Richmond County Obituary Records

Richmond County obituary and death records are managed through the Richmond County Health Department in Augusta. As a local agent for the Georgia Department of Public Health, this office issues certified death certificates for deaths that took place anywhere in Georgia from 1919 forward. Richmond County is home to Augusta, the second largest city in Georgia, so this office handles a high volume of requests each year. If you need to find a Richmond County death record or get a copy of a death certificate, the health department on North Leg Road is your local starting point. Residents can also use the state's online ordering system or send requests by mail.

Richmond County Health Department

The Richmond County Health Department serves as the local vital records office. The Department of Vital Records is located inside the Richmond County Health Department at 1916 North Leg Road in Augusta. Staff can help you request death certificates for deaths that took place anywhere in Georgia. This is one of the busier vital records offices in the state given the size of Richmond County and the Augusta metro area.

When you visit in person, bring a valid photo ID and be ready to pay $25 for the first certified copy. Each extra copy of the same Richmond County death record costs $5 when ordered at the same time. The office accepts cash and money orders. Processing for walk-in requests is typically same day. Some Richmond County obituary records may take longer if the file needs to come from state archives. You can also reach the Vital Records department by calling 706-667-4319. 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.

Richmond County Coroner and Death Investigations

The Richmond County Coroner's office plays a key role in many Richmond County death records. Coroner Mark Bowen and his staff respond to calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They investigate and determine the cause and manner of death in cases of homicide, suicide, accidental death, undetermined death, and all natural deaths that are sudden, unexpected, or medically unattended. This office handles a significant caseload due to the population of the Augusta area.

After the coroner completes the investigation and any post-mortem examination, the process for the death certificate begins. The funeral home starts the death certificate, and the coroner or a deputy coroner then completes it with the cause and manner of death. The certificate goes back to the funeral director, who is responsible for getting it certified. The family can get their initial copy through the funeral home after the service. After that first period, additional copies of Richmond County death records can be purchased from the Richmond County Department of Vital Records at 1916 North Leg Road in Augusta by calling 706-667-4319. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-15, all deaths must be registered within 10 days. The funeral director must file within 72 hours of taking charge of the body.

How to Search Richmond County Death Records

There are three main ways to get Richmond County obituary and death records. You can walk in at the health department in Augusta. You can order by mail. Or you can use the state's online system. Each method has the same base fee of $25 for the first certified copy.

For online orders, the Georgia ROVER system lets you request death certificates from any county. You need the full name of the person who died, the date of death, and the county where death took place. ROVER charges the $25 state fee plus an $8 processing fee. Standard delivery takes 8 to 10 weeks. If you need a Richmond County death record faster, visiting the health department in Augusta is a better choice. Given that Richmond County is a consolidated city-county government with Augusta, the local office is well staffed to handle walk-in requests quickly.

Mail orders go to the Richmond County Health Department or the state office. Include a signed request with your name, address, phone number, and a copy of your photo ID. Also include the full name and date of death for the person whose Richmond County record you need. A money order for $25 should go with your application.

Who Can Get Richmond County Death Certificates

Georgia law controls who can get certain types of death certificates. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified copies of Richmond 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. Legal representatives and insurance companies also qualify for certified copies of Richmond County obituary records.

A certified copy has a raised seal and the signature of both the State and County Registrar. It is printed on security paper. Banks, courts, and insurance firms need this type. If you do not have a direct interest in a Richmond County death record, you can still get a non-certified copy. This version has the Social Security number removed but still shows the cause, date, and place of death. It works well for genealogy research and looking into Richmond County obituary records. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-27, tampering with or forging a death certificate is a crime in Georgia.

Georgia State Death Record Resources

Beyond the Richmond County Health Department, the state has other places to search for records. The Georgia DPH Vital Records office in College Park handles requests from across the state. You can visit at 1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349, or call (404) 679-4702. They process walk-in, mail, and phone orders for Richmond County death records and records from all 159 Georgia counties.

For historical Richmond 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, and funeral homes must keep their own detailed records of each case under these rules. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-30, the state registrar can issue certified copies and has final authority over the vital records system.

The DPH fee schedule page lists current costs for all vital record types. Check this page before you send payment for a Richmond County death record request.

The image below shows the Richmond County Health Department page on the Georgia DPH website, where you can find contact details and directions for the Augusta office.

Use this page to confirm hours and get driving directions before visiting the Richmond County office in Augusta.

Below is the Richmond County Health Department location listing showing the Vital Records contact information for the Augusta health department.

The Richmond County Health Department on North Leg Road is where Augusta area residents go for death certificates and other vital records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Richmond 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, you may find it more convenient to request your record there.