Find Washington County Death Records
Washington County death index records are managed by the county health department in Sandersville. The Washington County Health Department is part of the East Central 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, the office on Morningside Drive is where you go. State-level records in Georgia date back to 1919. Some Washington County files may start earlier. This page covers how to search for death records, what the fees are, who can get copies, and where to find historical Washington County death index data.
Washington County Death Index Facts
Washington County Health Department
The Washington County Health Department is the main office for death certificates in Washington County. It is at 201 Morningside Drive in Sandersville, GA 31082. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get a certified copy. Staff can search death records by name and date while you wait. Bring a valid photo ID and know the full name and date of death of the person whose record you need.
Washington County is part of the East Central Health District, which serves Washington along with Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, and several other counties. The district provides public health oversight for the area, but the county health department in Sandersville is the local office that issues death certificates. If you cannot find a record there, the state office in Atlanta maintains the statewide database and can help.
| Office | Washington County Health Department |
|---|---|
| Address | 201 Morningside Drive, Sandersville, GA 31082 |
| District | East Central Health District |
Note: Call the Washington County Health Department before visiting to make sure the vital records desk is open.
Washington County Death Certificate Fees
Death certificates from Washington County cost $25.00 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy is $5.00 when ordered at the same time. State law under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 sets these fees. They are the same everywhere in Georgia. Cash, credit, and debit cards are accepted for in-person visits. Mail requests need a money order or certified check. Personal checks are not accepted.
Buy all the copies you need in one request. The $5.00 rate for extras only applies when they are part of the same order. Coming back for another copy means paying $25.00 again. People handling estates or insurance claims in Washington County usually order two or three copies right away.
Search Washington County Death Index Online
If you cannot make it to Sandersville, Georgia has several online search tools. The ROVER system is the state's main online portal. Create an account, enter the details about the deceased, and the state mails you a certified copy. ROVER handles all Georgia deaths from 1919 to the present.
VitalChek is a third-party service that takes online orders with a service fee. GO Certificates offers the same type of service. Both pull from the same state database, so Washington County records are available through either one. Processing time varies, but expect a few weeks for delivery.
Historical death records from Washington County can be found at the Georgia Archives. The Archives has a digital collection of death records from 1919 to 1927 that is free to browse. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no charge. Both resources work well for family history and genealogy research in Washington County.
Eligibility for Washington 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 of the deceased all qualify. Funeral directors who handled the case can get copies too. For estate or insurance work in Washington County, bring proof of your role.
Informational copies are available to the public. These copies are not certified and have no legal standing. They contain the same facts but lack the official seal. Genealogists and researchers frequently use informational copies of Washington County death records. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 cover the full eligibility breakdown.
Washington County Death Records by Mail
You can request Washington County death records by mail. Send your request to the Washington County Health Department at 201 Morningside Drive, Sandersville, GA 31082. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00, the full name of the deceased, the date of death or a range, your relationship, and a copy of your photo ID.
The state office accepts mail requests too. The address is Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. You can call (404) 679-4702 with questions. State requests take 8 to 10 weeks. The Washington County office is quicker at 2 to 4 weeks. A walk-in visit to Sandersville is the fastest route.
The Washington County Health Department vital records page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Washington 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 Washington County Health Department in Sandersville.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Washington County. If you are unsure where a death was filed, check the neighboring county offices.