Upson County Death Records Search

Upson County death index records are managed by the county health department in Thomaston. The Upson County Health Department is part of the West Georgia Health District and handles all death certificate requests for the area. If you need to search for a death record or get a certified copy, you can go to the office on East Lee Street in Thomaston. State death records go back to 1919, and some Upson County files may start earlier. This page covers the fees, how to search, who can get copies, and other ways to look up Upson County death index data.

Upson County Health Department

The Upson County Health Department is the main office for death certificates in Upson County. It is at 314 East Lee Street in Thomaston, GA 30286. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get a copy. Staff can pull up records and print a certified death certificate while you wait. Bring a photo ID and know the full name and date of death of the person whose record you need.

Upson County is part of the West Georgia Health District, which also covers Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup counties. The district keeps vital records and can help if the Upson County office cannot find a specific record. A quick phone call to the health department before you visit is always a good idea. Ask for the vital records desk to check if the record is on file.

Note: Call ahead to confirm hours at the Upson County Health Department since the office may close on state holidays.

Death Certificate Fees in Upson County

Upson County death certificates cost $25.00 for the first certified copy. Additional copies are $5.00 each when ordered at the same time. These fees are set by O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and apply everywhere in Georgia. Cash, credit, and debit cards work for in-person visits. Mail requests take a money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted at the Upson County Health Department.

Get all the copies you need in one trip. The extra-copy rate of $5.00 only applies to the same visit or mail request. Coming back later costs the full $25.00. Estate work and insurance claims in Upson County usually call for at least two certified copies. Some people order three since banks and courts both want their own.

How to Search Upson County Death Index

The easiest way to search for an Upson County death record is to go to the health department in Thomaston. Staff can search by name and date of death right at the counter. If visiting is not an option, you have several online choices.

Georgia's ROVER system is the state's online tool for ordering death certificates. You create an account, enter the details, and the state mails a certified copy. ROVER covers Georgia deaths from 1919 to present. VitalChek is a third-party site that adds a service fee. GO Certificates provides the same kind of service. All three can access Upson County death records through the state database.

For historical death records tied to Upson County, the Georgia Archives keeps files going back to the early 1900s. Their digital collection of death records from 1919 to 1927 is free to browse. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index spans 1933 through 1998 and is also free. Both work well for genealogy research in Upson County.

Note: State mail requests sent to 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 take about 8 to 10 weeks to process.

Eligibility for Upson County Death Records

Georgia restricts who can get certified death certificates. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, you need a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives qualify. Funeral directors who handled the case can get copies too. If you are dealing with an estate or insurance claim in Upson County, bring proof of your role.

Informational copies are available to anyone who asks. These are not certified and have no legal standing. They show the same data but without the official seal. Genealogists and researchers often use informational copies from Upson County death records. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 provide the full breakdown of eligibility.

Upson County Death Records by Mail

You can request Upson County death records by mail. Send your request to the Upson County Health Department at 314 East Lee Street, Thomaston, GA 30286. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00. Write down the full name of the deceased, the date of death or a range, your relationship, and attach a copy of your photo ID.

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. The phone number is (404) 679-4702. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Upson County office is usually faster at 2 to 4 weeks. A walk-in visit to the Thomaston office is the quickest route.

The Upson County Health Department vital records page is shown below.

The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Upson County Health Department and its vital records services.

This page shows the office location, contact details, and the types of vital records available at the Upson County Health Department in Thomaston.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Upson County. If you are not sure where a death was filed, check the neighboring county offices.