Oglethorpe County Death Records
Oglethorpe County death index records are kept at the Probate Court in Lexington. The court serves as the county registrar for death certificates and processes requests for copies. Oglethorpe County is part of the Northeast Health District and sits northeast of Athens. You can get death certificates by visiting the office on East Boggs Street, mailing a request, or using Georgia's online ordering systems. This page covers everything you need to know about searching Oglethorpe County death records, from fees and eligibility to historical record sources.
Oglethorpe County Death Index Facts
Oglethorpe County Probate Court
The Oglethorpe County Probate Court is located at 109 East Boggs Street in Lexington, GA 30648. The office handles death certificate requests for anyone who died in Oglethorpe County. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get a copy. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name and date of death for the person whose record you want. The clerk can search files and print a certified copy during your visit.
Oglethorpe County is part of the Northeast Health District. The district covers counties in the northeast part of Georgia near Athens. If the Lexington office cannot locate a death record, the district or state office may have the file. Calling the Probate Court ahead of your visit is wise. Staff can tell you if the record is on file and what to bring with you.
| Office | Oglethorpe County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 109 East Boggs Street, Lexington, GA 30648 |
| District | Northeast Health District |
Note: Oglethorpe County is a small rural county, so Probate Court hours may be limited compared to larger offices.
Death Certificate Fees in Oglethorpe County
A certified death certificate from Oglethorpe County costs $25.00 for the first copy. Extra copies are $5.00 each if ordered at the same time. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees across all Georgia counties. Cash works for in-person visits. Debit and credit cards are also accepted. Money orders and certified checks are fine for mail requests. Personal checks are not taken at the Oglethorpe County Probate Court.
Order all your copies at once to get the $5.00 rate on extras. Coming back later means the full $25.00 fee applies again. People in Oglethorpe County dealing with estates or insurance claims usually order two or three copies at once.
How to Search Oglethorpe County Death Index
You can search for death records in Oglethorpe County at the Probate Court in Lexington. Staff look up records by name and date. Online state tools provide access from home as well.
Georgia's ROVER system is the state's online portal for death certificate orders. Set up an account, enter the details, and submit your request. ROVER covers deaths in Georgia from 1919 to the present. Delivery takes a few weeks by mail. VitalChek is an alternative with faster turnaround but an added service fee. GO Certificates is a third option for online orders. Each of these services can pull Oglethorpe County death records from the statewide database.
For older records, the Georgia Archives stores historical death files. A digital collection of records from 1919 to 1927 is free online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 to 1998 at no charge.
Who Can Get Oglethorpe County Death Records
Georgia law limits certified death certificates to certain people. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 says you must have a direct and tangible interest in the record. This includes spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives. Funeral directors who handled the case can request copies too. If working on a legal matter in Oglethorpe County, bring proof of your role.
Informational copies can be requested by anyone. They are not certified and carry no legal weight. They show the same facts but are marked as informational. Genealogists and family history researchers use these often. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 cover the full rules for both copy types.
Oglethorpe County Death Records by Mail
You can request Oglethorpe County death records by mail. Send your request to the Probate Court at 109 East Boggs Street, Lexington, GA 30648. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00 payable to Oglethorpe County Probate Court. Write the full name of the deceased, date of death or range, and your relationship to the person. Attach a copy of your photo ID.
State mail requests go to 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 Oglethorpe County Probate Court typically processes mail orders in 2 to 4 weeks. Walk-in visits to Lexington are the fastest method.
The Oglethorpe County Probate Court page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Oglethorpe County Probate Court and its vital records services.
This page shows the Lexington office location, contact information, and the vital records services available at the Oglethorpe County Probate Court.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Oglethorpe County. Check nearby offices if you are not sure where a death was filed.