Heard County Death Records
Heard County death index records are filed at the Probate Court in Franklin. The Heard County Probate Court on East Court Square handles all death certificate requests for this west Georgia county. Whether you are looking for a recent death certificate or trying to track down an older record, the Probate Court in Franklin is the starting point for local searches. State death records for Heard County go back to 1919. This page explains how to get death certificates from Heard County, the costs involved, and the various ways to search for records both locally and online.
Heard County Death Index Facts
Heard County Probate Court Office
The Heard County Probate Court sits at 215 East Court Square in Franklin, GA 30217. This is the office where you get death certificates in Heard County. Walk in with a valid photo ID, and know the full name and date of death of the person whose record you need. Staff can search and print a certified copy while you wait.
Heard County is a smaller county in western Georgia near the Alabama line. The Probate Court in Franklin acts as the local registrar. Death certificates filed here are sent to the state office within two business days under Georgia Rules 511-1-3. The physician attending the death must complete the medical certification within 48 hours per O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15. Both the Heard County Probate Court and the state office can issue copies once records are on file.
| Office | Heard County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 215 East Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Note: Call ahead to the Heard County Probate Court in Franklin to confirm hours before your trip.
Heard County Death Certificate Fees
A certified copy of a Heard County death certificate costs $25.00. Additional copies are $5.00 each if ordered during the same visit. These fees are set by O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and are the same across all Georgia counties. Cash and credit cards work at the counter. Money orders and certified checks are accepted for mail requests. The Heard County Probate Court does not take personal checks.
Order all copies at once to save money. The $5.00 price for extras only applies within the same transaction. If you come back later, you pay the full $25.00 again.
How to Search Heard County Death Index
The fastest search is a walk-in visit to the Probate Court in Franklin. Staff can look up records by name and date and hand you a copy the same day.
Online tools give you other options. Georgia's ROVER system is the official state portal. Set up an account, enter the deceased person's details, and pay online. ROVER covers Georgia deaths from 1919 to the present, including all Heard County records in the state system. VitalChek and GO Certificates are approved third-party vendors. Both add a service fee but can process Heard County death certificate orders from the state database.
Historical Heard County death records are available through the Georgia Archives. A free digital collection covers 1919 to 1927. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index spans 1933 to 1998 and is free. Both are solid resources for Heard County family history projects.
Who Can Get Heard County Death Certificates
Georgia restricts certified copies to people with a direct and tangible interest in the record. That includes spouses, parents, adult children, grandparents, siblings, legal representatives, and estate executors. Funeral directors who handled the arrangements qualify as well. Bring proof of your connection when requesting Heard County death records.
Informational copies are open to anyone. These copies have no legal weight and omit the Social Security number. Genealogists and researchers use informational copies from the Heard County death index for family tree work. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 detail who can get each type of copy.
Heard County Death Records by Mail
Mail your request to the Heard County Probate Court at 215 East Court Square, Franklin, GA 30217. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00, the full name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, and a copy of your photo ID. Expect about 2 to 4 weeks for county processing.
The state office also handles mail requests. Send to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone number is (404) 679-4702. State mail runs 8 to 10 weeks. If you need the record quickly, go to the Heard County Probate Court in Franklin for a same-day copy.
The Heard County Probate Court vital records page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Heard County Probate Court and its vital records services.
This page shows the office address and vital records services at the Heard County Probate Court in Franklin.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Heard County. Check neighboring offices if you are unsure where a death was recorded.