Cobb County Death Index

Cobb County death index records are processed through the county health department in Marietta. With a population over 770,000, Cobb County is one of the largest counties in Georgia and a major part of the Atlanta metro area. The health department runs under Cobb-Douglas Public Health, a joint agency that covers both Cobb and Douglas counties. The office on County Services Parkway handles death certificate requests for any death that took place in Cobb County. Given the size of the county, this is a high-volume office. Walk-in, mail, and online options are all available. The state vital records office in Atlanta has backup copies of all Cobb County death records from 1919 forward.

Cobb County Health Department

The Cobb County Health Department on County Services Parkway in Marietta is the registrar for death records. This office is run by Cobb-Douglas Public Health, a combined agency that serves both Cobb and Douglas counties. The vital records section handles death certificates along with birth records and other vital statistics.

Because Cobb County is so large, the office is busy most days. You should expect a wait if you visit in person, especially during the morning hours. Bring your photo ID and know the details of the death record you need. The full name and date of death are essential. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy. Payment must be cash or money order. Personal checks are not taken at the Cobb County Health Department.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, the staff must verify your eligibility before they release a certified copy from the Cobb County death index. Have your paperwork ready to speed things up.

Note: The Cobb County Health Department is a high-volume office, so afternoon visits may have shorter wait times.

Ways to Get Cobb County Death Records

Walk-in service at the Marietta office is the fastest way to get a Cobb County death certificate. You fill out the application, pay, and wait for staff to search the death index. Same-day processing is typical for records that are already on file. Bring cash or a money order since cards and checks are not accepted.

Mail requests go to the Cobb County Health Department at 1650 County Services Parkway, Marietta, GA 30008. Include the person's name, date of death, your relationship, a copy of your ID, and a $25 money order. Mail processing takes about two to four weeks depending on the current workload. The office will send the certified copy back to you once eligibility is confirmed.

Online orders work through VitalChek or GO Certificates. These add a service fee and route through the state vital records office in Atlanta. State processing takes 8 to 10 weeks by mail. If you need a Cobb County death record quickly, the in-person option is the clear winner.

Cobb County Death Certificate Resources

The Georgia DPH page for Cobb County shows the health department location and services including vital records.

Cobb-Douglas Public Health operates the vital records section for both Cobb and Douglas counties. The agency handles a large volume of death certificate requests given the combined population of the two counties it serves.

Who Can Get Cobb County Death Certificates

Georgia law limits who can get a certified death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, eligible people include the spouse, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives of the deceased. Attorneys handling estate matters qualify. So do funeral directors. Everyone else can request an informational copy from the Cobb County death index.

An informational copy shows the same details as a certified copy but has a watermark that says it is not for legal use. This type works for genealogy, family history, and personal records. The state regulations under Rules 511-1-3 lay out the full rules on who qualifies for which type of copy. The Cobb County staff can help you figure out what you need.

State Death Index Resources

The state vital records office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 has copies of all Cobb County death records from 1919 on. Call (404) 679-4702 for assistance. Since both the state office and the Cobb County office are in the metro Atlanta area, you have easy access to both locations if you live in the region.

The Georgia Archives hold historical records. The FamilySearch Georgia death index is a free search tool. The ROVER system from the state searches across multiple agencies for records connected to Cobb County or anywhere in Georgia.

Cities in Cobb County

Cobb County has several large cities. Marietta is the county seat. Mableton, Smyrna, and Kennesaw are also major communities. All death records for the county go through the same health department office on County Services Parkway. Other towns in the county include Austell, Powder Springs, and Acworth (partially in Cobb).

Nearby Counties

Cobb County is surrounded by several other metro Atlanta counties. Each one has its own death index and registrar. If a death happened outside Cobb County, you need to contact the right county office.