Death certificates in Washington
In Washington, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $25 from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.
Last checked on the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.
How to order in Washington
| Office | Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $25 |
| Each extra copy, same order | $25 Online and phone orders through VitalChek add vendor and processing fees. Local health departments may charge an extra fee. |
| Who can order | Close relatives including spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, plus legal guardians and representatives, funeral directors, and the person in control of disposition. Anyone can get a noncertified informational copy. |
| ID you need | Valid government ID or alternate ID, plus documents that prove your qualifying relationship. |
| Ways to order | Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. At local health departments that offer in-person service. |
| How long it takes | Most local health department orders are filled the same day. VitalChek orders ship in 3 to 7 business days. Mail orders take 8 to 10 weeks. |
Do funeral homes order the first copies?
Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.
Funeral directors and funeral establishments can order certified copies only within 12 months of the date of death.
For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.
Questions people ask
- How much is a death certificate in Washington?
- $25 for the first certified copy from the Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics, and $25 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Online and phone orders through VitalChek add vendor and processing fees. Local health departments may charge an extra fee.
- Who can order a death certificate in Washington?
- Close relatives including spouse or domestic partner, children, parents, siblings, grandparents and grandchildren, plus legal guardians and representatives, funeral directors, and the person in control of disposition. Anyone can get a noncertified informational copy.
- How do I order a death certificate in Washington?
- You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. Valid government ID or alternate ID, plus documents that prove your qualifying relationship.
Sources
- Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics: doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/vital-records/ordering-vital-record/death-record
- CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
- FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)