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Washington vital records

The Center for Health Statistics is the vital records office for Washington.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce records234. Local offices also issue certified copies.5

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Current notices from the office

  • Appointments after October 1, 2026: DOH asks you to mail amendment requests instead for faster service.6
  • If no appointment is available within 8 weeks, mail the amendment request.6
  • New amendment forms from November 4, 2026: the Affidavit for Correction (DOH 422-034) was replaced by record-specific amendment applications.7
  • Amendments currently take 4 to 6 weeks.7

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics1July 1, 1907 to today2$258At a local office: Same day5
Death certificateWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics1July 1, 1907 to today3$258At a local office: Same day5
Marriage certificateWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics11968 to today4$259Online through VitalChek: 3 to 7 business days5
Divorce recordsWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics1January 1, 1968 to today4$259Online through VitalChek: 3 to 7 business days5

Birth certificate

Who holds it
Local health jurisdictions (local registrars) also issue certified copies from the state's central vital records system.8
Older records
Before July 1, 1907: county auditors' records, now at the State Archives regional branches.10
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Washington birth certificate

Death certificate

Who holds it
Local health jurisdictions (local registrars) also issue certified death copies from the central system.8
Older records
Before July 1, 1907: county auditors' records, now at the State Archives regional branches.10
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Washington death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
Marriages before 1968 (and the license record itself) are with the county auditor where the license was issued.4
Older records
Before 1968: county auditor of the licensing county (older auditor records also at State Archives regional branches).4
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a Washington marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
Divorce decrees come from the county superior court clerk; DOH issues only the one-page divorce certificate (certificate of dissolution).4
Older records
Before January 1, 1968, and all divorce decrees: county superior court clerk where the divorce was finalized.4
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek, by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get Washington divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes5
Which offices
Local health jurisdictions (county or district health departments) acting as local registrars8
Any office for any county
Certifications are issued from the state's central database; King County, for example, issues birth certificates for all Washington births from 1907. DOH says to check that the local office has your record type and year.11

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed for birth, death and fetal death certificates (qualified applicants only, with ID and proof of relationship); noncertified informational birth and short-form death copies to anyone; marriage and divorce certificates open to anyone.13

Laws and rules the office cites

  • RCW 70.58A.530 (issuance of certifications and informational copies)8
  • RCW 70.58A.560 (fees)8
  • RCW 70.58A.510 (transfer to state archives)8
  • WAC 246-491-300 to -370 (ordering requirements)14
  • WAC 246-491-990 (vital records fees)14

The state office

Office
Center for Health Statistics1
Mailing address
Center for Health Statistics, Department of Health, PO Box 9709, Olympia, WA 98507
1
Walk-in address
Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics Town Center 2, 111 Israel Road SE, Tumwater, WA 98501
1
Hours
Phone: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.1
Appointments
Required6

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in Washington?

A certified birth certificate costs $25 for the first copy and a death certificate $25.8

What is the phone number of the Washington vital records office?

Center for Health Statistics: 360-236-4300.1

Where do I get a marriage certificate in Washington?

Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Marriages before 1968 (and the license record itself) are with the county auditor where the license was issued.14

Where do I get divorce records in Washington?

Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Divorce decrees come from the county superior court clerk; DOH issues only the one-page divorce certificate (certificate of dissolution).14

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 6, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  2. Ordering a Birth Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  3. Ordering a Death Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  4. Ordering a Marriage or Divorce Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  5. Ordering a Vital Record | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  6. Schedule An Appointment for Vital Records | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  7. Amending Birth Certificates | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 4, 2026
  8. Chapter 70.58A RCW Vital Statistics (full text)Washington State Legislature
  9. Marriage and Divorce Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-104, November 2025)Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statisticsdated November 1, 2025
  10. Common Research Subjects - GenealogyWashington State Archives (Office of the Secretary of State)
  11. Order a birth certificate - King CountyPublic Health - Seattle & King County
  12. Washington State Local Health Jurisdictions | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  13. Certificates and Informational Copies FAQ | Washington State Department of HealthWashington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics
  14. Chapter 246-491 WAC Vital statistics - Certificates (full text)Washington State Legislature (Office of the Code Reviser)