Search Harris County Death Index
Harris County death records are kept at the Probate Court in Hamilton, Georgia. The Harris County Probate Court on South College Street handles all death certificate requests for the county. Whether you need a certified copy for legal matters or an informational copy for genealogy, the Probate Court is where you start. State-level death records for Harris County go back to 1919, and some county files may go back earlier. This page covers how to search the Harris County death index, fees, eligibility requirements, and resources for finding older records.
Harris County Death Index Facts
Harris County Probate Court Office
The Harris County Probate Court is at 102 South College Street in Hamilton, GA 31811. This office issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in Harris County. Bring your photo ID and the full name and date of death of the person you need a record for. Walk-in visitors can typically get a certified copy the same day.
Harris County is in western Georgia near the Alabama border, and the Probate Court in Hamilton serves as the local registrar for vital records. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, a death certificate must be filed after every death, with the physician completing the medical portion within 48 hours. The local office sends the record to the state within two business days per Georgia Rules 511-1-3. This means Harris County death records are on file at both the local and state level.
| Office | Harris County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 102 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Harris County Death Certificate Fees
Death certificates from Harris County cost $25.00 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy is $5.00 when ordered at the same time. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees statewide. Cash and credit cards work at the counter. Mail requests require a money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Order all the copies you need at once. The $5.00 rate for extras does not apply to a separate request later. Many people handling estate or insurance matters in Harris County order two or three copies to cover different agencies.
Note: Fees are non-refundable after the Harris County Probate Court completes the search.
How to Search Harris County Death Records
The most direct search is a visit to the Probate Court in Hamilton. Staff search by name and date of death. You walk out with a copy that day. It is the quickest option for Harris County residents.
Online searching is possible through state portals. The ROVER system is Georgia's official online ordering tool. Create an account and enter the details for the deceased. ROVER covers Georgia deaths from 1919 forward, including Harris County records. VitalChek and GO Certificates are approved vendors that charge a service fee beyond the base cost. Both work for Harris County death certificate orders.
For historical Harris County death records, the Georgia Archives is a key resource. Their digital collection of death records from 1919 to 1927 is free to access. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index spans 1933 to 1998 and is also free. Both are useful for Harris County genealogy projects.
Who Can Get Harris County Death Certificates
Certified death certificates from Harris County are limited to those with a direct and tangible interest. Spouses, parents, adult children, siblings, grandparents, legal representatives, and estate executors all qualify. Funeral directors who handled the case can also get certified copies. You may need to show proof of your role when making a request at the Harris County Probate Court.
Anyone can get an informational copy. These are not certified and have the Social Security number removed. They work for family history research but have no legal standing. Genealogists use informational copies from the Harris County death index regularly. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 cover the eligibility rules in detail.
Harris County Death Records by Mail
Send mail requests to the Harris County Probate Court at 102 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Write the deceased person's full name, date of death, and your relationship. Attach a copy of your photo ID. County requests generally process in 2 to 4 weeks.
The state vital records office also handles mail requests. Mail to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone inquiries go to (404) 679-4702. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks, so Harris County mail is faster. Walk-in visits to Hamilton give you same-day results.
Georgia DPH Death Certificate Fees
The Georgia DPH fees page shows the cost of death certificates for Harris County and every other county in the state.
This page shows the statewide fee schedule that applies to death certificate requests at the Harris County Probate Court in Hamilton.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Harris County. If you are not sure where a death was registered, check the neighboring offices.