Burke County Death Records

Burke County obituary and death records can be obtained from the Burke County Probate Court in Waynesboro. The probate court is a local agent for the Georgia Department of Public Health and can issue certified death certificates for deaths in any Georgia county going back to 1919. Burke County is one of the largest counties in the state by land area, and the probate court on 6th Street in Waynesboro is the central office for all vital record requests. If you need a Burke County death certificate, you can visit in person, order through the state ROVER system, or send a mail request.

Burke County Probate Court Office

The Burke County Probate Court is at 200 6th Street, Room 208, in Waynesboro. This office handles death certificate requests along with other probate court business. The staff can search the statewide vital records database and print certified copies for any Georgia death since 1919.

To get a Burke County death certificate in person, you need a photo ID and $25 for the first certified copy. Additional copies of the same Burke County death record are $5 each when you order them at the same time. Cash and money orders are the standard payment methods at this office. Walk-in requests for recent deaths are generally processed the same day. Older Burke County obituary records may take longer because they need to be pulled from the state system. Burke County is large and spread out, so if you live on the far side of the county, you might find it easier to order online or by mail instead of driving to Waynesboro.

How to Search Burke County Death Records

Walk-in visits to the Waynesboro probate court are the quickest way to get a Burke County death record. Online and mail orders are also available for those who cannot visit in person.

The ROVER online system is run by the state and available around the clock. It costs $25 plus an $8 processing fee. You enter the decedent's name, date of death, and the county of death. ROVER mails the certificate to you. Expect 8 to 10 weeks for standard delivery of Burke County records and any other Georgia death certificates. That wait is why many people prefer the walk-in option at the probate court, since you can usually leave with your record the same day.

For a mail request, write a signed letter with the full name and date of death, your own contact details, a copy of your photo ID, and a money order for $25 payable to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Mail it to the Burke County Probate Court at 200 6th Street, Room 208, Waynesboro, GA 30830. You can also send it to the state DPH office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15 requires death registration within 10 days, so Burke County records are typically available soon after the death occurs. The funeral director must file the certificate within 72 hours under Georgia law.

Burke County Death Certificate Access

Georgia law restricts who gets certified copies. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26 limits certified Burke County death certificates to those with a direct and tangible interest. The law covers the surviving spouse, adult children, parents, adult siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, and legal representatives. Insurance companies with a claim related to the death also qualify.

A certified copy comes on security paper with a raised seal and registrar signatures. It is the format required by banks, courts, and insurance firms. Everyone else can still get a non-certified copy of the Burke County obituary record. This version has the Social Security number removed but shows the name, date, place, and cause of death. It is suitable for genealogy research and general lookups. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-27, providing false information on a vital records application is a criminal act.

State Resources for Burke County Records

The Georgia DPH Vital Records office serves all Georgia counties from 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349. Phone: (404) 679-4702. They accept walk-in, mail, and phone orders for Burke County death records. Burke County residents near Augusta might also consider the Richmond County vital records office as a closer walk-in option.

Historical death records from 1919 through 1943 are at the Georgia Archives in Morrow. Old Burke County obituary records may be available through the Virtual Vault online. Under DPH Regulation 511-1-3, funeral homes must maintain detailed case records for all deaths they handle. The fee schedule page has current pricing for all vital record requests.

Here is the DPH location page for the Burke County Probate Court in Waynesboro, showing office address and contact info.

Verify the office hours on this page before heading to the Burke County courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Burke County is in east-central Georgia near Augusta. These neighboring counties also have vital records offices where you can request death certificates.