Vital Records maintains records of all births and deaths in Muscogee County and assists in the filing and issuing these certificates. Birth and death certificates are also available at the Harris County, Crisp County and Sumter County Health Departments. For other counties in our district, call the Probate Court in that county, or you may obtain these certificates at the Columbus Health Department.
For more information, call 833-337-1749, option 1, option 1.
*All orders for certificates are mailed directly from our office by USPS. You may request a tracked mailing option via UPS for an additional charge. Mail delivery is the responsibility of the post office or UPS. Once your order leaves our office via your selected mailing option, we are not responsible for its delivery to you. If you do not receive your order, you will be responsible for the cost of replacing the certificate(s) and additional mailing costs.
Vital Records in Columbus
5601 Veterans Parkway
Monday – Friday
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Staff Meetings:
Locations will close at 3:30 pm on the following Mondays in 2025 for staff meetings:
July 21st
August 11th
September 8th
October 20th
November 10th
December 8th
Services Provided:
- Issue birth certificates (ID required)
- Issue death certificates
- Assist in the amending of birth and death certificates
- Legitimation
- Paternity acknowledgements
* To save time when you visit our office, please print out a copy of the application for birth or death certificate and bring the completed form with you.
If you live in Crisp County, Harris County or Sumter County, please use the link below to your county page, and use your counties’ application.
Crisp County
Harris County
Sumter County
All other residents should use the Columbus application.
Birth Certificate Application-Columbus 2024
Death Certificate Application-Columbus 2024
*Please note: the Vital Records Office does not issue Social Security cards.
The Vital Records Annex will be closed Saturday, July 5th. Regular hours will resume Tuesday, July 8th, after the holiday.
Vital Records Annex
Located adjacent to the Department of Driver Services
8397 Macon Rd.
Midland, Georgia 31820
706-530-4336
Fax: 762-262-0080
Hours
Tuesday – Friday
8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday
9:00 am to 11:30 am
Note: The Vital Records Annex location does not do paternity acknowledgements, amendments to change mistakes on a birth certificates, legitimization or delayed birth certificates. Please come to the main vital records office for these services.
Fees:
*ALL FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE*
* Birth and Death certificates cost $25.00 for one (1) certified copy and $5.00 for each additional copy on the same person at the same time of purchase. Valid picture ID is required.
* There is a $10.00 charge to complete a Paternity Acknowledgment or Legitimation on a child that is 1 year old or older.
* Vital Records will no longer be accepting personal checks effective April 1, 2011.
Birth Certificate Information:
- “Original” birth certificates are kept on file at the State Vital Records office in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Certified copies can be requested from our office whether you were born in Muscogee County or any other county in Georgia. If you were born in another state, you must request a certificate from that state.
- Birth certificates are not automatically mailed to new parents, an application must be received requesting a copy. Hospital birth clerks have five business days to create birth certificates for newborns. There is a fee to obtain copies, and these are usually ready to be picked up seven to 10 days after the application is received.
Birth Certificates Can Be Issued To:
- Individual named on certificate
- Parent (Listed on birth certificate)
- Grandparent/Great Grandparent- Must have certified copies of birth certificates that prove lineage between great grandparents, grandparents, parent, and child. Must have certified copies if birth certificates are from another state. Must have translated copies if birth certificates are from another country.
- Natural Brother/Sister- Must have certified copies of birth certificates to prove lineage between both siblings. Must have certified copies if birth certificates are from another state. Must have translated copies if birth certificates are from another country.
- Legal Spouse
- Legal Guardian (Must have court order)
- Attorney – Must provide copy of ID and Bar Association card.
Birth Certificates Cannot Be Issued To:
- Step-parent
- Stepchild
- Aunt, Uncle, or Cousin
- Niece or Nephew
- Godparent/Sister/Brother
- In-laws
- Boyfriend/Girlfriend/Fiancé
- Non-family member
- Military Recruiters
Paternity Acknowledgment Information:
- Paternity Acknowledgment forms are completed in our office by appointment only Monday through Friday.
- Both the mother and natural father must be present.
- Both the mother and natural father must have valid picture ID* and signed social security cards.
- There is a $10.00 charge to complete a Paternity Acknowledgment on a child that is 1 year old or older.
Identification Requirements
For Birth and Death Certificates
Under Georgia Law, Birth Records are restricted documents and can only be requested by individuals who are eligible to receive them (eligibility requirements are described in detail on the appropriate application forms). Current photo ID must be presented to receive certificate.
Accepted Forms of Identification:
- Georgia Driver’s License or State of Georgia ID card (Expired less than one year accepted)
- State of Georgia Weapons Carry License
- Driver’s License or ID Card, unexpired, issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory*
- U.S. or Foreign Passport, unexpired
- U.S. Military ID- Active Duty, Dependent or Veteran
- Consulate Card, unexpired*
- Transportation ID*
- Debit Card with Picture*
- Debit Card*
- Employer ID Card*
- School, College or University ID Card*
- DMV ID Card*
- Dept. of Corrections ID Card*
*CARD MUST HAVE A PHOTO TO BE ACCEPTED.
If you are requesting a birth certificate on an immediate family member, and you were not born in Georgia, a certified birth certificate must be presented to verify your relationship.
Individuals under the age of 15 are unable to request a copy of their own record.
For Paternity Acknowledgements
- Current Driver’s License or ID Card with Photo issued by another U.S. state, jurisdiction or territory
- Current US or Foreign Passport
- Current Military ID – Active Duty, Dependent, or Veteran
If you are requesting a certificate by mail, the certificate will only be mailed to the address on the form.
Please mail the completed form to:
Columbus Health Department
Vital Records
P.O. Box 2299
Columbus, GA 31902-2299
*Please be sure to include: a current phone number on the application, and a copy of a valid picture I.D.
Revised 3-31-2025