Georgia § 31-10-12 - Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth.
Full text of Georgia Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-10-12 — Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-10-12. Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth.
If a delayed certificate of birth is rejected under the provisions of Code Section 31-10-11, a petition signed and sworn to by the petitioner may be filed in either the superior court or the probate court in the county of residence of the person for whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought for an order establishing a record of the date and place of the birth and the parentage of the person whose birth is to be registered and shall allege: That the person for whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought was born in this state; That no certificate of birth of such person can be found in the files of the State Office of Vital Records or the office of any local custodian of vital records; That diligent efforts by the petitioner have failed to obtain the evidence required in accordance with Code Section 31-10-11 and regulations adopted pursuant thereto; That the state registrar has refused to register a delayed certificate of birth; and Such other allegations as may be required. The petition shall be accompanied by a statement of the state registrar made in accordance with Code Section 31-10-11 and all documentary evidence which was submitted to the state registrar in support of such registration. The superior court or probate court, as the case may be, shall fix a time and place for hearing the petition and shall give the state registrar not less than ten days' notice of said hearing. The state registrar or his authorized representative may appear and testify in the proceeding. If the superior court or probate court finds, from the evidence presented, that the person from whom a delayed certificate of birth is sought was born in this state, it shall make findings as to the place and date of birth, parentage, and such other findings as may be required and shall issue an order, on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar, to establish a delayed certificate of birth. This order shall include the birth data to be registered, a description of the evidence presented as prescribed by Code Section 31-10-11, and the date of the court's action. The clerk of superior court or the probate court, as the case may be, shall forward each such order to the state registrar not later than the tenth day of the calendar month following the month in which it was entered. Such order shall be registered by the state registrar and shall constitute the certificate of birth from which certified copies may be issued in accordance with this chapter. (Ga. L. 1943, p. 424, §§ 1-7; Ga. L. 1949, p. 384, § 1; Ga. L. 1956, p. 791, §§ 1, 2; Code 1933, § 88-1712, enacted by Ga. L. 1964, p. 499, § 1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 31; Code 1981, § 31-10-32 ; Ga. L. 1982, p. 723, § 1; Code 1981, § 31-10-12 , enacted by Ga. L. 1982, p. 723, § 2; Ga. L. 2004, p. 477, § 11; Ga. L. 2008, p. 119, § 1/HB 111.)
Source: official Georgia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia § 31-10-12
What does Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-10-12 cover?
Section 31-10-12 ("Judicial procedure to establish facts of birth.") is part of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, the codified statutory law of Georgia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Georgia § 31-10-12?
A common citation format is "Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 31-10-12" (Georgia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Georgia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Georgia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Georgia attorney.
How does Georgia § 31-10-12 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Georgia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Georgia.