Find Death Records in Ware County

Ware County death records are handled by the county health department in Waycross, Georgia. The health department serves as the local registrar for vital records and is part of the Southeast Health District. Staff at the Riverside Drive office can search for death certificates, issue certified copies, and process requests for records from any county in the state. Whether you need a death certificate for legal, insurance, or personal reasons, the Waycross office can help with same-day in-person service or point you toward the state mail and online options.

Ware County Health Department Vital Records

The Ware County Health Department on Riverside Drive in Waycross is the place to go for death certificates. This office is part of the Southeast Health District and serves as the local registrar under Georgia law. Unlike many counties that use the probate court, Ware County uses the health department for all vital records work. The staff can search the state database and pull death records from any Georgia county.

Under OCGA § 31-10-2, Georgia operates a single vital records system statewide. Every local registrar ties into the same database. So a trip to the Ware County Health Department in Waycross gives you access to death records from all 159 Georgia counties, not just Ware County. This is helpful if you live in the Waycross area but need a record from a different part of the state.

The Ware County Health Department page on the Georgia DPH website lists office details for this location.

The page above shows the state listing for the Ware County Health Department. It confirms the Waycross address and services offered for vital record requests.

The Southeast Health District page for Ware County also provides contact details and service information for the health department in Waycross.

This second page from the Southeast Health District shows additional details about the Ware County Health Department and the services they provide, including vital records.

Note: A valid photo ID is required for all death record requests at the Ware County Health Department. No exceptions to this rule.

How to Get Ware County Death Certificates

You can get a death certificate in Ware County three ways. Walk into the health department in Waycross, send a mail request to the state, or order online. The base fee stays the same at $25 regardless of which method you choose.

For walk-in visits, go to 604 Riverside Drive in Waycross. Bring your photo ID and the details of the person who died, including the full name, date of death, and place of death. If the record is found, you can get a certified copy that same day. The cost is $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra copy from the same order. The office accepts cash and cards. Personal checks are not taken.

Mail requests go to the Georgia Department of Public Health at 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Fill out Form 3912 and include a money order or certified check for $25. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. All completed orders ship by first class USPS from Atlanta.

Order Ware County Death Records Online

Georgia's online system is called ROVER. It stands for Request Official Vital Events Records. You can order a Ware County death certificate from home through this system. ROVER charges an $8 processing fee on top of the $25 base cost. Standard processing takes 8 to 10 weeks.

VitalChek is a third-party vendor that also handles Georgia death record orders. You can call them at 877-572-6343 to order by phone. Third-party services add their own fees. Some offer rush shipping options, but the state still takes the same time to process the actual record. Under OCGA § 31-10-27, the department controls the fee schedule for all certified copies.

Note: If no record is found in the search, you get a "not on file" letter. The search fee and processing fee are not refunded.

Who Can Get Death Certificates in Ware County

Georgia law decides who can get a certified death certificate. Under OCGA § 31-10-25, you must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren all qualify. Legal representatives and insurance beneficiaries can get certified copies too.

Members of the public can still request death records from Ware County. The public version comes on plain paper with the Social Security number blacked out. This type works for genealogy and research but does not hold up for legal matters like settling estates or claiming benefits. Bring proof of your relationship if you need a certified copy. A birth certificate, marriage license, or court order will do.

Ware County Death Certificate Filing Process

When someone dies in Ware County, the death certificate gets filed with the health department within ten days. Under OCGA § 31-10-15, the funeral director files the certificate within 72 hours. A physician signs the medical section, which states the cause and manner of death. If the cause cannot be determined within 48 hours, "pending" goes on the form.

After filing with the Ware County Health Department, the certificate moves to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. Under OCGA § 31-10-26, both the state and local office can then issue certified copies. So you can get a Ware County death certificate from the Waycross health department or from the state office. Both versions carry the same legal weight.

Older Death Records in Ware County

The state database holds death records from January 1919 forward. For deaths before 1919 in Ware County, you will need to look elsewhere. The Georgia Archives in Morrow keeps some older death records. Call them at (678) 364-3700 for help with genealogy searches.

The Ware County Health Department may hold local records that go further back than the state system. Call (855) 473-4374 to ask what they have. Cemetery records, church logs, and old newspaper notices from the Waycross area can also help fill in gaps for deaths before 1919.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ware County. Any Georgia vital records office can pull death records from any county in the state, so visit whichever office is most convenient.