Wilkes County Death Records
Wilkes County death records are managed by the probate court in Washington, Georgia. The probate court acts as the local registrar for vital records and connects to the statewide database. Staff at the Court Street office can search for death certificates from any Georgia county, not just Wilkes County. Whether you need a death certificate for an estate, insurance claim, or personal records, the Washington office provides same-day service for walk-in visitors. State mail and online ordering options are also available for those who live outside the area.
Wilkes County Quick Facts
Wilkes County Probate Court Vital Records
The Wilkes County Probate Court on Court Street in Washington is the office to visit for death certificates. As the local registrar, this office ties into the statewide vital records database. The clerk can search for death records from any county in Georgia and issue copies on the spot. You do not have to travel to the county where a death took place to get the certificate.
Under OCGA § 31-10-2, Georgia runs a single vital records system. All local registrars connect to it. The Wilkes County Probate Court gives you the same database access as the state office in Atlanta. You can get certified copies for legal use or plain paper copies for research and genealogy.
The Wilkes County Probate Court listing on the Georgia DPH site shows the office details for this county.
The state page above confirms the Washington address and shows the Wilkes County Probate Court as the designated vital records office for death certificate requests.
| Office | Wilkes County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 23 Court Street, Room 422, Washington, GA 30673 |
| Type | Probate Court (County Registrar) |
How to Get Wilkes County Death Certificates
There are three main ways to get a death certificate in Wilkes County. Visit the probate court in Washington, mail a request to the state, or use the online ordering system. The base fee is $25 for all methods.
For in-person requests, go to 23 Court Street, Room 422 in Washington. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name, date of death, and place of death of the person whose record you need. The staff will search the database. If found, you can walk out with a certified copy the same day. The first copy is $25. Additional copies from the same order cost $5 each. Cash and cards are accepted, but personal checks are not.
To mail a request, fill out Form 3912 from the Georgia DPH. Send it with a money order or certified check for $25 to 1680 Phoenix Blvd, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. Orders ship by first class USPS.
Note: The Wilkes County Probate Court may have limited hours due to the county's small size. Call before you visit to confirm the office is open.
Order Wilkes County Death Records Online
The state's ROVER system handles online vital record orders. ROVER stands for Request Official Vital Events Records. You can order a Wilkes County death certificate from anywhere through this site. It charges an $8 processing fee on top of the $25 base cost. Standard processing is 8 to 10 weeks.
VitalChek is another option at 877-572-6343. Third-party vendors add their own service fees. Under OCGA § 31-10-27, the state sets the base fee for certified copies. That fee does not change based on the vendor. Some vendors have faster shipping, but the state processing time stays the same.
If no record turns up, you get a "not on file" letter. The fees are not refunded.
Who Can Get Death Certificates in Wilkes County
Georgia law limits who can get certified death certificates. Under OCGA § 31-10-25, you need a direct and tangible interest. This covers spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, legal representatives, and insurance beneficiaries.
The public can still get copies of Wilkes County death records. Public copies come on plain paper with the Social Security number removed. These work for genealogy and personal use but not for legal purposes. If you need a certified copy, bring proof of your relationship to the deceased. A valid photo ID is required for every request at the Wilkes County Probate Court.
Wilkes County Death Certificate Filing
When someone dies in Wilkes County, the death certificate must be filed within ten days. Under OCGA § 31-10-15, the funeral director files the certificate with the probate court within 72 hours. A physician completes the medical section stating cause and manner of death. If the cause cannot be determined within 48 hours, "pending" goes on the form until the review finishes.
After filing with the Wilkes County Probate Court, the certificate goes to the State Office of Vital Records in Atlanta. Under OCGA § 31-10-26, both the state and local office can issue certified copies once the record is in the system. You can get a Wilkes County death certificate from the Washington probate court or from the state office.
If a Wilkes County resident dies in another Georgia county, a copy of the certificate gets forwarded to Washington. So the local office may have records for residents who died in other parts of the state.
Older Death Records in Wilkes County
The state system has death records from January 1919 forward. For Wilkes County deaths before 1919, the Georgia Archives in Morrow keeps some older records. Call (678) 364-3700 for genealogy help.
The Wilkes County Probate Court may hold some local files from before the state system began. Church records, cemetery logs, and newspaper death notices from the Washington area can help fill gaps for older deaths. The Georgia Archives has microfilm of many early Georgia vital records available to the public.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Wilkes County. Any Georgia vital records office can issue death certificates from any county, so visit the closest one to you.