Whitfield County Death Records
Whitfield County death index records are handled through the Whitfield County Vital Records office in Dalton. This office operates under the Whitfield County Health Department and is the local point of contact for death certificate requests. Whether you live in Dalton or elsewhere in Whitfield County, this is where you start. You can visit the office on Professional Boulevard, send a request by mail, or use Georgia's online ordering systems. State death records go back to 1919. This page covers the process, fees, and resources for searching Whitfield County death index records.
Whitfield County Death Index Facts
Whitfield County Vital Records Office
The Whitfield County Vital Records office is at 800 Professional Blvd in Dalton, GA 30720. This is the main office for death certificates in Whitfield County. Staff can search for records and issue certified copies during your visit. Bring a valid photo ID and the full name and date of death for the person you need a record for. If you are not sure about the exact date, give a range and staff will search within it.
Whitfield County uses the Health Department to handle vital records rather than the Probate Court. The office on Professional Boulevard is set up specifically for these types of requests, which means the process tends to be smooth. Dalton is the county seat and the largest city in Whitfield County, so the vital records office sees a steady stream of people. Getting there early in the day may help you avoid a wait.
The Whitfield County Health Department operates under the North Georgia Health District, which covers 12 counties in the mountain region. The district provides support and keeps backup vital records. If the local office runs into trouble finding a record, the district can step in and help track it down.
| Office | Whitfield County Vital Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 800 Professional Blvd, Dalton, GA 30720 |
| District | North Georgia Health District |
Note: The Whitfield County Vital Records office may have different hours than the general Health Department, so call ahead.
Fees for Whitfield County Death Certificates
Certified death certificates from Whitfield County cost $25.00 for the first copy. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $5.00 each. Georgia law sets these fees under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26. The prices are the same at every county office in the state. For walk-in visits, cash and cards are commonly accepted. Mail requests should include a money order or certified check.
Always order all the copies you need in a single visit. The $5.00 extra copy rate only applies during one transaction. If you visit again later for another copy, you start over at $25.00. People handling estates or insurance claims for deaths in Whitfield County usually get two or three copies at once.
How to Search Whitfield County Death Index
The vital records office in Dalton is the most direct way to search Whitfield County death records. But you have online options too.
Georgia's ROVER system is the state's main online portal for vital records. Create an account and enter the details about the deceased. ROVER has Georgia death records from 1919 to the present. Orders are mailed and take a few weeks. VitalChek is another online option that offers expedited shipping for an additional service fee. GO Certificates provides a third online path for Georgia death certificate orders. All three systems access the state database that includes Whitfield County death records.
Historical records are available through the Georgia Archives, which holds death files from the earliest years of state registration. A digital collection of 1919 to 1927 death records is free to browse. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index covers 1933 to 1998 and is free. Both databases may contain Whitfield County entries for anyone doing genealogy research.
Who Can Get Whitfield County Death Records
Certified death certificates are not available to everyone under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 requires a direct and tangible interest. Spouses, parents, children, and legal representatives qualify. Funeral directors who worked the case are also eligible. Bring proof of your relationship when you visit the Whitfield County Vital Records office in Dalton.
Informational copies can be requested by anyone. These do not have the certified seal and are not accepted for legal purposes. The facts on the record are the same. Family researchers and genealogists often get informational copies from Whitfield County for their projects. Georgia Rules 511-1-3 detail who qualifies for certified versus informational copies.
Whitfield County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests for Whitfield County death certificates go to the Whitfield County Vital Records office at 800 Professional Blvd, Dalton, GA 30720. Send a money order or certified check for $25.00. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to the person. Attach a copy of your photo ID. The local office processes mail requests in about 2 to 4 weeks.
The state office at Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 also handles mail orders. Call (404) 679-4702 with questions. State processing takes 8 to 10 weeks. The Dalton office is quicker, and a walk-in visit is the fastest way to get a Whitfield County death record.
The Whitfield County Vital Records page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Whitfield County Vital Records office and its services.
This page shows the office address in Dalton and the vital records services available through Whitfield County.
Cities in Whitfield County
Dalton is the county seat and the main city in Whitfield County. Residents of Dalton use the Whitfield County Vital Records office for death certificates and other vital records needs.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Whitfield County in northwest Georgia. If a death record may have been filed elsewhere, check these offices.