Webster County Death Records Search
Webster County death index records are held at the Probate Court in Preston. As one of the least populated counties in Georgia, Webster County still follows the same death certificate process as every other county in the state. The Probate Court on Hamilton Street handles all vital records requests. You can visit in person, send a request by mail, or use Georgia's online ordering systems to get a Webster County death record. State-level death records go back to 1919. This page covers how to search, what fees to expect, and where to find historical death index records from Webster County.
Webster County Death Index Facts
Webster County Probate Court
The Webster County Probate Court is at 6330 Hamilton Street in Preston, GA 31824. This is the only office in Webster County that issues death certificates. Walk in with your photo ID and the name and date of death for the person whose record you need. The staff can search for the record and print a certified copy on the spot.
Webster County is part of the West Central Health District, which covers 17 counties in the west-central part of the state. The district keeps its own vital records and can help if the Probate Court in Preston has difficulty locating an older file. With such a small population, Webster County may have limited office hours compared to larger counties. A phone call before your visit is a good idea. Ask when the office is open and whether they have the record you are looking for.
Preston is a very small town. The Probate Court handles vital records, probate matters, and other court business all in one place. Staff may be pulled in different directions, so expect some flexibility in how quickly requests are processed.
| Office | Webster County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 6330 Hamilton Street, Preston, GA 31824 |
| District | West Central Health District |
Note: Webster County is among the smallest counties in Georgia, so Probate Court hours may be limited on some days.
Fees for Webster County Death Records
A certified death certificate from Webster County is $25.00. Additional copies are $5.00 each when you request them during the same visit or mail order. These fees are set under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and are the same at every county office in Georgia. Cash is standard for in-person requests. Mail requests need a money order or certified check. Ask the Probate Court about card acceptance before you visit.
Order all copies at once to get the discount. The $5.00 extra copy rate only works when ordered together. A second trip means another $25.00. For estate or insurance work in Webster County, two copies is a smart starting point.
Search Webster County Death Index Online
You can look up Webster County death records without going to Preston. Georgia offers several online tools for death certificate searches.
The ROVER system is the state's main online ordering portal. Create an account, enter the deceased person's details, and submit your request. ROVER has death records from 1919 to the present. Delivery by mail takes a few weeks. VitalChek offers another online path with faster delivery, though they charge a service fee. GO Certificates is a third option for online orders of Georgia death certificates. All three services access the same state database that includes Webster County records.
Historical death records from Webster County can be found through the Georgia Archives. The Archives holds death files from the earliest years of state registration. A digital collection from 1919 to 1927 is free to browse online. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 through 1998 at no cost. If you are researching Webster County family lines, these free tools are a good starting point.
Who Can Get Webster County Death Certificates
Certified death certificates are restricted under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 requires that you have a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, and those with legal authority over the estate qualify. Funeral directors who were involved in the case qualify too. When visiting the Webster County Probate Court, bring proof of your connection to the deceased person.
Informational copies are open to everyone. These do not have the certified seal and are not valid for legal purposes. They show the same information as a certified copy. Genealogists and family historians request informational copies from Webster County when working on their research. The Georgia Rules 511-1-3 explain who qualifies for each type of copy.
Webster County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests for Webster County death certificates go to the Webster County Probate Court at 6330 Hamilton Street, Preston, GA 31824. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00 payable to the court. Write out the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to the person. Include a copy of your photo ID. County processing usually takes 2 to 4 weeks.
The Georgia Department of Public Health also handles mail requests at their office at 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. The phone number is (404) 679-4702. State mail requests take 8 to 10 weeks to process. If you need a Webster County death record fast, a walk-in visit to Preston is the best choice.
The Webster County Probate Court page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Webster County Probate Court as a vital records office.
This listing shows the office details and vital records services offered at the Webster County Probate Court in Preston.
Nearby Counties
Webster County shares borders with these counties. Check neighboring offices if you cannot find a death record at the local court.