Putnam County Death Record Search

Putnam County obituary and death records are handled by the Putnam County Probate Court in Eatonton. As a local agent for the Georgia Department of Public Health, this court can issue certified death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Georgia from 1919 forward. If you need a Putnam County death record or want a copy of a death certificate, the Probate Court on South Jefferson Avenue is the place to start. Residents can also order records through the state's online system or by mail from the state vital records office in Atlanta.

Putnam County Probate Court

The Putnam County Probate Court in Eatonton serves as the local vital records office for Putnam County. Staff here handle death certificate requests for deaths that took place anywhere in Georgia. The office is on South Jefferson Avenue in the Putnam County seat. Walk-in service is the standard way locals get their obituary and death records from this court.

When you visit, bring a valid photo ID and be ready to pay $25 for the first certified copy of a Putnam County death record. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5. The court accepts cash and money orders. Most walk-in requests for Putnam County death certificates are processed the same day. Older Putnam County obituary records may take longer if the state archives need to retrieve the file. For mail requests, send a completed application along with a copy of your ID and a money order payable to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Include the full name and date of death for the person whose Putnam County death record you need.

How to Search Putnam County Death Records

There are three main ways to get Putnam County obituary and death records. Walk in at the Probate Court in Eatonton. Order by mail. Or use the state's online ordering system. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy with any method.

For online orders, the Georgia ROVER system lets you request death certificates from any county in Georgia. You need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. ROVER charges the $25 state fee plus an $8 processing fee. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks. If you need a Putnam County death record faster, going to the Probate Court in Eatonton is the quickest option. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, every death in Georgia must be registered within 10 days of the event. The funeral director files the certificate within 72 hours of taking charge of the body. So most Putnam County death records are in the system within two weeks.

Mail orders go to the Putnam County Probate Court or the state office. Include a signed request with your name, address, phone number, and a copy of your photo ID. List the full name and date of death for the person whose Putnam County obituary record you need. Send a money order for the correct amount.

Who Can Get Putnam County Death Certificates

Georgia law determines who can get what type of death certificate. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified copies of Putnam County death records go to people with a direct and tangible interest. That includes the spouse, adult children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren of the deceased person. Legal representatives and insurance companies can also get certified copies of Putnam County death records.

A certified copy bears a raised seal and the signatures of the State and County Registrar. It comes on security paper. Courts, banks, and insurance firms need this type. If you do not have a direct interest, you can still get a non-certified copy of a Putnam County death record. The non-certified version removes the Social Security number but still shows the cause, date, and place of death. It works well for genealogy and general research into Putnam County obituary records. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-27, forging or tampering with a death certificate is a crime in Georgia.

Georgia State Death Record Resources

Beyond the Putnam County Probate Court, the state offers other ways to search. The Georgia DPH Vital Records office handles requests from across Georgia. Visit at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 679-4702. They process walk-in, mail, and phone orders for Putnam County death records and records from all 159 Georgia counties.

For historical Putnam County obituary records, the Georgia Archives in Morrow holds death records from 1919 through 1943. These older records are also available through the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault online. DPH Regulation 511-1-3 governs how vital records are maintained across the state. O.C.G.A. § 31-10-30 gives the state registrar authority to issue certified copies from the statewide file for any Putnam County death record.

The DPH fee schedule page lists current costs for all vital record types. Fees may change, so check before you send payment for a Putnam County death record request.

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

Use this page to confirm hours and get directions before you visit the Putnam County Probate Court in Eatonton.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Putnam County. Any Georgia county vital records office can issue a death certificate for a death that happened anywhere in the state. If you are closer to one of these offices, requesting your record there could save you a trip.