State vital records · DOH-CHS

Washington Vital Records Requirements

Fees, processing times, required documents, and who can request birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates in Washington — in one place.

Washington · 72 offices

At a glance

Washington Department of Health - Center for Health Statistics (DOH-CHS)

Address
Washington State Department of Health Center for Health Statistics Town Center 2 111 Israel Road SE Tumwater, WA 98501 (by appointment only)
Mailing
Center for Health Statistics Department of Health PO Box 9709 Olympia, WA 98507
Phone
(360) 236-4300
Hours
Public access to office is by appointment only, but phone service is available 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Washington Birth Certificate

Fee
$25
Additional copy
$25
Rush fee
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available - $15 or $26.35
Processing time
1-3 weeks
Rush processing
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available With vitalchek, 3-7 business days

Who can request

  • Authorized Agent
  • Children
  • Court Officials
  • Domestic Partner
  • Government Agency
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Great Grandparents
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Parents
  • Person on Record
  • Siblings
  • Spouse
  • Step Children
  • Step-Parents

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Father's Name
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Mother's Name
  • Place of Birth
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Alien Registration Receipt
  • Armed Services ID
  • B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs ID
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Consulate Card
  • Driver's License
  • Immigration Service ID
  • Learner Permit
  • NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST Border Crossing Card
  • Naturalization Papers
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residents Card
  • REAL ID
  • Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • State EDL
  • State ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Certificate of Naturalization
  • US Employment Authorization Card
  • US Merchant Mariner Card
  • US Passport Card

Secondary ID

  • Auto Insurance
  • Bank Statement
  • Corrections Department Papers
  • Court Documents with Current Address
  • Court Order of Adoption
  • DSHS Benefits Letter
  • Expired Primary ID
  • Food Stamp
  • Government Work ID
  • Individual Tax Number
  • Letter Attesting Residence in Alternative Housing
  • Letter form DCYF Children Administration
  • Letter from Government Agency
  • Medical ID
  • Medicare Card
  • Military Discharge
  • Military ID
  • Order of Dependency
  • Pay Stub
  • Personal Check with Address
  • Pre/Post Natal Care Records
  • Professional License
  • Proof of Home Ownership
  • Proof of Mooring a Boat
  • Saving Account Passbook
  • School Records
  • Social Security Card
  • State Fishing License
  • State Hunting License
  • State Police Employee Card
  • State Vehicle Registration
  • Transportation Worker ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Selective Service Card
  • Unemployment ID
  • Union Membership Card
  • Utility Bill
  • Veteran Affairs Card
  • Voter Registration Card
  • W-2 Form
  • Ward of Court Decree
  • Weapon Permit
  • Welfare ID
  • Work ID
Application form (DOH 422-182)

Washington Death Certificate

Fee
$25
Additional copy
$25
Rush fee
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available - $15 or $26.35
Processing time
1-3 weeks
Rush processing
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available With vitalchek, 3-7 business days

Who can request

  • Authorized Agent
  • Children
  • Court Officials
  • Domestic Partner
  • Funeral Director
  • Government Agency
  • Grandchildren
  • Grandparents
  • Great Grandparents
  • Heir
  • Legal Guardian
  • Legal Representative
  • Parents
  • Siblings
  • Spouse
  • Step Children
  • Step-Parents

Required information

  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Death
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Full Name of Person of Record
  • Mailing Address
  • Place of Birth
  • Place of Death
  • Spouse Name
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
  • Your Signature

Accepted ID

  • Alien Registration Receipt
  • Armed Services ID
  • B1/B2 Visa Border Crossing Card
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs ID
  • Certificate of Citizenship
  • Consulate Card
  • Driver's License
  • Immigration Service ID
  • Learner Permit
  • NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST Border Crossing Card
  • Naturalization Papers
  • Passport
  • Permanent Residents Card
  • REAL ID
  • Re-Entry Permit
  • Refugee Travel Document
  • State ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Employment Authorization Card
  • US Merchant Mariner Card

Secondary ID

  • Auto Insurance
  • Bank Statement
  • Corrections Department Papers
  • Court Documents with Current Address
  • Court Order of Adoption
  • DSHS Benefits Letter
  • Expired Primary ID
  • Food Stamp
  • Government Work ID
  • Individual Tax Number
  • Letter Attesting Residence in Alternative Housing
  • Letter form DCYF Children Administration
  • Letter from Government Agency
  • Medical ID
  • Medicare Card
  • Military Discharge
  • Military ID
  • Order of Dependency
  • Pay Stub
  • Personal Check with Address
  • Pre/Post Natal Care Records
  • Professional License
  • Proof of Home Ownership
  • Proof of Mooring a Boat
  • Saving Account Passbook
  • School Records
  • Social Security Card
  • State Fishing License
  • State Hunting License
  • State Police Employee Card
  • State Vehicle Registration
  • Student Body Card
  • Transportation Worker ID
  • Tribal ID
  • US Selective Service Card
  • Unemployment ID
  • Union Membership Card
  • Utility Bill
  • Veteran Affairs Card
  • Voter Registration Card
  • W-2 Form
  • Ward of Court Decree
  • Weapon Permit
  • Welfare ID
  • Work ID
Application form (DOH 422-184)

Washington Marriage Certificate

Fee
$25
Additional copy
$25
Rush fee
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available - $15 or $26.35
Processing time
1-3 weeks
Rush processing
For mail-in requests, only expedited shipping is available With vitalchek, 3-7 business days

Who can request

  • Not Restricted

Required information

  • Bride Name
  • Bride's Name Before Marriage
  • Date of Marriage
  • Daytime Phone Number
  • Email
  • Groom Name
  • Groom Name Before Marriage
  • Mailing Address
  • Place where License Was Issued
  • Your Name
  • Your Relationship to the Person of Record
Application form (DOH 422-104)

Don't want to visit in person? Order a Washington birth, death, or marriage certificate online through our partner, Vital Records Online.

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Apostille & authentication

Office
Washington Secretary of State
Phone
(360)725-0344 select option 1
Mailing
Corporations Division Apostille and Certificate Program PO Box 40228 Olympia, WA 98504
Walk-in
Corporations Division Apostille and Certificate Program 801 Capitol Way South Olympia, WA 98501
Details
To obtain an apostille you must send the following information: Original unaltered certified copy of state department or county court issued document or personal document item notarized by a Washington state notary with a full notarial certificate. (please refer to RCW 42.45) Fee is $15.00 per document (a document can be more than one page). Make check or money order payable in U.S. dollars (USD) to: Secretary of State Apostille Authentication Request Form (Renamed) which includes: name of the country requesting documents, daytime phone number and email address, information on where the documents should be mailed

Public records: Washington Public Records Act (PRA). Information is provided as guidance and may change — verify with the state office before applying.