In Washington, certified death certificates are issued by Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics (Vital Records). The state fee is $25 for the first certified copy and the same for each additional copy.
Here is who can order a certified copy, how to order it, and how long it takes, taken from the office’s own pages. Fees and times change, so check the office’s page before you pay.
How much a death certificate costs in Washington
| Item | State fee |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $25 |
| Each additional copy | $25 |
$25 certificate fee; noncertified informational copy also $25. Online/phone via VitalChek adds an $8.50 VitalChek fee and a $7 DOH processing fee ('starts at $40.50'), plus an optional $3 ID quiz fee. Local health departments may add a fee for in-person service.
Who can order a certified copy
Spouse or domestic partner; parent, step-parent, or legal guardian immediately before death; Child or stepchild; sibling; grandparent or great-grandparent; grandchild; Legal representative; authorized representative; Next of kin, only if no one else on the list is living; Funeral director or funeral establishment named on the record (up to 12 months from the date of death); Government agency or courts for official duties; Short-form certificates have additional eligible applicants.
A non-certified informational copy is also available. It cannot be used for legal or financial purposes such as closing accounts or claiming benefits.
How to order
- Online (official vendor: VitalChek)
- County/local office
'DOH partners with local Washington health departments for in-person services of most birth and death certificate purchases'; check first that they have your record type and year.
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How long it takes
DOH: VitalChek online/phone orders 'Shipped within 3-7 business days' of DOH receiving the order; mail orders 'Shipped within 6-8 weeks' (the same page's FAQ says customers receive mail orders 'within 8-10 weeks'); local health departments: 'Customers will receive most orders within the same day.'.
The funeral home’s role
The funeral director or funeral establishment named on the record may order long-form certificates for up to 12 months after the death.
Long form includes cause and manner of death and SSN; short form (deaths registered electronically since Jan 1, 2018) omits them. Informational copies are available to anyone but cannot be used for legal purposes.
How many copies to order
Most banks, insurers, pension plans and government agencies each want their own certified copy. Count the accounts and policies before you order, because ordering more later means another application and fee. How many death certificates you need has a worksheet.
Who decides the funeral in Washington
State law sets who has the right to make funeral arrangements. See who has the right to make funeral decisions in Washington.
Related guides
- What to do when someone dies: the first 24 hours
- Who to call when someone dies, and in what order
- How much a funeral costs, line by line
- Help paying for a funeral: Social Security, VA and FEMA
- Official funeral resources for every state
Sources
- Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics (Vital Records)
- CDC: Where to Write for Vital Records (Washington)
- Washington State Department of Health, Center for Health Statistics (Vital Records)
Checked 2026-09-24. General information, not legal advice.