Wilkes County Death Records Lookup
Wilkes County death index records are on file at the Probate Court in Washington, Georgia. The courthouse on Court Street manages all death certificate requests for Wilkes County. You can stop by in person, send a request through the mail, or use one of the state's online ordering systems. Georgia has maintained death records at the state level since 1919, and the Wilkes County Probate Court can access those records locally. This page covers how to search for death records in Wilkes County, the fees involved, and where to find older death index entries.
Wilkes County Death Index Facts
Wilkes County Probate Court Office
The Wilkes County Probate Court is at 23 Court Street, Room 422, Washington, GA 30673. Walk-in visits are the fastest way to get a death certificate. Bring your photo ID and the full name and date of death for the person whose record you need. Staff can search the system and print your certified copy during the visit.
Washington is the county seat of Wilkes County and one of the oldest cities in Georgia. The courthouse handles a range of legal and vital records business. Death certificates are among the most common requests. The office sits on the fourth floor, so head up to Room 422 when you arrive. Staff can guide you through the process if it is your first time requesting a death record.
Wilkes County is part of the East Central Health District, covering 13 counties in east-central Georgia. The district maintains vital records and can help when the local Probate Court has difficulty locating a file. If a record seems to be missing from the Wilkes County office, the district may have a backup copy or know where it ended up.
| Office | Wilkes County Probate Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 23 Court Street, Room 422, Washington, GA 30673 |
| District | East Central Health District |
Note: The Wilkes County Probate Court is in Room 422, so head to the fourth floor of the courthouse when you arrive.
Wilkes County Death Certificate Fees
Certified death certificates from Wilkes County are $25.00 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $5.00. These fees come from O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 and are the same across Georgia. Cash is accepted for walk-in visits. Money orders or certified checks are standard for mail requests. Check with the Wilkes County Probate Court about credit card acceptance.
Get all copies at once if you need more than one. The $5.00 rate only applies when ordered together. A second trip to the courthouse means paying $25.00 again. For estate work or insurance claims connected to a Wilkes County death, order two or three copies to be safe.
Search Wilkes County Death Index Online
You can search for Wilkes County death records online without making the drive to Washington. Georgia provides state-level tools that work from anywhere.
The ROVER system is the primary portal. Create an account and enter the deceased person's details. ROVER holds records from 1919 to the present. Orders are mailed and arrive in a few weeks. VitalChek offers expedited service for an extra fee. GO Certificates is one more online choice for Georgia death certificates. All three pull from the same state database that includes Wilkes County records.
The Georgia Archives is the go-to place for historical death records. The Archives maintains a digital collection covering 1919 to 1927 that you can browse for free. The FamilySearch Georgia Death Index spans 1933 through 1998 at no cost. Researchers tracing Wilkes County family lines will find both databases useful.
Who Can Get Wilkes County Death Certificates
O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 controls access to certified death certificates in Georgia. You need a direct and tangible interest in the record. Spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, and legal representatives are eligible. Funeral directors who handled the case qualify too. Have documentation of your relationship ready when you visit the Wilkes County Probate Court.
Informational copies can be requested by anyone. They do not bear the certified stamp and have no legal standing. The data on them is the same as a certified copy. Genealogists and family history researchers use informational copies from Wilkes County frequently. Georgia Rules 511-1-3 lay out the access rules for both copy types.
Wilkes County Death Records by Mail
Mail requests for Wilkes County death certificates go to the Probate Court at 23 Court Street, Room 422, Washington, GA 30673. Include a money order or certified check for $25.00 made payable to the court. Write the deceased person's full name, date of death, and your relationship to them. Add a photocopy of your photo ID. The county processes mail requests in about 2 to 4 weeks.
State mail orders go to Georgia Department of Public Health, Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Call (404) 679-4702 with questions. The state takes 8 to 10 weeks. A walk-in visit to the Washington courthouse is the fastest option for a Wilkes County death record.
The Wilkes County Probate Court page is shown below.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website lists the Wilkes County Probate Court as a vital records office.
This listing includes the office address in Washington and details about the vital records services at the Wilkes County Probate Court.
Nearby Counties
Wilkes County shares borders with these counties. If a death record was filed in a neighboring county, check these offices.