Find Charlton County Death Records

Charlton County death index records are available through the health department in Folkston. This is a rural county in the southeast corner of Georgia, bordered by the Okefenokee Swamp to the west and the Florida state line to the south. The Charlton County Health Department falls under the Coastal Health District and handles local vital records requests. You can get a death certificate here for any death that happened within Charlton County. The office is small but can process walk-in and mail requests during regular business hours. The state vital records office in Atlanta has copies of these records from 1919 on as well.

Charlton County Health Department

The Charlton County Health Department on Third Street in Folkston is the local registrar for death records. The office is in Suite B of the building. Staff can search the Charlton County death index, verify that a record exists, and issue certified copies to those who qualify under Georgia law.

This office is part of the Coastal Health District, which oversees vital records services for several counties along the Georgia coast and in the southeast region. The district office can sometimes help if the local Charlton County office is unable to locate a specific record. It is worth calling ahead before you visit because the Folkston office is small and may have limited staff on certain days.

Note: The Charlton County Health Department may have reduced hours on certain days, so a phone call before your visit is a good idea.

Requesting Charlton County Death Certificates

Walk-in visits are the most common way to get a death certificate in Charlton County. Bring your photo ID to the office on Third Street. You fill out an application and pay the fee. The cost is $25 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy is $5. Cash and money orders are the accepted forms of payment here. No personal checks. If the record is on file, you can often leave with it the same day.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Charlton County Health Department at 1520 Third Street, Suite B, Folkston, GA 31537. Put in the full name of the person who died, the date and place of death, and your reason for asking. Add a copy of your photo ID and a money order for $25. It takes a few weeks by mail. The office will send the certified copy back to you once they verify your eligibility under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26.

Online orders go through VitalChek or GO Certificates. Both charge a service fee on top of the state's $25. These requests are routed through the state office, not the Charlton County office directly.

Charlton County Death Index Resources

The Georgia DPH page for Charlton County lists the health department address and services for vital records requests.

The Coastal Health District manages the Charlton County office. The district oversees vital records services for this part of southeast Georgia.

Eligibility for Charlton County Death Records

Georgia law controls who can get a certified death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, the list of eligible people is specific. Spouses, parents, children, and grandchildren qualify. So do legal representatives like attorneys, estate executors, and funeral directors. You have to show proof of your relationship when you apply.

If you are not on that list, you can still get an informational copy. It looks the same but has a watermark that says it is not for legal purposes. This type of copy works for family research, genealogy, or personal records. The rules under Rules 511-1-3 cover the full details. The Charlton County Health Department staff can explain what type of copy you qualify for when you visit or call.

State Death Index Resources

The state vital records office in Atlanta has Charlton County death records going back to 1919. The office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 for questions. Mail requests to the state office take about 8 to 10 weeks to process.

The Georgia Archives hold historical death records that may cover Charlton County deaths from before the state system started. The FamilySearch death index is free and searchable online. It covers many years of Georgia death data. The ROVER system is a state tool that helps you find records across multiple agencies.

Note: Deaths that occurred on the Florida side of the state line are filed with Florida, not Charlton County.

Nearby Counties

Charlton County is in the far southeast of Georgia. These neighboring counties each keep their own death index files. Check with the right county office if you are not sure where a death was recorded.