Ordering a Birth Certificate
You can order a birth certificate in person, by mail or online. Certificates from 1919 to the present are available.
For a newborn’s certificate, please wait at least two weeks after the birth of the child before placing an order.
Vital Records Office
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (770) 514-2337
*Closed every 3rd Wednesday of the Month from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. to hold staff meeting.
**Offices are closed on state holidays.
Accessing a Birth Certificate
Access to a birth certificate is limited to:
- The person named on the certificate.
- An adult child of the person named on the certificate.
- A parent named on the certificate.
- A grandparent of the person named on the certificate.
- An adult sibling of the person named on the certificate.
- The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
- The authorized legal guardian or agent of the person named on the certificate.
Providing Required Documents
You must bring, mail or upload:
- A completed and signed Birth Certificate Request Form. (Or provide the requested information on a plain sheet of paper.)
- A valid photo ID. Acceptable ID includes:
- Georgia Driver’s License unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia identification card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Weapons Carry License (unexpired)
- Unexpired Driver’s License issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired (official) Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent identification, Veteran’s Identification
- Unexpired Consulate Card (Displayed in English)
- Unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Department of Corrections Identification Card
- Department of Driver Services (DDS) ID Card
- Current school, University, or College Identification Card (unexpired with ID number and signature)
- Unexpired Foreign Passport
- Additional documentation if you’re ordering the birth certificate of a person other than yourself or your child. See the table below.
| If your relationship to the person named on the birth certificate is: | You must provide: |
|---|---|
| A grandparent | The birth certificate of your child who is the parent of the person |
| A sibling (age 18 or over) | Your birth certificate showing at least one parent in common with the person |
| A child (age 18 over over) | Your birth certificate showing the person is your parent |
| The spouse | Your marriage license, a photocopy of spouse’s picture ID, and a notarized letter of permission from spouse |
| The temporary or permanent legal guardian | An original court order or other legal documentation proving custody |
| The attorney serving as a temporary or permanent legal representative | Must represent an immediate family member and provide a notarized letter on letterhead signed by the attorney; provide bar number indicating reason for the request and whom they represent; provide supporting documentation with the fee; provide a notarized release from the biological mother, in the event of an adoption. |
| The individual or agency representative empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on the person’s behalf | An original court order or other legal documentation proving representative status |
Making Payment
Georgia law requires payment before a service can be provided. Fees are not refundable after a service has been provided.
The fees are:
| If exact birth date is known | Search fee: $25 |
| (includes one certified copy of certificate, if record is found) | Your birth certificate showing at least one parent in common with the person |
| If exact birth date is unknown | Multi-year search fee: $25 |
| (covers up to 3 years and includes one certified copy of certificate, if record is found) | Your marriage license, a photocopy of spouse’s picture ID, and a notarized letter of permission from spouse |
| Each additional certificate of same record ordered at same time | $5 |
In person | By mail | Online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | ● | ||
| Credit or debit card | ● | ● | |
| Certified check* | ● | ● | |
| Money order* | ● | ● | |
| *Make payable to: Cobb and Douglas Public Health Vital Records Office. Personal checks are not accepted. | |||
1650 County Services Parkway
Marietta, GA 30008
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (77) 514-2337
Please note: On the 3rd Wednesday of every Month, we open 9:00 a.m.
State and Federal Holidays Are Observed
8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (770) 920-7249
State and Federal Holidays Are Observed
By mail
Send the required documents and payment to:
Cobb and Douglas Public Heath, Vital Records Office
1650 County Services Parkway SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Online
Through a third-party vendor: VitalChek.
Correcting or Changing a Birth Record
If a birth record has already been created and you want to make a correction or change:
- Call the Georgia Office of Vital Records: (404) 679-4702
- Locate forms here: https://dph.georgia.gov/ways-request-vital-record/birth
- Write to:
- Georgia Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
- Georgia Office of Vital Records
Filing a Record for a Home or Other Out-of-Institution Birth
Records of home and other out-of-institution births should be filed in compliance with Georgia Department of Public Health rule 511-1-3-.05. All out-of-institution births in Cobb County must be filed in person at:
Cobb and Douglas Public Heath, Vital Records Office
1650 County Services Parkway SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Click here for the Out-of-Institution Package.
Rules & Regulations: https://rules.sos.state.ga.us/GAC/511-1-3-.05
Ordering a Death Certificate
Before ordering a certificate for a recent death, please speak with the funeral home handling the arrangements to make sure that they have filed the death record.
Vital Records Office
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (770) 514-2337
Offices are closed on state holidays.
