COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus residents who need a certified birth or death certificate can get one the same day at the Muscogee County Vital Records Office on Veterans Parkway, or order one online or by mail. A certified copy costs $25 and includes one copy, with each additional copy $5, according to Georgia.gov. Birth and death certificates are among the documents most often required for passports, school enrollment, benefits and settling an estate, so it helps to know the process before you need it.

Step 1: Confirm You Are Allowed to Request It

Georgia limits who can request a birth or death certificate. According to Georgia.gov, only the person named on the record, an immediate family member or a legal representative can order one. If you are requesting a record for someone else, be ready to show your relationship or your legal authority.

Step 2: Gather Your ID

Bring a valid photo ID or a photocopy of one. Georgia.gov lists a Georgia driver's license or state ID, an out-of-state license or ID, a U.S. passport, a military ID, an employer ID, a school ID or a Department of Corrections ID as examples. A Georgia license or ID that expired no more than one year ago is also accepted, according to the site.

Step 3: Choose How to Order

There are three ways to order, and the main difference is speed. In-person service is the fastest, while mail is the slowest. Costs are the same for the base certificate regardless of method, but online orders add fees. The table below summarizes each method using the state's published information.

Georgia.gov says in-person payment can be made by certified check, money order, cash or debit card, and Visa or MasterCard is accepted walk-in and online only. Online orders carry a credit card surcharge and an expedite fee. Mail orders go to State Office of Vital Records, 1680 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 100, Atlanta, GA 30349.

Step 4: Go to the Columbus Office

The Muscogee County Vital Records Office is at 5601 Veterans Parkway, Columbus, GA 31904, and its customer service line is 706-321-6130, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The West Central Health District lists Vital Records hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the clinic and office hours Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The same building houses the Columbus Health Department, whose main number is 833-337-1749.

The district also lists a Vital Records Annex at 8397 Macon Road in Midland. According to the district, the annex is open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. That Saturday window can help residents who cannot leave work on weekdays, though hours can change, so call before you go.

Step 5: Check Your Copy

When you receive the certificate, check names, dates and places for errors, because corrections are easier to start early. Georgia.gov says amendments are handled by the Department of Public Health, which can be reached at 404-657-2700. Keep certified copies in a safe place so they are on hand the next time an agency asks for one.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records are handled differently. The state holds marriage records from 1952 to 1996 for $10, while marriage records outside those years come from the probate court in the county where the marriage took place, according to Georgia.gov. Divorce copies are held by the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce was granted.

Good to Know

• The State Office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays, according to Georgia.gov. Call ahead if you plan to go near a state holiday, because the office may be closed.
• Response times range from one business day to 10 weeks depending on the method, so in-person service is the quickest route.
• Georgia.gov's call center is 1-800-436-7442 for general questions.
• Local offices set their own hours, so confirm with the Columbus office before you make the trip.

The Georgia Department of Public Health keeps a county office list and request forms at dph.georgia.gov. Those forms are the ones to use for mail orders. Checking the site before you go can save a trip.