Order a Washington (WA) Death Certificate Copy

How to Get a Washington Death Certificate

To order a copy of a death certificate in Washington State, you should:

1. Complete the application form online.
2. Make a clear photocopy of your government-issued ID.
3. Prepare payment of the required fees.

To be eligible to request a WA death record, you need to provide a copy of your photo ID. State IDs, driver’s licenses, and passports are accepted. Remember to include a copy of both sides of card IDs. 

The Washington Vital Records service accepts payment by check or money order made payable to the ‘Department of Health’. Cash is not accepted by mail.

When your application pack is ready, mail it to:

Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
P.O. Box 47814
Olympia, WA 98504-7814

If you’re using a courier or express delivery service, you cannot use the P.O. Box address. Instead, give the delivery address as:

Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
111 Israel Road SE
Tumwater, WA 98501

Alternatively, you can visit a Washington vital records office in person to make your request directly. There are many county health offices who issue certified copies the same day if the record is available.

Who Can Request a Washington Death Certificate

Under Washington State law, only close family or legal representatives can request a certified death certificate issued within the past 25 years. Certified copies are used for official matters, like settling estates, managing wills, or handling insurance claims.

The following people are eligible to order a certified copy of a death record in Washington:

• Spouse or domestic partner

• Parent, stepparent, or legal guardian

• Child, stepchild, grandchild, or great-grandchild

• Sibling, half-sibling, or step-sibling

• Grandparent or great-grandparent

• Legal representative, power of attorney, or court-appointed guardian of the estate

• Government agency or court with a certified copy order

• Extended family with a court order or inheritance claim

Informational copies of Washington death certificates are available to anyone, as they do not include confidential information and cannot be used for legal purposes. 

All vital records in Washington State become public 25 years after the event, at which point anyone can request a certified copy online or in person.

Types of Washington Death Certificate

Washington State offers several types of death record copies, including:

• Certified long form death certificates

• Certified short form death certificates

• Non-certified informational death certificates

Each type of certificate names the person who has passed, but have varying amounts of more sensitive information. For example, only long form certified records contain medical details on the cause of death. 

Check the table below to find out what’s included on each type of record, and what they can be used for:

All certified copies are printed on security paper and carry the official seal of the Washington State Department of Health. Informational copies don’t have these features.

Washington Death Certificate Cost

The State of Washington charges $20 per copy of death certificate. This applies for all types of records, including both certified and informational documents. 

If you need more than one copy, you can request this when you apply. Extra copies are charged at $25 per document. Remember to include correct payment if sending your application by mail.

Washington Death Certificate Processing Times

Processing times can vary, but typically take 6-8 weeks after the Department of Health receives your application pack. Some WA counties offer a rush service for an additional fee.

In person orders at local county health offices are generally faster. In some cases, certificates are often issued the same day if the record is available.