Fulton County Death Index

Fulton County death index records are processed through the Board of Health Vital Records office in Atlanta. As the most populated county in Georgia, Fulton County handles a massive volume of death certificate requests each year. The county has been recording deaths since Atlanta began keeping records in 1889, making it one of the oldest sources of vital records in the state. You can visit the office on Pryor Street in downtown Atlanta or the regional center in College Park to search for a death record. This page covers the full process for getting Fulton County death certificates, including fees, walk-in and mail options, eligibility rules, and historical record sources.

Fulton County Board of Health Vital Records

The Fulton County Board of Health Vital Records is the main office for death certificates in the county. The primary location is at 141 Pryor Street Suite 1029A in Atlanta, GA 30303. A secondary location operates at the College Park Regional Health Center at 1920 John Wesley Ave, College Park, GA 30337. You can reach the vital records office by phone at (770) 520-7500.

The Fulton County office has a unique ability that sets it apart from most other Georgia counties. Staff can print death certificates from any county in the state, not just Fulton County. About 95% of requests are filled on demand while you wait. Some certificates take up to 72 hours, but that is rare. Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The Fulton County BOH vital records page has more details on services, forms, and what to bring.

For walk-in visits, the office accepts cash, certified checks, money orders, Visa, and Mastercard. American Express is not accepted. If you are sending a mail request to the Fulton County office, use a certified check or money order only. Credit cards do not work for mail orders.

Note: The Fulton County vital records office on Pryor Street can get very busy, especially on Mondays and around lunch hour.

Fees for Fulton County Death Certificates

Certified death certificates from Fulton County cost $25.00 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $5.00. These fees are set by state law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and apply across every county office in Georgia. Walk-in payment options include cash, certified check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard. No American Express. Mail requests accept certified check or money order only.

Order all copies in one visit. The $5.00 rate for extras only applies during the same transaction. Come back later and you pay $25.00 per copy. Given how many people in Fulton County need death certificates for estate, insurance, and legal purposes, ordering three or four copies upfront is smart. Banks, courts, and insurance companies each want their own certified original.

How to Search Fulton County Death Index

Multiple methods let you search for death records in Fulton County. The Board of Health office in Atlanta handles the highest volume of vital records requests in the state. But you can also use online tools from home.

Georgia's ROVER system lets you order death certificates from any county online. Create an account, enter the deceased person's name and date of death, and submit. ROVER covers Georgia deaths from 1919 to the present. Delivery is by mail and takes a few weeks. VitalChek is another option with rush processing for an added fee. Both pull from the same statewide database that includes all Fulton County death records.

For historical death records, two free tools stand out. The Georgia Archives holds records going back to the early 1900s, with free digital scans from 1919 to 1927. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no charge. Atlanta began recording deaths in 1889, so some Fulton County records pre-date the statewide system. For those very early records, contact the Georgia Archives directly or check their on-site collections.

Who Can Get Fulton County Death Records

Georgia law governs who can receive certified death certificates. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, you must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, parents, children, siblings, and legal representatives all qualify. Funeral directors who handled the case can also get certified copies from Fulton County. If you are working on an estate, insurance claim, or legal matter, bring documents that prove your role.

Informational copies are available to anyone. They are not certified and cannot be used for legal purposes. They show the same facts but carry a stamp that says non-certified. Researchers and genealogists often request informational copies of Fulton County death records. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 detail the full eligibility rules for certified versus informational copies.

Fulton County Death Records by Mail

You can request Fulton County death records by mail. Send your request to the Board of Health at 141 Pryor Street Suite 1029A, Atlanta, GA 30303. Include a certified check or money order for $25.00. Write the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship. Include a copy of your photo ID. Credit cards are not accepted for mail orders at the Fulton County office.

The state vital records office is another option for mail requests. Send to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 for questions. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Fulton County Board of Health is often faster since it has more staff dedicated to vital records. Walk-in visits to the Pryor Street office or the College Park location are the fastest path to a Fulton County death certificate.

Georgia DPH County Office Directory

The Georgia DPH county office directory lists all vital records offices in the state, including the Fulton County location.

This page shows the office locations, phone numbers, and hours for every county vital records office in Georgia.

Cities in Fulton County

Fulton County has the most cities of any county in Georgia. Atlanta, the state capital, is the county seat. All death records for these cities are filed through the Fulton County Board of Health Vital Records office. No matter which city you live in within Fulton County, the same offices handle your death certificate request.

Other communities in Fulton County include Hapeville, College Park, Fairburn, and Palmetto. All file death records through the Fulton County Board of Health.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Fulton County. Fulton County stretches from the north side of metro Atlanta all the way down to the south side, so it touches many neighboring counties. If a death happened near a county line, the record may be on file in one of these offices.