Gwinnett County Death Records
Gwinnett County death records are filed with the probate court in Lawrenceville, Georgia. As one of the most populated counties in the state, Gwinnett County processes a high volume of vital records requests each year. The probate court serves as the local registrar and handles death certificate orders for the county. Whether you need a certified copy for legal use or a plain copy for personal research, the Lawrenceville office is the primary local source. You can also use the state's online and mail systems for Gwinnett County death certificates.
Gwinnett County Quick Facts
Gwinnett County Probate Court Death Records
The Gwinnett County Probate Court at 75 Langley Drive in Lawrenceville is the main office for death certificate requests. Given the county's large population, this office sees heavy traffic. The staff can search the state vital records database and issue certified copies of death certificates. A valid photo ID is required for all requests. Walk-in visits during business hours typically get same-day results, though wait times can be longer than at smaller county offices.
Under OCGA § 31-10-2, Georgia operates a unified vital records system. The Gwinnett County Probate Court connects to the same central database as every other county office. This means you can get a death certificate from any Georgia county at the Lawrenceville office. If you live in Gwinnett County but need a death certificate from a different part of the state, you do not have to travel there.
The Gwinnett County Probate Court page on the Georgia DPH site provides office details for death certificate services.
This listing confirms the Gwinnett County Probate Court as the local registrar for vital records in Lawrenceville.
| Office | Gwinnett County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 |
| Type | Probate Court (County Registrar) |
How to Get Gwinnett County Death Certificates
Three options exist for getting a Gwinnett County death certificate. Visit the probate court, mail a request, or order online. The base fee is $25 across all methods. Online orders carry an added processing charge. Which method you pick should depend on your timeline.
In-person requests at the Gwinnett County Probate Court in Lawrenceville are the quickest. Bring photo ID and the details of the deceased, including full name, date of death, and place of death. Staff search the system and can give you a certified copy the same day. The first copy is $25, and extra copies from the same order are $5 each. The office accepts cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for death record orders. Because Gwinnett County is large, the office can get busy. Plan for potential wait times during peak hours.
Mail requests go through the state. Fill out Form 3912 and mail it with a $25 money order or certified check to 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Allow 8 to 10 weeks for processing and delivery by first class USPS.
Note: The state keeps the $25 search fee even if no record is found in the system.
Order Gwinnett County Death Records Online
Georgia's ROVER online system lets you order death certificates from any county. A Gwinnett County death certificate costs $25 plus $8 for online processing through ROVER. Standard shipping takes 8 to 10 weeks from the state office in Atlanta.
You can also use third-party vendors like VitalChek to order Gwinnett County death records. VitalChek is reachable at 877-572-6343. These services add their own fees. Some offer faster shipping, but the state processing time does not change. Per OCGA § 31-10-27, the state sets uniform fees for all certified copies, and those fees stay the same regardless of how you order.
Who Can Request Gwinnett County Death Certificates
Georgia law limits who can get certified death certificates. Under OCGA § 31-10-25, you need a direct and tangible interest. Eligible people include:
- Spouses of the deceased
- Adult children, parents, or siblings
- Grandparents and grandchildren
- Legal representatives and estate executors
- Insurance beneficiaries
The public can get a plain paper copy of Gwinnett County death records. These copies have the Social Security number blacked out. Plain paper copies work for genealogy and personal use but are not valid for legal or financial matters. To get a certified copy, show proof of your connection to the deceased with a birth certificate, marriage license, or court order.
Gwinnett County Death Certificate Filing
Deaths in Gwinnett County must be filed with the local registrar within ten days. Under OCGA § 31-10-15, the funeral director files the death certificate within 72 hours. The attending physician completes the medical certification covering cause and manner of death. When the cause cannot be set within 48 hours, the certificate is marked "pending" until the physician finishes.
After the Gwinnett County registrar receives the certificate, it is sent to the State Office of Vital Records for state registration. Both the state and the Gwinnett County Probate Court can then issue certified copies under OCGA § 31-10-26. If a Gwinnett County resident dies in another Georgia county, a copy of their death certificate also gets forwarded to the Lawrenceville office.
Older Gwinnett County Death Records
State records cover deaths from January 1919 to the present. For Gwinnett County deaths before 1919, finding records is more difficult. The Georgia Archives in Morrow maintains some older records. Call (678) 364-3700 for help with genealogy searches.
The Gwinnett County Probate Court may have local records that go back before the state system. Contact the Lawrenceville office to ask about their older files. Church records, cemetery logs, and newspaper notices from the area can also help trace deaths from before 1919 in Gwinnett County. The state archives has microfilm copies of early vital records that may include Gwinnett County entries.
Cities in Gwinnett County
Several qualifying cities are in Gwinnett County. Residents of these cities use the Gwinnett County Probate Court for death certificate requests.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Gwinnett County. Any Georgia vital records office can issue death certificates from any county, so you can use whichever is closest.