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Vital Statistics - Birth and Death Records
Common questions
About the ordering process
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Can I get a credit card-sized certificate?
No, credit card sized copies of birth certificates are no longer available. Not all of the information was provided on them. For this reason, they became invalid documents by federal law in 1989.
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Is there a difference between a "certificate" and "record"?
"Birth record" and "birth certificate" are the same. Follow the same instructions.
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Are the records certified?
Birth certificates issued are certified copies printed on special certified paper with a printed and raised seal.
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How do get an Apostille for my certificate?
An Apostille is a document that authenticates notaries' or state officials' signatures for foreign use, e.g. foreign-born adoptions, marriages overseas, etc. Apostilles are prepared by the Washington State Secretary of State Office in Olympia, WA at:
Secretary of State
Corporations Division
Apostille and Certificate Program
801 Capitol Way South
Olympia, WA 98504
Online: www.secstate.wa.gov/apostilles
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Where can I get records outside of King County?
Contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics in Olympia. Phone number: 360-236-4300. Or visit their website at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/CHS/cert.htm
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May I send one check for 2 records?
Yes, you can send one check, for example, $40 for two birth certificates, although you will need to fill out a separate order form for each record.
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How long does it take for you to mail me a certified record?
Ordering by mail provides 2 to 3 week service.
If you come in person to the Vital Statistics office, you can expect to wait around 15-20 minutes after filling out your paperwork and paying for your record.
If you order by credit card using the online or fax methods, your order will be processed within 2-3 days and then sent by regular mail. The option for UPS or next-day delivery is an additional $20.00.
NOTE: A fee of $12.00 is added per order (for any quantity of records in the order) for expedited handling so if you are ordering one birth certificate at $20 + $12 handling fee, you can expect a total of $32.00 charged to your credit card. If you are ordering 2 copies, the charge is $40 + $12 = $52 total charged to your card.
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The Vital Statistics Office couldn't find my record but why was I charged $8.00 anyway?
Anytime a record is searched for and is not found, an $8.00 search fee is charged per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW 70.58.107). The refund balance will be sent in approximately 3 weeks.
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Birth certificate questions
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I was born and adopted in Washington State, how can I get my original birth certificate?
In the State of Washington, adoption records are sealed. One possibility would be to hire a "confidential intermediary" to assist you in your searching for your birth parents. Contact the King County Superior Court Adoption Service at 206-296-9350 for information. They are located in the King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, Room W-280, Seattle, WA 98104.
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I received my birth certificate but I see errors - or - I have changed my name recently. How can I make changes or edits on my birth record?
The Affidavit for Correction form is on the back of the certified certificate along with instructions and it must be returned within one year of the date it was issued to receive a replacement copy free of charge. The certificate will not be available until the Department of Health in Olympia processes the change affidavit.
If you do not see the affidavit printed on the back, click here to download the Affidavit for Correction in PDF format.
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I received my birth certificate but why isn't the time of my birth listed?
If you were born between the years of 1949 to 1967, no times were reported on births. You should check with the hospital where you were born to see if they have retained original records of your birth which may indicate the time.
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Death certificate questions
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How can I get access to a list of individuals who have died in King County in the last ten years?
Sorry, but there is no master list of names of people who have died in King County. Customers may purchase a death certificate by providing information noted in the section titled, How to order death certificates.
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How can I find out where someone was buried?
The only way this information can be found is to find the death certificate. Key identifiers are needed to locate the correct certificate as noted in the section titled, How to order death certificates
- Also, we have death records for all persons who died in Seattle city limits (all years) or in King County (1944 forward) only. The death certificate costs $20 and can be ordered from Vital Statistics at 500 4th Ave., Room 214, Seattle, WA 98104 or by visiting the Vital Statistics homepage.
- For deaths that occurred in Washington State outside King County, contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics in Olympia. Phone number: 360-236-4300. Or visit their website at: www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/CHS/cert.htm
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Marriage, divorce, and adoption records
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Where can I get a marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are handled by the King County Recorder's Office. For inquiries and requests, please contact Stacy Hedrick, Customer Service Representative at: Stacy.Hedrick@kingcounty.gov. The Recorder's Office website is located at: www.metrokc.gov/recelec/records
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Where can I get a divorce certificate?
The King County Superior Court Clerk's Office handles divorce certificates. Please contact them by phone at 206-296-9300, option 6. The Superior Court web address is: www.metrokc.gov/kcscc
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Where can I get an adoption record?
The King County Family Court Services handles adoption records. Please contact them by phone at 206-296-9400. Their website: www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/famlaw/famctsvc.htm
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