Below you will find a brief guide to accessing vital records in Georgia. For more detailed information about each type of record, see our Full Guide to Georgia Vital Records. The State Archives does not house many of these records, but we will tell you what we have and where to look for others.
Georgia Vital Records Quick Guide
Birth certificates
The Georgia Archives does not hold birth certificates.
Birth certificates before 1919 - Not available, as the state was not recording birth records prior to 1919. See our full guide below in the Research Guides section for the very few exceptions.
Birth certificates 1919-present - Available from the State Vital Records Office or local vital records offices.
Death certificates
Death certificates before 1919 - Not available, as the state was not recording death records prior to 1919. See our full guide below in the Research Guides section for the very few exceptions.
Death certificates 1919-1943 - Available for free via familysearch.org. This is a free website, but you will need to create an account in order to view the images. Collections are linked below in the Resources section.
Death certificates 1943-present - Available from the State Vital Records office or local vital records offices. Not available online.
Marriage records
Marriages before 1900 - Generally available on familysearch.org or in the Virtual Vault Marriage Records from Microfilm collection. This collection is linked in the Resources section below.
Marriages 1900-present - Generally available from the county Probate Court where the marriage was recorded.
If you do not know the county where the marriage was recorded : The Georgia Archives holds a state-wide marriage index from 1964-1999 on microfiche. You can use this index to determine which county the marriage was recorded in. This index is also available on Georgia Government Publications, linked below in the Resources section. The Georgia Archives does not have a marriage index prior to 1964 or after 1999.
Divorce records
The Georgia Archives does not hold divorce records. Divorce records are available from the county Superior Court where the divorce was filed. Additionally, prior to 1833, divorces were recorded in the Georgia Laws.
If you do not know the county where the divorce was recorded : The Georgia Archives holds a state-wide divorce index from 1964-1999 on microfiche. You can use this index to determine which county the divorce was recorded in. This index is also available on Georgia Government Publications, linked below in the Resources section. The Georgia Archives does not have a divorce index prior to 1964 or after 1999.
Research Guides
Full Guide to Georgia Vital Records
Documenting Marriages in Georgia - Guide to marriage laws and records in the State of Georgia
Resources
Georgia Vital Records Office - (external link) Request post-1919 vital records
Local Vital Records Offices (external link)
Georgia Death Index 1933-1999 - (external link) An index to Georgia death certificates. Does not include online access to the certificates themselves.
Georgia Deaths 1919-1927 - (external link) View Georgia death certificates online. The collection also includes a number of certificates from 1914-1918, with the bulk dating from 1917 and 1918. Familysearch.org is a free website, but you will need to create an account in order to view the images.
Georgia Deaths 1928-1943 - (external link) View Georgia death certificates online. Familysearch.org is a free website, but you will need to create an account in order to view the images.
Marriage Records from Microfilm Collection - View scanned marriage books from microfilm.
Statewide Marriage Index 1964-1998 - (external link)
Statewide Divorce Index 1964-1998 - (external link)
