Birth Certificates

IMPORTANT NOTE: EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2021 WASHINGTON STATE IS NOW A CLOSED RECORD STATE AND A NEW VITAL RECORDS LAW AND RULES WENT INTO EFFECT THAT CHANGES THE ORDERING REQUIREMENTS FOR BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATES. 

  • For increased security of personal information, only individuals with specific relationships to the person on the record being requested can receive a certificate.
  • Qualified applicants will be required to provide identification and proof of eligibility documentation. Los solicitantes calificados deberán proporcionar documentación de identificación y prueba de elegibilidad.
  • Certificate fee will increase to $25.00/per copy. Additional processing fees may apply.
  • Identity verification and record retention fee of $15 per order will be applied. 

The Department of Health has published a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage to assist everyone in better understanding what the new requirements are for ordering birth and death certificates. The FAQ webpage contains information about who can, and how to, order birth and death certificates.

Obtaining a Birth Certificate

The Snohomish County Health Department’s Vital Records office can provide official copies of birth certificates for anyone born in Washington State from 1907 to the present. Snohomish County residents can visit us in Everett to get a birth certificate.

Cost of Birth Certificates

State fees for birth certificates are $25 per copy. This would include both certified and noncertified informational copies. Nonqualified applicants can receive noncertified informational copies only. 

Additional identity verification and record retention fees of $15 will apply for each record requested. Also include a postage and handling fee of $2 for mailed in orders, total per order. 

Under Washington State WAC 246-491-990 no refunds will be authorized. Mail-in orders are payable by money order or cashier’s check made payable to Snohomish County Health Department. Additional fees apply for online orders.

Information Required for a Birth Certificate

Proof of eligibility and identity documentation will be required.

  • Name of child
  • Child’s birth date
  • City of birth
  • Father’s full name
  • Mother’s full maiden name

Order a Birth Certificate

By Mail

Provide a copy of the required proof of eligibility and identity documentation along with order form to:

Snohomish County Health Department
Vital Records
3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104
Everett, WA  98201

Please follow the directions included with all order forms. Mailed in order requests with missing or unqualified documentation must provide correct documentation within 30 days from original receipt date. If no documentation is received within the 30 days your application is considered denied and it will be closed, WAC 246-491-300. Under Washington State WAC 246-491-990 no refunds will be authorized.

Online - VitalChek

Go to VitalChek to order a birth certificate online.

You can expect to receive your birth certificate in approximately 2 to 3 business days. UPS delivery is available at an additional cost.

In Person 

Visit the Snohomish County Health Department, where you can fill out the birth certificate order form, pay the required fee (cash, credit, debit, money orders, and cashier's checks are accepted), provide a copy of the required proof of eligibility and identity documentation and pick up your birth certificate immediately.
Vital Records
3020 Rucker Avenue
Suite 104
Everett, WA 98201

Issuing hours are 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please arrive no later than 3:30 p.m. to begin the birth certificate process.

Kiosks are available in the lobby* for ordering Birth Certificates. You may order a certificate for yourself or your child only. Certificates cost $25 each and there is a kiosk service fee of $3.50. Kiosks are open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

Make Corrections To a Birth Certificate

To make a correction on a birth certificate, an Affidavit for Correction form is needed. Complete and send to the Washington State Department of Health in Olympia.

Correcting Birth Certificates (Washington State Department of Health)

Affidavit for Correction in Spanish (Declaración Jurada de Corrección (Español)

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF PARENTAGE

An Acknowledgment of Parentage (AOP) form is a legal form that establishes a parent - child relationship or "parentage." By filing this form, you add a second parent to a child’s birth certificate.

If parents are not married to each other at the time of birth, a pending status is placed on the birth certificate until the acknowledgment of parentage form is received and second parent’s name is added by Washington State Center for Health Statistics, or 4 to 6 weeks, after which time the certificate is released without the second parent’s name.

If  you have any questions about processing the Acknowledgment of Parentage form, contact the Washington State Department of Health at 360-236-4300, toll free 1-800-525-0127.

Newborns

Hospital birth filings can take several weeks to upload to the state database. If you have a newborn less than 4 weeks old, please call the hospital where the birth took place first, or contact the Washington State Center for Health Statistics at 360-236-4300, toll free 1-800-525-0127, to ensure the certificate is available before placing an order with our office. Any orders received that are not available will be returned to the applicant.