Richmond County Death Records Search

Richmond County death records are handled by the county health department in Augusta, Georgia. This is a consolidated city-county government, so Augusta and Richmond County share the same offices for vital records. The health department serves as the local registrar rather than the probate court. If you need a death certificate for someone who died in Richmond County or elsewhere in Georgia, the Augusta office can help. Augusta began recording deaths back in 1904, giving it one of the longer local record histories in the state. Walk-in visits get you same-day copies, while mail and online orders take several weeks.

Richmond County Health Department Vital Records

The Richmond County Health Department is the local registrar for death records in this area. Unlike most Georgia counties that use the probate court, Richmond County routes all vital records through its health department. The office sits on North Leg Road in Augusta. Staff can search the state database and issue certified copies of death certificates on the spot if you visit in person. You must bring a valid photo ID for any request.

Because Richmond County and Augusta operate as a consolidated government, there is no separate city office for vital records. Everything goes through the county health department. Under OCGA § 31-10-2, Georgia runs one unified vital records system. That means the Richmond County office can pull death records from any county in the state. You do not have to visit the county where the death took place. This is a real time saver if you live in the Augusta area but need a record from across the state.

The Georgia DPH Vital Records main page lists all the ways you can request death certificates, including through local county offices like Richmond County.

The screenshot above shows the state vital records portal that connects to the Richmond County Health Department for processing death certificate requests.

Note: Augusta began recording deaths in 1904, which is earlier than the statewide system that started in 1919. Ask the health department about pre-1919 records if you need older Augusta death certificates.

How to Get Richmond County Death Certificates

There are three main ways to get a death certificate in Richmond County. You can go in person to the health department, send a mail request, or order online. Each method costs the same base fee but differs in processing time and convenience.

For walk-in requests, head to the health department at 1916 North Leg Rd. in Augusta. Bring your photo ID and the full name of the person who died, along with the date and place of death. If they find the record, you get your copy the same day. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each extra copy on the same order. The office takes cash, credit cards, and debit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for death record orders.

To order by mail, fill out Form 3912 from the Georgia Department of Public Health. Mail it to the state office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Include a money order or certified check for $25. Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. The state ships all mail orders by first class USPS. If you have a tight deadline, the in-person option at the Augusta office is much faster.

Note: If the state cannot find the record, they send a "not on file" letter. The $25 search fee is not refunded.

Order Richmond County Death Records Online

Georgia runs an online system called ROVER for ordering death certificates. ROVER stands for Request Official Vital Events Records. It covers all counties, so you can order a Richmond County death certificate from your computer or phone. The site charges an $8 processing fee on top of the $25 base cost. Standard shipping takes 8 to 10 weeks.

Third-party vendors such as VitalChek also process Richmond County death record orders. You can reach VitalChek by phone at 877-572-6343. These vendors add their own service fees. Some offer expedited shipping, but the base processing time at the state office stays the same. Under OCGA § 31-10-27, the department sets uniform fees for all certified copies regardless of how you place the order.

Who Can Get Death Certificates in Richmond County

Georgia law controls who can get a certified death certificate. Under OCGA § 31-10-25, certified copies go to people with a direct and tangible interest. That includes the spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the person who died. Legal representatives and insurance beneficiaries also qualify.

Members of the public can still order copies. The public version is printed on plain paper with the Social Security number blacked out. This type works fine for genealogy research or general record checks but will not hold up for legal matters like settling an estate. If you need a certified copy from Richmond County, bring proof of your connection to the deceased. A birth certificate, marriage license, or court order can serve that purpose.

Richmond County Death Certificate Filing

When a death occurs in Richmond County, the death certificate must be filed with the local registrar within ten days. Under OCGA § 31-10-15, the funeral director or person who first takes custody of the body files the certificate within 72 hours. A physician signs the medical section covering cause and manner of death. If the cause cannot be set within 48 hours, the form says "pending" until the doctor finishes the review.

After filing, the certificate goes from the Richmond County registrar to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. The state enters it in the central database. Under OCGA § 31-10-26, both the state registrar and local custodian can issue certified copies from that point forward. You can get a Richmond County death certificate from either the Augusta health department or the state office. Both are valid for legal use.

If someone dies outside Richmond County but lived here, a copy of the certificate also gets sent to the county of residence. So the Augusta office may hold records for Richmond County residents who died in other parts of Georgia.

Older Death Records in Richmond County

The state system holds death records from January 1919 to the present. But Richmond County has a big advantage here. Augusta began recording deaths in 1904, a full 15 years before the state system started. The health department may still have some of those early local records in their files. Call (706) 667-4335 to ask what older records they can access.

For deaths that happened before 1904, you will need to check other sources. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds older death records and can help with genealogy searches. Their phone number is (678) 364-3700. Church records, cemetery logs, and newspaper death notices from the Augusta area can also fill in gaps for earlier Richmond County deaths. The state archives keeps microfilm copies of many early Georgia vital records that are not in the digital system.

Cities in Richmond County

Richmond County operates as a consolidated city-county government with Augusta. There is one office for all vital records in the county. The health department on North Leg Road handles death certificate requests for all residents regardless of where they live within the county limits.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Richmond County. Any Georgia vital records office can issue death certificates from any county, so you can visit whichever office is most convenient for you.