by Genealogy is defined as the study of families, family history and the tracking of their lineage. This cannot be done without involving birth records. For ways on how to find birth records in Washington, this is your perfect stop. This is proof that you can find birth records online.
With a population of around 7.8 million, Washington state is located in the Pacific northwest part of the western United States. Statewide birth registration was implemented in 1907.
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Birth Records in Washington
Birth were not required to be registered in Washington state before 1891 but there were a few counties that began keeping records as early as 1869. Even though the law that required counties to register births was passed in 1891, statewide registration began in 1907.
Sources of birth records during this time with indexes and digital images are as follows:
Washington State Digital Archives (1871 – 1938)
Washington Births (1883 – 19435)
You can search for birth records from these sources but if you want order these birth records you will need to get in touch with the Washington State Department of Health.
Birth records in Washington are necessary for its citizens to be able to prove citizenship, obtain, passports, driver’s license, school enrollment and register for health insurance to name some. The following details are found in a typical Washington birth record:
- Child’s full name
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Place of birth (city and county)
- Mother’s full name, maiden name included
- Father’s full name
Restriction on Birth Records in Washington
Birth records are regarded as public records in Washington. However, certified copies of birth records are not regarded as public records which means they cannot be obtained by everyone. There are a few individuals who are allowed to obtain them. These include:
- Adult registrant (individual named on the records)
- Registrant’s parents
- Immediate relatives
- Guardians
- Legal representatives can also obtain birth certificates on behalf of minor registrants
Applicants are required to provide proof that they are eligible to such records. Copies of non-certified birth records can be obtained by anyone in Washington upon request. Applicants are required to provide all necessary documentation to ensure a smooth process. Applicants will not be required to prove their eligibility as non-certified copies are admissible for legal purposes.
Requirements to Obtain Birth Records in Washington
To obtain birth records in Washington, the following documents are necessary:
Valid Government Issued Photo Identification Document
Washington state accept identity documents that have less than 60 days after expiring when applying for birth records. In case a valid photo identification document is not there, applicants can present two other alternative documents that the (DoH) accept. These documents must have the name of the applicant, date of birth and photos.
Proof of Eligibility
Applicants are expected to furnish documents to prove their relationship to the record owner. Record owners who are adults are exempted from this.
The following information is needed from individuals who are looking to obtain non certified copies of birth records in Washington on top of their supporting documents:
- The first, middle, and last names of the record owner
- First and last names of parents
- Date, month, and year birth took place
- City and county of birth
Ways to Obtain Birth Records in Washington
There are three forms of birth certificates that are offered by Washington state. There is the:
Birth Certificates
The legal records used for official purposes. Only the record owner, close family member or official representatives are allowed to obtain the birth certificate.
Heirloom Birth Certificate
These are ceremonial birth certificates that have all details found on normal birth certificates. Their purpose may be for display or to be presented as gifts.
Non Certified Informal Birth Certificates
Informal birth certificates have all the details found in original birth certificates but are not printed on certified papers making them not valid for legal purposes.
Washington Birth Records Online
You can find birth records that were recorded in Washington before 1907 from the Washington State Archives. There are third party websites that are authorized by the Washington Department of Health (DoH) to offer birth records to individuals who are interested in them.
Third party websites make searches on them convenient as they have advanced search tools and can look up from a wider scale. So, searching from them need that you provide information like full name and location (city, county, state) to ensure that you pinpoint your search.
However, third party sites are not sponsored by the government making it possible that their data may vary from that of government sources.
Washington Birth Records in Person
Those looking to obtain birth records in Washington in person must submit their completed form with the necessary documents to the Department of Health (DoH) at:
Washington State Department of Health
Center for Health Statistics
Town Center 1
101 Israel Road South East
Tumwater, WA 98501
Washington Birth Records by Mail
Mail order applicants must first complete the Birth Certificate Mail Order Form which is to be mailed with the other needed documents to the Department of Health (DoH) at:
Center for Health Statistics
Department of Health
P.O. Box 9709
Olympia, WA 98507
With these ways on how to find birth records in Washington, you have a chance of locating any birth record that you want in the state. The only thing left is to try them out.
