DeKalb County Death Index

DeKalb County death index records are managed by the DeKalb Board of Health in Decatur. As one of the most populated counties in Georgia, DeKalb handles a high volume of death certificate requests each year. You can visit the health department on Winn Way or use the county's own online portal to search for death records. The DeKalb Board of Health also offers services through its dedicated vital records page. This guide covers how to find and request DeKalb County death certificates, what they cost, who can get them, and where to look for older records from this part of metro Atlanta.

DeKalb County Health Department

The DeKalb County Health Department is the primary office for death certificates in the county. It sits at 445 Winn Way in Decatur, GA 30030. The DeKalb Board of Health runs its own vital records division, which sets it apart from most other Georgia counties. This means the office has more staff and resources focused on vital records processing.

Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. You need a valid photo ID and the name and date of death for the person whose record you want. Staff can search the statewide system and print a certified copy on the spot in most cases. DeKalb County processes a large number of death certificate requests because of its population size, so wait times can vary depending on the day. Going early in the morning or in the middle of the week tends to be faster than Monday mornings or late afternoons.

The DeKalb Public Health vital records page has more details about the death certificate process. You can check their hours, learn about required documents, and find out which forms of payment they accept before you visit the office in Decatur.

Note: DeKalb County handles more vital records requests than most Georgia counties, so plan for possible wait times during busy hours.

Fees for DeKalb County Death Certificates

A certified death certificate from DeKalb County costs $25.00. Each additional copy ordered during the same visit costs $5.00. State law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these rates. They are standard across every county in Georgia. Cash, credit cards, and debit cards are all accepted at the DeKalb County Health Department. For mail requests, send a money order or certified check.

Ordering all copies at one time is the best approach. The $5.00 rate only applies within the same transaction. A separate visit means another $25.00 charge. People dealing with estates, probate, or insurance in DeKalb County should request at least two or three copies upfront. Banks, courts, and insurance companies each want their own certified original, so having extras avoids repeat trips to the office in Decatur.

How to Search DeKalb County Death Index

There are multiple ways to search for death records in DeKalb County. The health department in Decatur is the most direct choice for in-person searches. But you can also search and order online.

Georgia's ROVER system lets you order death certificates from any county in the state. You create an account, provide the deceased person's information, and submit the order. ROVER covers Georgia deaths from 1919 forward. Processing takes a few weeks and delivery is by mail. VitalChek is another option that adds a service fee but offers rush processing for people who need a DeKalb County death certificate quickly.

For older or historical DeKalb County death records, two free resources stand out. The Georgia Archives has records from the early 1900s, including free digital scans from 1919 to 1927. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no charge. These are especially useful for genealogists working on family history in DeKalb County.

Eligibility for DeKalb County Death Records

Who can get a certified death certificate in Georgia is spelled out in O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15. You must have a direct and tangible interest. That includes spouses, parents, children, siblings, and legal representatives of the deceased. Funeral directors and anyone with a court order also qualify. DeKalb County staff will ask for your ID and may ask how you are related to the person on the record.

Anyone can get an informational copy. These are not certified. They show the same details but carry a stamp that marks them as non-official. Researchers and people tracing family lines in DeKalb County often use informational copies. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 detail who qualifies for certified copies versus informational ones.

DeKalb County Death Records by Mail

You can request DeKalb County death records by mail. Send your request to the DeKalb County Health Department at 445 Winn Way, Decatur, GA 30030. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Write the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship. Add a copy of your photo ID.

The state vital records office in Atlanta is another option for mail orders. Send to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 for questions. State mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. The DeKalb County Health Department typically processes mail requests faster since it is a large, well-staffed office. If you live in the metro Atlanta area, a walk-in visit to Decatur may be your best bet.

DeKalb County Health Department Page

The Georgia DPH website lists the DeKalb County Health Department and its vital records services.

This page shows the office location and contact details for the DeKalb County Health Department in Decatur.

Cities in DeKalb County

DeKalb County has several large cities. All death records for these cities are filed through the DeKalb County Health Department in Decatur. No matter which city within the county you live in, the same office handles your death certificate request.

Other communities in DeKalb County include Clarkston, Lithonia, Pine Lake, and Avondale Estates. All of these file death records through the DeKalb County Health Department.

Nearby Counties

These counties border DeKalb County. If a death occurred near the county line, the record may have been filed in a neighboring county.