Banks County Death Index
Banks County death index records are available at the Probate Court in Homer. Located in the northeast Georgia foothills, Banks County uses its probate court as the main office for death certificates and vital records. You can search for death records by visiting the court on Yonah Homer Road or by ordering online through state services. Georgia's vital records system covers deaths from 1919 to today, and the Banks County Probate Court taps into that statewide database. This page covers the process for getting death certificates, the fees involved, and alternative ways to search for Banks County death records.
Banks County Death Index Facts
Banks County Probate Court Office
The Banks County Probate Court is the local source for death certificates. Find it at 144 Yonah Homer Road Suite 7 in Homer, GA 30547. The court staff process requests for certified copies of death certificates. Bring your ID and come during business hours.
Banks County is a rural county in northeast Georgia with a close-knit community. The probate court is not busy like a big city office, so wait times are short. Staff can search records by name and date of death. If the record is on file at the Banks County Probate Court, they can print a certified copy that same visit. Older records from decades past may need a little more time to pull up.
| Office | Banks County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 144 Yonah Homer Road Suite 7, Homer, GA 30547 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Banks County Death Record Fees
A certified death certificate from Banks County is $25.00. Each extra copy costs $5.00 when ordered together. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees for every county in Georgia. The Banks County Probate Court takes cash, credit cards, debit cards, certified checks, and money orders. Personal checks are not accepted for death record requests.
If you need copies for multiple purposes, order them all at once. Insurance claims, real estate transfers, and probate proceedings may each require a separate certified copy from Banks County. The discount on additional copies makes it worth getting what you need in a single trip.
Note: Ask Banks County staff about current fees before you visit since rates can be updated by the state at any time.
Search Banks County Death Index Online
You can search for Banks County death records online through several services. Georgia runs the ROVER system for online vital records orders. Create an account, enter the deceased person's details, and the state mails you a certified copy. The system includes Banks County deaths going back to 1919.
Two other online options exist. VitalChek handles Georgia death certificate orders with optional rush delivery. There is a service fee on top of the state cost. GO Certificates is a similar online vendor that processes Georgia vital records. Both draw from the same state database that covers Banks County.
Free resources work for historical searches. The Georgia Archives has death records from the early 1900s. Their digital vault shows scans from 1919 to 1927. FamilySearch offers a Georgia death index from 1933 to 1998 at no cost. These are helpful for Banks County genealogy.
Eligibility for Banks County Vital Records
Georgia law limits who can get certified death certificates. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 says you must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. Close family members of the deceased person qualify. So do estate executors, attorneys, and funeral directors who were involved in the case. You will need to show proof of your connection at the Banks County Probate Court.
Informational copies are available to anyone. They contain the same facts but lack legal standing. Researchers and family historians often get informational copies of Banks County death records for their projects. Rules for who gets what are spelled out in Georgia Rules 511-1-3.
Banks County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests for Banks County death certificates should go to the Probate Court at 144 Yonah Homer Road Suite 7, Homer, GA 30547. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00 along with the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship. Attach a copy of your photo ID.
The state office takes mail requests too. Send to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks, while the Banks County office is typically faster for local deaths.
Banks County Court Listing
The Georgia DPH page for the Banks County Probate Court confirms its location and services.
Review this listing before your trip to the Banks County Probate Court in Homer for death records.
Nearby Counties
Banks County is surrounded by these northeast Georgia counties. If you cannot find a death record in Banks County, check these neighbors.