Rome Obituary Death Records

Rome obituary and death records go through the Floyd County Health Department. Rome is the county seat of Floyd County, located in northwest Georgia where the Etowah and Oostanaula rivers meet. The Floyd County Health Department acts as the local registrar for the Georgia Department of Public Health and can issue certified death certificates for deaths that took place in Georgia from 1919 forward. If you need a Rome death record, the county health department is the primary local source for getting a certified copy.

Floyd County Health Department for Rome

The Floyd County Health Department handles obituary and death records for Rome and all of Floyd County. This office serves as the local agent for the Georgia DPH. It can issue certified death certificates for any death that happened in Georgia from 1919 to the present. Since Rome is the county seat, the health department is located right in the city. That makes walk-in visits easy for Rome residents who need a death certificate.

The fee for a Rome death certificate is $25 for the first certified copy. Extra copies cost $5 each when ordered at the same time. This is a statewide fee set by the Georgia DPH. The $25 is a non-refundable search fee that covers one certified copy if the record is found. You will need to bring a valid photo ID and provide the full name and approximate date of death for the person whose record you need. Walk-in requests at the Floyd County Health Department are usually processed the same day.

How to Search Rome Death Records

You can get a Rome obituary or death record several ways. Walking into the Floyd County Health Department is the fastest. Same-day service is typical for records that are already in the system. You fill out a short form, show your ID, and pay the fee. If you cannot visit in person, a mail request works too. Send a completed application, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for $25 to the Floyd County Health Department. Most mail orders take 2 to 4 weeks.

The state runs the ROVER online system as well. ROVER lets you order a Rome death certificate from anywhere. The cost is $25 plus an $8 processing fee. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks. That is slower than the local office, but it works when you cannot get to Rome in person. For urgent needs, the walk-in option is always best.

The DPH office locator shown below helps you find the nearest vital records office.

This search tool from the Georgia Department of Public Health finds offices near any zip code or city in the state.

Who Can Get a Rome Death Certificate

Not everyone gets the same type of death certificate in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified copies are for people with a direct and tangible interest. The legal spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives of the family all qualify. Insurance companies and financial institutions with a legitimate need can also get certified copies. You must prove your relationship when you request a Rome obituary record.

A certified copy has an embossed seal, the signatures of the State and County Registrar, and is printed on security paper. Courts, banks, and insurance companies need this type of copy. Members of the public who do not have a direct interest can still order a Rome death record. They get a plain paper version with the Social Security number removed. That copy still shows the cause, date, and place of death. It is good enough for genealogy work and general lookups.

Historical Rome Obituary Records

Georgia started its statewide death registration in 1919. The Floyd County Health Department can issue death certificates for Rome deaths from that year forward. For deaths before 1919, records are harder to track down. Some may exist in old church records, newspaper obituaries, or early county filings. The Georgia Archives in Morrow holds death certificates from 1919 through 1943 and offers both in-person and online search options.

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-27, the state keeps death records indefinitely. Old Rome death records from the early twentieth century should still be on file. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, every death in Georgia must be registered with the local registrar within 10 days. The funeral director has 72 hours to file the certificate. This requirement goes back to 1919. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-30, the State Registrar can match birth and death certificates to stop identity fraud.

Georgia State Resources

If the Floyd County Health Department cannot help with your Rome obituary search, try the state office. The Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 takes walk-in, mail, and phone requests. Call (404) 679-4702 for help. The state fee schedule is the same $25 base fee. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-31, these fees fund the maintenance of Georgia's vital records system.

The ROVER portal shown below is the state's online ordering system for death certificates.

ROVER handles orders for any Georgia death record. It is not limited to Rome or Floyd County records.

Nearby Cities

These cities near Rome also have their own obituary and death record pages on this site.