Search Clayton County Death Records

Clayton County death index records come from the county health department in Jonesboro. This county sits just south of Atlanta and is home to about 297,000 people. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport sits partly in Clayton County, which gives you a sense of how close this area is to the city center. The Clayton County Health Department handles death certificates for all deaths that occurred within the county. You can request records in person at the Battlecreek Road office, by mail, or through the state's online ordering partners. The health department staff can search the Clayton County death index and issue certified copies to eligible people.

Clayton County Health Department

The Clayton County Health Department on Battlecreek Road in Jonesboro is the registrar for local death records. This is a large office that serves one of the most populated counties in metro Atlanta. They handle a high volume of vital records requests every day. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours.

To request a death certificate, bring your photo ID and fill out the application form at the front desk. You need the full name of the person who died and the date of death. If you know the county where the death happened, that helps too. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy costs $5. Cash and money orders are the standard payment methods. Personal checks are not accepted at the Clayton County Health Department. Staff will search the death index and issue your copy if you meet the eligibility rules.

How to Get Clayton County Death Records

There are three main ways to get a death certificate from the Clayton County death index. In person is fastest. Walk into the Jonesboro office, fill out the form, pay the fee, and get your copy. Same-day service is common for records already in the system.

Mail requests are the second option. Send a letter to the Clayton County Health Department at 1117 Battlecreek Road, Jonesboro, GA 30236. Include the decedent's name, date of death, your relationship to them, a copy of your ID, and a money order for $25. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, the office must confirm your eligibility even for mail requests. Allow two to four weeks for processing and return mail.

The third way is online through VitalChek or GO Certificates. Both add service fees. These route through the state office, not the Clayton County office, so processing takes 8 to 10 weeks.

Note: Clayton County is a busy metro Atlanta county, so allow extra time for walk-in visits during peak hours.

Clayton County Death Certificate Office

The Georgia DPH page for Clayton County has the office address and details for vital records requests.

The Jonesboro office serves all of Clayton County. This includes Jonesboro, Morrow, Forest Park, Riverdale, Lake City, and College Park (the portion in Clayton County). Each city's deaths are recorded through this single office.

Death Record Eligibility in Clayton County

Georgia law restricts access to certified death certificates. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, eligible requestors include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives of the deceased. Attorneys and estate executors also qualify. Funeral homes can get copies for the families they serve.

If you do not fall into one of these categories, you can request an informational copy from the Clayton County death index. This version contains the same data but is watermarked as not valid for legal use. It is fine for genealogy and personal use. The regulations under Rules 511-1-3 spell out the details on each type of copy and what documentation you need to bring.

State Death Index Resources

The state vital records office has copies of all Clayton County death records going back to 1919. The office is at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone is (404) 679-4702. Clayton County residents can also visit the state office in person since it is relatively close in south Atlanta.

For genealogy and older records, the Georgia Archives are a great resource. The FamilySearch Georgia death index is free and covers many years. The ROVER system from the state can help search across agencies for records tied to Clayton County.

Nearby Counties

Clayton County borders several other metro Atlanta counties. Each one has its own registrar and death index. Make sure you contact the right county for the record you need.