Irwin County Death Index

Irwin County death records are kept at the Probate Court in Ocilla. If you need a death certificate from Irwin County, the Probate Court is the local office that handles all vital records requests. You can visit in person or send a mail request for copies. The state of Georgia also has online tools that let you search for Irwin County death index records from home. Death records at the state level go back to 1919, and some Irwin County files may be even older. This page walks through the steps to get death certificates, fees, and where to look for older records in Irwin County.

Irwin County Probate Court

The Irwin County Probate Court sits at 301 South Irwin Avenue, Suite 101, in Ocilla, GA 31774. This is the main place to get death certificates in Irwin County. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get a copy. You can show up during business hours with a valid photo ID and the name and date of death for the person you need. Staff will search the death index and print a certified copy on the spot in most cases.

The Probate Court in Irwin County handles more than just death records. It also keeps birth and marriage files. But death certificate requests are one of the most common things people come in for. If you call ahead, the staff can let you know if a record is on file before you make the trip to Ocilla. That saves time if you are not sure whether the death was filed in Irwin County or a nearby one.

Note: Irwin County Probate Court hours may vary on holidays and county closure days.

Death Certificate Fees in Irwin County

A certified death certificate from Irwin County costs $25.00 for the first copy. Each extra copy ordered at the same time is $5.00. These fees come from O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, which sets the price for all counties in Georgia. The cost is the same whether you go to the Irwin County Probate Court or order through the state office.

You can pay with cash when you visit the Probate Court. Credit and debit cards are accepted too. For mail requests, send a certified check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted at any Georgia vital records office, including Irwin County. If you need more than one copy, order them all in one visit. Coming back later for another copy means paying the full $25.00 again.

How to Search Irwin County Death Records

Searching for death records in Irwin County can be done in person or online. The Probate Court in Ocilla is the direct route. Staff there can pull up records by name and date. But you don't have to drive to Ocilla if you have access to the internet.

Georgia runs the ROVER system for online vital records orders. You make an account, enter the details of the deceased, and pay with a credit card. ROVER covers deaths in Georgia from 1919 on. Processing takes several weeks by mail. VitalChek and GO Certificates are two other state-approved sites that handle death certificate orders. Both charge a service fee on top of the $25.00 state cost. All three can pull Irwin County death records from the central state database.

For older death records tied to Irwin County, the Georgia Archives is your best bet. They hold historical files going back to the start of state registration. The Archives also has a digital set of death records from 1919 to 1927 that is free to view. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 and is free as well.

Note: You must provide the county where the death took place when filing a request with the state office.

Who Can Get Irwin County Death Certificates

Georgia law restricts who can get a certified death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, the person requesting the record must have a direct and tangible interest. Spouses, parents, adult children, and legal representatives of the deceased all qualify. Funeral directors who handled the arrangements can also get copies from Irwin County.

If you do not fall into one of those groups, you can still get a plain paper copy. These have the Social Security number removed and may not include the cause of death. Researchers and genealogists often use these informational copies for family history. The full rules are spelled out in Georgia Rules 511-1-3, which covers who qualifies for certified versus plain paper copies.

Irwin County Death Records by Mail

You can request Irwin County death records by mail if you cannot visit Ocilla in person. Send a written request to the Irwin County Probate Court at 301 South Irwin Avenue, Suite 101, Ocilla, GA 31774. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and your relationship to that person. Attach a copy of your photo ID and a money order or certified check for $25.00.

The state office also accepts mail requests. Send those to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can call (404) 679-4702 with questions. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. County requests through the Irwin County Probate Court are usually faster, often 2 to 4 weeks.

The Irwin County Probate Court page is shown below.

The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Irwin County Probate Court and its vital records services.

This page shows the office address, contact info, and the types of vital records handled by the Irwin County Probate Court in Ocilla.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Irwin County. If you are not sure where a death was filed, check the neighboring county offices too.