Find Savannah Genealogy Records
Savannah genealogy records are among the oldest in Georgia, with probate files dating to 1777 and wills from 1775. The Chatham County courthouse, Savannah Municipal Archives, and Bull Street Library hold deep collections for family history research in this part of coastal Georgia.
Savannah Quick Facts
Chatham County Courthouse Records
The Chatham County courthouse in Savannah holds some of the oldest records in the state. Marriage records go back to 1806. Probate records start in 1777. Wills on file cover 1775 to 1927, and many have been indexed. This makes Savannah one of the best places in Georgia for genealogy going back to the colonial era.
The Probate Court is in Room 509 at 133 Montgomery Street. Call (912) 652-7268. It handles marriage licenses, wills, estate files, guardianships, and conservatorships under O.C.G.A. § 15-9-30. The Superior Court is in Room 304 at 124 Bull Street. Call (912) 652-7127. It has divorce records from 1783 and naturalization records from 1801.
Naturalization records are rare and valuable for genealogy. Savannah's records date from 1801. These show when immigrants became citizens and often list their country of origin, arrival date, and other family details. Few Georgia courthouses have naturalization records this old.
| Probate Court | 133 Montgomery St, Room 509, Savannah, GA 31401 |
|---|---|
| Probate Phone | (912) 652-7268 |
| Superior Court | 124 Bull St, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401 |
| Superior Phone | (912) 652-7127 |
Savannah Municipal Archives
The Savannah Municipal Archives is a city-run archive with records that are hard to find anywhere else. It has death registers from 1803 to 1913. Many of these death registers are now on Ancestry.com. Birth records start in 1890.
This page shows the Savannah Municipal Archives and the types of genealogy records available, including death registers and other city records.
The death registers from 1803 to 1913 are a standout resource. They predate statewide vital records by over a century. If your Savannah ancestors died between 1803 and 1913, these registers may have the only official record of their death. Contact the archives at PO Box 1027, Savannah, GA 31402, or call (912) 651-4212.
| Address | PO Box 1027, Savannah, GA 31402 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (912) 651-4212 |
| Death Registers | 1803-1913 (also on Ancestry.com) |
| Birth Records | 1890+ |
Bull Street Library Kaye Kole Room
The Bull Street Library at 2002 Bull Street has the Kaye Kole Genealogy Room. Call (912) 652-3627 for hours. This room has the Savannah Morning News on microfilm going back to 1763. That is one of the oldest newspaper collections in the state.
Old newspapers are one of the best tools for genealogy. Obituaries, marriage announcements, legal notices, and estate ads all appear in these papers. The Savannah Morning News collection covers more than 260 years of local news. If your ancestors lived in Savannah at any point, there is a good chance they appear in these papers.
The Kaye Kole Room also has census microfilm, local history books, and reference materials for Chatham County genealogy research. Staff can help you navigate the collection and suggest sources for your research.
| Address | 2002 Bull St, Savannah, GA 31401 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (912) 652-3627 |
| Newspaper Microfilm | Savannah Morning News from 1763 |
Vital Records for Savannah Genealogy
Savannah has exceptional vital records for genealogy. The Municipal Archives has death registers from 1803 to 1913. Birth records at the archives start in 1890. These predate statewide vital records by decades.
The Chatham County Health Department at 2011 Eisenhower Drive also has vital records. Call (912) 356-2138. Statewide registration began in 1919 under O.C.G.A. § 31-10-9. Birth certificates cost $25 for the first copy and $5 for each extra copy. Death certificates are the same price.
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. Death certificates are less restricted. For Savannah genealogy, the 1803-1913 death registers at the Municipal Archives (also on Ancestry.com) are often the most useful vital records.
Chatham County Probate Court Online
The Chatham County government website has Probate Court information including fees, forms, and office hours for genealogy record requests.
This page shows the Chatham County Probate Court portal with details on record types, request procedures, and current fees for Savannah-area genealogy research.
Online Genealogy Records for Savannah
Search Chatham County records online through the E-Access to Court Records system. Registration is free. Basic case data costs nothing. Document copies are $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 in Chatham County fall under this law. Copy fees under O.C.G.A. § 50-18-71 are capped at 10 cents per page for standard documents from public agencies.
Free online resources include FamilySearch, the Georgia Archives Virtual Vault, and the Georgia Historic Newspapers archive. Savannah's death registers from 1803 to 1913 are also on Ancestry.com. FamilySearch has Georgia marriages from 1754 to 1960, which covers a large chunk of the Savannah marriage record period.
Savannah Genealogy Research Tips
Savannah is the oldest city in Georgia. Records go back to the 1770s. This is one of the richest areas in the state for genealogy, but records are spread across several locations.
Start at the courthouse for official records. Then check the Municipal Archives for death registers and birth records. The Kaye Kole Room at the Bull Street Library has newspapers from 1763. Between these three locations, you can cover almost 250 years of Savannah family records.
Savannah was a major port. Many immigrants entered Georgia through Savannah. Naturalization records at the Superior Court go back to 1801. Ship passenger lists and port records may also be available through the National Archives or Ancestry.com. If your ancestors came to America through Savannah, these records can help pin down their arrival.
- Check the courthouse for probate records from 1777 and wills from 1775
- Visit the Municipal Archives for death registers from 1803 to 1913
- Search the Kaye Kole Room for Savannah Morning News from 1763
- Look at naturalization records from 1801 at the Superior Court
- Check divorce records from 1783 at the Superior Court
- Use Ancestry.com for digitized Savannah death registers
- Search FamilySearch for free indexed Georgia records
The Georgia Archives is at 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow, GA 30260. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Free Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and Fold3 access is available in the search room. For coastal Georgia research, the Georgia Archives has Chatham County microfilm going back to the colonial period.
Chatham County Records
Savannah is the county seat of Chatham County. Visit our Chatham County page for full details on courthouse records, fees, and contact information.
Nearby Cities
These cities are near Savannah. Families sometimes moved between coastal Georgia towns, so check records in these areas for additional leads.