Richmond County Death Index Search

Richmond County death index records are handled by the county Health Department in Augusta. As one of the largest counties in Georgia, Richmond County has a long history of death records that goes back to 1904 when the City of Augusta started keeping its own records. The Health Department on North Leg Street is the main office for death certificate requests. You can also search for Richmond County death records through state online systems. This page explains how to get death certificates, what fees to expect, and where to look for historical records in Richmond County.

Richmond County Health Department

The Richmond County Health Department is the primary office for death certificates in this county. The office is at 1916 North Leg Street, Augusta, GA 30309. You can call them at 706-667-4335 to check hours or ask if a record is on file before you go. Walk-in visits are the quickest way to get a certified copy. Bring a photo ID and the name and date of death of the person whose record you need.

Richmond County operates under the East Central Health District, which covers a broad area of eastern Georgia. The district keeps vital records and works closely with the county Health Department. Augusta and Richmond County have a consolidated government, so the Health Department serves the entire metro area. With a population over 200,000, this is one of the busiest vital records offices in the state. Staff deal with a high volume of requests, so having all your information ready when you arrive helps speed things up.

The City of Augusta began recording deaths in 1904, which means Richmond County has death records that predate the state's 1919 registration start by 15 years. These older files may be available through the Health Department. If you need a death record from the early 1900s in Richmond County, ask the staff about their historical holdings. Not every old record survived, but many from that era are still on file.

Note: Richmond County death records from 1904 to 1919 may require extra time to locate due to their age and filing methods.

Death Certificate Fees in Richmond County

A certified death certificate from Richmond County costs $25.00. Each additional copy runs $5.00 when ordered during the same visit or request. These fees follow O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and apply statewide. At the Richmond County Health Department, you can pay with cash, money order, or certified check. Ask about card payment options when you call or arrive.

Order all the copies you need at one time. The extra copy rate of $5.00 only holds during the same transaction. A separate request down the road costs $25.00 again for the first copy. People in Augusta handling estates, insurance claims, or property matters in Richmond County usually get two or three copies to cover multiple agencies and institutions that may ask for one.

How to Search Richmond County Death Records

There are multiple ways to search for death records in Richmond County. The Health Department in Augusta handles walk-in searches. Staff look up records by name and date of death. Given the size of Richmond County and its long record-keeping history, the database here is one of the largest at the county level in Georgia.

Online, Georgia's ROVER system is the main portal for ordering death certificates. You create an account and enter the deceased person's details. ROVER covers deaths from 1919 to the present, though Richmond County's records go back to 1904. For those older records, you would need to contact the Health Department directly. VitalChek offers rush delivery for an extra fee. GO Certificates is another approved online service for Georgia death certificate orders.

Historical records from Richmond County and Augusta are also held at the Georgia Archives. The Archives has a digital collection of death records from 1919 to 1927 available free online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 to 1998 at no cost. Both are strong tools for genealogy and historical research tied to Richmond County.

Who Can Get Richmond County Death Certificates

Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 limits certified death certificates to those with a direct and tangible interest. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives of the deceased qualify. Funeral directors who managed the case can also get certified copies. If you are settling an estate or working through insurance or legal matters in Richmond County, bring proof of your connection to the deceased.

Informational copies are available to anyone who asks. These copies show the facts recorded on the death certificate but are not certified. They have no legal force. People doing genealogy research or family history work in Richmond County and Augusta often use informational copies. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 detail who qualifies for each copy type.

Mail Requests for Richmond County Death Records

You can request Richmond County death certificates by mail. Send your letter to the Richmond County Health Department at 1916 North Leg Street, Augusta, GA 30309. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Write the full name of the deceased, the date of death or a range of years, your relationship to the person, and enclose a copy of your photo ID.

The state office also processes mail requests. Mail those 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 run 8 to 10 weeks. The Richmond County Health Department is often faster. If your request is time-sensitive, visiting the Augusta office or ordering through ROVER or VitalChek will get you a copy sooner.

Georgia DPH Online Ordering Options

The Georgia DPH online ordering page shows how to order Richmond County death certificates through the state system.

This page lists every online option for getting death records from Richmond County, including the state portal and approved vendors.

Cities in Richmond County

Augusta is the main city in Richmond County. It has its own page with more local details about death records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Richmond County. If a death was recorded in a neighboring area, check these offices.