112. The fax number is (912) 754-7516. Staff search the statewide vital records database and issue certified copies of death records. Walk-in service is the fastest option. Bring your photo ID and be ready with details about the person who died.
Effingham County is part of the Coastal Health District, which serves several counties in the Savannah metro area. The probate court in Springfield connects to the same state database that every Georgia vital records office uses. Under OCGA § 31-10-2, this system lets any county office pull death certificates from anywhere in Georgia.
The Georgia DPH Vital Records page provides information about the statewide vital records system that Effingham County connects to for death certificate processing.
The DPH page above covers all vital records services available across Georgia, including how Effingham County residents can order death certificates through the state system.
| Office | Effingham County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 700 N Pine St, Suite 146, Springfield, GA 31329 |
| Phone | (912) 754-2112 |
| Fax | (912) 754-7516 |
| District | Coastal Health District |
| Type | Probate Court (Local Registrar) |
How to Get Effingham County Death Certificates
You can get an Effingham County death certificate in person at the Springfield probate court, by mail from the state, or online. Each method costs the same for the base certificate fee but timelines and processing fees differ.
For in-person visits, go to 700 North Pine Street in Springfield. Bring a valid photo ID and have the full name of the deceased, date of death, and place of death ready. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each extra copy in the same order. Staff at the Effingham County Probate Court can search the record while you wait. Cash, credit, and debit cards are typically accepted. Call (912) 754-2112 beforehand to confirm hours and accepted payment methods.
Mail requests go to the Georgia DPH, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Use Form 3912 and include a money order or certified check for $25 along with a copy of your photo ID. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Under OCGA § 31-10-27, fees are collected before any search begins and they are not returned if the record is not found.
Note: Since Effingham County is close to Savannah, residents may also find it convenient to use the Chatham County vital records office for death certificate requests.
Order Effingham County Death Records Online
The ROVER system is the state portal for online death certificate orders. ROVER covers all 159 Georgia counties, including Effingham. The fee is $25 for the certificate plus $8 for online processing. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks by USPS.
Third-party vendors like VitalChek also handle Effingham County death record orders. VitalChek takes orders by phone at 877-572-6343 and through their website. GO Certificates is another approved vendor. Both charge their own service fees on top of the state price. Some offer rush shipping options that cut the wait. The DPH online ordering page has details on all approved vendors.
Who Can Get Effingham County Death Records
Under OCGA § 31-10-25, certified death certificates go to people with a direct interest in the record. This includes close family: spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Legal representatives and insurance beneficiaries also qualify for certified copies from the Effingham County Probate Court.
The public can get a plain paper copy with the Social Security number removed. This type of copy works for research or general reference. It is not accepted for legal purposes. All requesters at the Effingham County office must show a valid photo ID.
Death Certificate Filing in Effingham County
When someone dies in Effingham County, the funeral director files the death certificate with the local registrar within 72 hours. Under OCGA § 31-10-15, a physician must sign the medical portion certifying the cause and manner of death. The full certificate must reach the registrar within ten days. The Effingham County registrar then forwards the record to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta.
The state has death records from 1919 to now. For earlier Effingham County deaths, the Georgia Archives in Morrow may hold early records and indexes. Church records and cemetery logs from the Springfield area can also help with pre-1919 research. Call the archives at (678) 364-3700 for help with older Effingham County death records.
Note: If the cause of death is under investigation by the coroner, the certificate may be delayed until the review is done.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Effingham County near the Savannah metro area. Any Georgia vital records office can issue death certificates from any county in the state.