Towns County Death Records

Towns County death index records are kept at the probate court in Hiawassee. Unlike some Georgia counties that use their health department, Towns County relies on the probate court to handle death certificate requests. The office on River Street serves as the local source for certified copies and death record searches. Towns County sits in the North Georgia mountains as part of the North Georgia Health District. State-level death records go back to 1919, though local Towns County files may cover different time spans. This page explains how to search for death records, what fees to expect, and which online tools can help you find Towns County death index information.

Towns County Probate Court

The Towns County Probate Court handles all death certificate requests in Towns County. The office is at 48 River Street Suite C in Hiawassee, GA 30546. In Georgia, some counties use the health department for vital records while others use the probate court. Towns County is one of those that runs vital records through the court. Walk in with a valid photo ID and the details of the person whose record you need. Staff can search the files and print a certified copy if the record is on file locally.

Towns County is part of the North Georgia Health District, which covers a dozen counties in the mountain region. While the health district oversees public health in the area, the probate court is the one you go to for death certificates. If the court does not have the record you are looking for, you can try the state office in Atlanta or one of the online ordering tools.

Note: Call the Towns County Probate Court before your visit to make sure the vital records desk is open that day.

Death Record Fees in Towns County

A certified death certificate from Towns County costs $25.00 for the first copy. Each additional copy runs $5.00 if ordered at the same time. Georgia law sets these fees under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, and they are the same at every county office in the state. The Towns County Probate Court accepts cash for walk-in payments. Money orders and certified checks work for mail requests. Personal checks are typically not accepted.

Get all your copies in one trip. The $5.00 price for extras only applies during the same visit or mail request. If you come back another day, you pay the full $25.00 again. People dealing with an estate in Towns County often order two or three certified copies up front so they have enough for banks, courts, and other agencies that all want their own original.

Search Towns County Death Index Online

You do not have to visit Hiawassee in person to search for a Towns County death record. The state offers several online tools that can help. Georgia's ROVER system is the official online portal for ordering death certificates. Create an account, enter the details, and the state will mail you a certified copy. ROVER covers all Georgia deaths from 1919 to the present.

VitalChek and GO Certificates are two other options. Both charge a service fee on top of the state cost. They process the order through the state system, so the record you get is the same one you would receive from ROVER or the Towns County Probate Court.

For historical death records, the Georgia Archives has files going back to the early 1900s. Their digital collection of death records from 1919 to 1927 is free to browse online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no cost. These are solid starting points for genealogy work connected to Towns County.

Eligibility for Towns County Death Certificates

Not everyone can get a certified death certificate. Georgia's O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 requires a direct and tangible interest in the record. That means spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives. Funeral directors qualify as well. For legal matters like probate or insurance claims in Towns County, you may need to show paperwork that proves your connection to the deceased.

Informational copies are available to the general public. These are not certified. They show the same details but carry no legal standing. Genealogists and researchers use these often for family history projects in Towns County. The full rules on who can get what are laid out in Georgia Rules 511-1-3.

Mail Requests for Towns County Death Records

Mail requests go to the Towns County Probate Court at 48 River Street Suite C, Hiawassee, GA 30546. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Write down the full name of the deceased, the date of death or an approximate range, and how you are related. A copy of your photo ID must be in the envelope as well.

You can also mail your request to the state office. The address is Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 for questions. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Towns County Probate Court is usually faster at 2 to 4 weeks. For the quickest result, visit the Hiawassee office in person.

The Towns County Probate Court vital records page is shown below.

The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Towns County Probate Court and its vital records role.

This page shows the office address and the types of vital records available through the Towns County Probate Court in Hiawassee.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Towns County. If you are unsure where a death was filed in this part of north Georgia, check with the neighboring offices.