Candler County Death Index

Candler County death index records are held at the county health department in Metter. This small county in southeast Georgia is part of the Southeast Health District. The health department serves as the local registrar for all death records in Candler County. You can request a death certificate in person or by mail. The state also keeps a copy of each Candler County death record at its main office in Atlanta. Both the county and state offices can fill requests for certified copies. If you need to search for a death record from Candler County, the health department on East Hiawatha Street is your best starting point.

Candler County Health Department

The Candler County Health Department handles death certificates for any death that took place in the county. Staff can look up records and give you certified copies if you meet the state rules for who can get one. Walk-in service is the most common way to get a death certificate here. Bring a valid photo ID with you. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, only certain people can get a certified copy of a death record in Georgia.

The office sits on East Hiawatha Street in Metter. It is a small office, so you may want to call first to make sure someone is free to help with your Candler County death index request. The health department is part of the Southeast Health District, which covers several counties in this part of the state. Hours are standard weekday hours. You can also send a mail request to the office if you cannot make the trip in person.

Note: Call the Candler County Health Department before your visit to confirm they have the record you need on file.

Getting Death Records in Candler County

There are a few ways to get a death certificate from Candler County. The fastest is a walk-in visit to the health department. You fill out an application, show your ID, and pay the fee. Staff will search the death index for your record. If they find it, you can get a certified copy that same day in most cases. The standard fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each one after that. You must pay with cash or a money order. Personal checks are not accepted at the Candler County office.

Mail requests take more time. Send your written request to the health department with the name of the person who died, the date of death, and your reason for the request. Include a copy of your photo ID and a money order for $25 made out to the Candler County Health Department. Processing can take several weeks depending on how busy the office is. The state office in Atlanta can also fill your request if you prefer to go that route.

You can also use the state's online ordering system. VitalChek processes online and phone orders for Georgia death certificates. There is a service fee on top of the standard $25. The state also partners with GO Certificates for online orders. Both options let you request a Candler County death record from home.

Candler County Death Index Office

The Georgia DPH online ordering page shows how to order death certificates for Candler County through the state system.

This office is the main point of contact for anyone who needs a death record from Candler County. The Southeast Health District oversees operations here and at other county offices in the region.

Who Can Get a Candler County Death Certificate

Georgia law limits who can get a certified death certificate. Not just anyone can walk in and request one from the Candler County death index. The rules come from O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 and the state vital records regulations under Rules 511-1-3. These rules apply to every county in Georgia, Candler County included.

People who can request a certified copy include the spouse, a parent, a child, a grandparent, or a legal representative of the person who died. Funeral homes can also get copies for the families they serve. If you are not in one of those groups, you may still be able to get an informational copy. That version says "not for legal use" on it but still shows the same data. It works fine for family research and genealogy.

When you apply, you need to show proof of your relationship. A valid photo ID is the bare minimum. Some requests may need more paperwork. The health department staff in Candler County can tell you what you need when you call or visit.

Note: Informational copies of Candler County death records are available to anyone with a valid reason and proper ID.

State Resources for Candler County Death Records

The Georgia Department of Public Health runs the state vital records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100 in Atlanta, GA 30349. You can reach them at (404) 679-4702. This office has copies of all death records filed in Candler County from 1919 on. If the local office cannot help you, the state office is your backup. They accept walk-in, mail, and online requests.

For older Candler County death records or those tied to family research, the Georgia Archives may help. They hold historical vital records that go back before the state started keeping files in 1919. The FamilySearch Georgia death index is another free tool. It covers a large range of years and is searchable online at no cost. The state's ROVER system can also help you track down records from various state agencies.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Candler County. If you are not sure where a death took place, you may need to check with more than one county office. Each one has its own death index and keeps records for deaths that happened within its borders.