Register an Adoption for a Child Born in Washington

We currently have a six (6) month processing turnaround time.
  • If you submitted an application with a processing fee, the date your check or money order is cashed is the date we received your request, which helps you estimate the time left for processing.
  • The turnaround times are estimations and are subject to fluctuate due to staffing availability.
  • We are working diligently to reduce the turnaround times. If your request has not been processed after six (6) months, please call us at (360) 236-4300. We appreciate your patience, thank you.

The following is information on how to get a new birth certificate following an adoption for a person born in Washington State.

Mail    In-Person

In-State Adoption – Send the following:

  1. A certified copy of the adoption decree. You can get this from the clerk of the court that granted the adoption. The adoption decree must include the following information:
  • Adoptee's full original name
  • Adoptee's full new name, if changed
  • Adoptee's date and place of birth
  • Full name of each petitioner
  • Whether the petitioner(s) is/are: married, stepparent, domestic partners or a single parent.
  1. A completed Application for Adoption Registration (DOH 422-040)
  • Non-refundable fee of $15 for processing the request
  1. A completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names. 
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

Out-of-State Adoption – Send the following:

  1. A certified copy of your state’s adoption report or certificate of adoption.
  2. Non-refundable processing fee of $15*.
  3. Completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names.
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

Or

  1. A certified copy of the adoption decree. You may get this from the clerk of the court in which the adoption was granted.  The adoption decree must include the following information:
  • Adoptee's full original name.
  • Adoptee's full new name, if changed.
  • Adoptee's date and place of birth.
  • Full name of each petitioner.
  • Whether the petitioner(s) is/are: husband and wife, step-parent, domestic partners or a single parent.
  1. A completed Application for Adoption Registration (DOH 422-040).
  • Non-refundable processing fee of $15*.
  1. A completed Birth Certificate Order Form (DOH 422-182) (en español). This application must be completed with the adoptee's name and the adoptive parents' names.
  • Non-refundable fee of $25* for each certified copy of the amended birth certificate.
  • Provide proof of identity and eligibility.

*You can combine the adoption registration and certificate fees in one payment.

Make check or money order payable to Department of Health.

Mailing address:

Attn: Adoptions
Center for Health Statistics
PO Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507-9709

For questions contact our office at 360-236-4300.

Return to the main Adoption page