Access Seminole County Death Records
Seminole County death index records are on file at the Probate Court in Donalsonville. Located in the far southwest corner of Georgia near the Florida line, Seminole County uses its Probate Court for all vital records needs. You can get a death certificate in person at the courthouse or use state online tools to search and order from home. Georgia began recording deaths statewide in 1919, and the Seminole County Probate Court can pull records from that year forward. This page covers the request process, fees, and search options for Seminole County death records.
Seminole County Death Index Facts
Seminole County Probate Court
The Seminole County Probate Court sits at 200 South Knox Avenue, Donalsonville, GA 39845. This is the local office for death certificates in Seminole County. Walk in with a valid photo ID and the details of the death record you are looking for. Staff can search records by name and approximate date of death. The Donalsonville courthouse is in the center of town and easy to get to.
Seminole County is part of the Southwest Health District, which covers counties along the western and southern edge of the state. The district can assist with vital records if the Probate Court in Donalsonville needs help locating a file. Most searches get resolved right at the local office, though. Because Seminole County borders both Alabama and Florida, deaths near the state line sometimes get filed in a neighboring state rather than in Georgia. Keep that in mind if a record does not turn up in the Seminole County files.
| Office | Seminole County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 South Knox Avenue, Donalsonville, GA 39845 |
| District | Southwest Health District |
Seminole County Death Certificate Fees
Death certificates from Seminole County cost $25.00 for a certified copy. Each additional copy is $5.00 if ordered at the same time. These amounts are set by O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and hold at every county office in the state. Cash works at the counter. Mail orders need a money order or certified check.
The $5.00 rate for extras only applies during one transaction. Come back later and you start over at $25.00. If you are handling an estate or insurance matter in Seminole County, order a few copies at once. It saves time and money compared to making separate requests.
Note: Check with the Seminole County Probate Court about whether they accept card payments before you visit.
How to Search Seminole County Death Index
The Probate Court in Donalsonville does in-person searches for Seminole County death records. Give the clerk the name and date of death, and they can look it up while you wait.
For online searches, Georgia offers the ROVER system. You set up an account, type in the deceased person's details, and order a certificate. ROVER covers deaths from 1919 on and mails the copy to you in a few weeks. VitalChek provides rush delivery for an added service fee. GO Certificates is another approved online option for Georgia death certificates. All three pull from the same state database and can find Seminole County records.
Historical records from Seminole County are available through the Georgia Archives. Their digital collection for 1919 to 1927 is free to browse. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no cost. Both are useful for genealogy and historical research on Seminole County deaths.
Who Can Get Seminole County Death Records
Georgia restricts certified death certificates to people with a direct and tangible interest. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 defines who qualifies. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives of the deceased can request certified copies from the Seminole County Probate Court. Funeral homes that handled the arrangements also qualify. You need a photo ID and possibly proof of your relationship.
Informational copies are open to everyone. These copies contain the same data but are not certified and lack legal weight. They are used for family research and genealogy. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 outline who can get each type. Staff at the Seminole County Probate Court can guide you to the copy that fits your situation.
Mail Requests for Seminole County Deaths
You can request Seminole County death records by mail. Send your request to the Seminole County Probate Court at 200 South Knox Avenue, Donalsonville, GA 39845. Include a money order for $25.00, the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your relationship, and a copy of your ID. County mail requests typically take 2 to 4 weeks.
The state office in Atlanta also accepts mail requests. Send those to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can reach them at (404) 679-4702. State processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Donalsonville office is usually faster. If you need the record quickly, visit in person or use an online tool like ROVER.
The Seminole County Probate Court listing is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Seminole County Probate Court and its vital records services.
This listing shows the Seminole County Probate Court in Donalsonville and the death record services available there.
Nearby Counties
These counties share borders with Seminole County. Check with them if you think a death record may have been filed nearby.