Dunwoody Death Records

Dunwoody death index records are handled by the DeKalb County Health Department in Decatur. Dunwoody is one of several cities in DeKalb County that rely on the county health office for vital records like death certificates. The office on Winn Way processes all death record requests for Dunwoody residents and anyone searching for a record tied to the area. Whether you go in person, send a mail request, or use one of the state's online ordering tools, the process starts with DeKalb County. This page covers the steps, fees, and options for finding a Dunwoody death record.

DeKalb County Health Department

The DeKalb County Health Department manages all death records for Dunwoody. There is no city-level vital records office in Dunwoody. Every death certificate request goes through DeKalb County. The health department can search for records, issue certified copies, and provide informational copies for research use. Walk-in visits tend to be the quickest way to get what you need.

The office is at 445 Winn Way in Decatur, GA 30030. That is about a 20-minute drive from Dunwoody. Bring a valid photo ID and the name and date of death for the person you are looking up. Staff can usually find and print the record the same day. DeKalb County also serves other nearby cities like Tucker, Stonecrest, and Chamblee, so the office can get busy during peak hours.

Note: The DeKalb County office serves a large population, so Dunwoody residents may want to arrive early for shorter wait times.

Dunwoody Death Certificate Costs

Dunwoody death certificates cost $25.00 for the first copy. Extra copies cost $5.00 each when you get them at the same time. State law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees for all Georgia counties. The DeKalb County Health Department follows the same schedule.

Cash and credit cards work for in-person visits. Mail requests require a money order or certified check. Personal checks are not taken. If no record is found, the office issues a not-on-file letter and the fee is still charged. People dealing with estates or insurance for a Dunwoody death usually order at least two copies so they have spares for different agencies and institutions that need one.

Searching Dunwoody Death Index Records

You have several ways to search for death records in Dunwoody. Visit the DeKalb County Health Department for the fastest results. Staff look up records by name and date of death. A certified copy can be printed right there during your visit.

Online tools work too. The ROVER system from Georgia lets you order death certificates from home. Set up an account and enter the details. The state mails the certificate, but it takes 8 to 10 weeks. VitalChek and GO Certificates offer online ordering with extra service fees added on top. All three pull from the same state database that includes Dunwoody death records from 1919 to the present.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, every death in Georgia must have a certificate filed. The physician signs off within 48 hours. Records for deaths in Dunwoody enter the system quickly. Recent deaths may show up at the county office before the online tools have them.

Who Can Get Dunwoody Death Records

Certified death certificates from Dunwoody go to people with a direct and tangible interest. That means spouses, parents, adult children, legal guardians, and estate representatives. Funeral directors qualify too. Georgia Rules 511-1-3 list every category of person who can get a certified copy.

Plain paper copies are open to the public. The Social Security number is removed and the copy is not certified. These work for genealogy and general research. The DeKalb County Health Department issues both types at the same $25.00 rate for Dunwoody death records.

Mail Requests for Dunwoody Death Records

Mail your request to the DeKalb County Health Department at 445 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030. Include a money order for $25.00, the full name and date of death, your relationship to the deceased, and a copy of your photo ID. County mail requests for Dunwoody death records usually take 2 to 4 weeks.

The state office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 also accepts mail requests. Call (404) 679-4702 if you have questions. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks. Since Dunwoody is close to Atlanta, a walk-in visit to either the county or state office is a practical option if you need the record faster.

Dunwoody Historical Death Records

Historical death records from the Dunwoody area are available through the Georgia Archives. The Archives holds files going back to the early 1900s and has a free digital collection for 1919 to 1927. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 and costs nothing to use.

These free resources are a good starting point if you are researching family history in the Dunwoody area. They let you confirm whether a death record exists before you pay for a certified copy from the county or state.

Georgia DPH Fees Page

The Georgia DPH fees page shows the cost of death certificates for Dunwoody and every other city in the state.

Death certificates are not issued by the city of Dunwoody. All vital records requests go through the DeKalb County Health Department in Decatur.

Nearby Cities

These cities are close to Dunwoody and share the same or nearby county offices for death records.