Ben Hill County Death Records
Ben Hill County death index records are on file at the Probate Court in Fitzgerald. The court on South Sheridan Street serves as the vital records office for this south-central Georgia county. If you need a death certificate from Ben Hill County, the probate court is your main option for a walk-in visit. State online services also let you order copies from anywhere. Georgia's death records start in 1919, and the Ben Hill County Probate Court can pull from that full database. Here is what you need to know about searching death records, the costs, and the rules for who can get certified copies from Ben Hill County.
Ben Hill County Death Index Facts
Ben Hill County Probate Court
The Ben Hill County Probate Court is at 111 S Sheridan Street in Fitzgerald, GA 31750. This office handles death certificate requests for Ben Hill County. You visit in person with your photo ID and the details of the deceased. Staff search the records and can issue a certified copy on the spot.
Fitzgerald is the only city in Ben Hill County and serves as the county seat. The probate court is located at the county courthouse and shares the building with other county offices. Vital records services here include death certificates, birth records, and marriage licenses. The staff at the Ben Hill County Probate Court are familiar with the process and can walk you through what you need if it is your first time requesting a death certificate.
| Office | Ben Hill County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 111 S Sheridan Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Fees for Ben Hill County Death Records
Certified death certificates from Ben Hill County are $25.00 each. Extra copies cost $5.00 apiece when you order them with the first one. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 establishes these fees statewide. You can pay with cash, credit or debit cards, certified checks, or money orders at the Ben Hill County Probate Court. Personal checks are not allowed.
Plan ahead and order all the copies you think you will need. Estate work, insurance claims, and bank account closures in Ben Hill County each may require a separate certified death certificate. Buying extras at $5.00 is much cheaper than paying $25.00 per visit.
Note: The fee must be paid at the time of the request at the Ben Hill County Probate Court.
Search Ben Hill County Death Index Online
Several online tools let you search for death records tied to Ben Hill County. The state's ROVER system is the official online ordering portal. Register for an account, type in the deceased person's name and date of death, and submit your request. Georgia sends the certified copy by mail. ROVER covers deaths from 1919 to the present across all Georgia counties.
VitalChek provides another online channel with the option to pay for faster delivery. There is a service fee added to the base cost. GO Certificates is a third online option approved by Georgia for vital records orders. Both services access the state database with Ben Hill County records.
For older Ben Hill County death records, the Georgia Archives keeps historical files. Free digital scans of death records from 1919 to 1927 are online. FamilySearch has a free Georgia death index from 1933 to 1998 that covers Ben Hill County entries.
Who Can Request Ben Hill County Death Certificates
Georgia restricts certified death certificate access under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15. You need a direct and tangible interest. Close family members of the deceased can get certified copies from Ben Hill County. That means the spouse, parents, children, and siblings. Legal representatives with court-issued authority also qualify. Funeral directors who handled the arrangements have access as well.
Informational copies are open to all. These copies are marked as non-certified and cannot be used for legal purposes. They are fine for genealogy research and family history projects involving Ben Hill County death records. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 outline the full eligibility criteria.
Ben Hill County Death Records by Mail
Mail your request for a Ben Hill County death certificate to the Probate Court at 111 S Sheridan Street, Fitzgerald, GA 31750. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Provide the deceased person's full name, date of death, and your relationship. Enclose a copy of your photo ID.
The state vital records office takes mail requests too. The address is Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Their phone number is (404) 679-4702. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for state mail orders. The Ben Hill County Probate Court typically processes local requests in less time.
Ben Hill County Probate Court Page
Below is the Georgia DPH listing for the Ben Hill County Probate Court and its vital records services.
Verify the office details on this page before you visit the Ben Hill County courthouse in Fitzgerald.
Nearby Counties
Ben Hill County is in south-central Georgia. These neighboring counties may have death records if the event occurred near the county border.