Long County Death Index Search
Death records for Long County are managed by the Probate Court in Ludowici. The Long County Probate Court is the local office that handles death certificate requests for the county. Long County sits in southeast Georgia and borders Liberty County, home to Fort Stewart. If you need a death certificate from Long County, you can visit the Probate Court, send a mail request, or order online through state portals. Georgia death records at the state level go back to 1919, with some Long County files possibly older. This page covers how to get death certificates, fees, eligibility, and historical death record sources for Long County.
Long County Death Index Facts
Long County Probate Court
The Long County Probate Court is at 75 W Academy Street, Ludowici, GA 31316. This is the office that issues death certificates for Long County. It is open on weekdays during regular business hours.
When you visit, bring a valid photo ID and the full name and date of death of the person whose record you need. Staff can search the Long County death index and print a certified copy while you wait. The process is usually same-day. If the death was recorded in another county, the staff can point you in the right direction. Long County is near several other southeast Georgia counties, so checking with neighboring offices may help if you are unsure where the death was filed.
| Office | Long County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 75 W Academy Street, Ludowici, GA 31316 |
| Type | Probate Court |
Fees for Long County Death Certificates
Long County death certificates cost $25.00 for the first certified copy. Extra copies are $5.00 each if ordered at the same time. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees and they are the same in every Georgia county.
Cash is fine for in-person visits. Credit and debit cards work too. For mail requests, send a money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted at the Long County Probate Court or anywhere else in the Georgia vital records system. The fee is non-refundable if the record is not found. If you need multiple copies, order them all at one time.
Note: Coming back for separate copies later means paying $25.00 each time at the Long County Probate Court.
How to Search Long County Death Records
Visiting the Probate Court in Ludowici is the most direct way. Staff search by name and date of death. But online tools offer other options.
Georgia runs the ROVER system for online vital records ordering. You make an account, enter the deceased person's details, and pay with a credit card. ROVER covers deaths from 1919 to the present. VitalChek and GO Certificates are two approved third-party vendors. Both add service fees on top of the $25.00 state cost. All three can find Long County death records in the state database. Expect several weeks for processing.
For older Long County death records, the Georgia Archives holds historical files. The digital death certificates from 1919 to 1927 are free to browse. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 to 1998 at no charge.
Who Can Get Long County Death Records
Certified death certificates from Long County are restricted under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15. You need a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, parents, adult children, grandchildren, and legal representatives qualify. Funeral directors can also request certified copies.
Plain paper copies are available to anyone. These have the Social Security number removed and may not show the cause of death. They work for research and genealogy but are not legally valid. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 list all the eligibility requirements for both types of copies from Long County.
Long County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests go to the Long County Probate Court at 75 W Academy Street, Ludowici, GA 31316. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, your relationship, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order or certified check for $25.00.
You can also send a request to the state office at Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The phone number is (404) 679-4702. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Long County Probate Court usually responds to mail requests in 2 to 4 weeks.
The Long County Probate Court page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Long County Probate Court for vital records services.
This page shows the Long County Probate Court office in Ludowici and the death record services it provides.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Long County. Check them if you are unsure where a death record was filed.