Access Jones County Death Index
Death records in Jones County are handled by the Probate Court in Gray. The Jones County Probate Court keeps death index records and issues certified copies of death certificates. Whether you need a record for an estate matter, insurance claim, or genealogy project, the Probate Court is the place to start. Georgia's state death records begin in 1919, and some Jones County files may go back even further. This page covers everything from requesting a death certificate at the Jones County office to using state online tools for searching death records from home.
Jones County Death Index Facts
Jones County Probate Court
The Jones County Probate Court is at 110 South Jefferson Street, Gray, GA 31032. This is the local office for death certificates in Jones County. The court is open on weekdays during regular hours.
Walk-in requests are handled the same day in most cases. Bring a photo ID and know the full name and date of death for the person you need. Staff at the Jones County Probate Court will search the death index and print your certified copy. If a death happened outside Jones County, the record would be on file in the county where it took place. The Probate Court staff can tell you where else to look if they do not have the record. Jones County sits close to Bibb County, so deaths at Macon hospitals sometimes end up filed there instead.
| Office | Jones County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 110 South Jefferson Street, Gray, GA 31032 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Note: Jones County Probate Court may have different hours during holiday weeks and county closures.
Death Certificate Costs in Jones County
A Jones County death certificate costs $25.00 for the first certified copy. Extra copies cost $5.00 each when you get them at the same time. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these prices for every county in Georgia.
You can pay cash at the Jones County Probate Court. Credit and debit cards also work. Mail requests need a certified check or money order. No personal checks. The fee is not refundable if the record cannot be found. You get a not-on-file letter instead. If you need several copies for legal matters, get them all at once to avoid paying $25.00 each time you come back.
Searching Jones County Death Records Online
If you cannot visit the Probate Court in Gray, online tools let you search for Jones County death records from anywhere. Georgia's ROVER is the state's official online ordering platform. You set up an account, enter the details of the deceased, and pay with a credit card. ROVER handles Georgia death records from 1919 forward.
VitalChek and GO Certificates are state-approved vendors that also take online orders. Both charge extra service fees on top of the state price. All three sites pull from the same central database, so they can access Jones County death records just like the local office can. Processing takes several weeks for any online order.
The Georgia Archives is the go-to spot for historical records. Their digital collection of 1919 to 1927 death certificates is free to view online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 and is free as well. Both are useful for genealogists tracing Jones County families.
Who Can Request Jones County Death Certificates
Certified copies of Jones County death certificates are limited to people with a direct and tangible interest. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, that includes spouses, parents, adult children, grandchildren, legal guardians, and legal representatives. Funeral directors who worked the case also qualify.
Everyone else can get a plain paper copy. These have the Social Security number removed and may not list the cause of death. They carry no legal weight but work for research. The complete eligibility rules are in Georgia Rules 511-1-3.
Jones County Death Records by Mail
Mail your request to the Jones County Probate Court at 110 South Jefferson Street, Gray, GA 31032. Include the name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, a photo ID copy, and a money order or certified check for $25.00.
You can also mail requests to the state office at Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Jones County Probate Court usually turns around mail requests in 2 to 4 weeks.
The Jones County Probate Court page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Jones County Probate Court and its vital records services.
This page shows the Jones County Probate Court location in Gray and the types of vital records you can get there.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Jones County. Check them if the death you are looking for might be filed elsewhere.