Access Augusta Genealogy Records

Augusta genealogy records are among the oldest in Georgia, with probate files dating to 1782 and marriage records from 1785. The consolidated Augusta-Richmond County government and several local institutions hold deep collections for family history research.

Richmond County Courthouse Records

Augusta merged with Richmond County in 1996. The courthouse on Greene Street handles all genealogy records for the area. This is one of the oldest record collections in Georgia.

Marriage records go back to 1785. Probate records start in 1782. Wills on file cover 1777 to 1957, though many older wills have been indexed. Land records begin in 1778. These are some of the deepest county-level collections in the state. The Probate Court handles marriage licenses, wills, estate files, and guardianships under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30.

The Superior Court Clerk has land deeds, divorce files, and civil court cases. Walk-in visits are welcome. You can also send written requests by mail. The courthouse is a must-visit for anyone doing Augusta genealogy, especially for records from the 1700s and early 1800s.

Augusta-Richmond Library Georgia Heritage Room

The Georgia Heritage Room at the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library is one of the best genealogy research centers in eastern Georgia. It sits at 823 Telfair Street in Augusta. Call (706) 821-2600 for hours and details.

The Heritage Room has the Elliot Funeral Home Index, which covers death records for the Augusta area. They have city directories going back to 1841. Civil War rosters are on file. The Augusta Chronicle newspaper collection dates from 1792 to the present on microfilm. They also have Ancestry Library Edition available on the public computers.

The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library Georgia Heritage Room is a key stop for anyone doing Augusta family research in person.

This page shows the Georgia Heritage Room and the types of genealogy resources available to researchers, including old newspapers, funeral records, and city directories.

Augusta Genealogical Society

The Augusta Genealogical Society is a local group that helps people trace family lines in the Augusta area. They meet regularly and share research tips, record finds, and family connections.

This site shows the Augusta Genealogical Society and the types of help they provide to researchers working on Augusta-area family lines.

The society is at 1058 Claussen Road, Suite 108, Augusta, GA 30907. Call (706) 722-4073 for meeting times and membership details. Members often have access to records and research files that are not available online. If you are stuck on an Augusta family line, reaching out to this group can help.

Vital Records for Augusta Genealogy

Augusta has some of the older vital records in Georgia. The Augusta Health Department at 1916 N Leg Street has death records from 1904 for the city of Augusta. County-wide birth and death records start in 1919. Call (706) 667-4335 for the Health Department.

Statewide vital records began in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra. Death certificates are the same. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-26, certified birth certificates are restricted to the person named, parents, grandparents, adult children, adult siblings, spouses, or legal guardians.

For older records, the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault has free death certificates from 1919 to 1943. FamilySearch has indexed Georgia death records from 1914 to 1943. Augusta's pre-1919 death records at the Health Department are a rare local resource that many cities lack.

Online Genealogy Records for Augusta

The E-Access to Court Records system lets you search Richmond County records online. Registration is free. Basic case data is free. Document copies cost $2.50 for the first page and $1.00 per page after.

Under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-70, most government records are open to the public. Court records at the Richmond County courthouse fall under this law. Copy fees are capped at 10 cents per page under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 for standard documents from public agencies.

Free sites for Augusta genealogy include FamilySearch, the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault, and the Georgia Historic Newspapers collection. The Augusta Chronicle has been in print since 1785, and many old issues are available on microfilm at the Georgia Heritage Room. Some issues are also on the Georgia Historic Newspapers site.

Augusta Genealogy Research Tips

Augusta is one of the oldest cities in Georgia. Records go back to the 1700s. This makes it a rich area for genealogy, but it also means you may need to look in several places.

Start at the courthouse for official records. Then visit the Georgia Heritage Room at the library for newspapers, funeral records, and city directories. The Augusta Genealogical Society can help if you get stuck. For records before 1819, the Georgia Archives in Morrow may have materials on microfilm.

Census records from 1820 to 1950 are on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch. The 1850 census was the first to name everyone in the household. The 1890 census was mostly destroyed. Augusta city directories from 1841 can help fill gaps in the census record.

• Check the courthouse for marriage records from 1785 and probate from 1782
• Visit the Georgia Heritage Room for the Augusta Chronicle from 1792
• Contact the Augusta Genealogical Society for research help
• Get death records from 1904 at the Augusta Health Department
• Use city directories from 1841 to fill census gaps
• Search FamilySearch for free indexed Georgia records

Richmond County Records

Augusta is the county seat of Richmond County. The city and county merged in 1996. Visit our Richmond County page for more details on courthouse records and contact information.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Augusta. Families often moved between nearby areas, so check records in these places if your Augusta research needs more leads.