Accessing a Death Certificate
Access to a death certificate with full information is limited to:
- A child of the person named on the certificate.
- A parent of the person named on the certificate.
- A grandparent of the person named on the certificate.
- An adult sibling of the person named on the certificate.
- The spouse of the person named on the certificate.
- The legal guardian or agent of the person named on the certificate.
- Must provide proof of relationship such as the birth certificate.
- DD214 for Veterans
- The social security number is redacted without proof of relationship.
Providing Required Documents
You must bring, complete in person or mail:
- A completed and signed Death Certificate Request Form. (Or provide the requested information on a plain sheet of paper.)
- A valid photo ID. Acceptable ID includes:
- Georgia Driver’s License unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia identification card unexpired or expired for not more than one year
- State of Georgia Weapons Carry License (unexpired)
- Unexpired Driver’s License issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired (official) Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
- Unexpired U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military Identification, Military Dependent identification, Veteran’s Identification
- Unexpired Consulate Card (Displayed in English)
- Unexpired Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- Department of Corrections Identification Card
- Department of Driver Services (DDS) ID Card
- Current school, University, or College Identification Card (unexpired with ID number and signature)
- Unexpired Foreign Passport
- Proof of relationship to person named on certificate. See the table below.
| If your relationship to the person named on the death certificate is: | You must provide: |
|---|---|
| A parent | The birth certificate of the person showing you as a parent |
| A grandparent | The birth certificate of your child who is the parent of the person |
| A sibling (age 18 or over) | Your birth certificate showing at least one parent in common with the person |
| A child (age 18 over over) | Your birth certificate showing the person was your parent |
| The temporary or permanent legal guardian | An original court order or other legal documentation proving custody |
| The attorney serving as a temporary or permanent legal representative | A letter on your law firm’s letterhead stating that you have been retained to serve as the person’s legal representative |
| The individual or agency representative empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on the person’s behalf | An original court order or other legal documentation proving representative status |
| The beneficiary of an insurance policy who needs a certificate that includes the cause of death | A letter from the insurance company that lists you as the beneficiary |
Making Payment
Georgia law requires payment before a service can be provided. Fees are not refundable after a service has been provided.
The fees are:
| If exact death date is known | Search fee: $25 |
| (includes one certified copy of certificate, if record is found) | Your birth certificate showing at least one parent in common with the person |
| If exact death date is unknown | Multi-year search fee: $25 |
| (covers up to 3 years and includes one certified copy of certificate, if record is found) | Your marriage license, a photocopy of spouse’s picture ID, and a notarized letter of permission from spouse |
| Each additional certificate of same record ordered at same time | $5 |
In person | By mail | Online | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | ● | ||
| Credit or debit card | ● | ● | |
| Certified check* | ● | ● | |
| Money order* | ● | ● | |
| *Make payable to: Cobb and Douglas Public Health Vital Records Office. Personal checks are not accepted. | |||
Placing an Order
In person
Bring the required documents and payment to a Vital Records office.
Please arrive more than 15 minutes before closing time.
1650 County Services Parkway
Marietta, GA 30008
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Phone: (77) 514-2337
Please note: On the 3rd Wednesday of every Month, we open 9:00 a.m.
State and Federal Holidays Are Observed
8700 Hospital Drive
Douglasville, GA 30134
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Phone: (770) 920-7249
State and Federal Holidays Are Observed
By mail
Send the required documents and payment to:
Cobb and Douglas Public Heath, Vital Records Office
1650 County Services Parkway SW
Marietta, GA 30008
Online
Through a third-party vendor: VitalChek.
Ordering a Fetal Death Certificate
To order a fetal death certificate, contact the Georgia Office of Vital Records at (404) 679-4702.
Correcting or Changing a Death Record
If a death record has already been created and you want to make a correction or change:
- Call the Georgia Office of Vital Records: (404) 679-4702
- Write to:
- Georgia Office of Vital Records
1680 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 100
Atlanta, GA 30349
- Georgia Office of Vital Records
Marriage License/Divorce Papers:
How can I obtain a copy of my marriage license?
- Cobb: Contact the Cobb County Probate Court at (770) 528-1931 or visit: Cobb County Government.
- Douglas: Contact the Probate Court of Douglas County at (770-949-2000 or visit: Douglas County Government
How I can obtain a copy of my divorce papers?
- Cobb: Contact the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (770) 528-1300, or visit: CobbSuperiorCourtClerk.com.
- Douglas: Contact the Superior Court Clerk’s Office at (770) 920-7252 or visit: Douglas County Superior Court.