Georgia State Vital Records Office
Vital Records Service State Dept of Human Resources Room 217-H 47 Trinity Avenue, SW Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-4900

State office has birth and death records since January 1919. For earlier records in Atlanta or Savannah, write to the County Health Department in the county where the event occurred. Search fee is $10.00 for one certification, if located, and $10.00 for an unlimited search (every three years or portion thereof). Make money order payable to Vital Records, GA. DHR. Birth records are available only to the individual or his legal representative.

Centralized State divorce and marriage records since June 9, 1952. Certified copies are issued at State office. Inquiries about marriages occurring before June 9, 1952 will be forwarded to appropriate Probate Judge in county where divorce was granted or license was issued. Fees vary. Certified copies or divorce records are not issued at State office. Fee is for certification, plus $.50 per page. Inquiries will be forwarded to appropriate Clerk of Superior Court in county where divorce was granted. Fees vary.

Overview of Georgia Adoption Information

Adult adoptees can access "non-identifying" information upon reaching the age of majority.

Birth parents are not entitled to non-identifying information.

Adult adoptees and birth parents can use the active registry, which allows trained intermediaries (Confidential Intermediaries) to conduct a search. Requires consent from the contacted party for the release of information.

Birthparents can file information with the birth parent registry. Only adoptees can access this information.

The courts can release identifying information to the adoptee with a "compelling need" for medical information.

Access to Georgia Adoption Records or Information Under Georgia Law, an adult adoptee (age 21), or the adoptive parents of an adoptee under the age of twenty-one may obtain non-identifying information which is defined to include the date and place of birth of the adopted person, and the genetic, social and health history of the adoptive parents. Identifying information -- which is defined as the person's name -- is available to an adult adoptee (age 21) if an unrevoked written permission to reveal the information appears in the adoptee's file. The Department of Social Services or placement agency must "verify" this permission before acting. If no such permission is in the file, an adult adoptee may ask the Department or agency to notify each parent listed on the original birth certificate of the adoptee's request for such information. "Notify" is defined to mean personal contact by a department employee. The birth parent is then given the opportunity to consent to the release of identifying information, or decline such consent. If the Department is unable after six months of diligent effort to find the original parents, the adoptee may petition the Court for release of identifying information. Permission will be granted if the court finds that the Department or agency made a diligent search, and further finds that failure to release the identity of each biological parent would have an adverse impact upon the physical, mental or emotional health of the adopted person. Domestic Relations Law 19-8-23 Return to Top