Vital Records No Fee in Specific Circumstances

The vital records law authorizes the Department of Health and local health jurisdictions to release specific vital records with no fee in specific circumstances. These circumstances include:

• A vital record for use in connection with a claim for compensation or pension pending before the Veteran's Administration;
• The death of a sex offender, for use by a law enforcement agency in maintaining a registered sex offender database;
• The death of any offender, requested by a county clerk or court in Washington state for purposes of extinguishing the offender's legal financial obligation;
• A birth certificate for homeless persons living in Washington state (only available from the Department of Health); and
• A birth certificate for a child receiving food benefits who is enrolling in a Washington state early learning program or K-12 public school. 

A vital record for use in connection with a claim for compensation or pension pending before the Veteran's Administration

To qualify for a birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificate at no charge for a claim for compensation or pension pending before the Veteran's Administration, the individual or entity must submit official documentation from the Veteran's Administration with a complete application for the requested certificate. For birth and death certificates require identity documentation and proof of qualifying relationship.

A death certificate for use by a law enforcement agency in maintaining a registered sex offender database

To qualify for a death certificate at no charge for use by a law enforcement agency in maintaining a registered sex offender database, the law enforcement agency must submit official documentation with a complete application for the requested death certificate. Death certificates require identity documentation and proof of eligibility.

A death certificate for use by a county clerk or court in Washington state for purposes of extinguishing the offender's legal financial obligation

To qualify for a death certificate at no charge for use by a county clerk or court in Washington state for purposes of extinguishing the offender's legal financial obligation, the county clerk or agent of the court must submit official documentation with a complete application for the requested death certificate. Death certificates require identity documentation and proof of eligibility.

A birth certificate for homeless persons born and living in Washington state

To qualify for a birth certificate at no charge for a person experiencing homelessness in Washington state, a government agency or homeless service provider working on behalf of the homeless individual must submit the request to the Department of Health. We can only provide certificates for persons born and currently living in Washington state.

The government agency or homeless service provider must submit a letter on official letterhead and a complete mail order form for the requested birth certificate. Birth certificates require identity documentation and proof of eligibility. Only one certificate provided per request.

The government agency or homeless service provider must submit a complete order application that includes:

• The Birth Certificate Order Form with required pieces of information.
• A letter on official letterhead asserting the individual meets the definition of homeless per RCW 43.185C.010 and lives in Washington state. This will serve as proof of eligibility and in some cases may serve as one of the alternate identification documents.
• Provide valid government identification or alternate identification for the individual who's birth certificate is requested. En Español
• Provide valid government identification or alternate identification of the government agency or homeless service provider submitting the request.

A birth certificate for a child receiving food benefits who is enrolling in an early learning program or K-12 public school 

A parent or guardian may qualify for a fee-waived birth certificate to enroll their child in school. The child must be eligible for or receive Washington Basic Food or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The parent or guardian must be enrolling the child in a Washington state early learning program or a K-12 public school. 

Completed applications can be processed at any local county health department in Washington state, or send the request by mail to the Washington State Department of Health. The parent or guardian must submit a complete order application that includes:  

• The Birth Certificate Order Form. 

• Valid government identification or alternate identification for the parent or guardian submitting the request. En Español 

• Documentation to prove your qualifying relationship to the child. 

• A Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) determination letter or proof from your DSHS Client Benefit Account showing the child’s full name. 

• An enrollment letter or statement for the current school year from the program or school on official letterhead. 

For more information, contact the Certification Services team at ContactCHS@doh.wa.gov.