Forsyth County Obituary Search

Forsyth County obituary and death records are processed by the Forsyth County Probate Court in Cumming. The probate court serves as a local agent for the Georgia Department of Public Health and issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in any Georgia county from 1919 forward. Forsyth County is one of the fastest growing counties in metro Atlanta, located north of the city. If you need to find a death record or get a copy of a death certificate in Forsyth County, the probate court at West Courthouse Square in Cumming is the primary local office. Mail and online ordering are also available through the state.

Forsyth County Probate Court

The Forsyth County Probate Court handles vital records requests for the county. As a local DPH agent, the court can issue certified death certificates for deaths in any Georgia county. The office is at West Courthouse Square in Cumming. Walk-in visits are the quickest way to get a Forsyth County death record.

Bring a valid photo ID and $25 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy of the same Forsyth County death record costs $5 when ordered at the same time. The office accepts cash and money orders. Walk-in requests are usually processed the same day. Due to Forsyth County's rapid growth, the probate court can get busy, so plan for some wait time during peak hours. Some older Forsyth County obituary records may take longer if the state needs to pull the file from archives. For mail requests, send a completed application, a copy of your ID, and a money order payable to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Forsyth County's population has more than doubled in the last two decades. That growth means the probate court handles a significant volume of vital records requests each year.

How to Get Forsyth County Death Records

You can get Forsyth County obituary and death records three ways. Walk in at the probate court in Cumming. Mail a request. Or order online. The base fee is $25 for the first certified copy.

The Georgia ROVER system handles online orders for death certificates from all Georgia counties. You need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. ROVER charges $25 plus an $8 processing fee. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks. For faster service on a Forsyth County death record, visit the probate court in Cumming. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, every death in Georgia must be registered within 10 days. Funeral directors file the certificate within 72 hours. Most Forsyth County death records are in the system within two weeks of the death.

Mail orders should include a signed request, your name, address, phone number, a photo ID copy, and a money order for $25. Send to the Forsyth County Probate Court or the state DPH office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.

Who Can Get Forsyth County Death Certificates

Georgia law controls who gets certified copies. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified copies of Forsyth County death records are for people with a direct and tangible interest. That includes the spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Legal representatives and insurance companies with a financial interest also qualify.

Certified copies carry a raised seal and the signatures of the State and County Registrar on security paper. Banks, courts, and insurance firms need this type. If you lack a direct interest in a Forsyth County death record, you can still get a non-certified copy. The non-certified version has the Social Security number removed but still shows the cause, date, and place of death. This works for genealogy and general research into Forsyth County obituary records. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-27, it is a crime to forge or tamper with vital records in Georgia. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-31 sets penalties for giving false information on a vital records application.

Georgia State Death Record Resources

The Georgia DPH Vital Records office at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349 processes requests from all 159 Georgia counties. Call (404) 679-4702. Since Forsyth County is part of the Atlanta metro area, many residents find the state office accessible as well. They handle walk-in, mail, and phone orders for Forsyth County death records.

For historical Forsyth County obituary records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow holds death records from 1919 through 1943. The Virtual Vault provides online access to some of these older records. DPH Regulation 511-1-3 sets the rules for vital records storage statewide. Funeral homes must also maintain their own records. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-30, the State Registrar can match birth and death records to flag deceased persons and prevent identity fraud.

Check the DPH fee schedule page for current costs before sending payment for a Forsyth County death record.

The image below shows the Forsyth County Probate Court page on the Georgia DPH website, where you can find contact details and directions for the Cumming office.

Check this page for current hours before your visit to the Forsyth County probate court.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Forsyth County. Any Georgia county vital records office can issue a death certificate for a death that happened in the state. If one of these offices is closer, you can request your record there instead.