Introduction to Washington Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Washington birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Washington birth certificates have been maintained by the Washington Center for Health Statistics for individuals born in the state of Washington since 1907.

Washington Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Washington state law, Washington birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate
• Grandparents and Great Grandparents of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the Washington birth certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Washington Birth Certificate

Washington Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a non-certified Washington Birth Certificate, for genealogy or other reasons.

Washington Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Washington Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Washington Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Washington Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Washington Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Washington birth certificate online.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Washington birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Washington birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Washington birth certificate
• Sex on the Washington birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Washington birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Washington birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Washington birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Washington birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Washington birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Center for Health Statistics

Department of Health

PO Box 9709

Olympia WA 98507-9709

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Washington: You may go to any county health department in the State of Washington to obtain a certified copy of a Washington birth certificate. Most Washington birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Washington Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Washington birth certificate is $20.00, which includes one certified copy of the Washington birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Washington birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $20.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Washington Department of Health." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.