Vital records in Washington — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, and divorce records — are handled at the state level by Washington DOH Center for Health Statistics. Marriage licenses are issued locally by the County Auditor.
What this page covers: Washington vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Washington DOH Center for Health Statistics. For marriage licenses, contact the County Auditor in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Vital Records Databases
17 official Washington vital records sources.
Vital Records
Washington Counties
39 Washington counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free statewide criminal search in Washington?▼
Washington's official criminal-history repository is operated by the state law-enforcement agency. Free public access to a complete criminal history is generally not available; an official background check typically requires fingerprints and a fee. County-level court records can be searched at no cost through individual court websites.
How do I search Washington court cases?▼
Washington's court system is headed by the Washington Supreme Court. Trial-court business is handled by the Superior Court, District Court, Municipal Court. Many Washington courts publish docket searches and case lookups online — see the Court Records tab above for direct links.
Where do I search Washington business entities?▼
The Washington Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) operates the official business-entity search. You can typically search corporations, LLCs, LPs, and other registered entities by name or registration number. See the Licenses or Business tab above.
What is the difference between Assessor and Recorder in Washington?▼
The Assessor determines property values for tax purposes. The Recorder (or Clerk-Recorder) records deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents. Some county offices combine these roles, others keep them separate. Check the specific county page for details.
How do I obtain a Washington birth or death certificate?▼
Washington vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates) are issued by the Washington State Department of Health (Center for Health Statistics) and, in many cases, by local county clerks. Fees and ID requirements are set by the issuing agency.
Are Washington property records free to search?▼
Most county-level property and recorded-document searches are free for basic information through the Assessor or Recorder website. Certified copies of deeds typically have a per-page fee. Direct links are in the Property Records tab above.
How do I check a Washington sex offender?▼
The Washington sex offender registry is maintained by the state law-enforcement agency under the Sex Offender Registration and Community Notification Act. The registry is searchable by name, ZIP code, or address.