How to Find Georgia Birth Records
Statewide registration of births began in 1919 in Georgia with general compliance by 1928.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1919
- Georgia. Before 1919, no births were recorded by the state.
- Nevertheless, try the following free FamilySearch index-only database:
- Counties. Years after the original birth, a county's Probate Court may have recorded some delayed birth certificates prior to 1919. For example, Oconee County delayed birth certificates 1875-1918 are available as part of Oconee County, Georgia Probate Court Birth Certificates, 1875-1936, 1938-2008 at Ancestry. Contact the other Georgia counties' Probate Court clerks for information about their delayed birth certificates.
- Also, the following counties can provide some pre-1919 birth certificates:
- Fulton County (Atlanta) 1887-1918
- Chatham County (Savannah) 1890-1918
- Bibb County (Macon) 1891-1918
If you cannot obtain a pre-1919 birth certificate, try searching substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births after 1919
In 1919, Georgia began statewide registration of births. Currently, there is not a complete index online to Georgia birth certificates from 1919 to the present. If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
For births that exist during the time period, try the following database:
| Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| Georgia, Births and Christenings, 1754-1960 | FamilySearch - Free; incomplete | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Georgia, Select Births and Christenings, 1754-1960 | Ancestry - ($); incomplete, Free access at family history centers | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
Obtain the Certificate
With full names, dates and places of an event, you can order a copy of the birth certificate for a fee from the Georgia Department of Public Health or VitalChek.
Restrictions for ordering birth certificates: To obtain a birth certificate copy, you must be:
- the person named on the certificate
- the parents shown on the birth record
- an authorized legal guardian or agent
- grandparents of the person named on the certificate
- an adult child 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
- NOTE: A copy of the birth certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. A completed request form, certified check or money order, and photocopy of valid I.D. are also required.
- NOTE: A copy of the birth certificate cannot be obtained by anyone except those listed above. A completed request form, certified check or money order, and photocopy of valid I.D. are also required.
If you do not want to order the birth record, there are other records with birth information you can search.
