Schley County Death Index Lookup
Schley County death index records are maintained at the Probate Court in Ellaville. This small county in central Georgia uses its Probate Court to handle death certificate requests and other vital records. You can visit the courthouse in person or use state online tools to search for and order Schley County death records. The state has kept death records since 1919. This page shows you where to go, what it costs, and how to search for death records in Schley County.
Schley County Death Index Facts
Schley County Probate Court Office
The Schley County Probate Court is at 48 Main Street, Ellaville, GA 31806. This is the one office in the county that handles death certificate requests. Walk in with your photo ID and the name and date of death of the person whose record you need. The clerk can look up records while you wait. Ellaville is a small town, so the courthouse is easy to find on Main Street.
Schley County falls under the West Central Health District, which serves a large group of counties in western Georgia. The district maintains vital records as well and can help if the local Probate Court cannot locate a specific file. For most requests, the Ellaville office handles everything without needing to involve the district. But it helps to know there is another avenue if your search comes up short.
| Office | Schley County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 48 Main Street, Ellaville, GA 31806 |
| District | West Central Health District |
Fees for Schley County Death Records
Certified death certificates from Schley County cost $25.00 each. Extra copies are $5.00 when ordered in the same request. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees statewide. You can pay cash at the counter in Ellaville. Mail requests need a money order or certified check made out to the Schley County Probate Court.
That $5.00 rate for additional copies is only good during the same visit or the same mail order. A new request later means paying $25.00 all over again. If you need copies for an estate, insurance company, or bank in Schley County, get them all at once. Two or three copies usually covers most situations.
Note: The Schley County Probate Court can confirm accepted payment types when you call ahead.
Search the Schley County Death Index
The most direct way to find a Schley County death record is to visit the Probate Court in Ellaville. The clerk searches by name and date of death.
If you prefer to search from home, Georgia has online options. The ROVER system is the state's main portal for death certificate orders. Make an account and enter the deceased person's information. ROVER covers deaths from 1919 on. Certificates arrive by mail in a few weeks. VitalChek is faster but charges a service fee on top of the state cost. GO Certificates also processes Georgia death certificate orders online. All three can access Schley County records through the state database.
Historical death records from Schley County can be found through the Georgia Archives. They hold files from the early years of state registration. A digital collection of Georgia death records from 1919 to 1927 is free to view online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 and is also free to search.
Eligibility for Schley County Death Certificates
Certified copies are restricted in Georgia. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 requires a direct and tangible interest in the death record. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives qualify. Funeral directors who handled the case can also request certified copies from the Schley County Probate Court. You will need to show your photo ID and may need proof of your relationship to the deceased.
Informational copies are available to anyone. These show the same information but lack legal authority. They are good for genealogy work and family history projects. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 explain the difference between certified and informational copies in full. The Schley County Probate Court clerk can point you toward the right type based on your needs.
Schley County Death Records by Mail
Send mail requests to the Schley County Probate Court at 48 Main Street, Ellaville, GA 31806. Include a money order for $25.00, the deceased person's full name and date of death, your relationship, and a copy of your ID. County mail requests generally take 2 to 4 weeks.
You can also send requests to the state vital records office. The address is Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 with questions about state orders. Processing at the state level takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Schley County Probate Court typically handles requests faster. If you are in a rush, visit the Ellaville office in person or use one of the online ordering tools to get your Schley County death record sooner.
The Schley County Probate Court listing is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Schley County Probate Court and its vital records services.
This listing shows the Schley County Probate Court location in Ellaville and the death record services it provides.
Nearby Counties
These counties sit near Schley County. If a death might have been filed in a neighboring county, check these offices.