Our office has death records from July 1, 1907 to present for events that occurred in the state of Washington. You can obtain Washington state death records as certified copies (or “certificates”) for legal purposes or noncertified informational copies for genealogical or other personal use. The three different death record products include:
For security of personal information, only individuals with specific qualifying relationships, also known as qualified applicants, to the subject of the requested record can receive a death certificate or fetal death certificate. Identity and proof of qualifying relationship documentation is required.
Nonrefundable fees start at $25 per certified or noncertified informational copy. Other fees may apply depending on ordering or shipping method.
The required pieces of information to order a long form death certificate, short form death certificate, noncertified informational copy of a death record, and fetal death certificate include:
It depends on the way you order and the shipping method you select. The time listed is from when we receive full payment and all required documentation. Missing information will delay orders.
Long form death certificates serve as official documents printed on certified security paper and used for legal purposes. It contains cause and manner of death information and social security number of the deceased person. You may need this product to close out bank accounts or claim benefits such as life insurance policies.
You must complete the following steps to request and receive a long form death certificate:
Short form death certificates serve as official documents printed on certified security paper and used for legal purposes. It does not contain cause and manner of death information or social security number of the deceased person. You may need this product for transferring titles (e.g. vehicles), real estate transactions, and probate cases.
Check with the agency or business where you will use the certificate to know what information it must include prior to purchasing this product.
You must complete the following steps to request and receive a short form death certificate:
Noncertified informational copies of death records do not get issued on the certified paper with security features and cannot be used for legal purposes. It will contain a watermark stating “Cannot be used for legal purposes. Informational only.” Noncertified informational copies of death records contain the same information as the short form death certificate.
Check with the agency or organization requesting the record before you order an informational copy.
You cannot obtain a noncertified informational copy for the following records: long form death and fetal death.
Anyone can request a noncertified informational death copy. You do not need to provide proof of identity and qualified relationship to the subject of the record.
You must complete the following steps to request and receive a noncertified informational copy of a death record:
To use a certified document issued in Washington state, like a long form death certificate, short form death certificate, or fetal death certificate, in another country for official purposes you may need an apostille from the Secretary of State. Noncertified informational copies do not meet standards for legal purposes, only certified copies comply with laws to request an apostille. Visit the apostille web page for more information.